Happy 51st birthday, Q-Tip: A Thread

To celebrate one of my favorite artist's birthdays I compiled a thread with some background & facts about him.
Inspired by his dad's Jazz vinyl collection and encouraged by Phife to begin rapping, Q-Tip merged the two interests to create his own, unique sound.
Between 9th and 10th grades using his dad's vinyl collection and pause tapes, he created the earliest version of A Tribe Called Quest's debut album, People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm.

Credit: Al Pereira/Getty Images
Between 9th and 10th grades using his dad's vinyl collection and pause tapes, he created the earliest version of A Tribe Called Quest's debut album, People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm.Credit: Al Pereira/Getty Images
Between 9th and 10th grades using his dad's vinyl collection and pause tapes, he created the earliest version of A Tribe Called Quest's debut album, People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm.Credit: Al Pereira/Getty Images
In high school, he formed a rapper/ DJ duo with Ali Shaheed. They'd later be joined by Phife and Jarobi, and go by Quest, and perform at block parties throughout Queens.
The year he graduated high school, he made his debut on the Jungle Brothers- Straight Out the Jungle. He rapped on Black is Black & The Promo, the second track he also co-produced. They'd also form the Native Tongues, which would also include De La Soul, among others.
The year he graduated high school, he made his debut on the Jungle Brothers- Straight Out the Jungle. He rapped on Black is Black & The Promo, the second track he also co-produced. They'd also form the Native Tongues, which would also include De La Soul, among others.
The year he graduated high school, he made his debut on the Jungle Brothers- Straight Out the Jungle. He rapped on Black is Black & The Promo, the second track he also co-produced. They'd also form the Native Tongues, which would also include De La Soul, among others.
The following year, he led the production for Tribe's debut and was also the main MC, as Phife was not fully committed to the group at the time. It was well received, but did not sell as well as Q-Tip was hoping.
The following year, he led the production for Tribe's debut and was also the main MC, as Phife was not fully committed to the group at the time. It was well received, but did not sell as well as Q-Tip was hoping.
The following year, he led the production for Tribe's debut and was also the main MC, as Phife was not fully committed to the group at the time. It was well received, but did not sell as well as Q-Tip was hoping.
Learning that his friend Phife had become diabetic, he convinced him to focus on music instead of trying to find a day job. The next two albums, Low End Theory & Midnight Marauders, are both undeniable classics. Tip handled most production on both projects.
Tip had become one the most in demand producers and was asked to produce on Illmatic. He produced & rapped on One Love.
Mobb Deep, a duo that he discovered, asked him to mix & produce The Infamous... He mixed the entire project and reworked the drums on tracks, including Survival of the Fittest & Up North Trip. Tapping into his Jazz, he was able to make the beats darker & more grimy.
After a three year hiatus, ATCQ reunited, but the chemistry had weakened and Hip Hop had shifted from where they left off in 1993. Beats, Rhymes, and Life & Love Movement were mixed by Q-Tip, and featured less production than earlier Tribe records.
After a three year hiatus, ATCQ reunited, but the chemistry had weakened and Hip Hop had shifted from where they left off in 1993. Beats, Rhymes, and Life & Love Movement were mixed by Q-Tip, and featured less production than earlier Tribe records.
After a three year hiatus, ATCQ reunited, but the chemistry had weakened and Hip Hop had shifted from where they left off in 1993. Beats, Rhymes, and Life & Love Movement were mixed by Q-Tip, and featured less production than earlier Tribe records.
As Tribe came to a close, he earned two major R&B placements that helped him expound his sound & reached. He produced and rapped on Janet Jackson- Got til it's Gone and co-produced Mariah Carey- Honey.
As Tribe came to a close, he earned two major R&B placements that helped him expound his sound & reached. He produced and rapped on Janet Jackson- Got til it's Gone and co-produced Mariah Carey- Honey.
As Tribe came to a close, he earned two major R&B placements that helped him expound his sound & reached. He produced and rapped on Janet Jackson- Got til it's Gone and co-produced Mariah Carey- Honey.
At this time, he also prepared his solo debut, Amplified. It built off the sound of the final two Tribe albums and featured what some of his long time fans would consider going commercial, specifically Vivrant Thang.
He quickly returned to the studio to record Kamaal the Abstract. It was heavily Jazz Fusion, Neo-Soul, and Funk which he rapped and sung over. His label shelved it, doubting that it could be commercially successful. It eventually dropped in 2009.
He faced label issues for much of the 2000s decade, but managed to co-produce Kurt Rosenwinkel- Heartcore and earn a Grammy for appearing on the Chemical Brothers- Galvanize.
He faced label issues for much of the 2000s decade, but managed to co-produce Kurt Rosenwinkel- Heartcore and earn a Grammy for appearing on the Chemical Brothers- Galvanize.
He faced label issues for much of the 2000s decade, but managed to co-produce Kurt Rosenwinkel- Heartcore and earn a Grammy for appearing on the Chemical Brothers- Galvanize.
He faced label issues for much of the 2000s decade, but managed to co-produce Kurt Rosenwinkel- Heartcore and earn a Grammy for appearing on the Chemical Brothers- Galvanize.
Label issues were resolved and he landed at Motown, where he dropped his comeback album, The Renaissance. He sounded re-energized and was rapping over soulful, Jazz leaning records. In addition to producing, he also played the bass, drums, and keys on the album.
Label issues were resolved and he landed at Motown, where he dropped his comeback album, The Renaissance. He sounded re-energized and was rapping over soulful, Jazz leaning records. In addition to producing, he also played the bass, drums, and keys on the album.
Label issues were resolved and he landed at Motown, where he dropped his comeback album, The Renaissance. He sounded re-energized and was rapping over soulful, Jazz leaning records. In addition to producing, he also played the bass, drums, and keys on the album.
Q-Tip was invited to the My Beautiful Dark Fantasy recording sessions, but wasn't included on the final album. The following year, he co-produced two tracks off Watch the Throne, Lift Off and That's My Bitch.
Q-Tip was invited to the My Beautiful Dark Fantasy recording sessions, but wasn't included on the final album. The following year, he co-produced two tracks off Watch the Throne, Lift Off and That's My Bitch.
Q-Tip was invited to the My Beautiful Dark Fantasy recording sessions, but wasn't included on the final album. The following year, he co-produced two tracks off Watch the Throne, Lift Off and That's My Bitch.
In 2015, after a Tonight Show performance, Tribe Called re-united to record We Got It from Here... Thank You 4 Your Service. After Phife passed, Tip decided to finish recording the project. The album earned widespread acclaim, making many end of the year best lists.
In 2015, after a Tonight Show performance, Tribe Called re-united to record We Got It from Here... Thank You 4 Your Service. After Phife passed, Tip decided to finish recording the project. The album earned widespread acclaim, making many end of the year best lists.
In 2015, after a Tonight Show performance, Tribe Called re-united to record We Got It from Here... Thank You 4 Your Service. After Phife passed, Tip decided to finish recording the project. The album earned widespread acclaim, making many end of the year best lists.
In 2015, after a Tonight Show performance, Tribe Called re-united to record We Got It from Here... Thank You 4 Your Service. After Phife passed, Tip decided to finish recording the project. The album earned widespread acclaim, making many end of the year best lists.
In 2016, the Kennedy Center selected Q-Tip as the their Founding Artistic Director for Hip Hop Culture where he curated a number of programs and events. In 2018, he joined the faculty at NYU focusing on the relationship between Jazz & Hip Hop.
In 2016, the Kennedy Center selected Q-Tip as the their Founding Artistic Director for Hip Hop Culture where he curated a number of programs and events. In 2018, he joined the faculty at NYU focusing on the relationship between Jazz & Hip Hop.
In 2016, the Kennedy Center selected Q-Tip as the their Founding Artistic Director for Hip Hop Culture where he curated a number of programs and events. In 2018, he joined the faculty at NYU focusing on the relationship between Jazz & Hip Hop.
In 2016, the Kennedy Center selected Q-Tip as the their Founding Artistic Director for Hip Hop Culture where he curated a number of programs and events. In 2018, he joined the faculty at NYU focusing on the relationship between Jazz & Hip Hop.
Over the last couple years, he has mentioned working on multiple albums, saying he's in the process of three projects at the same time. He's also earned production credits for Anderson. Paak, Roc Marciano, and Danny Brown since 2018.
Over the last couple years, he has mentioned working on multiple albums, saying he's in the process of three projects at the same time. He's also earned production credits for Anderson. Paak, Roc Marciano, and Danny Brown since 2018.
Over the last couple years, he has mentioned working on multiple albums, saying he's in the process of three projects at the same time. He's also earned production credits for Anderson. Paak, Roc Marciano, and Danny Brown since 2018.
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