The Renaissance is the second studio album by American hip hop artist Q-Tip, released November 4, 2008, on Universal Motown Records. The follow-up to his solo debut album, Amplified (1999), it was recorded after Q-Tip's Kamaal the Abstract (2009) was initially shelved in 2002 by his former label Arista Records and his proposed effort Open was shelved by Universal Motown, both deemed commercially inadequate by the labels. The Renaissance was produced primarily by Q-Tip and features guest contributions by D'Angelo, Norah Jones, Amanda Diva, and Raphael Saadiq. The album debuted at number 11 on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart, selling 34,219 copies in its first week. It produced three singles and has sold 131,200 copies in the United States. Upon its release, The Renaissance received universal acclaim from music critics, who praised Q-Tip's lyricism and production aesthetic, and earned him a Grammy Award nomination for Best Rap Album.
My first thought was, yuck, another hip hop album. Not my usual fare. About halfway through I was amazed how much I liked it. This is something I wouldnβt have listened to without this site, and Iβm glad I did. This is my favorite album discovery this year.
I was initially planning to listen to the first few songs and then finish the rest later, but the album was so constantly engaging that I finished the whole thing in one sitting. I think that deserves 5 stars. I loved how Q-Tip's delivery felt precise but free, how the structure of the songs was loose and not rigidly determined, and how the songs were sequenced in such a way that there was a good mixture of continuity and contrast between songs, keeping up the album's momentum till the end.
This is like the Yacht Rock of rap with a pleasant 70's soul slow jams vibe.
Still one of the sexiest voices in rap along with... hm... Heems? That requires further study. Anyway, while this is a leeeetle too smooth and low key for me, especially considering the heights he hit before and after, it has enough bounce to keep the dangers of easy listening at bay. And I appreciate that he always raps with a point plus one to prove.
Q-Tip is just a boss! Excellent sampling and production from one of the best, no thug nonsense here, just mellow beats and rhymes to keep your body moving.
I don't know much about hip-hop but it was a good listen, I liked the flow and rhythms and it had a bit of 70s soul inspiration as well. It held my interest throughout. 3+ overall.
A rap album that I didnβt tire of after 3 tracks! Each track had something new and interesting to offer. Good flow, unique and diverse backing tracks.
Some of the music tracks were okay. Rap just doesn't do it for me, and this entire album was monochromatic.
Very cool hip-hop album. Q-Tip has a unique flow, very jazzy/R&B instrumentation. Highly recommend.
This is amazing.
idk what it is about him, but i just can never fully get with Q-Tip. Just like with most things I've experienced from him, there are a lot of good things, a lot to like. But it's never the whole thing. Just parts of this song, or this approach, but not the subject matter.
getting increasingly frustrated by the amount of terrible music on this list
Very similar to other same genre music but worse, so why would you ever want to listen this?
Not the worst thing ever, but rap and hip-hop arenβt my thing. Sorry
Made it almost to the end of track 6. Really not my sort of music and I am unable to appreciate it at all. 1/5.
I liked it when I was listening in my car on the way home from work. I *loved it* when I listened to it on my headphones at home. Just excellent from start to finish. Jazzy, funky, soulful hip hop and that should come as no surprise β¦the man was in A Tribe Called Quest, after all.
Great album. Huge fan of old TCQ and most Native Tongues stuff from back in the day and I didn't think an album like this was possible anymore. Love the samples, scratch, beats and old skool vibe of The Renaissance. Below are some great highlights that have occupied my ears for the past couple days: Gettin Up WeFight/WeLove ManWomanBoogie Move If this was a solo album it makes me wonder what the other four members of Tribe Called Quest were doing in the studio.
Qtip is one of the best rappers of all time. Love this album
Jazzy and groove-filled - excellent lyrics and flow to the entire production
Damn! This is exactly the kind of hip-hop I love.
One of the best hip-hop albums I've ever listened to. Smooth-- like a good bourbon with sick beats and lyrics to match. Q-Tip taking bodies.
pleasant surprise
Everything on this could have been a single. Fantastic! 4.75
4.5
Q-Tip is a great rapper but this isnβt his best work. Low End Theory is a 5. Bye
Q-Tip always nails it, I think i like everything this guy has done, and not a lot of other hip hop..
Honestly probably favourite so far
This whole record is enjoyable, but not much stood out to me distinctly. I think βMoveβ was probably my favorite track on first listen. Q-Tip and I had the same vocal coach and I met him one time between our sessions. He was a nice dude.
QTip is always smooth and even if this album isnβt all full of bangers it is still a great showcase of why he is one of the best.
It's like rap but with smooth R&B. Into it.
What a fantastic album. I'd never heard of Q-Tip before, but boy I've missed out. Just a smooth and enjoyable listen
A very low key hip hop album. Engaging and easy listening. The songs are well made and produced. I recognized Q-Tip from his work with the Beastie Boys.
Q-Tip is always so smooth with it.
Solid album, but somehow disappointed - expected somewhat more from the "lead" of Tribe. WeFight/WeLove, Move, Believe and Shaka are gems, but rest is a bit of a let down for me!
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Familiar with Q-Tip from some of his guest spots with other artists and a bit of Tribe and although this started out great it did flag a little in the second half
Enough going on there to be ok even if most sounded the same.
It was a nice listen. I don't think I paid much attention to it, whoops!
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Largely forgettable. Even the singles didn't stand out.
Probably better than most rap/hip hop, but I still didn't enjoy it.
Was okay, mix of rap and electronic but didn't listen much to it
decent hip hop album, can't say that any songs stood out much
Fucking shit
Q-Tip has one of my favorite flows ever. I donβt listen to him as much as I should and every time I listen to one of his songs, I always find myself asking why donβt I listen to him more often. Heβs not just a rapper, heβs a curator like these are great songs not just good rapping. Iβm a fan of this project for sure, now letβs just hope I listen to this & him more often now.
Thought this started really strong and then it just got even better. I donβt know much Q-Tip and definitely not anything outside Tribe, but this was so good. Dance on Glass is one of the best hip-hop songs Iβve heard this year. This is a 5/5 on all fronts. Production is so good, rapping is so good, features are perfect too. Not a dud on this thing.
Incredible album, supremely enjoyed listening
Amazing
Really fucked with this album. Very 2008 and just a generally fun and energizing listen
Do I hear Proto-Kendrick? I liked this a lot.
Really great stuff.
Great
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Listened to before: No This is just wonderfully produced and who could ever resist Q-Tips rapping? I like how the album incorporates large portions of soul and jazz, without compromising on it's Hip-Hop roots. Rating: 4.5
This was an eye opener. Wow. This is a fantastic album. Lots of soul, organic funky beats and original hip hop. Man Iβm impressed. Easy 5 stars. This is why I am listening to 1001 albums, otherwise I would never have heard this.
I thought it was a great hip hop album overall. Great songs like Wefight/Welove and life is better were stand outs to me. His flow is a little repetitive but has that 90s hip hop style that is enjoyable for a casual listen. 9/10
This is fantastic. It sounds like 80s hip hop all grown up. The cover image speaks volumes with Q-Tip sporting a silver suit and holding a sampler in front of his face. It's also a bit deceptive, as the sampler plays a diminished role here compared to previous efforts. Instead, Q-Tip brings hip hop back to its roots by forming a band to create a live sound. It owes tribute to 70s funk and soul but creates something new (though samples still feel at home here and there). But it still keeps the flow of classic hip hop. Lyrically progressive, he raps about love and positivity. This is definitely a refreshing album.
Nice vibes, I think some young rappers Iβve seen are emulating his style
This one was kinda awesome. Always liked tribe called quest Will I listen to again: 100%
Grooooove
Loved this!
New favorite hip-hop album
Even without the rest of his Tribe, Q-Tip can rap and produce with the best of 'em. Solid 5 Stars.
From Tribe to this... hell yeah.
Groovy, fascinating, wonky, melodious! As somebody who rarely find hiphop I enjoy, this album shows the vastness of opportunities that exist within this genre.
Love this album. Brilliant beats, great combos of other artists on tracks, usual smooth lyricist!
Q-Tip definitely has it going on. Heβs one of those rappers who will always feel fresh and stand the test of time. His voice and flow are so unique that no one can come close to replicating him. His music production is equally one of a kindβlaidback, jazzy, and soulful all at once. Every time I hear his music, Iβm pulled into this peaceful, laidback vibe thatβs impossible to resist.
Absolutely top-shelf (and non-toxic, non-misogynsitc) hip-hop, with half-dozen first-rate cuts βΒ "Johny Is Dead," "Gettin' Up," "You," "We Fight/We Love," "ManWoman Boogie" (if that's not a perfect sequence of songs on gender relationships, one doesn't know what would be), "Life Is Better." Smooth, warm, accessible/approachable, jazzy, flowingly soulful βΒ what's not to like? Indeed, this is a strong contender for one's all-time fave hip-hop record.
vibbinnnn yoooo
Never hear of him before, but this was great. Great beats with an old school feel, nice lyrics and flow.
Never heard of that record but wow, this was amazing! The beats and the lyrics were both great. But what else do you expect from Q-tip?
He's called Q-Tip because his songs get stuck in your ears. The more I listen to this the more I like it. Jazzy, funky, the mix of in-studio instruments and samples, lyrical and nimble rapping, what more could you want? Groovy bass playing? Check. Phat beats? Check. A good time from start to finish? Check.
I love this. Very good album. Great beats, steady progression, excellent raps. Should have realized the Tribe connection sooner. Bomb.
I adore won't trade the rest is pretty good aswell
it really blows my mind that Q-Tip doesn't come up more in conversations about the greatest rappers of all time, not to mention how talented he is as a producer. this is so funky and groovy & lyrically dense and cool, especially when you put it up against almost all of its contemporaries
It's been one of my favorite albums since it came out.
Big fan of Q-Tip. Love his voice for rap.
βwell what good is an ear if a q-tip isnβt in it?β used to bump gettinβ up at parties, fuckin love this album
Track and Flow, what more could you want?
Ayer miΓ©rcoles dije que era hoy. ΒΏHoy es hoy? Toca nuevamente hip-hop, gΓ©nero para seguir curioseando. Siento vibras de Kendrick Lamar, unos aΓ±os antes que Γ©l. Me he dado cuenta que Γ©ste tipo de hip-hop, Γ©se subgΓ©nero, me agrada mΓ‘s que otros mΓ‘s "gritados" o en los que los artistas se muestran como gΓ‘ngsters. Un gran trabajo con tremendo groove.
Q-Tip might be my favorite rapper. I can understand everything he says. His whole vibe has always been chill. This is really nice. Saving tracks left and right. This is exactly my speed rn. 5/5
Yo Tip, why'd you drive so far for? 5/5
My weekend my start late but it sure started in style!! Super solid album, detailed, creative and fun! Nothing like my usual tunes but I can't score it anything less than perfection tbh
Always a pleasure. Q is qing.
Oh my. A delightful treat for my tired ears. The music has texture and layers! It's playful. The rap is smooth and insightful. Will definitely listen to again.
90s hip hop with a little bit of soul. I should listen to the lyrics more
Outstanding. Catchy. Amazing album.
Great running album, will relisten at some point for the lyrics
I didnβt know Q tip had a solo album
Honestly, loved this album. Not usually a fan of hip-hop but this album reminded me of driving around on a sunny day
Fun
Will be buying this one, never listened to any solo Q-Tip, ATCQ will forever be one of my favorites.
So smooth and chill. I love what Tribe records I've heard, but Q-Tip's solo work was new to me. Always fun to discover a new thread to follow from a familiar source.
The boost I needed on a crappy Monday. Prince-like funky soul with a shot of hip-hop and a slick electronica layer of polish.
funky fresh hip hop for funky fresh individuals. big beats, vinyl flips and luscious lines from q-tip all meld together to create nothing short of a hip-hop masterpiece. the album's title makes perfect sense, this album does feel like a renaissance period when it comes to this kind of material.
Oh man. This is really good. This generator has gotten me to listen to a lot of great hip hop records. God bless. Highlights: Johnny Is Dead, Gettin' Up, You, ManWomanBoogie, Life Is Better
Iβve always said that Q-Tip has one of my favorite voices in rap music. He also happens to be a fantastic producer. And the dynamic he had with the other members of A Tribe Called Quest was second to none. So I was intrigued to hear what he would be capable of by himself. Safe to say I was not expecting something to this level of quality. But why should I really be surprised? This man has been one of the most talented MCs since the groups inception. This was released in 2008, just about in the middle of Tribeβs extended hiatus period, and there is a clear evolution of his sound. Although he was 38 here, he somehow manages to sound younger than he did on his earlier work. Even ten years after The Love Movement, age has not affected this man. And with this semblance of youth comes a new kind of production style. A cleaner one. A kind that is more adjacent to soul than jazz. And while I love the jazz rap work they did with albums like The Low End Theory, I welcome this new sound. And it pays off. Because every beat is amazing. Iβm really fond of the bass lines and synth patterns here. It definitely feels like itβs taking inspiration from newer modern pop rap beats. Almost all songs are produced by Fareed, and he even samples great artists like Can, Jackson 5, and Steve Howe from Yes. I do have to give a shoutout to the song Move, especially the first part, since itβs produced by the late but great J Dilla. Even with age, Fareedβs lyricism, writing capabilities, and wittiness hasnβt changed at all. And every feature is stellar, especially the ones from Raphael Saadiq and Norah Jones. They provide a beautifully melodic twist to the slick instrumentals. Fareed even provides some singing himself, like with his vocal harmonies on Gettin Up. I was really blown away by how good this is. There is not one bad song. And although it might be blasphemy that I like this more than something like The Low End Theory, doesnβt change that those are still amazing records. This just happened to go above and beyond for me. Rating: 10/10!
Makes me wish I listened to more Tribe Called Quest back in the day...
Really loved this album! A whole vibe. Classic feel...mmm.
Life Is Better, w Norah Jones! Canβt believe Iβd never given this a full listen. Vibey rap