Listen: The Story of Q-TIP

90’s hip hop heads should love this interview with BBC’s BenjiB who hosts the story of hip-hop legend Q-Tip - founding member of A TribeCalled Quest. Hear from Q-Tip at length as well as Pharrell, Nas, The Pharcyde and more.

A Tribe Called Quest helped create a new wave of hip-hop in the 90's with their innovative sound, style and message. Q-Tip's production in particular has helped shape hip-hop right through to today, with artists likeKanye and Pharrell citing him as one of their biggest influences. Benji speaks at length with Tip about his musical upbringing in Queens in the 70's, releasing a debut LP as a teenager, his reluctance to fame and the part he played in introducing the late J Dilla to the world.

There is also an exclusive Tribe announcement and Tip gives more details about his forthcoming LP - The Last Zulu, which he describes as 'The Evil twin to Tribe'.

Video: Florence & The Machine Covers Drake’s “Take Care”

During a stop at BBC’s Live Lounge, Florence & The Machine covered Drake’s “Take Care.” In a scenario that could only be described as a Charlie Kaufman like screenplay in its layers “I’ll Take Care of You” was originally done by Gil Scott-Heron, then Jamie xx remixed it. Then Drake remixed that, and now Florence covers Drake’s version. So here is where we are now…

BBC: Once Upon a Time in New York – The birth of hip hop, disco and punk

Here we have a BBC documentary entitled "Once Upon a Time in New York - The Birth of Hip Hop, Disco & Punk."

By the 1970s most pop music in the USA was dominated by West Coast artists and that NYC, despite being home many creative types, was experiencing a period of stunted growth - the video goes on to explain how three unique genres of music managed to rise from a gritty, decades-old New York. From the rise of punk in the Bowery's legendary CBGB to the glamorous all-night parties at Studio 54 and the rough beginnings of modern hip hop in the Bronx - "Once Upon a Time in New York" does an excellent job of chronicling how the city reclaimed musical relevance in the 1970s. Including interviews with the likes of Patti Smith, Grandmaster Flash, Afrika Bambaataa, Chuck D, Tommy Ramone, Chris Stein, David Mancuso, Jayne County and more, the video is certainly worth a watch for anyone interested in the history of music.

Part 1:


Part 2:


Part 3:


Part 4: