Q-Tip (musician) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Q-Tip
Q-Tip in Washington, D.C.; 2008
Born	Jonathan William Davis (1970-04-10) April 10, 1970 (age 55) Manhattan, New York City, U.S.
Other names	The Abstract Tip The Lone Ranger The Last Zulu Qualiall
Education	Murry Bergtraum High School
Occupation	Rapper record producer singer songwriter disc jockey
Years active	1985–present
Relatives	Consequence (cousin)
Awards	Full list
Musical career
Origin	Queens, New York City, U.S.
Genres	East Coast hip hop jazz rap alternative hip hop progressive soul
Labels	Jive Arista Universal Motown Battery GOOD Def Jam Epic

Kamaal Ibn John Fareed (born Jonathan William Davis, April 10, 1970), known as Q-Tip, is an American rapper, music producer, singer, and DJ. He is also called the Abstract. Q-Tip is famous for his new and exciting jazz-influenced style of hip hop production. He also writes deep and thoughtful lyrics.

He started his music journey in the late 1980s. He was the main rapper and producer for the important alternative hip hop group A Tribe Called Quest. In the mid-1990s, he helped start the production team The Ummah. Later, in 1999, he released his first solo album, Amplified, which sold very well. In the next few years, he released other popular albums like The Renaissance (2008) and Kamaal the Abstract (2009).

Beyond music, Q-Tip has acted in movies such as Poetic Justice and She Hate Me. He even helped write and starred in Prison Song. As a DJ, he has hosted his own radio show, Abstract Radio, since 2015. In 2016, he became the artistic director for hip hop culture at the Kennedy Center. In 2018, he started teaching a class about jazz and hip hop at New York University. Q-Tip is seen as one of the most important people in hip hop music. He was even inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2024 as a member of A Tribe Called Quest.

Early Life and Music Beginnings

Q-Tip was born Jonathan William Davis on April 10, 1970, in Harlem, New York City. His father came from the island of Montserrat. His mother was from Alabama. When he was a child, his family moved to St. Albans, Queens, New York City. He met his friend Phife Dawg at church when they were both two years old.

At age nine, Q-Tip started rapping after Phife Dawg encouraged him. They had both just heard "Rapper's Delight" for the first time. Q-Tip was also inspired by his father's large collection of jazz records. By age 12, he began to DJ and create beats using cassette tapes.

Q-Tip went to Murry Bergtraum High School in Manhattan. There, he became friends with Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Afrika Baby Bam, and Mike Gee. The last two later formed the hip-hop group Jungle Brothers. In high school, Q-Tip took part in rap battles. He used the names J Nice and MC Love Child. In 1985, he and Muhammad formed a rapping and DJ duo. They used recording equipment from Muhammad's uncle to make demo songs. Later, Phife Dawg and their friend Jarobi White joined them. Together, they were known as Quest. When Q-Tip was 16, his father passed away.

Music Career Highlights

Early Success with A Tribe Called Quest

Q-Tip performing with A Tribe Called Quest

Afrika Baby Bam gave him the nickname "Q-Tip," which became his stage name. In 1988, Q-Tip was featured on Jungle Brothers' songs "The Promo" and "Black Is Black." He also helped produce "The Promo." In "Black Is Black," he renamed his group A Tribe Called Quest. That name was given to them by Afrika Baby Bam. Both songs were on Jungle Brothers' first album, Straight out the Jungle. That year, the two groups met De La Soul. These three groups formed the Native Tongues collective. They were known for their positive messages and unique music samples.

In 1989, A Tribe Called Quest signed with Jive Records. Many other labels had turned them down because of their different sound. Q-Tip was the group's main producer for their first album. The album, People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm, came out in 1990. It showed Q-Tip was a very skilled lyricist. Later that year, he appeared on the hit song "Groove Is in the Heart" by Deee-Lite.

In 1991, A Tribe Called Quest released their second album, The Low End Theory. Q-Tip encouraged Phife Dawg to stay with the group and participate more. This led to very smooth rapping from both of them. The group was also praised for Q-Tip's simple, jazzy production style.

By 1993, Q-Tip was also producing music for other artists. He produced the hit song "Gangsta '''*'''" for Apache. Q-Tip also made his acting debut in the film Poetic Justice. He played Janet Jackson's love interest in the movie. Later that year, A Tribe Called Quest released their third album, Midnight Marauders. This album was seen as their most complete work. It featured Q-Tip's gritty production style and his amazing lyrical connection with Phife Dawg.

Producing for Other Artists

After two very successful albums with his group, Q-Tip started focusing on producing for others. In 1994, he produced the song "One Love" from Nas's first album, Illmatic. He also sang the chorus on the song. He remixed other songs and appeared on "Get It Together" by Beastie Boys.

Film director Spike Lee asked Q-Tip to produce the song "Crooklyn" for his 1994 film of the same name. Q-Tip helped Lee find three rappers from Brooklyn for the song. They formed the group Crooklyn Dodgers.

In 1994, Q-Tip met producer Jay Dee. Q-Tip was very impressed by Jay Dee's music. By 1995, Q-Tip, Jay Dee, and Muhammad formed a production team called The Ummah. Each member produced songs individually. Q-Tip also helped Mobb Deep with their 1995 album The Infamous.

Group Challenges and Solo Start

In 1996, The Ummah's music appeared on Busta Rhymes's first album. That summer, A Tribe Called Quest released their fourth album, Beats, Rhymes and Life. This album was produced by The Ummah. Q-Tip also added his younger cousin Consequence as a guest rapper on several songs. Q-Tip had recently converted to Islam, and this influenced the album's lyrics. However, his relationship with Phife Dawg became difficult.

In 1997, Q-Tip appeared on Janet Jackson's song "Got 'til It's Gone". He also helped produce Mariah Carey's hit song "Honey". In 1998, a fire destroyed Q-Tip's home recording studio. He lost nearly 20,000 vinyl records and many unreleased songs. This fire delayed A Tribe Called Quest's fifth album, The Love Movement. The group broke up a month before the album was released.

After his group disbanded, Q-Tip started his solo career in 1999. He worked with R&B singer Raphael Saadiq on the hit song "Get Involved". Later that year, he released his first solo album, Amplified. It included popular songs like "Vivrant Thing" and "Breathe and Stop". These songs were more pop-friendly. The album received positive reviews. In 2000, "Vivrant Thing" was nominated for a Grammy Award.

Q-Tip saw his house fire as a new beginning. He had no records to sample, but he still wanted to make music. He started taking drum, singing, and piano lessons. He also joined the Soulquarians collective.

New Music and Collaborations

In 2001, Q-Tip starred in the film Prison Song, which he also helped write. He also contributed to the film's music. That year, he finished his next album, Kamaal the Abstract. This album was recorded with a live band, and Q-Tip sang most of the songs. However, his record company decided not to release it at the time.

Between albums, Q-Tip recorded about 500 songs. In 2005, he released the song "For the Nasty" and was featured on The Chemical Brothers' hit song "Galvanize". In 2006, "Galvanize" won a Grammy Award, which was Q-Tip's first Grammy.

His friend and collaborator, Jay Dee (who later became J Dilla), passed away in 2006. Q-Tip was a pallbearer at his funeral. In 2007, Q-Tip signed with Universal Motown Records.

The Renaissance and Kamaal the Abstract

His second official album, The Renaissance, came out in late 2008. It included songs like "Gettin' Up" and "Move". The album was highly praised by critics. It was also nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rap Album in 2010.

After being delayed for seven years, Kamaal the Abstract was finally released in September 2009. The album received mostly good reviews.

Later Work and A Tribe Called Quest's Final Album

Q-Tip helped produce Kanye West's 2010 album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. In 2012, Q-Tip signed with Kanye West's GOOD Music label.

In 2013, Q-Tip announced that A Tribe Called Quest would perform their last show. However, in 2015, the group performed live on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. This was to celebrate 25 years of their first album. That year, Q-Tip also started hosting his radio show, Abstract Radio. He wanted to connect different types of good music.

In March 2016, Q-Tip became the first artistic director for hip-hop culture at the Kennedy Center. Later that month, Phife Dawg passed away. In October, Q-Tip shared that A Tribe Called Quest had been secretly working on a new album. They finished it after Phife Dawg's death. In November, the group released their final album, We Got It from Here... Thank You 4 Your Service. It was highly praised by critics.

Recent Projects

In 2018, Q-Tip recorded a cover of "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" with Demi Lovato. He also announced that his delayed album The Last Zulu would be released soon. Later that year, he started teaching a course at New York University about the connection between jazz and hip hop. He has said he will never stop making music.

In 2019, Q-Tip revealed he was working on three solo albums. He also worked on projects for Mary J. Blige and Danny Brown. He was the main producer for Danny Brown's album U Know What I'm Sayin?. Q-Tip also appeared on songs by Gang Starr and Eminem. In 2022, he was featured on Jack White's song "Hi-De-Ho". Q-Tip is also the producer for LL Cool J's 2024 album, The FORCE.

Musical Style

Production

As a producer, Q-Tip is known for being a "perfectionist." He creates new and experimental music. He helped start a "jazz-based hip-hop revolution" in the 1990s. He is especially known for layering programmed drums to make them sound grittier. He also uses unusual three-bar loops and often uses "space" in his music, inspired by Miles Davis.

Pharrell Williams has said that Q-Tip "picks the best loops." Williams believes that many producers, including himself, were inspired by Q-Tip and A Tribe Called Quest. Q-Tip's recent music combines live instruments and sampled sounds. After his house fire, he rebuilt his record collection. As of 2016, he had about 9,000 vinyl records.

Lyricism and Rapping Technique

As a rapper, Q-Tip is known for his deep, thoughtful, and philosophical lyrics. He often includes messages about society in his songs. He writes his lyrics to the music, letting the beat inspire his words. Q-Tip's rapping style is often described as "mellow" and "smooth." He uses his voice like an instrument in the music. He is also known for his flexible rhyme schemes.

Personal Life

Q-Tip converted to Islam in the mid-1990s. He changed his name to Kamaal Ibn John Fareed. He also follows a vegetarian diet and practices Transcendental Meditation.

He has been linked to Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey, Angie Martinez, and Nicole Kidman. He is also a long-time friend of actor Leonardo DiCaprio and comedian Dave Chappelle. According to a DNA test he took in 2012, Q-Tip is mainly descended from the Jola people of Guinea-Bissau. As of 2016, he has lived in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, and Edgewater, New Jersey.

Discography

Studio albums

• Amplified (Arista, 1999)
• The Renaissance (Universal Motown, 2008)
• Kamaal the Abstract (Battery, 2009)

with A Tribe Called Quest

• People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm (Jive, 1990)
• The Low End Theory (Jive, 1991)
• Midnight Marauders (Jive, 1993)
• Beats, Rhymes and Life (Jive, 1996)
• The Love Movement (Jive, 1998)
• We Got It from Here... Thank You 4 Your Service (Epic, 2016)

Filmography

Films

Television

Awards and Nominations

Q-Tip has received many awards and nominations throughout his career. He won a Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording in 2006 for his work on "Galvanize" with The Chemical Brothers. His albums The Renaissance and Beats, Rhymes and Life (with A Tribe Called Quest) have also been nominated for Grammy Awards. In 2024, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of A Tribe Called Quest.