A Tribe Called Quest

  • Queens, NY
    hometown
  • Hip-Hop/Rap
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  • 1985
    started
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About A Tribe Called Quest

Official Site: atribecalledquest.com | facebook.com/pages/Tribe-Called-Quest/13053848079


Without question the most intelligent, artistic rap group during the 1990s, A Tribe Called Quest jump-started and perfected the hip-hop alternative to hardcore and gangsta rap. In essence, they abandoned the macho posturing rap music had been constructed upon, and focused instead on abstract philosophy and message tracks. The "sucka MC" theme had never been completely ignored in hip-hop, but Tribe confronted numerous black issues -- date rape, use of the word nigger, the trials and tribulations of the rap industry -- all of which overpowered the occasional game of the dozens. Just as powerful musically, Quest built upon De La Soul's jazz-rap revolution, basing tracks around laid-back samples instead of the played-out James Brown-fests which many rappers had made a cottage industry by the late '80s. Comprised of Q-Tip, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, and Phife, A Tribe Called Quest debuted in 1989 and released their debut album one year later. Second album The Low End Theory was, quite simply, the most consistent and flowing hip-hop album ever recorded, though the trio moved closer to their harder contemporaries on 1993's Midnight Marauders. A spot on the 1994 Lollapalooza Tour showed their influence with the alternative crowd -- always a bedrock of A Tribe Called Quest's support -- but the group kept it real on 1996's Beats, Rhymes and Life, a dedication to the streets and the hip-hop underground.

A Tribe Called Quest was formed in 1988, though both Q-Tip (b. Jonathan Davis) and Phife (b. Malik Taylor) had grown up together in Queens. Q-Tip met DJ Ali Shaheed Muhammad while at high school and, after being named by the Jungle Brothers (who attended the same school), the trio began performing. A Tribe Called Quest's recording debut came in August 1989, when their single, "Description of a Fool," appeared on a tiny area label (though Q-Tip had previously guested on several tracks from De La Soul's 3 Feet High and Rising and later appeared on Deee-Lite's "Groove Is in the Heart").

Signed to Jive Records by 1989, A Tribe Called Quest released their first album, People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm, one year later. Much like De La Soul, Tribe looked more to jazz as well as '70s rock for their sample base -- "Can I Kick It?" plundered Lou Reed's classic "Walk on the Wild Side" and made it viable in a hip-hop context. No matter how solid their debut was, second album The Low End Theory outdid all expectations and has held up as perhaps the best hip-hop LP of all time.

The Low End Theory had included several tracks with props to hip-hop friends, and A Tribe Called Quest cemented their support of the rap community with 1993's Midnight Marauders. The album cover and booklet insert included the faces of more than 50 rappers -- including obvious choices such as De La Soul and the Jungle Brothers -- as well as mild surprises like the Beastie Boys, Ice-T, and Heavy D. Though impossible to trump Low End's brilliance, the LP offered several classics (including Tribe's most infectious single to date, "Award Tour") and a harder sound than the first two albums. During the summer of 1994, A Tribe Called Quest toured as the obligatory rap act on the Lollapalooza Festival lineup, and spent a quiet 1995, marked only by several production jobs for Q-Tip. Returning in 1996 with their fourth LP, Beats, Rhymes and Life, Tribe showed signs of wear; it was a good album, but proved less striking than The Low End Theory or Midnight Marauders. While touring in support of 1998's The Love Movement, the group announced their impending breakup. ~ John Bush, Rovi

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Music

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  • Oh My God
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    Oh My God
  • Scenario
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    Scenario
  • Bonita Applebum
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    Video
    Bonita Applebum
  • Hot Sex On A Platter
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    Hot Sex On A Platter
  • Bonita Applebum
    a-tribe-called-quest
    Video
    Bonita Applebum
  • Award Tour
    a-tribe-called-quest
    Video
    Award Tour
  • Find A Way
    a-tribe-called-quest
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    Find A Way
  • Stressed Out Remix
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    Stressed Out Remix
  • Electric Relaxation (Relax Yourself Girl)
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    Video
    Electric Relaxation (Relax Yourself Girl)
  • Can I Kick It
    a-tribe-called-quest
    Video
    Can I Kick It

Interviews & Exclusives

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  • Q-Tip on Performing
    a-tribe-called-quest
    playlist
    Q-Tip on Performing
  • Phife Dawg Calls Tupac Californias Finest
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    video
    Phife Dawg Calls Tupac Californias Finest
  • Yo! Freestyles
    a-tribe-called-quest
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    Yo! Freestyles
  • MTV News Extended Play: A Tribe Called Quest
    a-tribe-called-quest
    playlist
    MTV News Extended Play: A Tribe Called Quest
  • Jarobi Reflects on Tribe's Impact on Hip Hop (Album-Versaries)
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    video
    Jarobi Reflects on Tribe's Impact on Hip Hop (Album-Versaries)
  • Jarobi on "Butter" and "Rap Promoter" (Album-Versaries)
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    Jarobi on "Butter" and "Rap Promoter" (Album-Versaries)
  • Jarobi on Managers DJ Red Alert and Chris Lighty (Album-Versaries)
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    video
    Jarobi on Managers DJ Red Alert and Chris Lighty (Album-Versaries)
  • Jarobi on "Beats, Rhymes and Life" and Tribe's Legacy (Album-Versaries)
    a-tribe-called-quest
    video
    Jarobi on "Beats, Rhymes and Life" and Tribe's Legacy (Album-Versaries)
  • Jarobi on Growing Up in Queens in the '90s (Album-Versaries)
    a-tribe-called-quest
    video
    Jarobi on Growing Up in Queens in the '90s (Album-Versaries)
  • Jarobi on His Role in ATCQ and Clubbing With Busta (Album-Versaries)
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    Jarobi on His Role in ATCQ and Clubbing With Busta (Album-Versaries)

Photos

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  • Honorees Jarobi White, Q-Tip, Phife Dawg, Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Consequence of A Tribe Called Quest attend the 4th Annual VH1 Hip Hop Honors ceremony at the Hammerstein Ballroom on October 4, 2007 in New York City.
    A Tribe Called Quest
    Honorees Jarobi White, Q-Tip, Phife Dawg, Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Consequence of A Tribe Called Quest attend the 4th Annual VH1 Hip Hop Honors ceremony at the Hammerstein Ballroom on October 4, 2007 in New York City.
    Mark Bryan Brown/ VH1
  • Honorees Jarobi White, Q-Tip, Phife Dawg, Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Consequence of A Tribe Called Quest perfom at the 4th Annual VH1 Hip Hop Honors ceremony at the Hammerstein Ballroom on October 4, 2007 in New York City.
    A Tribe Called Quest
    Honorees Jarobi White, Q-Tip, Phife Dawg, Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Consequence of A Tribe Called Quest perfom at the 4th Annual VH1 Hip Hop Honors ceremony at the Hammerstein Ballroom on October 4, 2007 in New York City.
    Scott Gries/Getty Images
  • (L-R) Honorees Jarobi White, Q-Tip, Phife Dawg, Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Consequence of A Tribe Called Quest attend the 4th Annual VH1 Hip Hop Honors ceremony at the Hammerstein Ballroom on October 4, 2007 in New York City.
    A Tribe Called Quest
    (L-R) Honorees Jarobi White, Q-Tip, Phife Dawg, Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Consequence of A Tribe Called Quest attend the 4th Annual VH1 Hip Hop Honors ceremony at the Hammerstein Ballroom on October 4, 2007 in New York City.
    Bryan Bedder/Getty Images
  • A Tribe Called Quest
    A Tribe Called Quest
    A Tribe Called Quest
    Jive Records
  • A Tribe Called Quest
    A Tribe Called Quest
    A Tribe Called Quest
    Jive Records
  • Portraits of hip-hop group A Tribe Called Quest. Photographed in september of 1996.
    A Tribe Called Quest
    Portraits of hip-hop group A Tribe Called Quest. Photographed in september of 1996.
    © Jay Blakesberg / Retna Ltd.
  • A Tribe Called Quest photographed in 1993.
    A Tribe Called Quest
    A Tribe Called Quest photographed in 1993.
    © Michael Benabib / Retna Ltd.
  • A Tribe Called Quest - 1993
    A Tribe Called Quest
    A Tribe Called Quest - 1993
    © Michael Benabib / Retna Ltd.
  • A Tribe Called Quest - 1990
    A Tribe Called Quest
    A Tribe Called Quest - 1990
    © Janette Beckman / Retna Ltd.
  • A Tribe Called Quest- 1996
    A Tribe Called Quest
    A Tribe Called Quest- 1996
    Michael S. Schwartz/Retna Ltd.

News

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  • A Tribe Called Quest
    J. Cole in Wonderland: A Cautionary Tale
    MTV Hive
    June 17, 2013
    It was terrifically late, at least 10 pm, when J. Cole staged a listening party for his new album, Born Sinner. “I bet nobody will like this,” ...
    Read More
  • A Tribe Called Quest
    'I Spin While I'm Doing It' And Other Winning 'Show With Vinny' Quotes
    Remote Control
    June 14, 2013
    Actress/singer/dancer Kat Graham is well on her way to becoming Hollywood royalty, but that doesn't mean the triple threat has any aversion to getti...
    Read More
  • A Tribe Called Quest
    My European Jaunt With Flosstradamus and Dillon Francis
    MTV Hive
    June 13, 2013
    For the last few years, I've been working as a New York City-based music photographer. Last summer, I shot   Flosstradamus in New   York City and t...
    Read More
  • A Tribe Called Quest
    Q-Tip Slams A Tribe Called Quest Documentary
    www.rollingstone.com
    was unclear at press time, the trailer shows Tip and Phife Dawg getting into a heated argument in front of the cameras; it also shows what is presumab...
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  • A Tribe Called Quest
    Q-Tip: Tribe Called Quest Documentary 'Just Not Done'
    www.rollingstone.com
    Late last week on Twitter, Q-Tip vented about the forthcoming Michael Rapaport-directed Tribe Called Quest documentary, Beats, Rhymes & Life, saying t...
    Read More
  • A Tribe Called Quest
    Q-Tip Says Documentarians Plotted Against A Tribe Called Quest
    www.rollingstone.com
    Q-Tip has been very vocal in his disapproval of Beats, Rhymes & Life, Michael Rapaport's documentary about his legendary rap group A Tribe Called Ques...
    Read More
  • A Tribe Called Quest
    A Tribe Called Quest Documentary Director Michael Rapaport Opens Up About Controversial Film
    www.rollingstone.com
    Making the new documentary Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest was an up-and-down experience for actor-turned-director Michael R...
    Read More
  • A Tribe Called Quest
    Tribe Called Quest Now In Support Of Documentary, Rapaport Talks Doc With NY Mag
    www.prefixmag.com
    Now that the A Tribe Called Quest documentary, Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest, is coming to theaters in summer, it seems li...
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  • A Tribe Called Quest
    Watch A Clip From A Tribe Called Quest's 'Beats, Rhymes & Life' Documentary
    prefixmag.com
    The last time wereportedonBeats, Rhymes & Life-- Michael Rapaport's controversial documentary onA Tribe Called Quest-- MTV had sat down with Q-Tip and...
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  • A Tribe Called Quest
    A Tribe Called Quest Never Got Paid For 'Can I Kick It?', Says Phi | Prefix
    www.prefixmag.com
    back saying 'Fuck Lou Reed,' because Lou Reed has every right to say 'Give me my motherfucking money,'" Phife said to the crowd. "So Lou Reed could ha...
    Read More
  • A Tribe Called Quest
    Q-Tip Plans Studio Time With A Tribe Called Quest Members
    www.rollingstone.com
    After a 15-year break from recording together, can A Tribe Called Quest kick it again? Fresh from playing a gig with Prince at SXSW, the group's membe...
    Read More
  • A Tribe Called Quest
    Q-Tip Wants A Tribe Called Quest Reunion on Next Album
    www.xxlmag.com
    Fans are excited to hear Q-Tip is working on another solo project, called The Last Zulu, due out sometime in 2014. Now, the G.O.O.D. Music rapper is c...
    Read More
  • A Tribe Called Quest
    Q-Tip Plans Studio Time With A Tribe Called Quest Members
    music.yahoo.com
    Related ContentView Photo Q-Tip Plans Studio Time With A Tribe Called Quest Members After a 15-year break from recording together, can A Tribe Called ...
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Tour Dates

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  • Jul 11 Thursday
    Paris, France La Bellevilloise
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  • Jul 12 Friday
    Gräfenhainichen, Germany Ferropolis - Stadt Aus Eisen Arena
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  • Jul 12 Friday
    Frauenfeld, Switzerland Openair Frauenfeld
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  • Jul 12 Friday
    London, UK Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
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Discography

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  • The Love Movement (1998)
    A Tribe Called Quest
    The Love Movement (1998)
    Jive Records
  • Beats, Rhymes and Life (1996)
    A Tribe Called Quest
    Beats, Rhymes and Life (1996)
    Jive Records
  • Midnight Marauders (1993)
    A Tribe Called Quest
    Midnight Marauders (1993)
    Jive Records
  • The Low End Theory (1991)
    A Tribe Called Quest
    The Low End Theory (1991)
    Jive Records
  • People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm (1990)
    A Tribe Called Quest
    People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm (1990)
    Jive Records
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