After officially announcing that A Tribe Called Quest had returned to the studio to work on a new album, Q-Tip, Phife and Ali have decided to remain on hiatus until the dispute with their record label is resolved. Having not released a new album since 1998’s The Love Movement”, Jive Records had decided to release a collection of A Tribe Called Quest” songs on June 17th titled “Hits, Rarities and Remixes”.
“The good people at Jive thought it fit to put out an album that was unauthorized by us with some material that we never intended to come out, but they did”, Q-Tip told Billboard. I guess once they come say ‘sorry’ to us, we’ll talk about when we’ll put it out (another album).” Though they are currently waiting for the issues to be resolved, Q-Tip isn’t letting this stop his new label Abstract Artworks.
Signing a new deal with parent company Dreamworks, Q-Tip is working on releasing new artists as well as a new solo album tentatively titled “Open”. “I’m able to work and develop artists,” he said. “One is an amazing vocalist by the name of Antoinique Smith, and the other is a singer/songwriter named Keon Bryce. I’m working on developing them and putting myself out. It’s intriguing to be at one of the last independent labels and to have the opportunity to build something and really grow a real relationship”.
