Ballantine Books will publish Industry Rules by Q-Tip, world-renowned artist, producer, DJ, and lead MC of hip-hop’s legendary A Tribe Called Quest. It was announced by Libby McGuire, publisher of Ballantine Books. Assistant Editor Porscha Burke acquired North American rights for the group from Jay Mandel at William Morris Endeavor Entertainment.
Q-Tip was inspired to write Industry Rules as he acknowledged upcoming milestones in his personal life and professional career—most notably, 2010 marks the twentieth anniversary of A Tribe Called Quest’s first album, People’s Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm (Jive Records, 1990). The main idea for the book grew from a verse Q-Tip penned a year later, in the group’s critically acclaimed 1991 release The Low End Theory. In the song “Check the Rhime,” he raps, “Industry rule number 4080: record company people are shady.” The book will expand on the 4080th rule and include more of Q-Tip’s thoughts on the entertainment business, fashion, love, and morality.
Q-Tip says, “It was important to me to write a book because on the whole, I feel we could all be more literate, and as an artist, I’m always looking for ways to do something cool, different, and both light and introspective at the same time. With so many influences, like Duke Ellington’s writing, or the music played by radio DJs in the 70’s, or just what you see hanging out on Linden Blvd., there’s a lot to say, and I look forward to reaching a bunch of colorful dudes and gals with the project.” The book will include never-before-told stories about Q-Tip’s personal experiences, family life, celebrity friends, inspirations, and career.
Q-Tip (Kamaal ibn John Fareed), has been pushing the envelope of creativity and breaking new ground for personal and cultural expression since founding the group A Tribe Called Quest with his friends, Queens natives Phife Dawg and Ali Shaheed Muhammad. Before officially disbanding in 1998, the group recorded five studio albums for Jive Records, including People’s Instinctive Travels…(1990), The Low End Theory (1991), Midnight Marauders (1993), Beats, Rhymes, and Life (1996), and The Love Movement (1998). Q-Tip then went on to release Amplified (Arista Records, 1999) and the critically acclaimed album, The Renaissance (Universal Motown, 2008), and will soon release his long-awaited LP Kamaal the Abstract (Battery Records, 2009).
Grammy Award-nominated and beloved by music lovers of all types, Q-Tip will add Industry Rules, his latest element to the pop culture canon, in late 2010.
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