Feel the rhythm. This isn’t just a wall. This is the A Tribe Called Quest Mural. Right here in St Albans Queens. It’s a vibrant explosion of red green and black. These are the colors of many of Tribe’s iconic album covers. This isn’t just paint. It’s a tribute. A legacy painted onto the back wall of Nu Clear Dry Cleaners. This very spot saw the filming of their 1991 music video for Check The Rhyme.
Artist Vincent Ballentine poured his heart into this masterpiece. He grew up listening to A Tribe Called Quest. Their music was the soundtrack to his life. He envisioned this mural as a bridge. Bridging a gap between past and present. A tribute to thoughtfully crafted clever and diverse hip-hop. He wanted the legends to see their roses while they could still smell them. Sadly Phife Dawg didn’t live to see this mural. His passing made this project even more poignant.
The mural isn’t just Ballentine’s work. Nick Gamma contributed lettering. He’s the original graphic artist for Tribe’s Midnight Marauders and Low End Theory albums. This is a collaboration a fusion of art and music. The portraits of Q-Tip Ali Shaheed Muhammad Jarobi White and Phife Dawg are captivating. They stare out at you. They remind us of their enduring legacy.
Iris Wilcox the manager of Nu Clear Cleaners gave Ballentine permission to paint the wall. She understood its importance. She welcomed the opportunity to honor A Tribe Called Quest. Die-hard fans constantly flock here to take photos. They come to experience this vibrant tribute. They come to connect with the past and present.
This isn’t just a mural. It’s a statement. A celebration of a legendary hip-hop group. It’s a place where their music lives on. It’s a reminder of their influence. A reminder of Phife Dawg’s invaluable contribution. The A Tribe Called Quest Mural is more than art. It’s a piece of history. It’s a vibrant pulsating testament to a group that truly changed the game. It’s a must-see for any hip-hop fan. For anyone who appreciates art that tells a story. For anyone who wants to feel the heartbeat of Queens.