A Tribe Called Quest

A Tribe Called Quest was an influential alternative rap group of the 1990s, originally formed in Queens, New York City in 1988. The group is comprised of Q-Tip, Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Phife.

Q-Tip and Phife had grown up together in Queens, and met Muhammad in high school. The Jungle Brothers, who attended the same school, coined the name and soon, the trio began performing and recording on a local label. Q-Tip also guested with De La Soul and Deee-Lite.

At the time of their inception, A Tribe Called Quest was virtually unique within the hip-hop community for eschewing gangsta rap and macho posturing; their lyrics focused on philosophy and abstract messages, rapping about the word "nigger", date rape and consumerism, among other controversial topics. Musically, ATCQ emerged from jazz-rap (such as De La Soul) and hit the music scene in 1989 with People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm. Though this album was critically acclaimed and built a fan base, the following album, The Low End Theory was a massive artistic success, making several best of the year lists; it is considered one of the best and most important hip-hop albums. This was followed by Midnight Marauders (1993), Beats, Rhymes and Life (1996) and The Love Movement (1998). After that, the group broke up. Q-Tip went on to found a successful solo career.