The Renaissance - Q-Tip

The light at the end of the tunnel for Hip-Hop? I won't give you the usual wait till the end of the review to surprise you with the answer to the above question. YES this album is the first indication that the dire state of Hip-Hop music is beginning to improve. The reason why I come out and say this is because, I myself actually slept on this album from its release in November 2008 for approx 5 months. Little did I know that this album is the best Hip-Hop album in the past 3 years, no competition. I suggest you click the 'buy it here' button above...NOW. 2006 was the year when the Hip-Hop artist who 'kept it real' disappeared; ...  Read the complete review

The Renaissance is Q-Tips second solo album to be released and also produced the whole album with a couple by him and the legendary J Dilla, it brings back original hip-hop which is why its getting rave reviews from music websites, media and the public but fails to be put out on the radio (in the UK). Each track reviewed : 1. Johnny Is Dead. The best intro song ive ever heard the sampling is perfect the beat is amazing, it reminds me of A Tribe Called Quest i really wish hip-hop was like this today. 2. Wont Trade. Another great sampled beat Q-tips flow is brilliant a simple loop beat with little bits thrown in, amazing 3. ...  Read the complete review

"The Renaissance" is the 2008 released from Q-Tip. This album is his third since staring his career as part of the Jazz Hip Hop crew, A Tribe Called Quest, who have influenced acts such as Lupe Fiasco today. 1. "Johnny Is Dead" For an introductory piece, this is a strong start as it gets you straight into some typical Q-Tip, smooth, jazzy Hip Hop. It is all good stuff and gets you into the right mood for what will follow on from it as his third release without Phife Dawg, Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Jarobi White. **Four Stars** 2. "Won't Trade" The high standard of the early stages of the ...  Read the complete review

My hip hop knowledge tends to be in the darker realms - revolving around crude lyricists like Necro, Non Phixion and Eminem, so I listened to "The Renaissance" - the latest Q-Tip album with little to no knowledge of the artist's previous work. I found his squeaky voice a little irritating at times, some of the lyrics impressed me, notably on the track "ManWomanBoogie" which covers the history of the black man in the US and how dancing helps you to get through bad times, not only this but how the commuters on the train (at least on the video!) are working to make another man rich. I find the beats a bit slow for my liking but I ...  Read the complete review