A Tribe Called Quest: Exclusive

Is it happening ?,can it be true. Why not ?, let's just cut to the chase. For a long time, people have wanted to know what happened to Queens bred group, A Tribe Called Quest. Well now, it is has come true. Actor and Dir. Michael Rapaport, filmed a documentary on the group entitled " Beats, Rhymes & Life : The Travels Of A Tribe Called Quest ". Here, all answers and questions are uncovered, but before we move on further about the upcoming movie, let's back track to a little history. A Tribe Called Quest is highly anticipated rap group that emerged from the city of St Albans, Queens NY. The group consisted of Q-Tip(John Davis), Phife Dawg( Malik Taylor), Ali Shaeed, and sometimes member Jarobi White( who left the group to attend culinary school, returning back in 2006). Their first album "People Instinctive Travels & the Paths of Rhythm" released in 1990, brought a level of consciousness & humor that changed the world of hip-hop forever. In 1996, it was certified gold by the RIAA. The blend between Phife Dawg's ranchy style, and Q-Tip's smooth melodic harmonies.................made for good chemistry between the two. He also produced the debut album himself. This lead to more success with albums like "The Low End Theory", "Midnight Marauders" & "Beats, Rhymes & Life(Prod. Credit, Ali Shaeed; Jay Dee)". In 1995, Ali & Tip founded the super-group "The Ummah" with the late J-Dilla(known as Jay Dee at the time). Between the " Beats, Rhymes, & Life" album, and the recordings for "The Love Movement", Phife Dawg stated that he and Q-Tip began to have problems, among other things.

Phife Dawg: Q-Tip and Ali had converted to Islam and I didn't. Music felt like a job; like I was just doin' it to pay bills. I never want my music to feel like just a job. They would schedule studio time at the last minute. I'd catch a plane from Atlanta to be in New York and when I got to the studio, no one would be there. They would have canceled the session without telling me. Seemed like the management was concerned with other folks not me. But I never lost my confidence. (source Wikipedia).

During the recording of " Beats, Rhymes & Life ", the relationship that once was between Taylor & Davis had disintegrated into nothing. It seemed like all the years of  number one hits, phat jazz samples, and creativity had never been. This could explain the reason for Phife Dawg only appearing on 8 of the 15 tracks for that album. Finally after two years on hiatus, Tribe released their final album in 1998 called " The Love Movement Album". This was critically their most "unimaginative" and "uninspired " piece of work to hit record stores, with the exception of "Find My Way" for which a video had been produced. The album was a failed effort, as well as a good bye to fans, and close associates who had no idea the group would break up shortly after. It seemed that everyone was destined to go on their own way, and became semi-successful. Q-Tip launched a solo career on the violator label, with his first album titled "Amplified"( a commercial effort which was a first for tip), with two popular singles "Breathe & Stop" & "Vibrant Thing". Ali Shaeed, teamed up with " Rapheel Sadiq ( formerly known as Charles Wiggins from Tony, Toni, Tone), and Dawn Robinson from En Vogue and performed under the name "Lucy Pearl". Their song " I Wanna Dance Tonight" was major hit being played in bars and dance clubs around America. After replacing Dawn with Joi, the group failed 2 years later. As for Phife Dawg...................well, he did a little better. Da Ventilation: EP was a major success, and spawned the single " Flawless", which took a shot at Q-Tip. It has been years since these guys have seen each other, what does the future hold for them. Is there still animosity towards one other?. Is there any magic left. Will Tribe record a new album ?. You'll just have to wait and see what happens. " Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels Of A Tribe Called Quest", is coming out this Friday in theaters on July 8th. If you're a true hip-hop fan, support Tribe, and go out to see this movie. History in the making.