The Man Behind – A Tribe Called Quest
Hi Kamaal, thank you for taking time to speaking to the DMC world community. New album – or should that be an old album (!) bombing our way, ‘Q-Tip – Kamaal The Abstract’. A long ride dude bringing this out, a record that sweeps in Soul, Jazz, Hip Hop and bits of Pop – it’s had quotes comparing it to the music Stevie Wonder and Prince have made. How frustrating has it been having it on the shelves gathering dust for so many years – and what’s the story?
“Well it’s been a journey Dan. The album was made nearly a decade ago, but Arista for whatever reason deemed it as “un-commercial”. I had Spike Lee on board to make a mini-movie, which had to be abandoned, and then had a 2002 release date, which also got pulled. However, thanks to Sony Records, here we go…”
Quite a journey with The Tribe Called Quest and a fascinating personal life, your father was born in Montserrat. You ever been there?
“A beautiful place. I was born in Harlem, but yeah, I have been over to there – you should go.”
So A Tribe Called Quest – this band has paved the way for so many amazing people that you can still see where they got your ideas from…
“Yeah I think that along with ourselves, NWQ paved the way with Gangsta Rap. The likes of Nas, Kanye and Mos Def in some way, shape or form took something from us.”
Why you pick the name Q-Tip?
“My home borough of Queens, New York City is responsible for that. The place just inspired me so much, rhyming, battling with dudes. Also, I used to go to church and sing in harmony choirs’
I know you like Jazz, the album is filled with the sound, who are your favourite artists from this sound?
“Oh man, so many, Miles, Coltrane – I just love the vibe.”
The Best Tribe Called Quest gig ever you did?
“A gig we played with The Beastie Boys in America, 8000 people just rocking Washington DC. What an amazing sight, it’s what it’s all about.”
The late 90s after ‘Amplified’ you started drum lessons and piano lessons I recall – from Weldon Irvine. Did that change the way you looked at how to make music?
“I think so yes. Back then, I had a fire and lost all my records and in a way it was a good thing. Kind of symbolic. I still had so much music inside of me but all of a sudden I was faced with not having vinyl to chop and sample. So I just wanted to make sure that anything like that happened again, I would still be able to put my voice out on the street. So I studied music theory and learnt the instruments…”
And that’s when you started working on the “Kamal The Abstract” album?
“Yeah”
So, a worldwide superstar that dance floors’ across the world have simply buried their heads into your bass and rhythms. Who were the artists you were listening to in your bedroom dreaming of stardom, that led you to a Platinum selling artist?
“Roy Ayers – every day of the week – and I mean every day of the week! Grandmaster Flash – a godsend and Run DMC – just dudes.”
What is your favourite tune on the ‘Kamaal The Abstract’ album’?
“There are so many tracks I’m proud of on there, but my personal favourite is ‘Even If It So'”
The Tribe Called Quest split in 1998 and then re-formed in 2006 – what’s the story here? In the UK most band’s reform for the money, surely it wasn’t the same for you?
“Nah. Simple a case of we all felt it was time to move on and do our own shows, and show people what we could all do singularly.”
I know your dad passed early on in your life which must have been really difficult, what did your mom think of your career choice, which becoming a musician can either explode or leave talented musicians struggling for years?
“As soon as I got past the age of 16 she started to trust me as I had a firm idea in my head what I was going to do with my life. She was proud of my drive, and I think she is okay with how it has all turned out now!”
Best thing about living in New York?
“What the city that never sleeps? That’s the reason…”
Worst thing…?
“Mayor Bloomberg.”
Can you DJ?
“For sure. I have a Friday residency at a club called Santos, been there a year now playing old skool, classic Hip Hip Hop and Boogie. It’s cool.”
What has been most insane gig that you have performed at in your career?
“I don’t think you can get any more insane than Michael Jackson’s birthday party.”
The Tribe Called Quest was part of The Native Tongues troup, De La Soul sitting on your shoulder – who do you think out of De La Soul was the most creative?
“I really can’t single out one member of this seminal band. How can you? They were all fabulous – props to Kelvin, Plug, David, Vincent and the whole crew.”
After five albums in ten years – does winning awards at the likes of VH1, The Source and Billboard, do they mean anything to you?
“Definitely. They are all rewards for how many hours we all put in to making the music.”
You changed your religion to Islam. One of the qualities of human nature in Islam is, generosity to friends, family, neighbours, strangers, even enemies. This is all mentioned in the Quran – what made you switch religion, and have you completed to The Five Pillars of Islam?
“No Dan, I haven’t done The Five Pillars of Islam yet. I decided to take this route of my life because I thought I wanted a higher spiritual higher acknowledgment, some bigger resolvement – some comfort somewhere. Somewhere music also could perhaps, take me to another place.”
The album from Q-Tip ‘Kamaal The Abstract’ – out now
