Biography
Q-Tip has long ranked among hip-hop’s most respected figures as a rapper, producer, and actor, whether working alone or serving as the primary MC for the trailblazing alternative trio A Tribe Called Quest. Born Jonathan William Davis in New York City on November 20, 1970, he established the group in 1988 alongside schoolmates Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Malik “Phife Dawg” Taylor at the Murray Bergtraum High School for Business Careers.
The summer of 1989 brought Tribe’s first single, “Description of a Fool.” After securing a deal with Jive Records, the trio released its debut album, People’s Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm, the following year. Praised for sharp, socially conscious writing and an innovative marriage of rap and jazz, the ensemble quickly emerged as one of the genre’s most influential and commercially successful acts, issuing landmark records such as 1991’s The Low End Theory and 1993’s Midnight Marauders before the members parted ways in 1998.
Q-Tip began his solo career with the 1999 album Amplified. Anchored by the hit singles “Vivrant Thing” and “Breathe and Stop,” the project reached the Top 30 of the Billboard 200 and earned gold certification, yet he spent the next several years in label uncertainty. Although he finished Kamaal the Abstract in 2002, Arista shelved the set, which finally appeared in 2009 on Jive Records. His effective second solo album, The Renaissance, surfaced in late 2008 through Universal Motown. Grammy-nominated and featuring the single “Gettin Up,” the record also showcased Raphael Saadiq on “WeFight/WeLove,” Amanda Diva on “ManWomanBoogie,” Norah Jones on “Life Is Better,” and D’Angelo on “Believe.”
Q-Tip has additionally contributed guest vocals to numerous notable tracks by other artists, starting with De La Soul’s 1989 single “Buddy” and later appearing on Deee-Lite’s “Groove Is in the Heart,” Beastie Boys’ “Get It Together,” the Chemical Brothers’ Grammy-winning “Galvanize” and “Go,” R.E.M.’s “The Outsiders,” Mark Ronson’s “Bang Bang Bang,” Janet Jackson’s “Got ’Til It’s Gone,” Jay-Z’s “Girls, Girls, Girls,” Hiatus Kaiyote’s Grammy-nominated “Nakamarra,” and D’Angelo’s “Ain’t That Easy.” He has also produced for Kanye West, Jay-Z, Run-D.M.C., Nas, Mariah Carey, Beyoncé, and many additional artists.
In 2016, Q-Tip and A Tribe Called Quest reunited to record their sixth album just before Phife Dawg’s sudden passing. Joined by the remaining members, Q-Tip promoted We Got It from Here… Thank You 4 Your Service, which topped the Billboard 200 and ranked among the year’s most widely acclaimed releases. The group delivered its final concert together in late 2017 in Dorset, England. The following year, Q-Tip added another high-profile collaboration by covering Elton John’s “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” as a duet with Demi Lovato for John’s reimagined covers album, Revamp.
The summer of 1989 brought Tribe’s first single, “Description of a Fool.” After securing a deal with Jive Records, the trio released its debut album, People’s Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm, the following year. Praised for sharp, socially conscious writing and an innovative marriage of rap and jazz, the ensemble quickly emerged as one of the genre’s most influential and commercially successful acts, issuing landmark records such as 1991’s The Low End Theory and 1993’s Midnight Marauders before the members parted ways in 1998.
Q-Tip began his solo career with the 1999 album Amplified. Anchored by the hit singles “Vivrant Thing” and “Breathe and Stop,” the project reached the Top 30 of the Billboard 200 and earned gold certification, yet he spent the next several years in label uncertainty. Although he finished Kamaal the Abstract in 2002, Arista shelved the set, which finally appeared in 2009 on Jive Records. His effective second solo album, The Renaissance, surfaced in late 2008 through Universal Motown. Grammy-nominated and featuring the single “Gettin Up,” the record also showcased Raphael Saadiq on “WeFight/WeLove,” Amanda Diva on “ManWomanBoogie,” Norah Jones on “Life Is Better,” and D’Angelo on “Believe.”
Q-Tip has additionally contributed guest vocals to numerous notable tracks by other artists, starting with De La Soul’s 1989 single “Buddy” and later appearing on Deee-Lite’s “Groove Is in the Heart,” Beastie Boys’ “Get It Together,” the Chemical Brothers’ Grammy-winning “Galvanize” and “Go,” R.E.M.’s “The Outsiders,” Mark Ronson’s “Bang Bang Bang,” Janet Jackson’s “Got ’Til It’s Gone,” Jay-Z’s “Girls, Girls, Girls,” Hiatus Kaiyote’s Grammy-nominated “Nakamarra,” and D’Angelo’s “Ain’t That Easy.” He has also produced for Kanye West, Jay-Z, Run-D.M.C., Nas, Mariah Carey, Beyoncé, and many additional artists.
In 2016, Q-Tip and A Tribe Called Quest reunited to record their sixth album just before Phife Dawg’s sudden passing. Joined by the remaining members, Q-Tip promoted We Got It from Here… Thank You 4 Your Service, which topped the Billboard 200 and ranked among the year’s most widely acclaimed releases. The group delivered its final concert together in late 2017 in Dorset, England. The following year, Q-Tip added another high-profile collaboration by covering Elton John’s “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” as a duet with Demi Lovato for John’s reimagined covers album, Revamp.
Albums
Singles
