Q-Tip talks about 'The Renaissance'

I was inspired by De La Soul and a Tribe Called Quest (mostly by their second albums "De La Soul is Dead" and "the Low End Theory"). The level of art, intelligence and the integration of jazz in this music was (in my most honest opinion) a masterpiece. It is because of these two rap groups that I feel that today I live a life of innovation, confidence, and optimism. Today, I am greatful for their influences on my life. With that being said, however, Q-Tip dissapointed me severely with his first solo "RAP" album. His videos and the lack of uniqueness after the TCQ break up showed that Q-Tip is only a fragment of what REAL hip hop music should be. In other words, although he was the intricate part of A Tribe Called Quest, he is not at his best without Phife and Ali. No question about that. I hope that his album "The Renaissance" really means what it is supposed to mean. A rebirth of intellectual and innovated Hip Hop with the sounds of intelligent jazz combined with the Q-Tip that inspired many people I know and knew during the golden age of hip hop (89-94). A Tribe Called Quest was my favorite group, and I looked up to Q-Tip more than any other. While most of my friends listened to Tupac and Dr. Dre...I was listening to the Native Tongues. My friends ended up in jail, dead, or ruined. While I was listening to groups that taught me to think, reason, and act accordingly. NO ONE could ever tell me that music deos not fundamentally affect people...it does!!! And Q-Tip seemed to have lost that understanding with that album that could never come close to the quality of ATCQ during their first four albums. In the mean time, I will continue to listen to the most talented jazz artists and the most talented hip hop group that has ever existed and has never dissapointed real hip hop fans....The Roots!!! Q-Tip should learn that REAL artists believe in their music...not the damn dollars. Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Charlie Parker never liked Loius Armstrong because he was the system's puppet. Just like your first solo album. I hope you dont dissapoint your REAL fans again, and you preserve the legacy of TCQ which was innovation and intelligence...not immitation and redundancypeace to the ab and my ultimate respect for Malik and Ali Sincerely yours, Neo Babylon

If I had 20 minutes to sit down and really get in depth with everything about Q-Tip, Atcq, and the Renaissance I would but im gonna keep it basic. A tribe called quest was something that cant be touched and in my opinion pretty much all of Tribe was pure genius. I actually respect Q-Tip for still pursuing music and you gotta take it for what it is. Q-Tip by himself is not Tribe but he surely is still an amazing artist and one of the best at his craft. Amplify was pretty hot but it did have some moments of questioning but hey it happens. Not every album dropped is a perfect album. However I just picked up The Renaissance and it is another album of genius. In the previous comment someone said that Q-Tip should learn something from the roots and if you listen to his new album maybe you can say he did. I especially enjoy the last 3 tracks on The Renaissance that shows a bit of respect to Atcq because its got that groove written all over it. Kinda like a Electronic Relaxation but a bit evolved you can say. But I would honestly rate this album an 81/2 to closer to a 9. With that said there does need to be more real hip hop. Im a sucker for Jazz combined with hip hop. I have respect for the music out now but after a while the club banger krunk joints get beat and just seems almost immature and not real music to take too serious. I just wish the real hip hop can push through.
ATCQ, Q-Tip, Common, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Dela, old Busta, Pharcyde, Black Moon, NBN, Souls of Mischief, Lupe Fiasco. Best rappers period.