Release Date: Mar 22, 2022
Genre(s): Rap
Record label: N/A
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In November 2015, a Tribe Called Quest celebrated the 25th anniversary of their debut album People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm with a performance of "Can I Kick It?" on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, backed by the Roots. The first television performance in over 15 years from the reunited Phife Dawg, Q-Tip, Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Jarobi White marked a turning point in the group's history; not only was it the night they set their differences aside to begin recording again, but also their last live performance together. Phife Dawg, born Malik Taylor, tragically passed away in March 2016 due to complications stemming from his battle with diabetes, a disease he'd been fighting for over 25 years.
The loss of Phife Dawg closed a pivotal chapter in the evolution of hip-hop. Essentially shuttering A Tribe Called Quest, he left behind one of rap's most potent catalogues, a true student of the art who was able to see around corners other artists simply couldn't spot. 'Forever' lands on the sixth anniversary of his ascension, and it's a creditable piece of fan service to one of American music's core figures.
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