Hip hop gigs are always fraught with danger - as anyone who saw Missy Elliott’s show a few years back can attest - but assuming that this actually happens and it turns out OK, it should be one that’s well worth seeing: A Tribe Called Quest have announced a tour for August. The group – comprising founder members DJ Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Kamaal Ibn John Fareed (alias Q-Tip) and Malik “Phife Dawg” Taylor – will play in Sydney and Melbourne.
The trio formed in the mid-80s but really came to prominence during the 90s, providing a refreshingly intelligent and articulate alternative to the dick-waving self-aggrandising gangsta horseshit that dominated the hip hop scene of the day (and arguably still does). Along with contemporaries like De La Soul, Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy, Digital Underground and various others, they demonstrated that rap didn't have to be materialistic and misogynistic, and their cerebral rhymes paved the way for non-gangsta oriented artists like Outkast to flourish years later.
The trio disbanded after the release of The Love Movement in 1998 but re-formed for a one-off show in 2004, and then on a more permanent basis from 2006. They’ve not recorded anything new since, but apparently their live shows have been well-received, and this will be their first visit to Australia. We’re keen. Here’s a clip from one of their 2006 reunion shows - the sound kinda sucks, but you get the idea:
(You’ll note a fourth member, who is one MC Jarobi – he was an original member of the group back in the 80s but left early on. We’re not really sure what he adds, to be honest, beyond an extra voice and an extra dude on the tour bus – he wasn't part of the group during their glory days, and it's unclear why he's back. But still, so long as he doesn't bring his "posse", we're fine with it.)
A Tribe Called Quest play Hordern Pavillion in Sydney on Wednesday 11 August and Festival Hall in Melbourne on Thursday 12 August - the latter date is all-ages. Tickets go on sale Monday 21 June from Ticketek (Sydney) and Ticketmaster (Melbourne).