Q-Tip “Still Pinching” Himself After Receiving Honorary Doctorate From Berklee College Of Music

Armon Sadler
·3 min read
6

Q-Tip has had a legendary career in music, so much so that he’s been recognized on the collegiate level. This past weekend, the A Tribe Called Quest member received an honorary doctorate from Berklee College Of Music.

The 54-year-old artist was reportedly recognized for his “forward-thinking artistic vision, which merges rap, jazz, and other styles with socially conscious lyrics, as well as for his impact as a producer, actor, educator, and cultural ambassador,” per words from Berklee.

Tip’s honor allowed him to speak at the institution’s commencement ceremony before thousands of graduates and attendees. “To choose this path [of the artist] is a courageous choice indeed,” he said. “You are handed the task to be courageous in your personal lives, to find balance between intellect and instinct… to not let bad choices define you, but to refine you.”

Q-Tip shared his enthusiasm for the honorary doctorate via Instagram, though the post has been since deleted. “Thank you again to the folks at Berklee for the honor bestowed [prayer hand emojis],” he wrote. “What a great time to share [with] dear friend @ledisi and new friend @santarosalive and CONGRATS to the class of 2024!! Im still pinching [pinching emoji] #berkleecollegeofmusic.”

This came after another major milestone for the “Vivrant Thing” rapper and the entirety of A Tribe Called Quest. In April, they were announced to be the next incoming members of The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Mary J. Blige, Kool & The Gang, Cher, Ozzy Osbourne, Dave Matthews Band, Peter Frampton, and Foreigner will also be part of their soon-to-be-inducted class.

“Wow!!! @qtiptheabstract @alishaheed we did it!!!!” founding Tribe member Jarobi White wrote on Instagram. “Phifey we got you in the hall of fame!!!! Wish you were here. Well I know you’re watching so….. F**k yeah!!! lol To all of the questers, from the bottom of our hearts thank you!!!! #jedibusuness.”

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A post shared by Jarobi White (@jarobiwhite)

A Tribe Called Quest was previously nominated in 2022 and 2023, but the third time was the charm for the legendary group. They will be part of an elite company as one of just six rap groups to join the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame; previous rap group inductees include Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five, Run-DMC, Beastie Boys, Public Enemy, and N.W.A.

Q-Tip’s resume will then include a Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction, 10 Grammy nominations, one Grammy victory, one Source award, and several nominations across the BET Hip Hop Awards, MTV Video Music Awards, and Soul Train Awards. The Abstract has also been impactful outside of the recording booth.

In television and film, he appeared as himself on Chappelle’s Show, voiced Teddy Bear and Roach on 2000’s Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales For Every Child, and took on the role of Reggie Baptiste in Disappearing Acts. Q-Tip has also appeared in several movies, namely Who’s The Man?, Poetic Justice, Love Goggles, She Hate Me, and Holy Rollers. As another honor pours in, time will tell who else deems both Q-Tip and A Tribe Called Quest worthy of more rightfully deserved honors.

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