Q-Tip is to the East Coast what Dr. Dre is to the West — at least that’s the thought that was raised after A Tribe Called Quest sat down recently to tape an episode of Drink Champs.
While discussing Dr. Dre’s influence on the group, Tip stated that the West Coast beatsmith’s next-level production on NWA’s 1998 release Straight Outta Compton played a direct influence on the sonic creation of ATCQ’s 1991 album The Low End Theory. “The nigga shit made me think about The Low End Theory,” he revealed. In turn, Dre would later tell Tip that Low End Theory inspired the creation of The Chronic. So after Tip’s reveal on the show, host N.O.R.E. made his own claim by hailing the music impresario as “the East Coast Dr. Dre.”
Considering Q-Tip and Dr. Dre’s respective history, not to mention the power of their enduring influence, we ask: Is Q-Tip the East Coast’s answer to Dr. Dre? Between their catalog of produced classics, uncrowned gems, and generation of artists born off of their trailblazing sound, these two share a common history that is both iconic and important. So does N.O.R.E.’s claim hold weight? Check out our Q-Tip & Dr. Dre tale of the tape and chime in via the poll below.
Q-Tip downplays being called out by Kanye West
Hosts N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN talk to Tribe, Busta Rhymes, and Consequence more in depth about Kanye as well as turmoil with Tupac, kissing Janet Jackson, and more.
You can catch the full ATCQ episode of Drink Champs this Thursday night at 11 p.m. ET on REVOLT TV.