On Saturday (Oct. 19), A Tribe Called Quest will join the ranks of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame during the 2024 induction ceremony in Cleveland. And for a group who rose to prominence as part of the Native Tongues collective, which valued communal creativity over winner-takes-all competition, it’s fitting that they won’t be alone.
The surviving members of the group (Q-Tip, Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Jarobi White; Phife Dawg died in 2016 at age 45) will be joined in their performance by Busta Rhymes, The Roots, Queen Latifah, De La Soul, Common and Spliff Star.
Rhymes’ inclusion is a no-brainer: Busta’s chest-rattling verse on Tribe’s 1992 Billboard Hot 100 hit “Scenario” helped launch his career. Similarly, Q-Tip and Phife Dawg’s appearance on De La Soul’s 1989 posse cut “Buddy (Native Tongues Remix)” helped boost their pre-debut album profile. Also featured on that classic remix? Queen Latifah, a key force in the Native Tongues collective.
Aside from ATCQ being a clear inspiration for The Roots’ thoughtful, Afrocentric rhymes and jazz-inflected rhythms, drummer Questlove chose his name as an homage to the trailblazing group — plus, Q-Tip guested on their 1996 album Illadelph Halflife. Tip also featured on Common’s 1997 album One Day It’ll All Make Sense, and Common returned the favor on a track from the Abstract’s shelved 2004 album, Open. As for Spliff Star, he’s known as one of hip-hop’s most energetic hype men and has performed “Scenario” onstage with Rhymes and Q-Tip. Got all that?
A Tribe Called Quest enters the Rock Hall on its third nomination. Along with Mary J. Blige, Cher, Dave Matthews Band, Foreigner, Peter Frampton, Kool & the Gang and Ozzy Osbourne, they make up the Rock Hall’s Class of 2024 in the performers category.
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s 2024 ceremony will stream live on Disney+ on Oct. 19 starting at 7 p.m. ET. An edited primetime special featuring highlights will broadcast on ABC on Jan. 1, 2025, at 8 p.m. ET.
https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/a-tribe-called-quest-rock-hall-performance-1235803629/