By A Tribe Called Quest performed alongside Anderson Paak, Busta Rhymes, and Consequence at the Grammys on Sunday, honoring Phife Dawg and giving a politically- charged and unapologetically Black Muslim performance of a medley of their songs.
In the final segment of their performance, Busta Rhymes addressed Trump’s Muslim ban, stating “I just want to thank President Agent Orange for perpetuating all of the evil that you’ve been perpetuating throughout the United States.” He said, “I want to thank President Agent Orange for your unsuccessful attempt of the Muslim ban. When we come together, we the people, we the people, we the people, we the people.”
“I want to thank President Agent Orange for your unsuccessful attempt of the Muslim ban. When we come together, we the people, we the people, we the people, we the people.”
As Tribe took the stage they smashed through a wall, symbolizing the wall Trump wants to build, and filled the stage with a diverse group of people of color, to go with “We The People” “All you black folks you must go… All you Mexicans you must go, Muslims and Gays, boy we hate your ways.”
Two of the four ATCQ members (Ali Shahed Muhammad and Q-Tip aka Kamaal Ibn John Fareed), as well as Busta Rhymes, are Muslims, according to Ummah Wide. This performance is a demonstration of not only resistance in today’s political climate, but a reminder of existence and contributions Black Muslims have given to the Muslim community, especially in a platform that often erases Black Muslim identities.