Q-Tip

Q-Tip, born Jonathan Davis, is a rapper and producer from the groundbreaking ‘90s-era rap group A Tribe Called Quest. He helped refine the group’s sound, which seamlessly infused jazz samples into their envelope-pushing style. His name was a description of his distinct nasal voice tone, which tickled the ear. He oversaw ATCQ’s five studio albums, beginning with their bohemian 1990 introduction, People’s Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm. After a controversial split with ATCQ in the late ‘90s, Q-Tip released Amplified, his first of three solo albums. Now signed to Kanye West’s G.O.O.D Music and Def Jam, the veteran rapper will release his fourth solo LP The Last Zulu in 2013.