Throwback: Happy 56th Birthday, Q-Tip!

It’s April 2026. We’re at war with Iran. The Supreme Court is hearing arguments about birthright citizenship. The global economy is on a slow-burn collapse. Everything is awesome. Oh, and he’s still alive. 

But we still have music, friends and community, y’all. And hopefully JOVM offers a bit of respite in our mad, mad, mad world. 

So while I do focus on new music, there’s always room to celebrate our legends — both living and departed. 

• The Isley Brothers‘ co-founder Rudolph Isley was born 87 years ago on April 1
• Gil Scott-Heron was born 77 years ago on April 1
• The legendary Marvin Gaye was born 87 years ago on April 2
• Bella Union Records founder and label head, singer/songwriter, musician and Cocteau Twins‘ Simon Raymonde celebrated his 64th birthday on April 3
• Jill Scott celebrated her 54th birthday on April 4
• David Roback, one-half of acclaimed and beloved dream pop duo Mazzy Star was born 68 years ago on April 4
• The legendary  Muddy Waters was born 113 years ago on April 4
• Smash-hit producer, songwriter and artist Pharrell Williams celebrated his 53rd birthday on April 5
• Robert Glasper celebrated his 48th birthday on April 6
• Merle Haggard was born 89 years ago on April 6
• John Oates, best known for his work with the blue-eyed soul duo Hall & Oates one of the most commercially successful duos ever, celebrated his 77th birthday on April 7
• Kraftwerk co-founder Florian Schneider was born 79 years ago on April 7
• The legendary and incomparable Billie Holiday was born 111 years ago on April 7
• The legendary Biz Markie was born 62 years ago on April 8
• Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds celebrates his 67th birthday today

As a kid, I absolutely adored A Tribe Called Quest. Honestly, I still do. Today, Q-Tip, one of hip-hop’s greatest emcees and producers celebrates his 56th birthday today. 

So let’s celebrate the brother, his legendary music and his towering influence on hip-hop. 

Happy birthday, brother! May there be many, many more!

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