A Tribe Called Quest have begun laying down tracks for a reunion album, which would be the pioneering hip-hop outfit’s first since 1998’s “The Love Movement.” But sources tell Billboard.com group members Q-Tip, Phife Dawg and Ali Shaheed Muhammad have put the project on hold until various logistical issues can be straightened out.
Among them is the group’s contract with longtime label Jive, which has yet to be fulfilled. A label spokesperson did not return a call seeking comment. Last month, Jive released an 18-track retrospective titled “Hits, Rarities & Remixes.”
Meanwhile, Tribe principal Q-Tip has signed a new deal with DreamWorks and is working on his next solo album, due early next year. The rapper will be backed by a full band on the project, which sources describe as “the next step beyond” Q-Tip’s jazz/soul influenced album “Kamaal the Abstract.” That set was intended for spring 2002 release by Arista but has yet to see the light of day.
Q-Tip’s only full-length for release Arista was 1999’s “Amplified,” which debuted at No. 4 on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums tally and has sold 667,000 copies in the U.S., according to Nielsen SoundScan. The rapper has kept a low profile in recent years, but resurfaced this spring on a remix of Common’s “Come Close to Me.”
Meanwhile, Muhammad is working on his debut for ArtistDirect Records, which is expected in November.
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