Phife Dawg Talks Tribe Called Quest’s Joyous Past and Uncertain Future

In 2015, where is the group at mentally?
Tribe is no longer a group, first off. So once Q-Tip made the announcement that those were the last two shows, that was pretty much it, for real. 

What do you think is the main impediment Tribe Called Quest isn’t a group anymore?
[Long pause] I can’t really talk about it, to be honest. Because when I talk, my mouth gets me in trouble. I’m the type of dude that tries to keep it 100 and I always get in trouble for it. But I will say: it’s dumb, and I don’t agree with it and we’re doing the fans a great injustice by not getting together and rocking, and that’s all I can really speak on as far as that goes. 

“I believe in consistency. If we’re not a group, we’re not a group. If we are, we are.”

In a more general sense, if other members were open to going into the studio and recording a new album, would you consider that?
I don’t know. I don’t know because if we can’t get together and do shows, it’s going to be even more difficult going into the studio and recording an album. Think about it: The shows that we do are 60 minutes of your day for whatever amount of money. It’s just 60 minutes of your day and then you go on with your life, so forth and so on. I don’t see nothing wrong with doing 15 shows a year for a good amount of money. Sixty minutes of your day and you keep it moving. We all have families. 

But at the same time, on the flip side of that, I believe in consistency. If we’re not a group, we’re not a group. If we are, we are. Let’s get this money. If we’re not, then let’s not even tease the fans. None of that craziness.

Given the group’s history, it must be bittersweet talking about the past. Do you enjoy getting nostalgic over anniversaries or do you prefer doing the work and moving on to the next thing?
I’d rather do the work and let it go to the next. Looking back is not always a pretty thing. It’s 50/50 with the good and the bad that took place, but I’d rather go on to the next thing. 

Your new material will mention your health issues, including a longtime struggle with diabetes. How are you feeling these days?
I am in a good spot, but I have my good days and I have my bad days. But I’m more or less in a good spot, so I can’t really complain. 

Does the title of your EP Give Thanks refer to that aspect of your life?
Yeah, that’s exactly why I named it that. Because at the end of the day, I have a lot to be thankful for and it could be really worse. And that is another reason why it is ludicrous for us not to be performing right now and smelling these roses why we’re still here. It’s just ridiculous, but you got to move on.