Hip-hop took a huge loss earlier this year with the sudden death of Phife Dawg of A Tribe Called Quest. Almost five months after his passing -- though the sting of his absence remains -- some fortuitous news has just arrived that fans of the late founding Tribe member will be overjoyed to hear. According to L.A. Reid, A Tribe Called Quest recorded a new album before the group lost Phife. Reid confirmed that his team at Epic Records is currently planning to release the album and that it's "coming very soon."
Reid announced the new Tribe album on the latest episode of the Rap Radar podcast, while he was discussing Epic's recent ventures. "You know what I'm really excited about, though: A Tribe Called Quest," he said. "We have a Tribe Called Quest album coming. I'm really excited about that," before going on to confirm that the album was recorded before Phife's death. "Man, it's something really special," he said of the album.
When it arrives, the album will be A Tribe Called Quest's first since 1998's The Love Movement. Reid also revealed that the album will include all four Tribe members that appeared on the group's debut album, People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm, including Jarobi White, who hasn't appeared on any of their LPs since.
Head here to listen to Reid's entire interview. He begins to discuss the Tribe album at around 14:45.
