Phife
Malik Isaac Taylor (born November 20, 1970, Queens, New York), better known as Phife Dawg, also known as the Five Foot Assassin and The Five Footer because he stands at 5 ft 3 , is an American rapper, and a member of the acclaimed group A Tribe Called Quest with high school classmates Q-Tip and Ali Shaheed Muhammad (and for a short time Jarobi White).
His MC alias, Phife, was named after the fife, a small flute often used in the military and in marching bands, changing the first “f” of fife to the phonetically similar “ph”. Phife Dawg references the origin of his name in A Tribe Called Quest’s song “Jazz”, in which Q-Tip says, “And after the horns you can check out the fifer” (the “fifer” being someone who plays upon a fife).
In addition to being a member of pioneering hip hop group A Tribe Called Quest, Phife has performed in songs with other artists. He was featured on the Fu-Schnickens song “La Schmoove”, Diamond D’s “Painz & Strife” along with Pete Rock, and Black Sheep’s “Let the Horns Blow” with Al’ Tariq and Trugoy, among others. In 2000 he released his first solo LP, Ventilation: Da LP. Currently Phife is anticipating a second album titled Songs in the Key of Phife. He stated on Billboard’s website that he would like to get Method Man, Faith Evans, De La Soul, and Redman, as well as his fellow ATCQ bandmates.
He is a playable character in the video game NBA 2K7 and NBA 2K9.
Chip FU
Chip-fu is no stranger to the realm of hip-hop music. As a radical member of a platinum selling hip-hop group the fuschnickens, his intricately interwoven flow left us all light-headed, exhausted and wheezing for more. Get ready to inhale again, cuz Chips back with a breath of fresh air for the entire industry.
The trials and tribulations of life, love and music helped Chip conceive his latest project titled M.A2.T.H. (Music, Appreciation, Art, Time and Healing) -The new ciriculum. Though his style remains on the cutting-edge of hip-hop, as a solo artist Chip has much more room to be creative. Reggae music is evident throughout the entire work and Chips natural talent interblends both worlds instinctively.
As a solo artist, I am finally able to appreciate dimensions of creativity. This allows me to introduce other talents, he says.
After collaborating with Shaquille ONeal on the platinum selling album Shaq Diesel, Chip gained a stronger sense of passion for the music business. This led him to establish his own company BLAQ-INK Entertainment.Chip states ” ive done songs with everybody from Queen latifah to Shereefa(DTP) so i figured i should start my own company”. The production team gives up-and-coming artists direction and an avenue to cultivate their abilities as performers.
Wisdom and responsibility also leads Chip to speak on two important topics: the paths he chose in life and the musical roads that need to be repaved in the industry.
Music should be seen as a never-ending jigsaw puzzle composed of intricate cut outs, says Chip. The artists goal shouldnt be to fill the board with the same pieces the object of the game should be for an artist to find his or her own niche and interlock accordingly.
Additionally, Chip touches daily issues which are not necessarily the wish lists many artists prefer to muse about.
People are in tune with an artist who epitomizes truth music music that stands the test of time, he states. Everyone can appreciate and relate to matters of the heart, soul and mind.
And this album proves Chip remains on the pulse of the industry as an original forerunner to hip-hop as well as a paradigm to reggae music.
Along with BLAQ-INK and GSP , alliances for this project include heavyweight producers Ali Shaheed (Tribe Called Quest, Lucy Pearl, DAngelo), K Gardner, The Are (Russell from K-Otics), Budah(bustah) Needlez (50 Cent, Ludacris), S-1, Illmind (5o cent), Apathy, Beatminers (Blackmoon, Boot Camp Click), slopfunkdust , Kkut, vitamin D, kay of the foundation,Blackmilk(Monch), and others.
While working on his album, Chip made time to contribute to other artists projects. Not only was he highlighted on Ali Shaheeds CD Shaheedullah and Stereotypes, he was featured on the 2005 Tribe Called Quest North American Tour Hes the only guest artist on Mint Conditions Living the Luxury Brown and has done several shows including the 2005 Essence Music Festival to support their project. Chip is also featured the Summer 2005 MixTape.com Underground Compilation with Jamaican recording artist Hawkeye and singers Slick and Rose. He appears on The Art of One Mind (featured with El Da Sensei), which was also released in 2005.In 07 he appeared on the remix for “where are they now” by NAS.He also introduced a different side of himself to the game by singing a reggae song called ” love me sensi” (on the come around riddim) the song and video became an instant smash and is still gaining momentum .He also formed a new crew called JUNGLE ROCK and goes by the nick name JUNGLE ROCK JR. Chip states ” jungle is the sound and the Rock is the foundation ” so every body get familiar!! Now in 08 Chip has been called on to lend his vocals on many songs such as Nicolay and Kays TIMELINE album and PETE ROCKS NYS FINEST. Chips concerns with life, death, family and the industry are apparent with every track. Those familiar with the lyrical antics and oracle style weve grown to expect, respect and love from Chip will not be disappointed by this solo debut project.
