quest trip meaning

Behind the Band Name: A Tribe Called Quest

by Alli Patton January 12, 2023, 10:32 am

There are few hip-hop groups as influential as A Tribe Called Quest. Dominating the progressive rap scene of the late ’80s through the ’90s, their music—an inventive medley of hip-hop and jazz with textures of bossa nova and hints of rock—touched on critical issues, both personal and social, in a way that was powerful, yet still carefree and fun.

Videos by American Songwriter

They were visionaries, paving the way for an alternative hip-hop sound we can still hear today.

Behind the Name

When A Tribe Called Quest formed, the group consisted of longtime neighborhood friends and high school peers, rapper-producer Q-Tip, co-producer Ali Shaheed Muhammad, as well as rappers Phife Dawg and Jarobi White.

At their inception, the group originally called themselves Crush Connection, then later adopted the name Quest. “A Tribe Called” was tacked onto their moniker in 1988 at the urging of fellow high school mates and rappers, Jungle Brothers, reportedly while playing a card game.

Shortly after, with the final iteration of their group name secured, A Tribe Called Quest alongside Jungle Brothers and Long Island rap trio De La Soul formed the hip-hop collective, the Native Tongues. Together, the collective—later joined by artists Queen Latifah, Monie Love, Black Sheep, and Chi-Ali—would pioneer a more conscious style of hip-hop, characterized by open-minded and spiritual lyricism, eclectic sounds and diverse samplings, all with Afrocentrism at the heart of their music.

The late ’90s witnessed the group’s breakup as they announced their final album would be their 1998 release, The Love Movement . They went their separate ways and pursued their own solo careers, but reunited in 2006 to tour as a group on and off for several years.

When Phife Dawg passed away in 2016, the group had a new album in the works. The remaining members finished the project and released it later that year. We Got It from Here… Thank You 4 Your Service would debut at No. 1, and A Tribe Called Quest would perform their final concert on September 9, 2017.

While the group has disbanded, A Tribe Called Quest’s influence lives on in the works of so many of today’s biggest artists. Kanye West, Pharrell Williams, Pusha T, Questlove, and OutKast’s Andre 3000 have all cited the group as one of their biggest influences.

The group’s sound and style bridged so many gaps, creating something truly unique, something that can still be found across the alt-hip-hop genre that plays today.

Photo by Al Pereira/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Only members can comment. Become a member . Already a member? Log In .

Buddy Guy Lives for the Blues—“If I Can Make You Smile, I Can Sleep Better” 

© 2024 American Songwriter

• Songwriter Interviews
• Song Writing
• Fact or Fiction
• They're Playing My Song
• Songfacts Pages
• Songwriting Legends
• Songfacts Podcast
• Amanda Flinner
• Bruce Pollock
• Corey O'Flanagan
• Dan MacIntosh
• Laura Antonelli
• Leslie Michele Derrough
• Maggie Grimason
• Nicole Roberge
• Roger Catlin
• Shawna Ortega
• Stephanie Myers
• Trevor Morelli

Can I Kick It? by A Tribe Called Quest

Songfacts®:

• This song is based around a sample from Lou Reed's " Walk On The Wild Side ." Typical of A Tribe Called Quest's laid-back style, they rap about how they love what they do using clever rhymes and cultural references. To "kick it" means to hang out and have fun.
• In a 2011 interview with Hip Hop DX, A Tribe Called Quest rapper Phife Dawg explained that the group has never received royalties from this song because of the Lou Reed sample. Apparently Reed earned money from the track, and though Dawg is thankful he let his group use "Walk on the Wild Side," he's disappointed that Reed never bothered to offer to spread the wealth.
• The line, "Mr. Dinkins won't you please be my mayor?" is a reference to David Dinkins, who did indeed become mayor - the first black mayor of New York City. Dinkins took office in 1990 and had the position until 1993 when he lost to Rudy Giuliani.
• The reoccurring line "Err, you can…" was sampled from a children's TV show in the UK called SuperTed . The line comes from a character named Spotty, voiced by actor John Pertwee of Dr. Who fame. This part doesn't show up in streaming/digital versions of the song or in the music video, which uses a remix. It was probably removed for legal reasons.
• A Tribe Called Quest used a slightly different version of the song for the music video. The beat in the video is dubbed the "Spirit Mix" as it uses additional samples. In the clip, the group is seen literally kicking the word "It" through film sets, construction sites, and alleys around New York City.
• A track from the group's debut album, there are just two verses in the lyric; Q-Tip takes the first one and Phife Dawg does the second. Phife, who was just 19 when he recorded it, in later years said that he had a hard time listening to his verse because he didn't like the way his voice sounded back then - he thought it was too high-pitched.
• A Tribe Called Quest "kicked" off the "Yo! Unplugged Rap" episode of MTV Unplugged with an acoustic performance of this song. The 1991 episode, famous for LL Cool J's ribald version of " Mama Said Knock You Out ," marked the first time rappers appeared on the show.
• When the People's Instinctive Travels And The Paths Of Rhythm album was re-released in 2015, the group performed this song on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon . It marked their first TV appearance in 15 years.
• The actor Sacha Baron Cohen made fun of "Can I Kick It?" in his sitcom Da Ali G Show . As a similar beat played, Cohen would rap as Ali G, changing the line to "Can I nick it?"
• The Swedish pop singer Lykke Li has been known to close her live shows with a cover of this song.
• This soundtracks the "Happy" 2021 Super Bowl commercial for Michelob ULTRA, which stars a bevy of athletes, including Mia Hamm, Peyton Manning and Serena Williams.
• More songs from A Tribe Called Quest
• More songs that use samples
• More songs with clips from movies, TV shows or speeches
• More songs used in commercials
• More songs from 1990
• Lyrics to Can I Kick It?
• A Tribe Called Quest Artistfacts

Comments: 4

• Rob from Uk The Jon Pertwee sample is not from SuperTed, it is from a Sleeping Beauty fairytale CD. You can find it on YouTube.
• Earl from London, United Kingdom Track also samples "What A Waste" by Ian Dury & The Blockheads.
• Valentin from Beijing, China the video version samples Baby Huey's "Hard Times"
• Thomas from Stirling, United Kingdom the intro "A tribe called Quest" is said by british Radio 1 DJ Pete Tong.

More Songfacts:

Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me Elton John

Recording "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me," Elton John was frustrated and sang the line "don't discard me" with an exaggerated American accent, which is why is sounds strange.

Soak Up The Sun Sheryl Crow

Sheryl Crow's "Soak Up The Sun" isn't as lighthearted as it seems: the song deals with the prevailing head-in-the-sand reaction to climate change.

You Get What You Give The New Radicals

"You Get What You Give" by The New Radicals was the first hit song to use the word "frenemies" in the lyrics.

A Little Less Conversation Elvis Presley

Elvis Presley's "A Little Less Conversation" was just a minor hit when it was released in 1968, but a 2002 remix made the song a global smash, taking it to #1 in a number of countries, including Australia and the UK.

Cruel To Be Kind Nick Lowe

Part of the "Cruel to Be Kind" video was shot during Nick Lowe and Carlene Carter's wedding.

Auld Lang Syne Traditional

The New Year's Eve favorite "Auld Lang Syne" is a Scottish song that roughly translates to "Days Of Long Ago."

Editor's Picks

Timothy B. Schmit Songwriter Interviews

The longtime Eagle talks about soaring back to his solo career, and what he learned about songwriting in the group.

Eric Burdon Songwriter Interviews

The renown rock singer talks about "The House of the Rising Sun" and "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood."

Sub Pop Founder Bruce Pavitt On How To Create A Music Scene Song Writing

With $50 and a glue stick, Bruce Pavitt created Sub Pop, a fanzine-turned-label that gave the world Nirvana and grunge. He explains how motivated individuals can shift culture.

Jesus Thinks You're a Jerk: Rock vs. Televangelists Song Writing

When televangelists like Jimmy Swaggart took on rockers like Ozzy Osbourne and Metallica, the rockers retaliated. Bono could even be seen mocking the preachers.

Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath, Heaven And Hell Songwriter Interviews

Guitarist Tony Iommi on the "Iron Man" riff, the definitive Black Sabbath song, and how Ozzy and Dio compared as songwriters.

Kiss Fact or Fiction

Kiss is the subject of many outlandish rumors - some of which happen to be true. See if you can spot the fakes.

Songfacts® Newsletter

A monthly update on our latest interviews, stories and added songs

Information

• Terms of Service
• Our Privacy Policy
• Google Privacy Policy
• Songfacts API
• Music History Calendar
• Song Licensing
• Affiliate Disclosure
• Privacy Manager
• X (Twitter)

Contribution

• Message Boards
• Songfacts Writers

©2024 Songfacts, LLC

The Importance of the Quest

April 18, 2010 by aelyth savage.

I have never conceived of myself as someone on a quest. My goals at home, work, and travel have ever been hazily defined and largely unspoken. Traveling abroad has yielded some of my greatest memories, and yet those trips were undertaken purely for the sake of visitation and in the name of interest. But as the glow of novelty fades from traveling, I’m forced to consider if there’s a deeper meaning to that still-present urge to travel. If, on a whim, I returned to Europe tomorrow I would surely enjoy myself, but I am equally sure that upon returning home I would feel a sense of vacancy or incompleteness. A sense of something left behind.

Strains of this sensation crept into my last couple of trips abroad. I can recall several occasions when Sarah (my wife) and I would vocalize how a spark or sense of excitement was missing. What originally motivated me to travel, escapism and foreignness, seems to be no longer sufficient.

My golden age of MacGuffins has ended.

The best way I can articulate this feeling is “lack of accomplishment,” and it doesn’t take a MENSA member to realize that it’s difficult to accomplish something that hasn’t been defined. Setting goals really isn’t my strong suit. The effusive lamentations of travelers stuck on “the Western tourist trail” seem like the search for a thing that hasn’t been brought to the fore of consciousness. That sounds dangerously possible for me. In the absence of a defined goal, the default behavior is to follow what’s pre-packaged, refined, and easy. It took reading several articles, blogs, and forums touching on this topic for the idea of this post to click for me: I need a quest.

But why quest? Why not goal, mission, or guiding principle? I chose the word “quest” because I like its inherent romanticism, literary connections, and etymology. I’m really sick of goals, too. Wikipedia defines a “quest” as (this would also make a decent travel writing definition):

…a journey towards a goal… In literature, the objects of quests require great exertion on the part of the hero, and the overcoming of many obstacles… Travel also allows the storyteller to showcase exotic locations and cultures…

Seeking is the heart of the quest. Sir Galahad sought the holy grail, Jason and his Argonauts sought the golden fleece, and Daenerys Targaryen sought her birthright, the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros. Each of these historical and literary figures casts off from safe harbors in the name of their quests, which are powerful forces providing meaning, endurance, and the fortitude to persevere.

I make no comparison between myself and these heroes, but it would be foolish to dismiss the similarity of our impulses. I, too, am choosing upheaval over stability and I realize now that I am seeking something. I can’t easily describe it yet – it’s still opaque and difficult to discern – but perhaps it’s an intangible understanding. Understanding of others, of myself. A thing to bring peace of mind. Perhaps I don’t need a quest so much as to understand the quest that I’m on now. After all, something powerful must be compelling me to leave behind the things I’m choosing to leave behind.

In the context of solo travel, I think the quest can serve an important purpose. When you have a travel companion or group of companions, it’s easy to preoccupy yourself with the “fluff” of mundane yet enjoyable social activities. But when you travel alone, you’re often left to your own rumination. Little setbacks and imperfections in your plan are magnified with no one around to provide perspective or encouragement. A quest can help, and it doesn’t need to be grandiose or life-altering. What you’re after are those peripheral “powers” a quest imbues in you so that you can solider on in the face of inevitable obstacles.

Choosing a quest for your travels is akin to adopting a heroic mindset. This simple act can lend you strength in the difficult times and the satisfaction of accomplishing what you set out to do. If you’re traveling now, are you on a quest? Are you on a quest that, perhaps, you haven’t realized or articulated yet? Do you disagree with the idea of having a quest altogether? Share your thoughts in the comments – I’d love to hear what you think!

Original photo by howzey via Flickr under Creative Commons

Aelyth Savage

Article comments.

I think using the word “quest” is great in terms of travel. It brings a sense of adventure and intrigue… .-= SpunkyGirl´s last blog .. I inherited crazy genes… =-.

I agree. I really like the power a simple word can have.

I can totally relate to this, in terms of not having the words for something you feel burning inside. I think that as long as you keep searching, you’re gonna be just fine. .-= Lauren Quinn´s last blog .. Travel and the Lonely Girl =-.

Thanks Lauren. I’m looking forward to the “haze” burning off.

Good post, is has got my thinking, what’s my quest? Good to see your wife got her name in this one!

Haha, thanks Poi. Better late than never!

yea for wifey! 🙂 i think i am on a quest in life in general. A quest for adventure while I am learning about life and myself. But you know what? The adventure could be in China, but it can also be right here in good ole’ West Virginia. I think many people forget that travel is not just about getting on plane and having some exotic experience. I relate to the “burning inside” that Lauren mentions up above. I want to soak in as much of the world as possible, and I am not complete without my journeys (near or far) or my writings. The burning comes when I feel stagnant, like I am not doing enough to further my goal/mission/quest–which ironically, is not even completely defined. And that’s ok! It comes as we go. We don’t have to know everything up front. Kudos on traveling solo.

Ha, I might need to create a fan page for Sarah. I can relate to the feeling of stagnancy. I think there’s an element of boredom in there, too. Insightful comments – thanks!

I love the idea of a quest, although every time I hear the word the only thing that comes to mind is Monty Python and the Holy Grail and the screeching “WHAT is your quest?”

I’ve toyed with the idea of diving into the world of geocaching http://www.geocaching.com/ Creating a bit of a game out of travel by leaving behind artifacts and directions for future travelers (or seeking things left behind in the past). Necessary? No, but there is a fun element to it, particularly for people who are driven by tangible goals. .-= Joel´s last blog .. Everything I need to know about travel I learned from The Doctor =-.

I’ve looked into geocaching a bit but have yet to try it. Some people really get into it and I can see how it would be fun. It’s the modern day “X marks the spot.”

OMG, Keith, you may not believe this, but I’ve been kicking around a guest post along these same lines. You were an English major, weren’t you? If not, you should have been. .-= Gray´s last blog .. Shiny Travel Objects: April 18, 2010 =-.

Yep, English with an emphasis on creative writing. Strange how some topics arise communally across blogs at the same time. 🙂

I was a creative writing major, too. Clearly, you are still very much in touch with your inner creative writer. I feel like mine fell off the back of the truck on the highway about 10 years ago and I’m having to backtrack to figure out where I lost it. Yeah, it is interesting that so many bloggers come up with similar themes at the same time. It’s like we’re tapped into the same travelers’ collective unconscious. .-= Gray´s last blog .. Shiny Travel Objects: April 18, 2010 =-.

I appreciate the compliment. I was actually thinking I needed to shake off the rust – the only thing my creative writing degree has done recently is hang on my wall 😉

Sounds like by identifying yourself as on a quest you’re aligning with the whole “the journey is the destination” thing. It’s more about what can you learn along the way about yourself and others, more about curiosity and openness than about achieving some preconceived goal. I like @Claire’s idea that the quest can continue anywhere.

Yeah, I think you’re right. There’s no particular “thing” I’m looking for. It’s really the intangibles, the experience. Thanks Zoe!

I have never tired of travel but I also don’t think of it in terms of goals or quests or conquests for that matter (unless I need to get from point A to point B before dark when I’m hiking or biking). I’m as excited now as I have ever been to go somewhere . It’s curiosity that keeps me traveling. I want to know how my mental image of a place stacks up against the real thing, especially if I’ve been thinking about the place for a very long time.

Hi Leigh – Curiosity is what powered my first several trips abroad, but recently I’ve noticed an ambivalence regarding destinations. It’s had me worried but served as a good impetus to analyze my thoughts. Now I see that it was the routine our travels had taken – a “sameyness” – that was causing that feeling. Thanks!

we should always be on a quest, traveling or staying in one place. it can be a simple one, but it´s good to have something to focus on, it can be a project, someone to love, something to care for, whatever it is, we must feel like we are on a path towards something.

Hi Adriana – yes, I think these are good words to live by. It can be easy to lose sight of the end goal in the midst of day-to-day minutiae.

I never used to think of a quest before but rather loved the idea of just seeing what happens while I travel. Now I feel there is something bigger waiting for me when I travel whether it be a job or volunteer opportunity so I think my quest right now is figuring out what I want to do and where I want to go even if I am figuring it out at home right now. Great article.

Hi Joya – Quests can definitely start from home: that’s the case with me! Hope you find whatever’s waiting for you. 🙂

So much to think about. For me travel is about trying to get answers to questions. What is going on in the rest of the world? Is the world OK? Can I understand better why people do the things they do? Are there different ways to be, as an individual, as a society, as a country?

After decades of travel, did all of this make me a more tolerant, liberal, understanding person? I think so.

Hi Carol, so you’re on a quest for answers. I admire your drive to find them in the field and in the flesh rather than relying on media. As you say, the byproduct of this style of questing can be tolerance and understanding. Thanks for the comment!

Hi Keith! I like that you used the word “quest.” I feel like I am on a quest whenever I take a trip, whether it’s a day trip, a hike or a long vacation. You have to expect the unexpected as anything can happen and then learn from it. Last year my husband and I went on many hiking trips including a hike to Supai Village in Supai, Arizona. The hikes, especially the one to Supai, turned out to be a quest. I discovered a lot of things about myself that I did not know about. Being surrounded by so much nature and another culture taught me to take a step back and appreciate everything around me. I have learned to slow down a bit and go with the flow. I am from NYC so slowing down is a challenge. After the trip to Arizona I am even more open the whatever quests lie ahead. It’s very exciting! Thank you for your great post. I look forward to hearing more about your thoughts on travel.

Thanks Cari, nice to see you here. You bring up a good point: the unexpected is an important part of quests. It wouldn’t be much of a quest if you knew exactly how it would proceed, start to finish. It’s also the unexpected things that make the quest memorable and exciting.

I love relating travel to a quest. I think you are dead on. The great feat of travel is overcoming obstacles, big or small. The stories and changes that come out of those are my travel “quests”. I want to be changed by a place I go to or a person I meet along the way. I guess my quest is more of a search for changes in myself. .-= Suzy´s last blog .. “Can’t” and Travel Don’t Go Together =-.

Nice way to put it. Much of this post is simply about constructing the mindset that will yield the most growth.

I love this post, Keith – you have hit the nail completely and utterly on the head regarding the need for the quest. I was just saying to a friend over dinner the other day that the travel which seemed incredible and amazing, challenging and impossible several years ago seems almost mundane today, and how we’re always on the lookout for more and more ‘difficult’ places to go to to get that buzz back again.

To be honest I think the best compliment I can give is that I’ve been thinking about writing up an article along these lines for the last week or two … and now, I’m not going to. I’m just going to point people here instead. You’ve put my thoughts into words better than I could myself, and I thank you for it. .-= Dave´s last blog .. Off the beaten track: New Zealand’s South Island =-.

Hi Dave – seems like a lot of us have had some form of this idea rattling around in our heads. That feeling of the mundane in travel can cause people to continuously ratchet up the excitement/danger/adventure of their current style of travel or switch the tracks and take on a different style altogether. I’m choosing to alter my style from whirlwind tours to slow travel.

I’m glad you enjoyed this post and I appreciate the compliments. Hope to see you around here again!

I agree with SpunkyGirl the term quest has a nice ring to it, it makes me think of the Greg Anderson quote “Focus on the journey, not the destination. Joy is found not in finishing an activity but in doing it.” I’m a little hesitant with defining my quest because it seems I try to put an end to it, but then again I haven’t reached that point in my travels that you are speaking of. .-= Cornelius Aesop´s last blog .. New Brew Tuesday: The Battle of the Modelos =-.

I recently read that the most meaningful quests are those that are impossible to achieve, those that keep you searching forever.

[…] a way, this post is the sister to the one I wrote about the importance of the quest. I am finding power in writing these mantra-esque posts; they help me realize the truth of the […]

I agree with Gray, a collective consciousness seems to prevail amongst us! Even if a traveler is aimless, I would equate that to searching… what they are seeking may not be apparent. In agreement with Suzy, quests can be big or small. Overcoming shyness, conquering weak navigating skills, discovering the self, or simply engaging in cultures not of our own. Some kind of quest makes sense.

Yeah, what’s with the collective consciousness? Do we need some more travel bloggers in the pool or what? Talk about micro tribes.

What a thought provoking post! My quest is simple: to see as much of the world as possible. What’s so great is everything that comes along with that quest. All of the adventures, encounters, and knowledge! What’s your quest? .-= Andi´s last blog .. imgp2629 =-.

Thanks for asking. To be honest, I don’t know yet. All good things in time.

[…] In between his travels he’ll return to his wife and home to the US.Our favourite post: The Importance of the Quest Follow him on Twitter: @travelingsavageNomadic ChickJeannie is in her late 30s and is finally […]

[…] I go further, go read Keith’s posts about being the excitement and having a quest. I will […]

[…] else as well. Oh and have you read his work? If you haven’t then start with this one about The Importance of the Quest and then move onto What’s Your Motivation to […]

[…] of other sites this month. The Brooklyn Nomad’s Travel Blog Rewind featured my post on the Importance of the Quest. I really appreciated this inclusion on a blog I respect. Also from GO! Overseas, they included me […]

Leave Me A Comment Cancel reply

Scotland's calling.

• Your Name *
• Email Address *
• Comments This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

© 2024 Traveling Savage. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy - Terms of Use - Resources

• Manage Account

Songs That Defined the Decade: A Tribe Called Quest’s ‘We The People’

Billboard is celebrating the 2010s with essays on the 100 songs that we feel most define the decade that was -- the songs that both shaped and reflected the music and culture of the period -- with…

By Frank DiGiacomo

Frank DiGiacomo

• Share this article on Facebook
• Share this article on Twitter
• Share this article on Flipboard
• Share this article on Pinit
• + additional share options added
• Share this article on Reddit
• Share this article on Linkedin
• Share this article on Whatsapp
• Share this article on Email
• Print this article
• Share this article on Comment
• Share this article on Tumblr

Billboard is celebrating the 2010s with essays on the 100 songs that we feel most define the decade that was — the songs that both shaped and reflected the music and culture of the period — with help telling their stories from some of the artists, behind-the-scenes collaborators and industry insiders involved. 

A Tribe Called Quest

See latest videos, charts and news

The “soundtrack to the resistance,” as Epic Chairman/CEO Sylvia Rhone describes it, arrived on Nov. 11 2016, just two days after America woke up to the realization that Donald Trump was about to become its 45th president. After an 18-year hiatus, New York rap pioneers  A Tribe Called Quest returned to hip-hop’s vanguard with the release of “We the People,” the lead single from the group’s sixth and final album, We Got It From Here…Thank You 4 Your Service , and one of the most searing protest songs of the Trump era. 

“It was as if A Tribe Called Quest had a crystal ball, dropping the album the very next day and channeling a vision that would unite us,” says Rhone.

Trending on Billboard

Opening with the heavy thump of the drum break from Black Sabbath’s “Behind The Wall of Sleep,” an air-raid siren blast and a foreboding synthesizer riff, “We the People” never actually mentions Trump. Instead it calls out the toxic, misogynist and racist worldview he was espousing. “All you black folks, you must go/ All you Mexicans, you must go/ And all you poor folks, you must go,” the group’s leader Q-Tip practically croons. “Muslims and gays, boy, we hate your ways/ So all you bad folks, you must go.”

Although Trump was definitely on Q-Tip’s mind, he says the decision to not name-check the incoming president was intentional. “We wanted to make [the song] more of an overarching premise and not an exact indictment of anything,” he says. “We just spoke to the people — black, white, gay, poor — and to different religions. We tried to cover it all in three-and-a-half minutes.” 

The track also envisions a future where gender equality is the norm. “Dreaming of a world that’s equal for women with no division,” spits Tribe co-founder Phife Dawg in what would be one of his final verses. He died at the age of 45 during the recording of We Got It From Here… from complications related to diabetes. 

Gloria Kaba, who first worked with Q-Tip in 2013 and was hired as the assistant engineer on We Got It From Here… says she started at AbLab, the recording studio that the rapper had built at his New Jersey home, in December 2015, just a few weeks after Tribe reunited for a performance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon . “The energy was so genuine and positive,” she says. 

“Everybody was amped,” says David Kennedy, the sound and mixing engineer who had first worked with Tribe on its previous album, 1998’s The Love Movement , after which the group had not so amicably parted ways. “Phife and Tip had gone through their changes and come back together… The mood was buoyant.” 

A Tribe Called Quest on the Future After Their Comeback: 'That's It for the Rest of Our Lives'

Kaba recalls Q-Tip first playing a demo of the song for the recording and production team. “It set the tone for the album. He had a verse sketched, so the energy of the track was already there,” she says. “We were watching the news all the time and following the political race… It just seemed like a very fitting concept to drive the song. I remember Phife listening and there was an immediate connection. Once he put his verse on and Tip finished the chorus, it was a no brainer.” 

For producer Blair Wells, a New Yorker who remembered the newspaper ads that Trump took out in 1989 calling for reinstatement of the death penalty after the arrests of the Central Park Five, five black and Latino teenagers who were wrongly convicted of the rape of a white jogger in Central Park, the song resonated with that injustice. “That’s the first moment that I became aware of that part of Trump’s brain,” he says. 

When Phife died unexpectedly on March 22, 2016, Wells says work on We Got It From Here… took a backseat as friends of the Tribe arrived at the studio to pay their respects. “It’s not like we took off and went our separate ways,” he says. “We stuck together to get through.”

Phife’s passing hit Q-Tip hard. After falling out at the end of the ‘90s, the two men – who met when they were four – had bonded once again during their work on We Got It From Here…  “I had a great degree of difficulty finishing the album because we had done it together and he wasn’t here to see it to the end,” he says quietly.  

Kennedy says that Phife died without finalizing all of his vocals for the album. “We had to make do with what we had, but we felt he would have wanted us to go forward with it.  We had come so far and felt that it would be healing.”

We Got It From Here… was completed fittingly on election day. “We worked through the night mixing three songs, and I remember leaving the studio around 7 or 8 a.m. and going straight to the voting booth,” Kaba says.

Four nights after the election, the surviving members of Tribe appeared on Saturday Night Live , where they performed an electric version of “We the People.” Introduced by the show’s host and longtime champion of the group, Dave Chappelle, Q-Tip exhorted the studio audience to raise a fist. “We are all one. We are the people,” he said before he and Jairobi White performed the song while DJ Ali Shaheed Muhammad manned the decks.  During Phife’s recorded verse, a banner unfurled that depicted a photograph of the late rapper’s face atop a painted body with outstretched hands and a window into his heart.

That night, A Tribe Called Quest sounded prescient, but three years later, Q-Tip says, “I can’t take credit for any kind of calculated philosophical engineering.” Rather, he says, “It was God’s timing that the [song] came out when he was elected; that we did Saturday Night Live that same week; that Dave Chappelle was there. It was just all Divine order, man.”

In December, “We The People” would rise to No. 23 on Billboard’s Hot Rap Songs chart and No. 77 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was also included in a medley of Tribe’s best-known songs when the group closed out the 2017 Grammy Awards, with support from Anderson .Paak and Busta Rhymes. The latter made news that night when he dubbed Trump “President Agent Orange” and thanked him for “perpetuating all of the evil that you’ve been perpetuating throughout the United States.”  

Reminded of the moment, Q-Tip gives a little laugh.  “It was show business, it was rock ‘n’roll, it was hip-hop,” he says. “[Trump] calls people Pocahontas, shifty Schiff. He’s got names for everybody — so what’s good for the goose, right?”

Get weekly rundowns straight to your inbox

Want to know what everyone in the music business is talking about?

Get in the know on.

Billboard is a part of Penske Media Corporation. © 2024 Billboard Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

optional screen reader

Charts expand charts menu.

• Billboard Hot 100™
• Billboard 200™
• Hits Of The World™
• TikTok Billboard Top 50
• Song Breaker
• Year-End Charts
• Decade-End Charts

Music Expand music menu

• R&B/Hip-Hop

Culture Expand culture menu

Media expand media menu, business expand business menu.

• Business News
• Record Labels
• View All Pro

Pro Tools Expand pro-tools menu

• Songwriters & Producers
• Artist Index
• Royalty Calculator
• Market Watch
• Industry Events Calendar

Billboard Español Expand billboard-espanol menu

• Cultura y Entretenimiento

Get Up Anthems by Tres Expand get-up-anthems-by-tres menu

Honda music expand honda-music menu.

A Tribe Called Quest: one of hip hop's greatest ever journeys

Their electric picnic show will almost certainly be their last on irish soil. here's their extraordinary story, from the queens early days to leaders of the resistance.

Consequence, Q-Tip and Jarobi White of A Tribe Called Quest on stage this year. Photograph: by Christopher Polk/Getty Images for FYF

November 12th, 2016. On the first episode of Saturday Night Live following the election of Donald Trump, Q-Tip tries to soothe the shell-shocked New York crowd.

"Everybody stand up, one fist in the air," the A Tribe Called Quest rapper instructs. With a black fedora for a crown and comrade Jarobi on his flank, Q-Tip's words act as a rallying call of defiance and sermon. "We are all one. We are the people."

With that, Tribe's DJ Ali Shaheed Muhammad spins the celestial keyboard loop and jack-knifing drumbeat of We the People… The group's first single since Bill Clinton was in the White House shuffles the issues plaguing the US like cards in a deck: police brutality, racial prejudice, religious discrimination, homophobia and gender inequality. They didn't know it at the time, but Tribe were soundtracking what became known as The Resistance: a first line of defence against Trump's corrosive agenda.

Watching the trio perform new music together feels like a minor miracle. The break-up of Tribe almost two decades ago followed a familiar framework: a beloved collective fracturing under the weight of internal arguments and bad business.

Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real: Willie Nelson’s son gets his band back off Neil Young

Jake Bugg channels Glen Campbell and Lorde is rhymin’ Simon

Get into the Groove: the best rock and pop gigs this week

There had been occasional live reunions, but all hope of a new record seemed to evaporate when the MC, Phife Dawg – for many the group’s beating heart – died in March last year, due to complications relating to diabetes, a disorder he lived with for more than half his life.

Then suddenly, a gift appeared. During his final months, Phife had been holed up at Q-Tip's New Jersey home, secretly recording an album that would become We Got It from Here... Thank You 4 Your Service . Released the day before the Saturday Night Live performance – which Phife appeared in via a recorded verse and large mural – it's a scintillating rap record that deletes 18 Tribe-less years by sounding fresh, relevant and vital.

Hip-hop started as a youth culture and has always been a young person's game. But as rap gets older, we're discovering how good this music recorded by now-middle-aged stars can be. We Got It from Here... sets a new standard. It's the perfect final act, an album enhanced by the wisdom of age while still sounding distinctly Tribal.

The story begins…

How do the great music groups find each other? The odds of compatible geniuses meeting on this planet seem so remote. Yet A Tribe Called Quest – who headline Saturday at Electric Picnic – came together in Queens, New York, where Q-Tip first met Phife when they were around two years old. By their mid-teens, the pair were rapping together. Tip's smooth yet studious flow complementing Phife's streetwise, Trinidadian-infused swagger.

Ali Shaheed Muhammad, “the sound provider”, was a gifted man behind the music, working alongside Tip on the beats. And Jarobi, well, you never quite knew what Jarobi was doing. Tribe’s man of mystery contributed ideas but skipped out on the group to attend culinary school after the release of their first album. Still, a revolving door policy allowed him to jump back in whenever the stars aligned.

Tribe made socially engaged songs cut with abstract philosophy and doused in Afrocentric flavours. Lyrically they were expressive, imaginative and deep-thinking. Hits such as Check the Rhyme, Bonita Applebum and Electric Relaxation are loose, funky and soulful. Head-nodding hip-hop drum breaks underpin chopped-up samples stacked on samples: Tribe's sonic approach was as playful as mixing ice cream with M&Ms with jelly babies.

Matching the rubbery bass line from Lou Reed's Walk on the Wild Side with a boom-bap beat and slick record scratches on Can I Kick It? seems like the easiest thing in the world. But nobody else could have made the concoction sound quite so blissful.

The group split in 1998 after five albums. Tip and Phife's relationship was left with deep lacerations, the long-standing strain captured in the 2011 documentary Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest . Michael Rapaport's film tries to end on a positive, with footage of one of their sporadic reunion shows in Japan. But there's little sense the tensions pulsing underneath Tribe had been relieved.

Q-Tip of A Tribe Called Quest. Photograph: Christopher Polk/Getty Images for FYF

Muhammad's post-group work included a stint in the excellent supergroup Lucy Pearl. Phife put out his own solo record Ventilation: Da LP in 2000. During an era of hip-hop megastars, Q-Tip dropped songs such as Breathe and Stop and Vibrant Thing , which you probably still hear going off in the club. Tip later embarked on a period outside music where he practised celibacy and buried himself in books.

But life often closes off incomplete circles. Call Tribe's on-wax reunion fate if you want to be trite. Call it a fluke of timing. Or maybe the album was inevitable. Whatever you believe, a performance on the Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in 2015 to mark the 25th anniversary of their debut LP, People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm , served as the catalyst. According to a New York Times profile from last year, Phife had been trying to get Tip back in the studio for years. Finally, the moment felt right.

An American tragedy

High-profile hip-hop collaborations can sometimes suffer a lack of chemistry, which is little wonder when verses are often recorded in different countries beamed on to a producer's hard drive. On We Got It from Here... , Tip insisted everyone work under the same roof.

Long-time collaborators Busta Rhymes and Consequence feature throughout, with Kendrick Lamar, André 3000 and Anderson Paak among the guests. The rappers frequently play a game of "the microphone is lava", each trying not to hog the spotlight for too long before passing the mic on.

Muhammad's name is nowhere on the album credits, as he was working as the music supervisor for Netflix's Luke Cage during recording. And so most of the musical tinkering fell to Q-Tip. The production is rich, warm and thumping. with peppy organ chords, howling guitars, thick bass lines and lots of white-hot percussion. With Dr Dre, RZA and Kanye West, Tip is among the great rapping producers of all time, looking up at precisely nobody.

Tribe's agenda on We Got It from Here... was far from single-minded, working in everything on the evil of inflated self-importance ( Ego ) to the rappers who've followed the path they forged ( Dis Generation ). They do, though, capture the ugly forces that helped power president Donald Trump's ascent.

"Mass unblackening, it's happening, you feel it y'all?" Jarobi asks on The Space Program . Elsewhere, Conrad Tokyo finds Phife pondering "Trump and the SNL hilarity" referencing the controversial decision to allow the future president to host Saturday Night Live during his campaign: "Troublesome times kid, no times for comedy." As white supremacists assemble in American cities, Tribe's music offers an antidote to the hatred.

Some, including Jarobi, believe that it was the recording of We Got It from Here... Thank You 4 Your Service that killed Phife; that the workload plus travelling back and forth from his California home eventually ground him down. That he died creating new art, with his relationship with Q-Tip at ease, has something of a ring of beauty to it. The result of Phife Dawg's labour is an album that's grandiose, groovy, grief-stricken and one of the decade's finest.

When Q-Tip, Muhammad and Jarobi take to Electric Picnic’s Main Stage, it’s likely to be one of the last stops in the instinctive travels of A Tribe Called Quest. The closing paragraphs in a chronicle among the most treasured in rap doctrine. Cherish it. Take it all in. You won’t see anything like this group ever again.

The countertenor: ‘It’s a Marmite voice – people either love it or hate it’

Sean shibe –dreams & fancies review: an alluring, outgoing side on show, pop corner: miley’s feeling younger now,, the 8 best new irish tracks of the week, michael flatley kickstarts week-long 2017 fleadh in ennis, a free double bass concerto in the ulster hall: what more could you want, the best art shows this weekend with moving mountains and electrical magic, in this section, activists call for ireland to boycott eurovision over israel's participation, dua lipa: radical optimism review – step aside beyoncé and taylor swift, this is the pop album we’ve been waiting for, kamasi washington: fearless movement – somehow both more and less than the epic and heaven and earth, lemoncello: lemoncello review – subversive and silky sticks of sonic dynamite, sick love: champagne review – emo-tinted grunge with a knockout combo of pace and panache, asylum seekers pitch tents in ballsbridge park after dublin city centre camp cleared, media barred from naming man accused of attempted kidnapping of toddler in dublin, ‘hardcore’ group of far-right protesters stage demonstration outside taoiseach’s home, we need to talk about why we’re all so angry, man arrested after apparent kidnap attempt of 2-year-old child in dublin, latest stories, ireland drops six places in press freedom index because of politicians using ‘judicial intimidation’.

Nicholas Jover and the rise of the set-piece coach

Man arrested after three women injured in alleged hatchet attack in Louth

Alleged Dublin rioter denied bail after gardaí gather ‘thousands of hours’ of CCTV evidence

Judge reserves decision in Enoch Burke case after claim that journalist’s article a ‘malicious hit job’

Malachy Clerkin: Don’t mind Newstalk’s Ciara Kelly - pitting sport against sport is completely outdated

Numbers of ‘oiled seabirds’ rises as source of pollution remains a mystery

TCD fine of €214,000 on students’ union could block graduation of some students

• Terms & Conditions
• Privacy Policy
• Cookie Information
• Cookie Settings
• Community Standards

How to Read Literature Like a Professor

Thomas c. foster, ask litcharts ai: the answer to your questions.

The Meaning of Quest: What It Is and How To Use It

Have you ever wondered about the definition of quest? This article will provide you with all of the info you need on the word quest, including its definition, etymology, usage, example sentences, and more!

Your writing, at its best

Compose bold, clear, mistake-free, writing with Grammarly's AI-powered writing assistant

What is the origin of the word quest?

According to Etymonline , the word quest has been sued to mean an inquest or judicial inquiry since 1300, and more generally to refer to a search since early c14 Middle English. This comes from the Old French queste and Medieval Latin questa. This comes from the feminine past participle of quaerere, the Latin quaestus and Latin quaesta as well as the Latin quaesita. 

What are synonyms and antonyms of quest?

There are many different words that a person can choose to use in place of the word quest. These are called synonyms, which are words that have the same meaning as the word quest. Synonyms are useful words to learn if you are trying not to repeat yourself or if you are trying to expand your English language vocabulary. This list of synonyms of quest is provided by Power Thesaurus .

•  pursue
•  adventure
•  search out
•  pursuing
•  pursuance
•  enterprise
•  research
•  rummage
•  bespeak
•  inquisition
•  seek out
•  inquest
•  chase down
•  ferret out
•  prosecution
•  undertaking
•  hunting
•  searches
•  probe
•  pilgrimage
•  hunt for
•  odyssey
•  inquiry
•  gun for
•  study
•  finding
•  search
•  mission
•  voyage
•  crusade
•  search for
•  investigation
•  request
•  chase
•  pursuit
•  emprise
•  exploration
•  seeking
•  manhunt
•  expedition
•  cast about
•  searching
•  journey

There are also a number of words that have the opposite meaning as quest. These opposite words are called antonyms, which are another great tool used to expand your vocabulary. This list of antonyms of quest is also provided by Power Thesaurus . 

•  get loose
•  escape
•  conceal oneself
•  small trip
•  cover
•  day trip
•  predators
•  ignorance
•  solve the puzzle
•  go to ground
•  elope
•  retreat
•  take cover
•  run away
•  do a bunk
•  cut loose
•  scurry away
•  insist
•  be in hiding
•  hiding
•  boil over
•  lie snug
•  go into hiding
•  seeking refuge
•  whip away
•  be concealed
•  sequester oneself
•  lie up
•  ignore
•  levant
•  short trip
•  diktat

How can the word quest be used in a sentence?

The word quest can be used in many different sentences in the English language. Using words in a sentence is a great way to memorize their definition. You can also try making quizzes or flashcards for yourself to memorize different definitions and test your knowledge. Try using this word of the day in the sentence today. Below are a couple of examples of the word quest to get you started. 

They were grateful to find a hotel in the exotic locations on their arduous quest across Europe, but few of them had room service or even an extra bed. 

The hero of the story went on a quest to receive the treasure of the king – the Holy Grail. On her way, she teamed up with a lost child and the company of knights , and they completed the adventurous expedition and the prescribed task. 

She ran from the hounds and the argonauts in the middle of her quest for medieval romance, stopping at nothing to achieve her goal.

Overall, the quest means the pursuit of a game in search of a particular object, usually requiring a difficult journey or trail. The moral of a quest tale usually relates to the meaning of life. 

• quest: meaning, origin, translation | Word Sense 
• Quest synonyms – 924 Words and Phrases for Quest | Power Thesaurus 
• Quest antonyms – 34 Opposites of Quest | Power Thesaurus 
• quest | Origin and meaning of quest | Online Etymology Dictionary  
• Quest definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary  

Kevin Miller is a growth marketer with an extensive background in Search Engine Optimization, paid acquisition and email marketing. He is also an online editor and writer based out of Los Angeles, CA. He studied at Georgetown University, worked at Google and became infatuated with English Grammar and for years has been diving into the language, demystifying the do's and don'ts for all who share the same passion! He can be found online here.

Recent Posts

Analogy Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It

Traverse Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It

Initiative Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It

Portfolio Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It

• Cambridge Dictionary +Plus

Meaning of quest in English

Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio

• In his quest for physical perfection , he spends hours in the gym .
• The United States is in the van of the quest to establish contact with beings from the beyond.
• New equipment is being developed in a quest to stop drinking and driving .
• Scientists announced another breakthrough in their quest for a cure for prostate cancer .
• beachcomber
• beachcombing
• body search
• bounty hunter
• hunting ground
• keep your/an eye out for someone/something idiom
• leave no stone unturned idiom
• shake someone down
• skip tracer

You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:

quest | American Dictionary

Examples of quest, translations of quest.

Get a quick, free translation!

Word of the Day

a name someone uses instead of their real name, especially on a written work

Hidden in plain sight: words and phrases connected with hiding

Learn more with +Plus

• Recent and Recommended {{#preferredDictionaries}} {{name}} {{/preferredDictionaries}}
• Definitions Clear explanations of natural written and spoken English English Learner’s Dictionary Essential British English Essential American English
• Grammar and thesaurus Usage explanations of natural written and spoken English Grammar Thesaurus
• Pronunciation British and American pronunciations with audio English Pronunciation
• English–Chinese (Simplified) Chinese (Simplified)–English
• English–Chinese (Traditional) Chinese (Traditional)–English
• English–Dutch Dutch–English
• English–French French–English
• English–German German–English
• English–Indonesian Indonesian–English
• English–Italian Italian–English
• English–Japanese Japanese–English
• English–Norwegian Norwegian–English
• English–Polish Polish–English
• English–Portuguese Portuguese–English
• English–Spanish Spanish–English
• English–Swedish Swedish–English
• Dictionary +Plus Word Lists
• English    Noun
• American    Noun
• Translations
• All translations

To add quest to a word list please sign up or log in.

Add quest to one of your lists below, or create a new one.

{{message}}

Something went wrong.

There was a problem sending your report.

Words and phrases

Personal account.

• Access or purchase personal subscriptions
• Get our newsletter
• Save searches
• Set display preferences

Institutional access

Sign in with library card

Sign in with username / password

Recommend to your librarian

Institutional account management

Sign in as administrator on Oxford Academic

quest noun 2

• Hide all quotations

What does the noun quest mean?

There are 11 meanings listed in OED's entry for the noun quest , four of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

quest has developed meanings and uses in subjects including

How common is the noun quest ?

How is the noun quest pronounced, british english, u.s. english, where does the noun quest come from.

Earliest known use

Middle English

The earliest known use of the noun quest is in the Middle English period (1150—1500).

OED's earliest evidence for quest is from before 1325, in Pilate .

quest is of multiple origins. Partly a borrowing from French. Partly a borrowing from Latin. Probably also partly formed within English, by clipping or shortening.

Etymons: French queste ; Latin quaesta ; Latin quaestus ; inquest n.

Nearby entries

• queryingly, adv. 1874–
• queryist, n. 1863–
• query language, n. 1963–
• quesadilla, n. 1848–
• que sera sera, int. & adj. a1593–
• quesited, adj. & n. 1647–
• quesititious, adj. a1690–90
• quesitive, adj. 1891
• queso, n. 1989–
• quest, n.¹ c1300–1515
• quest, n.² a1325–
• quest, v.¹ a1350–
• quest, v.² 1647–91
• quest-ale, n. 1681–1860
• questant, n. a1616
• quest-diter, n. a1500
• quester, n. 1629–
• questful, adj. 1837–
• quest-ganger, n. a1500
• quest house, n. 1607–
• questing, n. a1470–

Thank you for visiting Oxford English Dictionary

To continue reading, please sign in below or purchase a subscription. After purchasing, please sign in below to access the content.

Meaning & use

Pronunciation, compounds & derived words, entry history for quest, n.².

quest, n.² was revised in December 2007.

quest, n.² was last modified in March 2024.

oed.com is a living text, updated every three months. Modifications may include:

• further revisions to definitions, pronunciation, etymology, headwords, variant spellings, quotations, and dates;
• new senses, phrases, and quotations.

Revisions and additions of this kind were last incorporated into quest, n.² in March 2024.

Earlier versions of this entry were published in:

OED First Edition (1902)

• Find out more

OED Second Edition (1989)

• View quest, n.¹ in OED Second Edition

Please submit your feedback for quest, n.²

Please include your email address if you are happy to be contacted about your feedback. OUP will not use this email address for any other purpose.

Citation details

Factsheet for quest, n.², browse entry.

Meaning of Excursions by A Tribe Called Quest

"Excursions" by A Tribe Called Quest explores the band's love for hip-hop and their deep connection to the genre. Through the lyrics of Q-Tip, the listener is taken on a journey through the history and culture of hip-hop, with references to jazz and the African roots of the music. The first verse speaks of the cyclical nature of music, accompanied by the acknowledgement of the power of words.

The chorus emphasizes the importance of authenticity in hip-hop culture and encourages listeners to "make moves" that are genuine and true to themselves. The second verse delves deeper into this idea, presenting the concept of "the code of the streets" and the importance of being honest and true to oneself and one's community.

Overall, "Excursions" is a celebration of the musical and cultural heritage of hip-hop, while also being a call for authenticity and honesty in the preservation of its traditions.

This meaning interpretation was written by AI. Help improve it with your feedback

More from this artist

8 Million Stories

A Tribe Called Quest

After Hours

Against the World

Black Spasmodic

Bonita Applebum

Trending this week

End of Beginning

Heaven Knows (The Angel Has Flown)

Orange & Lemons

Love Come Down

Evelyn "Champagne" King

Synonyms of quest

• as in search
• as in to demand
• as in to pursue
• as in to seek
• More from M-W
• To save this word, you'll need to log in. Log In

Thesaurus Definition of quest

 (Entry 1 of 2)

Synonyms & Similar Words

• exploration
• reconnaissance

Thesaurus Definition of quest  (Entry 2 of 2)

• insist (on)
• press (for)
• stipulate (for)
• clamor (for)
• necessitate
• plead (for)
• requisition

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• chase (down)
• search (for or out)
• forage (for)
• cast about (for)
• cast around (for)
• ferret (out)
• speak (for)
• apply (for)
• petition (for)

Thesaurus Entries Near quest

Cite this entry.

“Quest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quest. Accessed 3 May. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on quest

Nglish: Translation of quest for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of quest for Arabic Speakers

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the day.

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

What’s the difference between ‘hillbilly’ and ‘redneck’, more commonly misspelled words, commonly misspelled words, how to use em dashes (—), en dashes (–) , and hyphens (-), absent letters that are heard anyway, popular in wordplay, 12 star wars words, the words of the week - may 3, 9 superb owl words, 10 words for lesser-known games and sports, your favorite band is in the dictionary, games & quizzes.

Welcome to Womens Quest!

Women’s Quest Ultimate Wellness Adventure Retreats

This is no ordinary fitness or sightseeing vacation. This is a chance to reawaken your authentic self.

“ What is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life? ” ~ Mary Oliver

Created by women for women, our fun-filled health and wellness trips have been transforming travelers of all ages for over 30 years.

Women’s Quest wellness adventure retreats are the ultimate vacation designed to revitalize your body, refresh your spirit, and refill your joy tank.

Our women’s retreats take fitness and well-being to a new level by blending the perfect mix of outdoor activities with mindful practices, including yoga meditation and qigong, to create an adventure that will spark your passion and empower you to LIVE LIFE to the FULLEST! Retreats are held in some of the most enchantingly beautiful places on earth—ideal backdrops for personal growth, transformation, and play! Come share a week with like-minded women and inspirational staff.

“You’ll leave with your biggest smile ever, and the tools and support to keep it there.” ~Women’s Quest Founder Colleen Cannon

Join Our Newsletter

Receive occasional inspirational emails from us with our latest and greatest retreats PLUS tips and secrets from the PROS about health, wellness and travel! *We do not share this list with anyone and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Take Time For Yourself

At Women’s Quest, we believe life is something to be lived to the fullest, not rushed through, or worse, sleepwalked through. Though we want to slow down, make changes, and create meaning in our lives, we are often too busy keeping up with our jam-packed schedule and not sure how to start.

The answer is simple (it has just been lost in our modern lives): go on a Quest, a journey of personal discovery.

With Women’s Quest, you will begin this journey joined by a small group of like-minded travelers, each with different backgrounds and expectations, but with the common goal of following her bliss.

Empower Your Body & Mind

We have all had those triumphant moments when we achieved something that we thought was impossible.

Whether physical or mental, these occasions encourage us to continue to step beyond our present limitations and discover new powers within ourselves.

This is the spirit of Women’s Quest, the culture that we foster on every trip. Our all-female staff of athletes, artists, dance and yoga instructors, body therapists, coaches, optimists, and inspiration junkies is committed to helping women reach their full potential in an atmosphere that is supportive, friendly, and non-competitive.

Live Your Adventure

Our retreats use physical activity as a vehicle to bring balance, self-awareness, and healthy attitudes into everyday life, all at a pace that’s comfortable for YOU.

We’re not hardcore, but we are extreme—as in extreme well-being. Each retreat is designed to rebuild your vitality and help you jump start a healthy routine that rekindles your kid energy. Basically we PLAY all day!

Imagine surfing and practicing yoga in Costa Rica, wine tasting and cycling through Tuscany or California, riding mountain bikes in Vermont and Colorado or hiking to reach the legendary Machu Picchu in Peru. This is Women’s Quest-style travel.

Our Upcoming Retreats:

Life-changing active vacations with lasting results! 

Women’s Quest has a wellness retreat for every kind of outdoor adventure imaginable. From hiking the mountains of Peru, to horseback riding in Iceland, to surfing in Costa Rica and more, we have a retreat for you. 

Come alone or come with friends; either way, you will leave with a new community of best friends and a heightened sense of wellbeing. Explore the world, embrace the outdoors, and connect to your true nature, all while experiencing the history, culture, and cuisine of our incredible retreat locations. 

“If you’re interested in arranging a personalized retreat and have a group of 10 or more people who are eager to partake in the Women’s Quest experience, we provide the option for both Co-Ed and Women’s retreats across the globe.”

Our experience also encompasses orchestrating birthday celebrations and facilitating getaways for groups of friends seeking a memorable escape.”

2024 Retreats

Costa Rica Surf and Yoga Retreat

Feb 4-10th, 2024

If you’ve ever dreamed of playing in the warm ocean or feeling the exhilaration of riding a wave, then this is your adventure retreat! Welcome to a surf paradise! With the perfect blend of surfing, yoga, sunshine, and delicious food, Pura Vida time is here. 

 Sonoma Wellness Adventure Retreat

April 14-18th, 2024

Ready to Revitalize your Body and Mind? Join our rejuvenation retreat designed to settle your nervous system, energize your body, and awaken personal insight. Explore movement practices for mobility, strength, and balance (yoga, meditation, dance, and qi-gong). Experience the Native Genius Method with Kristen Wheeler – an approach to clarifying what lights you up and how to recognize your inner compass. Spend 5 days in beautiful Sonoma to hit the reset button, hike in the redwoods, and cycle through picturesque vineyards (it is like going to Tuscany but without the jet lag). Come as you are and awaken your senses in Sonoma.

Hawaii Swimming, SUP, Yoga & Adventure Retreat

April 20-26th, 2024

The Bali-inspired Hale Kai (“Home by the Sea”) will be our homebase for a week of play on the beautiful Big Island. Enjoy soul-nurturing yoga and stunning hikes or jump in the ocean to snorkel, SUP, kayak, and swim alongside dolphins, turtles, and whales. The sound of the ocean will reset your rhythm to nature and our chef will serve you divine food all week long.

Vancouver Adventure Retreat

June 16-21st, 2024

Embark on the ultimate Vancouver adventure retreat! Immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty of the Pacific Northwest, where rugged landscapes meet urban charm. Whether you’ve dreamt of Dragonboating, canoeing down the river of golden dreams, hiking the stunning coast mountains, or mountain biking on world-renowned Whistler trails, this retreat has it all – and yes, there’s even yoga and axe throwing!

Iceland Horses, Hiking, Hot-springs

July 7-14th, 2024

4 days of riding, 3 days of Hiking, Kayaking, Waterfalls. Embark on a transformative journey with Women’s Quest Iceland Retreat, where the enchanting landscapes of the Land of Fire and Ice set the stage for a unique Horse-Human Connection and Communication experience. Whether you’re a beginner or intermediate rider, join us for riding through Iceland’s breathtaking scenery. Beyond the saddle, immerse yourself in equine-assisted wellness and empowerment coaching, complemented by rejuvenating sessions of yoga, meditation, and mindfulness. Discover the profound connection between humans and horses in an unforgettable adventure designed to nourish your mind, body, and spirit.

Iceland Total MultiSport Immersion Retreat

July 14 -21th, 2024

Inhale the highland vista of glaciers and mountains where the summer sun never sets. This week, you will hike to spectacular waterfalls, mystical caves, natural hot springs, kayak through incredible wetlands, and take an amphibian boat tour to look at puffins. Plus, you can’t miss the chance to horse-ride across the brilliant Icelandic countryside.  ( Beginning riders welcome )

Iceland Intermediate/Advanced Horse Retreat

July 14-21th, 2024

Dreams really do come true! Spend this life-changing week riding Icelandic horses through bright green valleys of lupin wildflowers, magical beaches, and epic waterfalls. Make your way to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, all the while visiting geothermal hot springs every evening.

Vermont Hiking, Mt Biking, Yoga, SUP Adventures retreat

Sept 7-12th, 2024

Breathe in the crisp fall air and restore your core energy through the peaceful magic of our private, lakeside lodge. We balance this week of hiking, mountain biking, SUPing, and canoeing with yoga and deep relaxation for the perfect blend of adventure and calm. 

Dolomites Hiking and Yoga Adventure retreat

ONE SPOT LEFT

Sept 7th – 13th, 2024

Energize your whole body and mind in the spectacular Dolomites with daily breathtaking hikes, yoga, spa time and enjoying the local food. Together, we’ll experience the joy and personal power that comes from combining our journeys in nature with positive and supported self-expression.

Coed Tuscany Cycling Retreat

Sept 15-22th, 2024

From the shimmering Mediterranean Sea to the rolling hills and ancient villages, while cycling, we’ll absorb the essence of Tuscany and allow our senses to run wild. From the honey-soaked light of the morning glowing over the olive trees, to the golden rays shining through the vineyards in the evening, we will discover the blissful rhythm of Tuscany. 

Portugal Luxury Wellness adventure retreat, SUP, Kayak, Hike, Horses

TWO SPOTS LEFT

September 14 – 20th, 2024

Join us this September for a luxurious exploration of some of Portugal’s best kept secrets. Held by the ancient beauty of Portugal this rejuvenating retreat will give you space to explore and connect with yourself, your tribe and the tools to tune into your feminine wisdom. 

Greece Blue Waters Bliss: Yoga, Kayaking, Hiking and Wellness Retreat in the Aegean

Sept 22-29th, 2024

Explore the treasures of Amorgos and Schinoussa islands on this awe-inspiring retreat. Hike the rugged coastline to discover hidden, untouched beaches and swim in the crystal-clear Aegean Sea. Ease into the slow pace like a local, feast on farm-to-table food, and get whisked away by the enchanting history and culture of Amorgos. The magic is palpable. 

Canyonlands Hiking, Yoga Adventure Retreat

Oct 16-20th, 2024

Experience the soul-inspiring beauty of the red sandstone canyons that were carved out a millennia ago by the great Colorado River. With Moab as your home base, you are nestled in between Arches and Canyonlands National Parks where you will hike, mountain bike, and practice yoga. The high desert air, beaming western sun, and mighty sandstone cliffs make for a great backdrop for this women’s adventure retreat.

2025 Retreats

Feb 2-8th, 2025

Patagonia Adventure Retreat

March 28th -April 5th, 2025

Embark on an unforgettable adventure that beckons you to Torres del Paine, the crown jewel of Patagonia. Wake up to the breathtaking view of Cordillera Paine, partake in invigorating yoga sessions and immerse yourself in the wonders of Patagonia…

Peru Hiking and Yoga Adventure Cultural Retreat

May TBD , 2025

Embark on a transformative Peru adventure retreat with Women’s Quest. Experience the awe of hiking to Machu Picchu, engage in profound ceremonies with local shamans, savor authentic Peruvian cuisine, explore vibrant Cusco, and immerse yourself in the sacred beauty of the Sacred Valley. Join us for a journey of exploration, spirituality, and connection.

Testimonials

Many of the women who attend Women’s Quest return year after year and often bring friends or family members to share in this life changing experience. Letters and emails from participants mention how Women’s Quest has changed a their life and taught them that they have the strength to achieve new heights.

“Women’s Quest has been a life enriching, spiritual and physical experience for my daughter and for me. We have learned that nothing is impossible and that life is an adventure to savor and enjoy!” Maria E

“This has been one of the greatest weeks of my life. It’s been not only fun, but an incredible growth experience.” Karen A

“Women’s Quest changed my life in a totally positive way more than any other single event I’ve ever experienced.” Molly M

In the News

Meet the Staff

Our staff is composed of World Champion and Olympic athletes who are all experts in the fields of fitness, health, and wellness. Colleen Cannon, who founded Women’s Quest in 1992, has won over 100 races and is a World and National Champion in Triathlon.

We know how to connect to and listen to the body, and more importantly, we understand the power of inner well-being and mindfulness. We bring this knowledge and experience, coupled with our love for play, to our women’s retreats around the globe. We also work closely with our beloved local guides who share their home with us and give us the inside scoop of every location.

Meet Colleen

Colleen Cannon founded Women’s Quest after a highly successful career as a professional triathlete. In her racing days, she was World Champion in 1984 and National Champion in 1988 and 1990. She also was a multiple U.S. National team member.

Her passions, besides chocolate and being in nature, are liberating and empowering women through movement and balance, and targeting their true “hearts’ desire.” Colleen continues to EVOLVE adventures for Women’s Quest, delighting in ways to ENCHANT women with the experiences that coax happiness grown from joyful physical experiences.

Lorraine Moller Olympic Medalist / Run Coach

Lorraine is a four-time Olympian, a three-time world champion, Olympic bronze medalist, and winner of sixteen…

Jacqueline Stanford WQ Chief Fun Officer

“Live life to its fullest”   “FANTASTIC”   Jacqueline Stanford was born on a farm in Western Canada where…

Kelly Páez Yoga Instructor / WQ Chief Everything Officer

Kelly Páez began her Yogic studies in the Krama yoga school under the guidance of her first teacher, Esteban Salazar…

Christina Russel Mountain Bike / Dance / Massage

Christina was born in Montreal Canada and grew up in New England where she cultivated her love of the…

Giving Back

We partner closely with local guides to ensure that we approach each community with respect and understanding of their place and culture. Working with local guides also enables us to support local businesses and communities, and every women’s retreat has a philanthropic give back project.

Join The Quest​

Missing the feeling of being on a retreat? Welcome to the Quest Ohana. OHANA translates to family in the Hawaiian language, and our community has truly become one.

This online monthly membership empowers you with the tools, content, and support to create a more sustainable, happy, healthy and balanced lifestyle of wellness, from the inside out.

Our virtual platform provides you with live workouts, events and discussions with inspirational speakers, interactive group gatherings, guided meditations, and more to help you create your dream life now.

Take a trip back to when dinosaurs roamed at Jurassic Quest this weekend

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — This weekend, get up close and personal with life-size dinosaurs at Jurassic Quest at the Fairgrounds Nashville.

This Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, bring the whole family out to get the ultimate experience, feeling like you have traveled back in time. Kids and ride a dinosaur, jump in bounce houses, participate in craft making, dig for fossils, and get to meet and learn about their favorite dinosaurs.

To learn more about the Jurassic Quest experience, hit play on the video above.

You can buy tickets and schedule a time for your family to visit, here .

Carrie recommends:

Growing your family, no matter the journey to get there, is an emotional one. My heart aches for these families who trusted a Nashville fertility clinic with their dreams and finances. Hannah McDonald's relentlessness to find answers is journalism at its best and hopefully a new avenue of hope for the patients caught up in this mess.

-Carrie Sharp

Our gift to the Nashville community

• International edition
• Australia edition
• Europe edition

Why has the yen fallen to a decade’s low and what does it mean for Japan’s economy?

The accelerating slide in the value of Japan’s currency could ultimately be bad news for people in Japan who are heavily reliant on imports

The value of Japan’s currency has tumbled so much, that its value is back to where it was in 1990, shortly after Japan’s famous “bubble economy” burst. For a moment on Monday it was trading at 160 yen to US$1. A few years ago, it was closer to 100 yen to US$1.

The yen’s accelerating slide could ultimately be bad news for people in Japan. A weaker yen squeezes households by increasing import costs. Japan is heavily reliant on imports for both energy supplies and food, meaning inflation could rise.

A weaker yen is however a boon for Japanese exporters’ profits – and for tourists visiting Japan who find their currencies going further.

Why has the yen fallen so far?

The yen has been steadily sliding for more than three years, losing more than a third of its value since the start of 2021.

One factor behind its fall is momentum: the yen falls because investors are selling it – and investors continue to sell it because it is falling. In such instances, the market enters a self-fulfilling loop.

As a result of the falling currency, exporters are discouraged from converting foreign proceeds into yen, further decreasing demand.

However there are also major policy reasons for the currency’s sharp decline.

For years, the Bank of Japan (BOJ) has kept interest rates extraordinarily low to encourage more inflation in its economy, as well as to boost bank lending and spur demand.

In February, in the face of widespread labour shortages and a weakening yen, Japan was overtaken by Germany as the world’s third-biggest economy and slipped into recession .

With low interest rates seen as a key factor in the rapid decline of the yen, last month the BOJ ended its policy of keeping its benchmark interest rate below zero, lifting its short-term policy rate from -0.1% to between zero and 0.1%.

After that decision, markets were then focused on the pace of further rate rises. On Friday, the BOJ announced it would hold interest rates steady, signalling that further increases weren’t imminent. This precipitated another round of selloffs in the yen, putting more pressure on the currency.

It was this wave of selloffs that drove the currency down to 160 yen to the dollar for the first time since 1990.

What effect is it having?

The decades-low value of the yen means tourist dollars are going further than they have for generations, leading to a boom in the industry. As well as the US dollar, the yen has also hit multi-year lows against the euro, the Australian dollar and the Chinese yuan – all strong tourism markets for Japan.

In February, Japan recorded 2.79 million visitors – a record for the month.

Domestic consumption, however, remains a major weak spot. Households tend to be net importers and are facing higher prices due to the weak yen.

The weakening yen is also a factor in the decision by big Japanese investors’ to keep their cash abroad, where it can earn better returns. This trend is exacerbated by an unusually strong US dollar which has meant that American investments and assets offer far better returns for major financial institutions.

What are Japanese authorities doing?

In recent years, Japanese authorities have intervened to prop up the value of the currency , because a weak yen complicates its objective of achieving sustainable inflation, and strengthening it could help increase domestic consumption and local investment.

Japan intervened in the currency market three times in 2022, selling US dollars it holds in reserve in order to buy yen. Tokyo is estimated to have spent around $60bn defending the currency at that time.

On Monday, after briefly hitting its multi-decade low, the yen rose sharply, leading traders to suspect that after weeks of threatening to intervene, Japan had stepped in to support its currency.

Japan’s top currency diplomat, Masato Kanda, declined to comment when asked if authorities in Tokyo had intervened.

“Today’s move, if it represents intervention by the authorities, is unlikely to be a one-and-done move,” said Nicholas Chia, Asia macro strategist at Standard Chartered Bank in Singapore.

“We can likely expect more follow through from [Japan’s Ministry of Finance] if the dollar/yen pair travels to 160 again. In a sense, the 160-level represents the pain threshold, or new line in the sand for the authorities.”

Reuters contributed to this report

Most viewed