Ali Shaheed Muhammad (born August 11, 1970) is an American hip hop DJ, record producer, rapper and bass guitarist, best known as a member of

A Tribe Called Quest A Tribe Called Quest was an American Hip hop music, hip hop group formed in Queens, New York City, in 1985,Q-Tip< ...

. With Q-Tip and

Phife Dawg Malik Izaak Taylor (November 20, 1970March 22, 2016), known professionally as Phife Dawg (or simply Phife), was a Trinidadian-American rapper and a member of the group A Tribe Called Quest with Q-Tip and Ali Shaheed Muhammad (and for a short ti ...

(and sometimes

Jarobi White Jarobi White (born July 1, 1971) is an American hip hop artist, chef, and a founding member of hip hop group A Tribe Called Quest, alongside members Q-Tip (musician), Q-Tip, Phife Dawg, and Ali Shaheed Muhammad. He left the group after the releas ...

), the group released five studio albums from 1990 to 1998 before disbanding; their final album was released in 2016. He was also a member of the R&B group Lucy Pearl, and is known in recent years for his jazz collaborations with producer

Adrian Younge Adrian Younge (born May 7, 1978) is an American composer, arranger and music producer based in the Los Angeles area. Background Younge grew up in Fontana, California, United States. His father is a lawyer and Younge himself earned a Juris Doct ...

Early life

Muhammad was born in

Brooklyn Brooklyn is a Boroughs of New York City, borough of New York City located at the westernmost end of Long Island in the New York (state), State of New York. Formerly an independent city, the borough is coextensive with Kings County, one of twelv ...

, New York City, and was raised in the Bedford–Stuyvesant neighborhood. He began to DJ at age eight, and began programming music at age 13.Del F. Cowie ''

Exclaim! ''Exclaim!'' is a Canadian music and entertainment publisher based in Toronto, which features coverage of new music across all genres with a special focus on Canadian and emerging artists. The monthly ''Exclaim!'' print magazine publishes seven ...

'' February 2008 He befriended Q-Tip as a freshman at

Murry Bergtraum High School The Murry Bergtraum High School for Business Careers is a public secondary school in New York City. It is located in Lower Manhattan, adjacent to the Brooklyn Bridge and City Hall. Bergtraum offers business-oriented courses to prepare students ...

Manhattan Manhattan ( ) is the most densely populated and geographically smallest of the Boroughs of New York City, five boroughs of New York City. Coextensive with New York County, Manhattan is the County statistics of the United States#Smallest, larg ...

, and in 1985, they began making demos together, using recording equipment provided by Muhammad's uncle. Shortly thereafter,

and

joined the duo, forming the hip hop group

A Tribe Called Quest A Tribe Called Quest was an American Hip hop music, hip hop group formed in Queens, New York City, in 1985,Q-Tip< ...

. Muhammad is a

Muslim Muslims () are people who adhere to Islam, a Monotheism, monotheistic religion belonging to the Abrahamic religions, Abrahamic tradition. They consider the Quran, the foundational religious text of Islam, to be the verbatim word of the God ...

Career

Together with

Jay Dee James Dewitt Yancey (February 7, 1974 – February 10, 2006), better known by the stage names J Dilla and Jay Dee, was an American record producer, composer and rapper. He emerged from the mid-1990s underground hip hop scene in Detroit, Michiga ...

and Q-Tip, Muhammad formed the music-production collective the Ummah. After A Tribe Called Quest disbanded, Muhammad formed the R&B supergroup Lucy Pearl with

Dawn Robinson Dawn Sherrese Robinson (born November 24, 1966) is an American singer and actress best known as a founding member of the R&B/pop group En Vogue, one of the world's best-selling girl groups of all time. Following her departure from En Vogue, Rob ...

, formerly of

En Vogue En Vogue is an American vocal girl group whose original lineup consisted of singers Terry Ellis, Dawn Robinson, Cindy Herron, and Maxine Jones. Formed in Oakland, California, in 1989, En Vogue reached No. 2 on the US Hot 100 with the singl ...

and

Raphael Saadiq Raphael Saadiq (; born Charles Ray Wiggins; May 14, 1966) is an American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and record producer. He rose to prominence as a vocalist and bassist for the R&B band Tony! Toni! Toné!, which he formed with h ...

, formerly of

Tony! Toni! Toné! Tony! Toni! Toné! is an American R&B/Soul band from Oakland, California, popular during the late 1980s to mid-1990s. During the band's heyday, it was composed of D'Wayne Wiggins on lead vocals and guitar, his brother Raphael Saadiq (born Char ...

, releasing one album in 2000. On October 12, 2004, he released his debut solo album, '' Shaheedullah and Stereotypes''. In 2013, Muhammad moved to Los Angeles to work with producer

on the Souls of Mischief album '' There Is Only Now'', as the album's narrator. Since then Muhammad and Younge have collaborated to co-produce the soundtrack for both seasons of the ''

Luke Cage Lucas "Luke" Cage, born Carl Lucas and also known as Power Man, is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Archie Goodwin, George Tuska, Roy Thomas, and John Romita Sr. in 1972, he was the first Af ...

'' TV series, and they have toured together since 2018 as the Midnight Hour, releasing an album by the same name. In 2019, Muhammad contributed to Saadiq's fifth album, '' Jimmy Lee''. In 2020, Muhammad and Younge launched the Jazz Is Dead album series, in which the two of them collaborate with jazz musicians. Album partners in this series have included

Roy Ayers Roy Edward Ayers Jr. (September 10, 1940 – March 4, 2025) was an American vibraphonist, record producer, and composer. Ayers began his career as a post-bop jazz artist, releasing several studio albums with Atlantic Records, before his tenure ...

Marcos Valle Marcos Kostenbader Valle (born 14 September 1943) is a Brazilian singer, musician, and songwriter. He has produced works in many musical styles, including bossa nova, samba, and fusions of rock, soul, jazz, and dance music with Brazilian styles. ...

Doug Carn Doug Carn (born July 14, 1948) is an American jazz musician from St. Augustine, Florida, formerly married to Jean Carne and known for his several albums released for Black Jazz Records. Carn is a multi-instrumentalist known primarily for his work ...

, Gary Bartz, João Donato, and the trio Azymuth. Muhammad is the main bass guitarist for the project. In 2024, Muhammad was inducted into the

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (RRHOF), also simply referred to as the Rock Hall, is a museum and hall of fame located in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, United States, on the shore of Lake Erie. The museum documents the history of rock music and the ...

, as a member of A Tribe Called Quest.

Radio show

In 2013, Muhammad began co-hosting the ''Microphone Check'' radio show, which ran on

NPR National Public Radio (NPR) is an American public broadcasting organization headquartered in Washington, D.C., with its NPR West headquarters in Culver City, California. It serves as a national Radio syndication, syndicator to a network of more ...

until 2016, and on

Spotify Spotify (; ) is a List of companies of Sweden, Swedish Music streaming service, audio streaming and media service provider founded on 23 April 2006 by Daniel Ek and Martin Lorentzon. , it is one of the largest providers of music streaming services ...

until 2019.

Discography

Studio albums

*'' Shaheedullah and Stereotypes'' (2004)

with Lucy Pearl

*'' Lucy Pearl'' (2000)

with Adrian Younge

*'' Luke Cage (Original Soundtrack Album)'' (2016) *'' Luke Cage: Season 2 (Original Soundtrack Album)'' (2018) *'' The Midnight Hour'' (2018) *''Jazz Is Dead 001'' (2020) *''Roy Ayers JID002'' (2020) *''Marcos Valle JID003'' (2020) *''Azymuth JID004'' (2020) *''Doug Carn JID005'' (2020) *''Gary Bartz JID006'' (2021) *''João Donato JID007'' (2021) *''Brian Jackson JID008'' (2021) *''Instrumentals JID009'' (2021) *''Remixes JID010'' (2021) *''Jazz is Dead 011'' (2022) *''Jean Carne'' ''JID012'' (2022) *''Katalyst JID013'' (2022) *''Henry Franklin JID014'' (2022) *''Garret Saracho JID015'' (2022) *''Phil Ranelin and Wendell Harrison JID016'' (2023) *''Lonnie Liston Smith JID017'' (2023) *''Tony Allen JID018'' (2023) *''Instrumentals JID019'' (2023) *''Remixes JID020'' (2023)

Selected solo production credits

;1991

A Tribe Called Quest A Tribe Called Quest was an American Hip hop music, hip hop group formed in Queens, New York City, in 1985,Q-Tip< ...
- Check the Rhime 12"

*"Check the Rhime (Mr. Muhammad's Mix)" ;1992

Fu-Schnickens Fu-Schnickens were an American hip-hop trio from 1988 to 1995, based in Brooklyn, New York. History Fu-Schnickens was composed of Chip Fu (Roderick Roachford), Moc Fu (Joe Jones), and Pac Fu (Lennox Maturine). ''Fu'' stood for unity and ''sc ...
- '' F.U. Don't Take It Personal''

*" True Fuschnick" *"Heavenly Father" *" La Schmoove" (feat. Phife Dawg)

Fu-Schnickens - ''True Fuschnick'' 12"

*"True Fuschnick (Shaheed's Fix)"

Boogie Down Productions Boogie Down Productions (BDP) was an American hip-hop group formed in the Bronx, New York City, in 1986. It originally consisted of KRS-One, D-Nice, and DJ Scott La Rock. DJ Scott La Rock was murdered on August 27, 1987, five months after the ...
- We in There 12"

*"We in There (Remix)" ;1993

Greg Osby Greg Osby (born August 3, 1960) is an American saxophonist and composer. Biography Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Osby studied at Howard University, then at the Berklee College of Music. He moved to New York City in 1982, where he played with Jak ...
- ''3-D Lifestyles''

*"Raise" *"Hardcopy" *"Flow to the Underculture"

Shaquille O'Neal Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal ( ; born March 6, 1972), commonly known as Shaq ( ), is an American former professional basketball player who is a sports analyst on the television program ''Inside the NBA''. He is a and Center (basketball), center ...
- '' Shaq Diesel''

*"Where Ya At?" (feat. Phife Dawg)

Young MC Marvin Young (born May 10, 1967), better known by his stage name Young M.C., is an American rapper, singer and actor. He is best known for his 1989 hit " Bust a Move". His debut album '' Stone Cold Rhymin found international acclaim. Young h ...
- '' What's the Flavor?''

*"We Can Do This" *"Foulin'" *"Bob Your Head" *"Open Up the Door (and Let Me In)" ;1994

Gil Scott-Heron Gilbert Scott-Heron (April 1, 1949 – May 27, 2011) was an American Jazz poetry, jazz poet, singer, musician, and author known for his work as a spoken-word performer in the 1970s and 1980s. His collaborative efforts with musician Brian Jackso ...
- ''Spirits''

*"Don't Give Up"

Ice Cube O'Shea Jackson Sr. (born June 15, 1969), known professionally as Ice Cube, is an American rapper, songwriter, actor, and film producer. His lyrics on N.W.A's 1989 album '' Straight Outta Compton'' contributed to gangsta rap's widespread popu ...
- What Can I Do? 12"

*"What Can I Do (Eastside Mix)"

Simple E - ''Colouz Uv Sound''

*"Neck Work"

Da Bush Babees - '' Ambushed''

*"We Run Things (It's Like That)" ;1995

Faith Evans Faith Renée Evans (born June 10, 1973) is an American R&B singer, songwriter, and actress. Born in Lakeland, Florida, and raised in New Jersey, she relocated to Los Angeles in 1991 in pursuit of a recording career. Evans initially performed as ...
- You Used to Love Me 12"

*"You Used to Love Me (Ali Mix)"

D'Angelo Michael Eugene Archer (born February 11, 1974), better known by his stage name D'Angelo (), is an American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and record producer. He first garnered attention after co-producing the single "U Will Know" ...
- ''
Brown Sugar Brown sugar is a sucrose sugar product with a distinctive brown color due to the presence of molasses. It is either an unrefined or partially refined soft sugar consisting of sugar crystals with some residual molasses content or produced by t ...
''

Brown Sugar Brown sugar is a sucrose sugar product with a distinctive brown color due to the presence of molasses. It is either an unrefined or partially refined soft sugar consisting of sugar crystals with some residual molasses content or produced by t ...

Naughty by Nature - Feel Me Flow 12"

*"Feel Me Flow (Ali Shaheed Muhammad Mix)"

Stepchild - Hangin' Around (Sicka Gettin' Treated) 12"

*"Hangin' Around (Sicka Gettin' Treated) emix ;1997

Jon B. - I Do (Watcha Say Boo) 12"

*"Cool Relax (Remix)" ;1998

Various artists - ''Ride'' (soundtrack)

*"Never Say Goodbye" - Adriana Evans and

;1999

Angie Stone Angela Laverne Stone (née Brown; December 18, 1961 – March 1, 2025) was an American singer-songwriter, rapper, actress, and record producer. With a career spanning over four decades, she has been credited with revolutionizing the sound of Ol ...
- '' Black Diamond''

*"Bone 2 Pic (With U)"

Shola Ama - '' In Return''

*"Lovely"

Eric Benét Eric Benét Jordan (born October 15, 1966) is an American R&B singer-songwriter and musician. He has been nominated for four Grammy Awards. Early life and education Benét was born on October 15, 1966, in Mobile, Alabama. He was raised in Mi ...
- ''
A Day in the Life "A Day in the Life" is a song by the English rock band the Beatles that was released as the final track of their 1967 album '' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band''. Credited to Lennon–McCartney, the opening and closing sections of the s ...
''

*"That's Just My Way" *"Lamentation" *"Why You Follow Me"

Scritti Politti Scritti Politti are a British band formed in 1977 in Leeds by singer-songwriter Green Gartside, who is the sole remaining member of the original band. Initially formed as a punk culture, punk-aligned underground act influenced by leftist poli ...
- ''Tinseltown to the Boogiedown: The Variations''

*"Tinseltown to the Boogiedown (Ali Shaheed Variation)"

Various artists - ''The PJs'' (soundtrack)

*"What I Am" - Sy Smith

Mos Def Yasiin Bey ( ; born Dante Terrell Smith; December 11, 1973), formerly known as Mos Def ( ), is an American rapper, singer, and actor. A prominent figure in conscious hip hop, he is recognized for his use of wordplay and commentary on social an ...
- '' Black on Both Sides''

*"Got" ;2000

Laurneá Wilkerson - ''II''

*"Groovin'" *"She's Hurtin'" ;2001

Angie Stone Angela Laverne Stone (née Brown; December 18, 1961 – March 1, 2025) was an American singer-songwriter, rapper, actress, and record producer. With a career spanning over four decades, she has been credited with revolutionizing the sound of Ol ...
- '' Mahogany Soul''

*"What U Dyin' For"

References

External links

Official website

Official A Tribe Called Quest website
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Muhammad, Ali Shaheed 1970 births Living people African-American DJs African-American Muslims American hip-hop DJs American hip-hop record producers A Tribe Called Quest members People from Bedford–Stuyvesant, Brooklyn Converts to Islam African-American male rappers 21st-century American male rappers East Coast hip-hop musicians Rappers from Brooklyn 21st-century American rappers Record producers from New York (state) Lucy Pearl members Muslims from New York (state)