Q-Tip: The Renaissance

Q-Tip: The Renaissance The Renaissance is Q-Tip's second solo album and his first since 1999's Amplified. As a hip-hop head I know that I'm supposed to love Q-Tip, but the truth is while I respect him I have never been a big fan. A Tribe Called Quest is one of those groups I have listened to but have never really gotten into. I must admit since Tribe broke up I have lost track of Q-Tip. Now looking to resurrect his career with a new solo album, I'm willing to re-examine my feelings about Q-Tip. The Renaissance immediately had me hooked with "Johnny is Dead". The tracks clacking snares and jazzy keyboard hits was immediately entrancing to me. That track is followed by "Wont Trade". The song utilizes a nice female soul vocals on the hook that makes it sound like an obvious single choice. The first single from the album is, however, "Gettin Up". The track samples "You and I" by Black Ivory and seems to embody the work of A Tribe Called Quest best. The album is filled with jazzy numbers containing Q-Tip's playful lyrics, but Tribe Called Quest was always an alternative to the gangsta rap that was popular in their time. "Gettin Up" seems like that alternative to current radio hip hop. As a fan of jazz and hip hop, why I don't enjoy jazzy hip hop more is a bit of a conundrum. On The Renaissance, Q-Tip's lyrical flow never faulters but the production gets too jazzy or too r&b and I tend to lose interest quicker. Overall, not a bad effort but sadly I'm not feelin it all that much. Rating: 7.0/10 MP3: Q-Tip "Won't Trade" Buy: iTunes