This past summer, the legendary Queens crew A Tribe Called Quest was thrust to the forefront of Hip Hop with the controversy over Michael Rapaport’s award-winning film Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest. Now, Rapaport and the Tribe’s own Phife Dawg discuss another issue plaguing the group’s legions of fans: whether Tribe will ever reunite for another LP.
In a recent interview with Hard Knock TV, the Five Foot Assassin addressed whether he, Q-Tip, Jarobi and Ali Shaheed Muhammad would ever join forces again to fulfill the final album of their contract with Jive Records. Although Phife couldn’t say whether the group would reform for a new project, he did indicate that he and Tip have mended their relationship, which he believes is the first step in the process to a full-fledged reunion.
“I don’t know man, I really don’t know the answer to [whether Tribe will reunite],” said Phife Diggy. “I know we’re friends at the end of the day, and Q-Tip and I definitely mended our friendship, so that’s the start. You’ve got to start off with that, ‘cus if we’re not cool and we force ourselves to do a so-called album that we owe the record label [Jive]…it will leak into the music and our fans are going to be disappointed. I’d rather not do it if we’re going to disappoint our fans. But if it’s all seriousness to it and we can get the job done, then let’s do it.”
Rapaport also discussed whether he thought the Tribe would record a new album in the near future. Like Phife, the actor and director said it’s impossible to tell whether the four members will ever hit the studio for one more LP. However, he added that if they ever did decide to release a new LP, he’d be first in line to purchase it.
“That’s the reason I made the movie. I don’t know if they’re going to make more music [together], I know that they can,” Rappaport explained. “I think that…their relationship has to be intact in order to make the music [we the fans] expect. The level of anticipation would be so high. I think it’d be exciting for music fans, I think it’d be exciting or Hip Hop. Will they do it? I have no idea…I’m done trying to figure it out. I loved being apart of this movie, and if they do make an album I’ll be the first one to buy it.”
The full interview can be seen below.
RELATED: Q-Tip & Michael Rapaport Continue Feuding About Tribe Called Quest Documentary
you know Consequence bitch ass won’t be a part of it…
was he even in a tribe called quest. Can’t remember hearing his verses. hes a little bit corny.
“you know Consequence bitch ass won’t be a part of it…”
Quoted for emphasis.
Damn I wish a new Tribe album would happen, but deep down I really wonder if that time has passed for them. The interest is definitely still there from a fan’s perspective but I just can’t call it yo…
i 100% hope that they don’t make another album. there time is gone let it be, fuck jive man
No, it wouldnt be a bad thing. They arent gonna make it for the record company or the money as they said. They would only do it if the group was mended together like it used to be. I think they know what theyre doing.
leave well enough alone!! the beats that qtip have been making lately have been st8 trash Jdilla is no longer here who would submit beats? 9th wonder? nottz? Illmind? S1?
The beats on The Renaissance are trash?
Nah E, I know he ain’t talking about “The Renaissance”……..
Q tip is still good man I don’t know what your talking about.
Renaissance was blah at best…did it even sell 100k?
@google… where you at with making beats if you’re such an expert?
Damn Phife aged like shit. Hope he took care of that kidney problem. I say if they aint in the studio together yet then fuck all the rappin, Its been too long they might need a lot of studio time to kind of sprinkle some oil in that old gear to get it workin smooove again. Aye if Nas and Common can bring that 90’s sound in 2011 maybe these cats can do the same. Whatever happens long live this hip hop shit!
He got dat kidney problem straight, his wife was a match….. they say it in documentry.
Umm J dilla didn’t have anything to do with the 1st 3 TCQ albums and they are all classics. The Love Movement was the least appealing out of of them.
Damn, as much love and respect as I got for Dilla you’re absolutely right about that one sir.
Tribe should let it go. Hip hop has changed since their last release. A potential flop could ruin their legacy. I for one would expect nothing short of a midnight marauder level tribe if they came back.
As long as they continue with their style and dope lyrics I don’t consider it damaging their legacy even if the album doesn’t sell well. the average listener is more into pop than anything else so their is a good chance of not selling well, but if they put out one I have to buy it.
Dayum i hope i hear another tribe called quest album. Just like the pharcyde. & i really enjoyed all their albums. Even the love movement. Anyhow’s i’m done. Peace.