The loftiness, eclecticism and innovation of super rap group A Tribe Called Quest has been unmatched for the past twenty years. They arrived in 1990 with their first album, People’s Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm, since then the world has yet to see such timeless artistry. On November 9, 1993, the hip-hop veterans dropped their third album Midnight Marauders. It was widely recognized and still manages to attract new fans, eighteen years later. This month fans are celebrating the album’s 18th album-versary (album+anniversary). When we recently asked group member Ali Shaheed Muhammad to pick his favorite record off the album, it was like picking a close family member over another, he couldn’t do it. “Those records are like my children, they are all special and I’m grateful that people to this day still embrace our music.” Ali celebrates the 18th album-versary of Midnight Marauders with freelancer Lathleen.
In this generation, with rappers lacking honesty and quality content, auto-tuned out and being over killed on FM radio, I find myself disregarding the hip-hop of today and traveling back to 1993 by still pressing play on Midnight Marauders. A Tribe Called Quest promoted diversity and encouraged self-identity all while representing fresh innovational ideas and concepts. They rhymed for the art of it and did it with much compassion in comparison with the rappers of today who are primarily concerned with the fast cash and fame. “You can tell when certain artists are not here for the advancement of the people and elevating [music] to its finest light,” says Ali. Fame is the last thing on Ali’s mind, his only pleasure from his work is the people. “I’m just grateful that people have allowed our music and art into their hearts and lifestyles,” he continues “that’s all that really matters to me.” While I think hip hop is struggling, Ali objects and says “there is too much to talk about for hip-hop to be dead, there are a lot of artists out there being as creative as we were but I don’t think they are getting any mainstream exposure which makes it seem like there is nothing left.” Right now, Ali says he has California rapper Kendrick Lamar on repeat. He also lists Black Milk and Danny Brown as his favorites in 2011. While Ali insists there are creative artists out there similar to his group A Tribe Called Quest, I’m reluctant to agree.
The beats on Midnight Marauders were uncommon in hip-hop culture; one listen to a song like “Electric Relaxation” which was included on the album will leave you in a joyful groove. In fact, the popular Wayans brothers loved it so much; they included the song as their theme song for their 1990’s sitcom show The Wayans Bros. “Lyrics to Go” was another smooth groove, bliss, the entire album, bliss.
Ali attended the Borough of Manhattan Community College, he planned on saving his money for law school until his career was halted with a recording contract just a few months in. Many supporters and fans are forever indebted in that decision. Through speaking with Ali, his calm and peaceful spirit could be felt; clearly he is free from negative forces, stress and doubt of an unhappy life after A Tribe Called Quest’s disbandment. He exudes enough confidence to assure that he is not disturbed by any of the lingering rumors or controversial commotion surrounding A Tribe Called Quest’s legacy.
Premiere Of "Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels Of A Tribe Called Quest" At The 2011 Tribeca Film Festival
He sheds more light and shines on in conversation:
Do you still listen to Midnight Marauders?
It doesn’t happen often, it’s kind of hard, even when the music comes on in the car, it’s kind of hard for me to sit there and hear it, I don’t know what the cause of that is, it’s a strange feeling, I can’t explain it. I think it’s just ‘OK, this is on, I think its cool,’ but I like watching the people and see how they react but for me to sit there while it’s on, it’s kind of [pause] I don’t really like attention.
Do you feel like a legend?
Not really, I mean I notice it, I think for a certain people there’s a certain respectable amount of reverence for what we’ve done and the messages that we promoted. I’m aware of it, but I don’t think about it when I wake up and go to sleep. I’m just grateful that people have allowed our music into their hearts and lifestyles.
When did you realize the group was legendary?
It wasn’t realized to me until I think in 2008 Rock the Bells when we were on stage with people that I look up too, we were on with Nas, Rakim, De La Soul, Mos Def [etc].
You look up to Nas?
Absolutely, I admire who he is as an emcee as a young black man growing up in the tenements, having this environment not oppress him to the place of destruction but using it as a means and a tool to get himself up out of there and at the same time drop messages to try and inspire those who are of the same community.
Photo by Melissa Louise O'Neal
At a young age you seemed very conscious and aware, you can’t get that from school, or an academic curriculum, where did you seek for knowledge?
Yeah, that was more of a home front, my parents were civil right activists, anyone born in the 70’s, their parents marched at some capacity, like their doing with Occupy Wall Street, growing up there was always a level of roots and culture…..explaining ‘where you come from’, and ‘what you should be striving for. ‘
Is Hip Hop dead or alive?
I don’t think hip hop is dead, it’s very much alive, through hip hop has come the uniting of the masses, there comes the education of social and government oppression, through hip hop has come unity to effect change of the present status of the way of life that has been oppressive.
What do you like least about Hip Hop right now?
The thing that I like the least is the lack of vulnerability and honesty. I do know a lot of artists exaggerate certain things. I don’t know when this became the commandment of hip-hop that you have to over express your real experiences [laughs] the whole purpose of being an emcee and rapper is to express your life experiences, true. You got to question the things that are said because you have a lot of kids that are listening to these things and get the wrong perception and feel like they can conduct their selves a certain way and aspire towards these fairytales.
The mold of the true lover of the art is the same as far as finding it, back in the days you would go through every radio station to find the dopiest hip hop, having to stick your radio antenna outside of a window just to get the reception because you know a college radio station is playing the good stuff. If you’re really a lover of the art form, you have that kind of spirit.
Photo by Melissa Louise O'Neal
You seem more into the art and not the recognition.
I’m only concerned about the recognition from the stand point, that when you’re expressing yourself, no one in the world can identify with your expression but as far as the things that come with stardom and super stardom and all of that, nah..I’m not into it.
Why aren’t you aging?
It’s so funny, people say that but it’s like what are you people looking at because I see some changes but I guess, I live really in a simple way I don’t smoke or drink alcohol at all, I drink a lot of water, I have a huge love affair with chocolate cookies and cake but when I splurge and wild out, I have a time period where I exercise like an obsessed crazed person and on a spiritual level it’s just having a connection with the creator and having a proper amount of humility and discipline.
You’re 40 and some change, do you still feel youthful?
Oh Yeah! I just did a track last night; I was like O’ my god! Like yup….uh-huh! I can’t wait to put this out! It’s all about your mind, your heart and your spirit, you know, I know people in their 90s that have a youthful spirit.
Do you plan on releasing unreleased ATCQ songs from the vault?
We talked about it, but haven’t really come to a conclusion on it, so until then, it stays in the vault.
How are the guys, are you guys all cool, including Consequence?
Yes! I’m always cool with everybody, speaking of Consequence, I owe him a call.
Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) was released the same exact day as Midnight Marauders, was there any competition between the two groups?
Nahhhhhhh….not at all, you don’t even think about that. If there was any competition it was an internal competiveness for us to raise the bar from [our previous record].
You’re in New York City, are you participating in Occupy Wall Street?
I need to get my butt down there. I have mixed feelings about it, I think that its good to speak out against oppression, that’s something that Islam places emphasis on is speaking out against oppressive situations, I think people coming together to try and effect change so we can find jobs and balance out finances and how they are legislations that are put in place to only greatly benefit those that are wealthy I like that aspect of it, but my only issue is where is it leading to? In terms of the marches that my parents were apart of and so many people in this country of the 60’s, you really rally up the people and you see how coming together really motivates those that are in power, that’s the only draw back that it doesn’t bring a sense of urgency to the people in power. It is healthy to begin somewhere though.
A Tribe Called Quest’s film documentary produced by Michael Rapaport called Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels Of A Tribe Called Quest” is now available on DVD and Blu-ray.
Ali Shaheed Muhammad is working on new music as well as gearing up to promote his new artist Ja Poet. He closes the conversation with a cheer “to another 18 years of love!”
Lathleen is a 90’s culture addict and hip hop enthusiast. A freelance writer and responsible journalist that spends most of time writing. Visit www.lathleenwrites.com
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