2008 Woodie Awards
Rapper Q-tip proves poetic ability in sophomore album
Dimas Sanfiorenzo
Issue date: 11/14/08 Section: FUSE
Originally published: 11/13/08 at 6:16 PM EST
Last update: 11/13/08 at 6:14 PM EST
If you followed A Tribe Called Quest from the beginning, then you saw the band release three classic albums, two sub-par albums and then eventually break up.
Then you probably watched in dismay as lead rapper Q-tip went from "the abstract poet" to a Cristal-popping, club-hopping, platinum-chain-rocking, typical club rapper on his debut album "Amplified."
So after nine years and one shelved album, Q-tip is back with his official sophomore release,"The Renaissance."
For those who have been hoping to once again hear the likes of A Tribe Called Quest, your pleas have been answered.
"The Renaissance" is ingeniously able to take that classic sound from the early '90s and update it for a 2008 audience. The album is a mixture of classic boom-bop-style rap, chopped up soul samples and a smooth, jazzy feel. The music is mellow but it is never somber; rather it is celebratory and upbeat. The album opener "Johnny Is Dead" is a perfect example.
"Sometimes I phase out what I look at the screen," he raps. "When I think about my chance for me to intervene/ And it's up to me to bring back the hope/ Put feeling in the music that you can quote/ Not saying that I hate it because yeah I kinda dig it/ But what good is a ear if a Q-tip isn't in it?"
"What good is a ear if a Q-tip isn't in it?"
You can't tell me that "the abstract" still doesn't have it.
"Won't Trade" is next and Q-tip's flow is effortless as he treats the beat like a pile of hot pancakes and he is the butter smothering the soulful track.
"Gettin' Up" is the first single, and in a world of overbearing synth beats, repetitive 808 drums and auto tone noises, all Q-tip needs to get the party started is a simple addictive piano melody and a catchy chorus.
In "We fight/ We love," Q-tip and Raphael Saadiq get political and sing about the effects of coming home from the war. Listening to the song, you won't even realize the depth of the lyrics because you will be too busy nodding your head and singing along with the chorus.
Then you probably watched in dismay as lead rapper Q-tip went from "the abstract poet" to a Cristal-popping, club-hopping, platinum-chain-rocking, typical club rapper on his debut album "Amplified."
So after nine years and one shelved album, Q-tip is back with his official sophomore release,"The Renaissance."
For those who have been hoping to once again hear the likes of A Tribe Called Quest, your pleas have been answered.
"The Renaissance" is ingeniously able to take that classic sound from the early '90s and update it for a 2008 audience. The album is a mixture of classic boom-bop-style rap, chopped up soul samples and a smooth, jazzy feel. The music is mellow but it is never somber; rather it is celebratory and upbeat. The album opener "Johnny Is Dead" is a perfect example.
"Sometimes I phase out what I look at the screen," he raps. "When I think about my chance for me to intervene/ And it's up to me to bring back the hope/ Put feeling in the music that you can quote/ Not saying that I hate it because yeah I kinda dig it/ But what good is a ear if a Q-tip isn't in it?"
"What good is a ear if a Q-tip isn't in it?"
You can't tell me that "the abstract" still doesn't have it.
"Won't Trade" is next and Q-tip's flow is effortless as he treats the beat like a pile of hot pancakes and he is the butter smothering the soulful track.
"Gettin' Up" is the first single, and in a world of overbearing synth beats, repetitive 808 drums and auto tone noises, all Q-tip needs to get the party started is a simple addictive piano melody and a catchy chorus.
In "We fight/ We love," Q-tip and Raphael Saadiq get political and sing about the effects of coming home from the war. Listening to the song, you won't even realize the depth of the lyrics because you will be too busy nodding your head and singing along with the chorus.
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