Quinoa (album)

Quinoa is the debut studio album by the American experimental hip hop group Serengeti, released in 2012 on Anticon. The album is notable for its distinctive, minimalist production style and Serengeti's character-driven storytelling.

The album's central concept revolves around Serengeti's alter ego, Kenny Dennis, a middle-aged, mustachioed Chicago native. Through Kenny Dennis, Serengeti explores themes of aging, masculinity, nostalgia, and everyday life in the Midwest. The narratives often incorporate elements of humor and self-deprecation, depicting Kenny Dennis as a flawed but ultimately relatable character.

Musically, Quinoa utilizes sparse, repetitive beats and samples, creating a raw and unconventional sound. The album departs from traditional hip hop structures, favoring spoken word and stream-of-consciousness delivery. Critics have praised the album's originality and its portrayal of authentic, blue-collar experiences.