A Tribe Called Quest Inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame with Emotional Tribute to Phife Dawg

On October 19, 2023, music lovers witnessed a significant milestone at the 2024 Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony. The event was marked by the inclusion of several previously snubbed artists, with Cher finally receiving her long-overdue honors in the realm of pop music. However, for hip-hop enthusiasts, the induction of A Tribe Called Quest stood out as a monumental occasion.

A Tribe Called Quest has been eligible for induction since 2015, yet it took until now for them to be recognized by the prestigious institution. Despite this delay, the group's remaining members, Q-Tip and Jarobi White, celebrated the achievement with joy and gratitude.

During his speech at the ceremony, Jarobi White paid heartfelt tribute to Phife Dawg, the late member who passed away in 2016. "I don’t have any stories, all I have is gratitude. What I’m saying is thank you. Thank you. Tribe fans everywhere, we wouldn’t be nothing without you. Ali Shaheed, I love you, boy. Wish you were here. Let me give it up right quick. Give it up for Phife’s mom and dad right here,” he expressed, honoring the legacy of his friend and bandmate.

Phife Dawg's parents were present and witnessed the moving tribute as the crowd and fellow musicians showed their respect. The sister of Ali Shaheed Muhammad, who could not attend, stood in for him during this emotional acknowledgment.

Q-Tip also took the opportunity to address skeptics regarding A Tribe Called Quest's place in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. He spoke about the significant contributions of their genre, stating, "To the latter, it has been the terrain for many of us to do Whoppers and Hip-Hoppers, and yes, to all of you pseudo-historians who might be confused about the corner opera in the corner hip-hop is saying and rap the blues. And what’s more rock and roll than the blues?" He went on to reflect on the group's journey and their roots in New York City, highlighting the need for artistic expression that fuels their passion.

The ceremony featured a special performance celebrating A Tribe Called Quest, which included a star-studded lineup. Queen Latifah performed "Can I Kick It?", while De La Soul's Pos, The Roots' Black Thought, Common, and Busta Rhymes delivered renditions of other classic tracks like "Check the Rime", "Bonita Applebum", and "Scenario". All performances were skillfully backed by The Roots, creating a vibrant tribute to the group's musical contributions.

The 2024 Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony was streamed live on Disney+, and a special featuring the evening's performances will air on ABC on January 1, 2024. After the broadcast, it will also be available for viewing on Hulu. Fans can find more information about the event and its highlights.

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