Q. Ali Bey on His ‘Never Judge A Book’ Philosophy
Q. Ali Bey is a savant of conscious hip-hop—his sound is unyielding, honest, and fueled by a genuine desire for change. His dreamy, bouncing tracks flow like refreshing currents of empowerment, offering listeners unique spaces to process, heal, and rise above their circumstances. Having personally endured a brutal encounter with the police, Q. Ali Bey understands the profound impacts of injustice. Rather than internalize his anger and resentment, he puts his creative genius to work as a “boots on the ground” artist and activist—working tirelessly to empower marginalized communities with his nonprofit Know-Your-Rights and other innovative projects. Inspired by his late mother, Patricia, Q. Ali Bey is a steadfast positive reinforcer—shedding much-needed light on a world so often overshadowed by darkness.
After a successful collaboration with veteran rapper Knoc-turn’al on his debut album, his upcoming project Never Judge a Book by Its Cover delivers an ultra-relevant reminder: no person has the right to judge another. Appearances can be deceiving, and assumptions can harm those most vulnerable. Yet, he believes that each of us has the power to manifest our dreams and break free from the chains that bind us. Q. Ali Bey is a resonant voice for his community and all of America—proudly representing those who refuse to let prejudice stand in the way of a brighter future.
When Q. Ali Bey crafts an anthem of resilience, it becomes supercharged—his dreamy, bass-driven West-Coast hip-hop resonates deeply, offering both wisdom and solidarity to a community burdened by systems of oppression. Familiar voices bolster the track’s evocative verses, as Wu-Tang Clan-affiliated Soloman Childs and Killah Priest share their perspectives, words of encouragement, and wisdom. At the heart of the track soar the angelic, comforting vocals of The Official Krystal Klear, carrying the poignant message—when one feels utterly overwhelmed by circumstance, like they are “about to drown,” one must “hold it down,” because everyone has just one life to live. In the face of darkness and tumult, Q. Ali Bey courageously illuminates a path forward, urging his community to “speak loud,” “stand tall,” and live with integrity and purpose. A rallying cry and a beacon of hope—” Never Judge a Book” spotlights the enduring strength and unity of those determined to thrive against all odds.
Q. Ali Bey has a spirit of honesty extends into his visual storytelling, opting for a down-to-earth, grounded aesthetic that veers from the hip-hop status quo. Filmed in one of LA’s most vibrant cultural hubs, Leimert Park, the video captures the essence of community, solidarity, and resistance. Against the backdrop of this historic neighborhood, Q. Ali Bey showcases the rich culture of this bustling community, using his art as a powerful medium to advocate for peace and liberation. Here, the song truly takes flight—uplifting the people and the spirit that inspired the track. Here, he and his crew stand united—embodying the collective strength that the song champions. And it’s here, that Q. Ali Bey sets the groundwork for lasting change—urging others to speak their truth with pride and purpose.
As a multi-faceted artist and activist, what inspires you to make music that tackles pertinent social issues?
My inspiration comes from our day-to-day issues in our local communities. When I served honorably in the US Navy from 2001 through 2004 during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom I was under the impression that I was doing something positive in the world. When I became a civilian again I noticed that didn’t mean much to local law enforcement and Court as much as I would have imagined. To the point where I realized the negative things this Country has done to my people and essentially to everyone living in poverty is no different than 60 to 100 years ago. Some of my people are still expecting an apology for what was done in the past but not cognitive to see that it’s still happening to them today.
What makes “Never Judge A Book” stand out from other songs Q. Ali Bey has made in the past or other songs on your new album?
Several things make “Never Judge a Book” stand out over my other projects. The title and content of the music speaks for itself. Killah Priest and Solomon Childs (Wu-Tang Affiliates) bring their conscious element to the track. Last but not least, Krystal Clear and her melodic voice give the song the feminine touch it needs to complete the song.
You worked with many renowned artists on this project—what was your collaboration process like for this song?
The collaboration process was really pain-free and I’m grateful to Juicedawitchdocta aka Noble Jean Phoenix Legrand for introducing me to DJ J-Ronin and Solomon Childs and Krystal Klear. DJ J-Ronin plugged me in with Killah Priest and the rest is history.
Talk to us briefly about the music video’s production process. How did you and your director bring this video to life?
Shout out to the Director and Martial Arts legend Robert Parham of Meyham Films. We actually shot two videos that weekend: The first being Discipline Your Disappointments on Saturday, Nov. 2nd, 2024, and Never Judge a Book the following day Sunday, Nov. 3rd, 2024. I put a lot of emphasis on the first shoot and for the second shoot,t I just wanted to be in a culturally sound environment with Leimert Park, in Los Angeles, California being the perfect fit for Never Judge a Book. The Director used his vision and created a wonderful visual.
What is your favorite scene or visual element from the music video? What makes it stand out to you?
Though the entire shoot was an experience all in itself I would say standing in the circle of drummers as they were performing. Feeling the drums with the vibe of the people around was epic.
Do you think audiences will resonate with the messages in “Never Judge A Book?” Do the messages resonate with you personally?
I know that the message will resonate because we all have fallen victim to prejudgments and prejudices to some degree in our lives. It’s important to address these issues and put them at the forefront of our minds so that we can learn from them and move forward so you choose.
What motivates you to keep positive even in tough situations? Why is it important for you to spread positivity in your music?
I was raised to stay positive, find a remedy, and treat people the way you want to be treated. Those values my mother instilled in me will always remain within me. Music in general is missing positivity in the mainstream. I’m doing my part to resurrect mainstream consciousness music of all genres.
How does “Never Judge A Book” represent your future musical aspirations? Do you plan to explore similar themes in future?
The song Never Judge a Book is the single to my new album coming out this spring entitled “Never Judge A Book By Its Cover.” This project will kick off a series of campaigns to follow dealing with serious topics such as Police Brutality, Kidnapping, Racism, to name a few. As long as there is my people face injustice with no consequence I will have more than enough fuel to create similar projects such as this one
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About the Author
Dr. Jerry Doby Editor-in-Chief of The Hype Magazine, Media and SEO Consultant, Journalist, Ph.D. and retired combat vet. 2023 recipient of The President's Lifetime Achievement Award. Partner at THM Media Group. Member of the U.S. Department of Arts and Culture, the United States Press Agency and ForbesBLK.
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