Who knew that Elton John was a huge fan of A Tribe Called Quest? Tribe rapper Q-Tip was recently a guest on John's Beats 1 radio show, Rocket Hour. From the onset of the interview, the singer sings Q-Tip's praises, calling him a "legend in music" and claims he's been a superfan of the "laid back [but] funky" group decades. "If you don’t know A Tribe Called Quest, you’re stupid,” John said. “But if you listen to [‘Electric Relaxation’], you’ll understand why I rave about them.”
To receive such high accolades from the likes of Elton John something that Q just couldn't take in. “Can I just say something? I really pinch myself when you say that something that I did is a favorite track,” Q-Tip said. “I’m just like still kind of like, ‘Am I dreaming?’ I feel like I’m in a different universe.” The two artists collaborated on "Solid Wall of Sound," a track from the final Tribe record, We Got It From Here…Thank You 4 Your Service, in 2016.
“I was so happy to play that,” John said. “That’s where we first met you came to London, and we did a track in the studio, and it was such a huge honor for me. I was so excited. I just absolutely love this. This is such a takedown of what’s going on...That is such a great track. The album is a fantastic record. If you’re gonna bow out with a record, you better do something like that.”
“Thank you so much for being a part of our last record,” Q-Tip replied. “It meant so much to me. And just how everything ended.” John replied, “I’d love to do something with you. I can’t wait to hear some new stuff from you and what you’re producing. You’re brilliant. I love you. You are the best.”
The interview wasn't just about these two pouring out compliments to one another. Q-Tip also said that there are some solo projects he has in the works, as well as music that he's been working on with R&B diva Mary J. Blige, so stay tuned.
