Q-Tip

Lore & Background

Q-Tip's connection to Nas began while Q-Tip was producing A Tribe Called Quest's Midnight Marauders album. At that time, Q-Tip had his production setup in the house basement of Phife Dawg's grandmother. After Q-Tip met with Nas in the basement, Nas heard the main sample and decided to use it for "One Love." Q-Tip then created the beat there, using the pause tape method of production. At the recording session, after Nas's verses were recorded, Q-Tip "finessed" the song's drum programming. Nas later reflected on this collaboration, stating: "Q-Tip used to come and hang out with me in my projects from time to time. I remember him coming out there and hanging out, and I remember him letting me hang out at his session when he was working on Midnight Marauders. I thought he was just the most incredible, so to have him producing my album, for him to even do the chorus for me is a blessing."

Reader's Guide

Q-Tip's primary contribution to Nas's work is producing "One Love," released October 25, 1994 on Columbia Records as the fifth and final radio single from Illmatic. The song samples the Heath Brothers' "Smilin' Billy Suite Part II" (1975) and Parliament's "Come In Out of the Rain" (1972), along with an interpolation of Whodini's "One Love" (1986). Q-Tip also contributed vocals for the chorus line. The song's title originates from Bob Marley's song of the same name, according to Nas.

Did You Know?

• Q-Tip created the beat for 'One Love' in the basement of Phife Dawg's grandmother's house.
• Q-Tip contributed vocals for the chorus line of 'One Love'.
• Nas called Q-Tip 'the most incredible' and said having him produce the album was 'a blessing'.
• Q-Tip finessed the drum programming on 'One Love' after Nas recorded his verses.