Q-Tip – The Renaissance Review
It has been nearly ten long years since Jonathan Davis b.k.a Q-Tip went the solo route with his musical career – with the release of his debut, “Amplified”. I was about 11 years old when I first watched “Vivrant Thing” on Muchmusic and I had not yet exposed my virgin eyes to such excessive ‘booty shaking’. Consequently, my mom witnessed this and has resented my love for hip-hop music ever since.
The former front man of A Tribe Called Quest is back after ten albumless years with his newest offering, titled “The Renaissance”. I think hip hop is in need of another renaissance as well and hopefully Tip will deliver.
Q-Tip approaches this album with a sense of noticeable rejuvenation and excitement. He still maintains the signature laid-back flow we’ve been accustomed to hearing but brings a passion and hunger I haven’t heard since the Tribe days. The album is entirely produced by himself, with the exception of “Move”, which was crafted by the late great J Dilla. Rarely using any synthetic instruments that is over saturating hip hop beats these days – Tip creates a euphorically laid-back mood with infectious piano melodies and funky bass lines.
With a guest appearance by Norah Jones on “Life Is Better”, it is clear that this album is set out to stretch the limits of what is considered a ‘hip hop record’. Ironically, you will find Tip doing a whole verse that is made up of unnecessary name dropping. I went through three Game albums of this – not you too! I was also surprisingly disappointed with “Believe”, which has D’Angelo crooning listeners with a weak chorus. What a waste of D’Angelo.
Other than those two joints that were just “meh”, “The Renaissance” brings some new musical elements while maintaining a nostalgic environment. On the album opener, “Johnny Is Dead”, we are reminded why Q-Tip is still a renowned lyrical figure in the hip hop world. “Sometimes I phase out when I look at the screen, 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 could quote/Not saying that i hate it, cause yeah I kinda dig it/But what good is an ear if a Q-Tip isn’t in it. Other standout tracks include the narrative of “We Fight/Love”, with the always soulful Raphael Saddiq and the highly danceable grooves of “Manwomanboggie”, featuring the lovely Amanda Diva.
“The Renaissance” is an album celebrating life and love that is easily digested, even for the non hip-hop heads out there. Yes even my mother – sorry I lied.
4/5
Catch Q-Tip and the Cool Kids perform Live at The Phoenix Concert Theater on Dec 5.
Johnny is Dead by Q-Tip
Gettin Up by Q-Tip
Watch the Getting Up video after the jump.
“Getting Up” Video
