The famous ‘90s East Coast rap group, A Tribe Called Quest. Courtesy of HipHop Golden Age
By Julia McIntyre Staff Reporter
As we celebrate Black History Month, we remember to appreciate the contributions African American leaders, athletes, artists, musicians and entertainers, have brought to pop culture.
A Tribe Called Quest and Missy Elliott have both paved the way for future African American artists’ success, and have recently been nominated to enter the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
A Tribe Called Quest (ATCQ) is a rap group from the ‘90s formed in Queens, New York. The members include Kamaal Ibn John Fareed, also known as (aka) Q-Tip, Malik Izaak Taylor, aka Phife Dawg, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, and Jarobi White. The group is known for its hits, “I Left My Wallet in El Segundo,” “Can I Kick It,” and “Check the Rhime.”
Although the rap group disbanded at times, they were nominated four times for the Grammy Awards. ATCQ redefined hip hop in the late ‘90s and brought the ‘East Coast rap scene’ to the West Coast, starting the East vs. West hip hop conversation.
It formed a passionate debate that ended up in a coast versus coast-rivalry during the legendary careers of Tupac and Biggie. This Los Angeles versus. New York state of mind still carries on to this day due to the impacts of ATCQ.
However, in 2016, after founding member Phife Dawg passed away, the group officially called it quits in 2017.
The legendary Missy Elliott has also impacted the hip-hop industry by creating an original style and sound that is recognizable after a few beats of her songs. She is a four-time Grammy award-winning rapper, singer, dancer and producer who is best known for her songs, “Lose Control,” “Work It,” and “Get Ur Freak On.” Elliott skyrocketed to fame in the 90s and early 2000s, capturing a worldwide audience.
The artist’s sixth album “The Cookbook,” released in 2005, helped spark the EDM boom during the time by sampling Cybotron’s classic “Clear” with her famous single “Lose Control.”
The New Yorker has previously labeled ‘Misdemeanor’ Elliott as the “biggest female rap star that Middle America has ever seen…and avoided the prevailing stereotypes of the music-video industry.” She was the face during the height of the ‘90s MTV era.
Elliott is the first female rapper ever to be nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Her nomination will open doors for many more female African American artists to make their mark in the industry and earn success.
Let’s face it, Elliot ran so African American female hip hop artists today, such as Megan Thee Stallion, Doja Cat and Saweetie, could walk. These artists were inspired by Elliott’s attitude, dancing and ‘it girl’ presence that now rules the industry.
The musicians brought new ideas and concepts to not only the hip-hop industry but the music industry as a whole. ATCQ and Elliot are among 14 other nominees to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The nominees chosen to be inducted will be announced in May. If not chosen, ATCQ and Elliott will still go down in history.
