Ali Shaheed Muhammad / A Tribe Called Quest

by Deesha Dyer

hip-hop

Ali Shaheed Muhammad has been living with the ghosts of A Tribe Called Quest and Lucy Pearl. Distinguishing himself from them has been particularly hard, especially with reunion rumors surrounding both his old groups constantly afloat. With his long-awaited album, Shaheedullah and Stereotypes (Penalty/Ryko) due out this month, we'll soon see if Ali is capable of achieving success on his own.

As a collaborator, we know what he can do. His resume lists four Grammy nominations and team-ups with Janet Jackson, KRS-One and Angie Stone. Still, his career seemed to peak in the '90s and level out by 2000.

"I wanted to write about issues that are not always the choice of topics for most hip-hop songs—like not embracing poverty and a street hustle as the only high goal in life," says Ali.

"The title is representative of who I am. The word shaheedullah means "witness of God.' I strive to maintain my God consciousness lyrically without being overbearing."

The album was completed over a year ago—and has already made the rounds with file-sharers. When the iMUSIC label ran into financial trouble, the CD found a new home with Penalty Recordings/Ryko Distribution, which houses the Beatnuts.

ATCQ has embarked on a mini-tour, their first in six years. Speculation continues to surround the future of the much-loved and missed hip-hop trio. "At the present time there are no plans to record an album," says Ali.

For now, his focus is his Garden Seeker Productions, which has him working with Chip-Fu (Fu-Schnickens), Stokley (Mint Condition), Sy Smith and Kay. "If at any point ATCQ gets so involved that I become neglectful of Garden Seeker, I would have to pull away from Tribe." That said, he hasn't ruled out a full-scale reunion either. "Only the Creator knows what will happen past the shows."

A Tribe Called Quest, Mon., Oct. 11, 10 p.m., $15, Electric Factory, Seventh and Callowhill sts., 215-336-2000. Ali Shaheed Muhammad Album Release Party, Mon., Oct. 11, 10 p.m., $10 ($5 with ATCQ show ticket), with ?uestlove and Mike Nyce, Tragos, 38 S. 19th St., 215-636-9901.