Reviews (page 4 of 8)
A smooth, old-school R&B feel in this hip-hop record. I enjoyed the groove.
As I listened to “Johnny Is Dead” I was a bit surprised at the choruses. Is Q-Tip the Steely Dan of rap? Not exactly. But the rest of the album was smooth and jazzy. I’ll admit the first time through I had some trouble with this. I was feeling between a 2 and a 3. But I decided it deserved a second listen and my initial dislike warmed substantially. I clicked in to the understated, jazzy style and was feeling 4 vibes. A few more listens and who knows…?
Big big big fan of this
Great music to write a report to. Bopped along the whole time.
This is very 2008. Super optimistic. Q tip was on some really jazzy production at the time. Not his best but still pretty fun and funky. Found my self strutting a little bit walking down the street
Never listened to Q-Tip’s solo stuff. This was good! More rap focused but still kind of funky
Prefs : Johnny Is Dead, Won't Trade, Gettin' Up, Official, You, Manwomanboogie, Move, Life Is Better, Shaka Moins pref : Dance on Glass
Never heard him outside of tribe called quest and this is fantastic
Excellent! Like Tribe...but maybe even better? More interesting beats overall
Solid
first listen immaculate production, fun and bouncy, an absolute classic and echoes everything great about Tribe
Good hip hop album
Very smooth, very easy. Didn't captivate me, but I enjoyed it.
I’ve been a fan of Tribe since my Freshman year of college but I have never listened to Tip’s solo material. Glad this album was on the list because I may have never listened otherwise! The fact that Q-Tip was (and is) still able to rap with such finesse so many years after his career started is a testament to his skill. He makes it seem easy. That a capella verse of Dance On Glass is SO sick. When that beat drops holy moly. Incredible stuff. Then he goes and produces some insane boom bappy ass tracks to pair with some of the coolest flow in the game. Great features, too. Raphael Saadiq with an emotional performance on WeFight/WeLove, Norah Jones on Life Is Better, and D’Angelo on Believe stood out to me. On the Norah track, never realized how perfect Norah Fits backing a neo soul album. Makes me want a D’Angelo Norah Jones collab. Hey, speaking of D’Angelo! In the land of make-believe, time to make unbelief believable. Lovely track! Lastly just want to shout out the instrumentals on Shaka. Spooky with clicky little lead lick. The beat sounds super familiar but I am honestly not well-versed enough in samples to pick that one out of my brain. Overall, great record. Definitely will revisit. What good is an ear if a Q-Tip isn’t in it? Favorites: Gettin Up, You, Move, Dance On Glass, Life Is Better, Believe, Shaka
A great hip hop record. Never knew Q-tip had it in him. I loved “Move” as it felt like the best version of what he was trying to get at throughout the album.
Musically, I’m not sure this album represents a “rebirth” so much as a coalescing of musical ideas; a hip-hop/neo-soul meeting of the minds that breathes Q-Tip’s cultural input/output across 20 years from the late 80s to late aughts. It’s wonderful. Clear, concise, poetic, impactful and a whole lot of fun. My only run-in with solo Q comes in the shape of 1999’s Amplified, which has some absolute-fire bangers, but as more of a straight forward hip-hop album, lacks the unified musical/lyrical vision that The Renaissance achieves. I took what free time I had this weekend to read through some of lyrics, and while I couldn’t address every song, the bars I did read were really felt. From exploration of identity and self in opener “Johnny is Dead,” to the use of professional sports terminology as a metaphor for relationship in “Won’t Trade,” to the catalogic, Norah-Jones-featuring, love letter to hip-hip, “Life is Better,” Q-Tip’s songwriting has proven him, again, to be one of my favorite lyricists in music. Which is funny, because the highlight of The Renaissance is really not the lyrics, but the live instrumentation and production. Every instrumental decision on this record is unparalleled. And featuring the likes of Dilla, D’Angelo, and Robert Glasper, Q-Tip knows how to call in help when he needs it. Plus there’s a whole handful of songwriting credits bestowed upon session musicians which I find to be incredibly cool and demonstrative of the collaborative, music-first spirit this album embodies. (Maybe the title The Renaissance refers to a rebirth of that spirit in hip-hop.) Plus, plus, there seems to be just as many if not more European psych and prog rock samples as there are classic American R&B/Soul sample, which lends this album a totally unique sound in the world of hip-hop. A sound that I think might have influenced producers in the following decade (2010s) to sample more adventurously and blur the lines of hip-hop far beyond what defined the genre in the 2000s. All in all, a fantastic 4-star record that I will most certainly be returning to. After all, “What good is an ear if a Q-Tip isn't in it?”
Loved this great mix of beats and lyrical flow, top tier hip hop.
This was a pleasant surprise. I never got on 100% with Tribe outside of the hits but I enjoyed this album top to bottom. Maybe sounded a little dated but it was still great. Immediately put it back on after I finished.
Ok
Wish it wasn’t so beholden to trends of the time (it wants to be Graduation so badly) but it’s a concise and diverse effort! Love hearing tip sing so much!
3.5/5
Having been a fan of A Tribe Called Quest I was curious to hear how/it member Q-Tip would carry on a similar vibe ... Love it. love the smooth jazz and soul vibes but it still has just a little edge to it all which for me never lets it become boring or repetitive. And the analog samples and real instrumentation is fantastic - gimme more of this in hip-hop all day and night. Also the vocals are mixed *right* - I feel like I put this in half of my reviews but it kills a song or an album for me if the vocals are too loud, and they are way too often ... not here. It's low enough to let the great music cut through- the vocals are an instrument. Q's vocal style is what I like - on beat and creatively rhythmic, neither close to mumble rap nor spewing of too many lyrics at once. He has a great sense of the music and what works for the song. Hard to pick a fave but "We Fight/We Love" and the groove of "ManWomanBoogie" and "Good Thang" can't steer you wrong. 8/10 and a strong 4 stars
smoooooth~~( 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘧𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘭𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘥𝘦𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘵𝘰𝘯𝘴-𝘵𝘪𝘨𝘦𝘴 𝘥𝘢𝘯𝘴 𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘤𝘩𝘦́𝘴)
This was a great album to have running in the background!
Listened to Tribe Called Quest since high school, but this is the first time I’ve listened to a solo album by Q. This album stuck with the old style, but still kept it interesting.
favorite tracks - official, wefight/welove, manwomanboogie, move, life is better least favorite tracks - you, believe, feva Listened to this one a lot when I started at asu. got a small nostalgia hit on the relisten. good vibes
Wow, within a couple of tracks this album just grabbed hold of my attention and just never let up. Q-tip's voice is so characterful and full, and I use the word voice there in both the physical and abstract senses. The production is top notch throughout, it's jazzy and uplifting without feeling too 90's and Q-tip effortlessly finds interesting things to do with whatever beat he's come up with. My favourite track was 'Won't trade,' most of the rhymes in this track go on a little bit longer than you think they should which gives the whole thing a slightly lazy syncopated feel which I absolutely adored. One of those albums that put a smile on my face that remained there for every second of its 46 minute runtime.
Good
Really enjoyable album!
I like Q-Tip, and while I don’t think this album is game-changing I enjoyed it plenty. He’s still got that irresistible voice and there’s some nifty modern-retro production. 3.5
An excellent showcase for Q-Tip's prowess in great music. Favorites: Won't Trade, Official, Dance On Glass
Favourite song: You
Great flow and production. Probably the first good rap album on the list.
3.75
Q-Tip once again proves why he’s one of the most eloquent and dexterous voices in the rap game. With socially conscious lyrics and crystal-clear production (including two tracks helmed by the late great J Dilla), The Renaissance is the full package.
Uu enpäs tiennyt, että tämän soololevytkin on näin hyviä. Ei ihan TCQ:n tasoa, mutta todella miellyttävää. Neljä miinus.
Won't Trade on kyllä kova stygä! Muutenkin varsin jees nollariräbäytykset, 4/5
Ok
Surprisingly catchy & listenable.
I liked it a lot
This is impressive, even if I don’t love the genre. I did like A Tribe Called Quest and Q-Tip has consistently been a quality producer and rapper. The grooves are very strong, and flow is so good one song melds into the next. One can argue that Q-Tip is high on the list of most influential hip-hop artists. Nothing on this disc makes me think otherwise.
Wow, this is really, really good. I love how the tracks flow together seamlessly. Rhythms are great and I can actually understand what he's saying.
Really well produced. Loved the Norah Jones feature and "dancing machine" sample. It's always interesting to hear albums by a rapper/producer because they have a strong musical sense and that was clear here. I'd give this a 4.5 if it were possible. Pretty funny that this is here but not Tha Carter III, 808s and heartbreak or Paper Trail
I liked this. It was layered without being messy, good lyrics, occasionally good messages. I was surprised from a dude calling himself Q-Tip
Ok album
Took a tiny bit of warming up to, but this album was great overall. Captures some of what I love about Tribe's sound without sounding totally like them, and there are some monster hooks on this record.
When I started this, I wasn’t sure. It was good but not great, not on the level of what I was expecting from Q-Tip. But after a few songs, I felt like it only started getting better. Stronger hooks, more effective guest spots, more memorable bars. It’s a real grower and sounds of its time and timeless at once. That’s what I get for undervaluing Tip. B+
4. It's very chilled, and has some really nice sampling. Definitely say I like Q-Tip - having not known anything of him before - he seems classy, talking about decent topics without diving into the stereotypical hip-hop hoes and gangland culture.
Je me surprends, je commence à aimer le rap… du moins, ce genre-ci. Rythmes dansants, échantillons intéressants, rythmé sans être agressif. À écouter de nouveau.
I liked this a bit. Definitely feels like the old school 90s hip hop sound updated to the next decade. The rapping is pretty good although sometimes Q-Tip’s voice/tone is a little grating after some time. I feel it was lacking some hooks on a lot of the songs as well. Beats are nice too tho. 7/10
- Beats sind grandios - Immer wieder unerwartete Akzente in der Melodie - Oldschool
I enjoyed this a lot after one cursory listen. It’s pretty typical for the genre musically, but I did hear some interesting lyrics I’d like to pay more attention to in the future.
Hard to believe this is this old
At the first chord of the first song, I thought “oh yeah I like this.” First chorus comes in, “oh yeah I really like this.” I took a closer look at the lyrics and I’m in love. I’m a sucker for hip hop, especially hip hop like this. Idk how I haven’t listened to Q-Tip yet, but I guess that means this album journey is important. In general: 8/10 My rating: 8/10
really only heard q-tip from chappelle's mark twain ceremony, but ive heard some tribe called quest and my sense is that this is gonna be jazzy-conscious-dense-roots-like. i guess i was right for the most part, but the sounds are much richer than that. the instrumentation is so fun and layered and light, the words are dense pero magaan sa tenga. it's so uppy and jammy, like it wants to remind me that in the trap-infested soundscape of today's hiphop, you can make a great record that doesnt grate on your eardrums. "wont trade" is so narratively rich, "gettin up" is perfect everywhere except the chorus, and if norah jones says "life is better" i'll believe her. "manwomanboogie" shoulda been an instrumental. i might be getting spoiled getting two good easy-listen albums in a row. not looking forward to the captain beefheart portion of the proceedings.
Beste chille rap
First I’ve heard of Q-tip. The album was good, nothing wowed me, but I enjoyed all the songs. Great groove, good beats and the lyrics were fast and fun.
Rap + hip hop + album that flors between songs = banger
I think this is the first solo Q-Tip album I've heard, though I'm a big fan of ATCQ. It's got that signature flair that I know from Q-Tip, present very obviously in the production (most of which he does himself). I can't help but dig this because I'm such a fan, there are some fantastic cuts on here, even if it didn't all hold my attention for the entirety. This one's great, and we need more good hip hop on this list. Favorite tracks: Johnny is Dead, Won't Trade, Official, You. Album art: Pretty simple, seemingly Q-Tip covering his face with some kind of MPC. It's not much to shout about, but it gets the job done. 4/5
Has the beats and the deft lyricism of Tribe, but replaces the charisma of the group rapport with polished and at times slower cadence than fans of A Tribe Called Quest might be expecting. This album represents an opportunity to exhibit a more personal contribution from Q-tip, away from the influence of his youth’s Hip-Hop roots
Good vibe, even though it is not my genre I liked it.
I really like Tribe Called Quest but this is my first time listening to solo Q-Tip. His lyrics are fantastic - really sharp, clever wordplay, and the songs are focused. There’s a lot of storytelling too. But you can also kick back and just enjoy the jazzy bounce of his flow without paying close attention to the words. He moves fast but somehow sounds laid back at the same time. His flow on “Won’t Trade” in particular is great. The beat on the first half of “Move” is insane! I’ve always heard J-Dilla talked about as a legendary producer and now I understand why. The sampling on this track is ridiculous! Man, Norah Jones should sing more hooks on rap songs. Her voice is actually perfect for songs like these.
Wow I didn't think Q-Tip would have a record on this list! This is such a great immediate lyrical hook that starts the album! "Sometimes I phase out when I look at the screen And 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 here I kinda dig it But what good is a ear if a Q-Tip isn't in it?" - Really clean production all around. - There's some stretches across the album where the lyrics get a little dull for me. I suspect that it's because in these moments there's such an emphasis on a rhyming scheme that the cleverness in the message falls a little flat in order to fit the rhyme. Overall I enjoyed the album!
I liked it. Always been a atop fan
Good background rap. The flow is crazy on some tracks and the beats are all very mellow
While his voice can be a bit congested sounding at times, it does require that the listener pay attention a bit more than perhaps normally. There is something a bit off about his rhyming that still makes sense, almost like he forces it at times, but unlike other artists where it feels as though they sacrifice clarity of message for the sake of a rhyme, Q-Tip instead seems to double-down on the flow itself to keep the integrity of his lyrics. This might be a long way of saying that he writes with intention rather than convenience. Some of the more popular rap artists opt for the convenient rhyme over the intentional writing, take any song that is more recognizable by its beat than its verses, and there is the example. Compare that to someone like Q-Tip, and the infusion of jazz, it makes some rap artists out there sound like lottery-winning amateurs, carried by a beat but forgotten in the verse. Q-Tip manages both, the jazz infusion is incredible. So much of jazz alone is chaotic and hard to follow, but Q-Tip and his use of it along with his verses make a path worth following, an order to the chaos.
Great 90s style rhyme and flow over the top of a great sounding backing
Smooth, great voice... but doesn't break any boundaries, especially considering its release year. A safe rap option for the book.
My kind of hip hoppery
Very solid from beginning to end. No notes.
Q-Tip is one of the group of rappers whose music leaves you feeling chilled and feeling positive about life, rather than angsty and wound up - on that basis alone this album is worth a 4/5.
I knew Q-Tip from A Tribe Called Quest and his collaboration with the Beastie Boys on Ill Communication. But man, this takes it to another level. His flow was great, the guest stars really hit the mark. Every track was concise and did not overstay their welcome. I really REALLY enjoyed this album. Definitely one to pick up.
It's weird because I feel like I never heard anything about Q-Tip after his debut album. Maybe I wasn't paying attention to hip-hop or maybe he wasn't showing up much in the mainstream. But this is a solid album. It has an old school feel - soul, funk? Like there's some Stevie Wonder or George Clinton in there (especially noticeable at WeFight/WLove and ManWomanBoogie). I had it on repeat for awhile. I'm not sure it has anything that absolutely grabbed me as out of this world, but as a collective it was great. Some that stood out though were Johnny is Dead, Getting Up, and Move for their beat and sound, Dance on Glass for its lyrics.
This album’s opener “Johnny is Dead” starts off with a catchy fat groove. I’m loving that bass sound. The rest of the album doesn’t let up either. Every track has a great sound and Q-Tip’s delivery is spot on. His voice has a great rhythm to it that fits in with the groove he’s rapping over. The opener, “Gettin Up” and “Life is Better” are my favorite tracks so far, but I need to listen to this album a few more times to get to know it more. I’m still new to a lot of hip-hop, but it’s great albums like this that get me excited about exploring the genre more.
Fuckin dope, lil overwhelmed by hip hop cause it's not my normal stuff but this is very good.
Lovely nostalgic noughties rap!! Never heard of Q Tip but I love this vibe and this album it's yummy! Especially Life is Better with Norah Jones. Catchy, relaxed, good vibes!
Lovely album and I love Q Tip’s voice. Having said that, there wasn’t a track that jumped out here - it just flowed smoothly from beginning to end. Well-crafted, but neither earth-shattering or offensive. If I hadn’t heard Q Tip previously, I would have loved this, but as it stands, it seems like another accomplished album to add to his discography.
I'm not a hip hop guy but I liked this. 1st three tracks really stand out
Liked it a lot. A lot of musical variance in the musical ideas.
I dig it, smooth, funky, interesting. FaveS: You, WeFight/WeLove, Shaka
I liked Q-Tip from the moment I heard him on Get It Together with the Beastie Boys. I've heard him with A Tribe Called Quest and enjoyed it. I never did listen to him solo. It's really solid. Not much to say really. Just a very enjoyable album. Q Tip is a fantastic rapper and the beats are awesome.
Dope shit
I'm a fan!
Un album dans lequel Q-Tip se confie sur la renaissance qu'il connaît depuis qu'il s'est échappé du groupe A Tribe Called Quest. Et on peut le comprendre.
Very good, smooth foot tapping rap. I liked it.
Laid back!
Smooth. I appreciate the live band.
Highlights: Won't Trade, Life is Better. Tracks range from solid to gorgeous. The percussion, all the way through, is just damn good.
Started off strong, got weak then got better
Q-Tip is a genius, and I love everything he puts out. This album doesn't have any hits but it is a great listen nonetheless.
Liked it, not to intense, good message, nice flow.
Very cool! Quite a mix of styles, including a real mix of artists, blended superbly. Found myself bobbing my head up and down and moving in my seat as I listened. Done right, I love when jazz and R&B or jazz and hip-hop get together, and this album does it right. And I had already become a fan of jazz guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel (I recommend checking out his work), so it was wicked cool to see he contributed to this album. I'll definitely listen to this album again and I'll have to explore more of Q-Tip's work. This is an outstanding and interesting album.
Drips with cool.
I only knew this guy from collaborations with other artists. I was happy to have a chance to actually listen to an album, and this did not disappoint!
Very solid
Très bon album, l'influence jazz à la ATCQ est très bien faite, pas vraiment de moments faibles sur l'album.
Good rap album
Cool and funky album
It has some great songs
Ordagran megapangare
Groovy hip hop with a consistent vibe. Sollid
Inte lika bra som hans album med Tribe men hög kvalitet ändå.
Good
Ik blijf het een lastig genre vinden om naar te luisteren. Maar dit album viel me wel in de smaak. Het heeft vlotte ritmes, en klinkt niet al te agressief. Het nummer die muziekloos begint is wel opvallend
So good
It is unmistakably Q-Tip, but he is trying something new. It works on some tracks more than others, but the mix of glitchy samples, early 00s chill out and beats that go far further off the fours than ATCQs jazzy stuff either blows your mind, or leaves you missing the bounce and the Phife of his earlier work. The good stuff tends to be the Robert Glasper and J Dilla produced tracks, unsurprisingly, and when he calls out a roll call of hip hop's finest, ending with his name I have to admit I teared up a little (patronising details for people who are here for the Eagles - Dilla passed away before the album was completed, an event which probably changed the course of hip hop, as he was on the cusp of running the game).
pretty cool
Refreshingly non aggressive with little of Rap's ugly braggadocio. Good pop music, samples and mix of singing and rapping. Enjoyable.
Following up on LL Cool J I get Q-Tip, which looking at the track list is a bit more explicit. The album cover is quite classy, though so let's see. I'm embarrassed at my lack of depth of knowledge in this genre of music. 5 tracks in and I am entranced. Smart, jazzy, smooooth hip-hop with occasional gorgeous guest vocals over the top. More than halfway through and each song is more interesting than the last. This is a great album. I liked it a whole lot more than I expected. I might even call it a revelation. I should probably check out A Tribe Called Quest. I guess surprises like this album are what this project is about. I generally assume that the best of any genre (in music, movies, books, food, whatever) is probably pretty good. The Renaissance is a good example.
8/10 well paced and well produced with good bars. I think the biggest issue is that q-tips flow starts feeling really repetitive by the end
7/10. I liked how chilled out this was to listen to, while also having really interesting lyrics.
Doesn’t feel like it pushes many boundaries. Pretty solid production and lyrics but very forgettable beats. 7/10
Q-Tip and ATCQ are always vibes
Unexpected gem for me. I liked the sound.
Surprised that I enjoyed this one as much as I did. Good tunes lots of good mellowness . Nice rhymes instruments etc. Didn't blow me away but it was enjoyable
Funky, cool, definitely listen to this again
Was feeling fatigued of genres I don't normally listen to after a disappointing last album, but this is so good.
не ну классненький хапчик, репчик, попчик, покачал головой, не дикий вау, но настрой позитивный и приятно слушается
Gorgeous album.
I remember my brother-in-law recommended this album when it came out, but I didn't get into it at the time.
Very cohesive and focused album with an experimental mix of hip hop and R&B. Fav tracks: Johnny is Dead, Won't Trade, You, Move, Believe.
Always super impressed to hear the way the Q-tip rhymes. Dude is legit one of the smoothest flowers to ever grace the mic, and I think for that I always look forward be that he is gonna sling at us. This one for sure is pretty good, I really dug the features. Just a solid album for sure.
pretty cooooolll surprised i hadn’t heard of before. cool songs 4.5
I like the production and all but somehow this album sounds like background music to me :(
I've listened to plenty of A Tribe Called Quest, but this is the first solo Q-Tip I've heard. It's good! It's very Q-Tip, and brings a pleasant chill groove in an era where a lot of hip hop was electronic/dance hybrids. There's room for thoughtful rhymes that manage to stealthily make an impact. And best of all, it feels like this is on the list because it's a simply good album, not because it's "influential".
I dig it
The first things I noticed on Renaissance is that the music has a refreshingly live, organic feel and it's nuanced. Of course a lot of it is sewn together from loops, but the loops were obviously recorded specifically for these tunes by actual bassists, keyboardists, drummers, and guitarists. That beats the crap out of wall to wall drum machines, synths and samplers. Even when Q-Tip does use synths and drums machines, they never outright suck. Also, these tracks are layered--they are designed to be listened to more than once and discarded. I like how, especially in the 1st half of the album, the music will drop in and out unexpectedly, woven together with spoken word samples. He's also borrows a bit from experimental hip hop artist Prefuse 73's chopped and screwed approach, which is cool. This isn't instantly disposable product the way most mainstream hiphop is. Another thing about Renaissance is despite the variety of sounds, production touches, and editing strategies, it's cohesive. It feels like Q-Tip is trying to make a real album as opposed to a string of Spotify singles. All in all, Renaissance is a pleasant listen. Notice that I haven't said a thing about Q-Tip's raps yet. That's probably because musically speaking, they are the least impressive thing about Renaissance. He isn't doing anything interesting rhythmically. How about lyrically? Well, there is very little juvenile bragging, mysogyny or gangster huffing and puffing, which is a relief. But how is his wordplay? I mean, it isn't terrible, but there are few of the zingers you would expect from a rapper like Chuck D. Now, some people might take issue with Renaissance's lack of edge. And they have a point, kind of. It does have a smooth, New Soul kind of vibe. Personally, I would have preferred the jazz influences to be a little more trenchant, more Herbie Hancock than Robert Glasper, more Ben Monder than Kurt Rosenwinkle; I would have liked a bit more funk, a bit more grime, but that wasn't the album that Q-Tip wanted to make. For what he's going for, he's done a good job. And it's worth noting that Q-Tip is all over this record, as a composer, as a musician, as a rapper, as a producer, even as a recording engineer.
A little like A Tribe Called Quest, felt like an east coast rap vibe to me, dug it.
I'm surprised to find a Q-Tip solo album on the list. I've heard Q-Tip's work with the incomparable Tribe Called Quest, but had never heard his solo stuff. Following on the heels of the Haircut One Hundred this week, here's another album where jazz stylings elevate the work above others in its genre. "The Renaissance" is a little less hip-hop focused than Tribe albums - it's still there, but there is also plenty of soul and funk. (I don't know, on repeated listens maybe this isn't so true... I'll have to go back and listen to Tribe.) Q-Tip has this should-be-too-high-but-somehow-works kind of voice. His super smooth flow probably helps it work. The style is great - great flow, great lyricism. But I feel like there aren't great hooks or choruses that would make it really memorable for the most part. A great collection of chill alternative hip-hop songs, but as a result it fades into the background a bit too easily.
Another nice discovery from this experiment. Q-Tip’s lyrical flow is impressive. The lyrics are plentiful and refreshing in their lack of overt misogyny and violence typical of many hip hop albums. The sample in Won’t Trade is on point. There is something missing that I can’t quite point out. There are several times where the album falls flat for me, like the beginning of Dance On Glass and all of Shaka. There is a lot more to like here though. I look forward to circling back to Q-Tip.
I really feel I should have paid more attention to Q-Tip, this album is an absolute classic. Great beats, melodies and rhythms!
Kom á óvart, skemmtileg áhlustun.
When it’s good it’s really great but it almost feels directionless at times. Love it when qtip is flowing but it moves at weird angles at times.
I was very pleasantly surprised by this album. I loved it. An album I would put on and listen to the whole way through. The song We Fight/We Love is fantastic.
How can I not love the solo stuff of one my favorite rap groups? Q-Tip continues to show his eloquence for beats and bars on this project with its incredible loops, hooks, and flow from track to track. The Renaissance is incredibly cohesive, and there is a good variety of the more catchy and pop sounding rap to the more artsy side the genre. One thing that has kind of gone to the wayside, but is very present in more classical rap acts, is a booming bass sound that isn't overblown. And that is properly showcased in The Renaissance, along with a gradient of punch to dusty drums, and a multitude of keys to love. The one thing that seems to be holding this album back for me is that most of the songs are love focused, which is just boring to me for any genre. Highlights: 2, 5, 6, 9, and 10.
Enjoyed this. Didnt think I would because it being a 00's album and I think hip hop went to crap in the 00's. It sounded like an album from the 90's and I loved it. 4 stars.
this is the newest album i've gotten since lorde's melodrama (2017) about 80 albums ago, so that's exciting. really liked the first song. i kinda forgot to write here, i was vibing, i liked this record lot. i loved all the features. i didn't looove his voice but it works just fine here, and i disliked some lyrics.
Okay, I can get on this one. It's upbeat and has legit production chops going. I like it.
Quite like Gettin Up, a love song which you don't hear much in hiphop You reminds of Kendrick Lamar, so this album is ahead of its time We Fight/We Love reminds of Stevie Wonder Norah Jones track is quite good Overall very breezy and slick, has a great sense of musicality and singing that prefaces the direction of hip hop in a few years
Hip Hop Today huh? Neat. Johnny is Dead-Snazzy. Hip hop is one of those genres that has the same beats to it executed really really well. The meoldies, if you can call them that, are short, repeat but hit just right to the beat with the right rap lyrics, this ones doin fine. Won't Trade-Damn. Good beats yo. If i knew how to hip hop dance id be busting a move out there. Gettin' Up-Yo, ,i am 3 tracks in and impressed at all the unique starts these tracks have. i appreciate that record scratch at the end. Official-Neat Loop leitmotif? I like the vibe You-I like the mellowness of the track We Fight/We Love-okay i didnt write anything till it was over but i enjoyed its beats and vibe. Manwomanbogie-jazzy dancy? liked it. Move-the beats be bumpin. the renaissance indeed. Dance on Glass-dance beat hip hop Life is Better-Its just the beats man. each song has its own repeating beat track that just works with the vibe and rhythm of the spoken word rap lyrics. its good shit is what im saying. In conclusion, Yeah HipHop pretty cool.
Nice flow, funky beats. Will look into Q-Tip a bit more,.
Enjoyed.
I liked it, would listen again
I’m a fan. Never heard of this artist but I will be in the future!
I enjoyed every moment of this - especially when Norah Jones showed up and started Norah Jones'ing.
Love this in “Johnny is Dead” “ But wait there's rain ahead, like Brit and Kevin Fed And magazine debris, is shit she gotta see it” This is a fun album with fantastic production. “Gettin Up” was great and “Official” had me checking my phone constantly to see “what song is this?” “You” also does great work with repetition. I think “Move” is my favorite track. “Dance on Glass” features some fire ass a cappella. “Shaka” was hella fun, and “Feva” is a synthy head bopper of a closing track.
muybueno
Nisam mislio poslušati jer je takav dan, ali dobro da jesam. Zadovoljan sam sa albumom i to fino. Beatove je napravio odlično, flow dobar, trajanje albuma taman, ni predugačak, ni prekratak. Volim te jazz vibre na hip hop albumima. Mislim ovaj album nije kao ATCQ gdje se više osjeti jazz vibe, ovdje je mixed malo više groove/jazz i još koji soul ubačen zahvaljujući gostima. Fin album.
Sehr schöner, funkiger HipHop
Still freeeeesssshhhhhhh
Better than expected. I liked that it only lasted 43 minutes.
Me gusta el funky y este disco Co ha estado mal. Me ha gustado mucho la colaboración con Norah Jones
Great album... I love funky rap
Ight
This was released during an era where I wasn't paying any attention to hip hop. I liked it a lot. Great music to have on while I was getting things done at work.
I’m a big Tribe/Q-Tip fan, but I’ve never heard this album, so this was a very pleasant surprise. I also realized the meaning/allusion of the name Q-Tip after hearing the line, “what good is a Q-Tip if it isn’t in your ear,” mind blown. Lots of cool synth-hooks, a pleasant departure from Tribe’s jazz based samples. Some of the songs have this funky, up tempo thing going and it is fire. Q-Tip’s flow, rhythm and rhyme is solid as usual and doesn’t disappoint. The one thing I struggle with on this album are the R&B style choruses, there’s a lot of them. For some reason I don’t jive with modern R&B, I think it’s generally over produced and sappy, sounds like it’s a church band, though I felt myself jiving with a few. Overall great album. A-. 4, maybe a 5 if I listen ten more times.
Had never heard this album before. Hovering between 3 and 4 stars. Going with a 4. Unrelated to this album, feeling bad my reviews are so short lately. I'm just not finding time to jot down anything substantive these days.
pretty cool - I like the sound here! didnt QTip die recently :(
Solid album with cool, jazzy vibes. Q-Tip is a GOAT an dproved it here. Not all the songs were super interesting though.
punchy
Really enjoyed my listen through to this never heard of the act but it was great.
De echte hip hop.
Luvverly stuff, jazzy hip hop is my bag
Like this one
Jazz funk fused with Hip-hop, very cool sound. Lyrics are well thought out as well.
Pretty chill
So smooth, so funky - sounds great whether you're tuning into the lyrics or not. Fave track - "Move", for the awesomely funky sample usage. Apparently that track was produced by J Dilla, who I know has an amazing reputation, but I've never really got what the fuss was about...
Gooood stuff erinnert mich an Anderson paak lol
Excellent album
Solid rap
Really dope
First few times I heard Q-Tip was randomly on the radio, and each time I would be like WHO IS THIS?? It was not like anything else I had heard. Something about the combination of his unique voice and the jazz and funkiness of the samples keep his sound really tight and fresh, and is showcased well on this album.
Guenísimo muajá!
Instrumentals pretty fun. Definitely going to come back to this
Super funky hip-hop album by an artist I'd never encountered before. I really, really enjoyed it. I was a bit hesitant at first as I'm not a huge fan of a lot of post 90s hip-hop, but every song felt like some banger that I'd known all along. Outstanding album with some really introspective and interesting themes & lyrics.
Like the sound of this with the combination of live instrumentation and samples. Really natural and organic feel and flow. Also like that it's simply Q Tip as the MC and not bogged down in too many guest MCs. He brings in singers to sing but not to rap. Bonus points with me: he covers/samples Can on "Manwomanboogie"
Mmm det e bra! Oldschool, men ändå modern rap. Man rycks med! Lite hissmusik för coola personer.
This is incredible. Funky and melodic. Will def revisit.
Super chill and easy to listen to. Really enjoyed it. Kind of jazzy, feels positive, but a little old school style. Like a more upbeat Tribe Called Quest.
Good beats. Nice collaborations.
vibes
I'm an unabashed fan of experimental hiphop and this fits the bill. The lyricism is clever, the content is (for the most part) interesting and, at times, real heavy. I like that. The biggest issue with it that the tracks start to sort of blend together about a third of the way through. There are a few that break the mold but, for the most part, it's a pretty one-note album. No bangers, very little fire. Still real good, though. Just not 5-star fare.
Groovy, smooth, 00’er hiphop vibe
Q-Tip is still one of the best MCs to ever grace the mic. It's a solid record with some good beats and bars. Call it a 3.5. Favorite tracks: "Gettin Up", "WeFight/WeLove", "Shaka"
2008: Won't Trade, Gettin' Up
great album, never listened prior some real gems here, you & we fight/we love, so good
Really great album, heard it before
feels older than it is, probly becuase hes a 90s hip hop dude and the recording apparently started in fuckin 2002. how the hell did this take so long to make?? like its pretty good but its not THAT good. solid tunes, was a good time.
Was dope
Hi quality vintage hip hop
The Renaissance is definitely a classier-sounding hip-hop album than a lot of what was coming out around this time. Q-Tip throws out the stereotypes and lays down some pretty great rhymes and smooth flows, all while keeping the album rooted in a warm, throwback sound. These tracks are easy to put on in the background, and the whole thing has a nice, laid-back groove to it. But that’s also what holds it back a bit. It feels like things are played just a little too safe, and nothing here becomes super memorable. Still, even when it doesn’t fully stand out, The Renaissance is a smooth reminder of Q-Tip’s effortless cool and old-school craftsmanship.
Lo dicho tantas veces: no es mi género y no lo disfruto. El disco no está mal, pero jamás lo volvería a escuchar.
Life is Better has good flow. I dunno. The guy's called Q-Tip. It's pretty decent. Didn't give it a second listen. Maybe I'd have given it a better rating if I had.
Found myself enjoying this more than expected. I haven't been a huge fan of Q-Tips voice in the past but this had some solid beats and it all just came together. Not enough tracks grabbed me and I started to drift toward the end of the album.
Without having heard this before, I knew exactly what it was going to be. I haven't even looked at the reviews here yet, but I'm assuming this is referred to as "laid back," and "jazzy" a bunch. I'm a mid 40s white guy, this is what I gravitate towards these days. However, if I did want to listen to some hip hop that I didn't listen to in high school, this is something I'd reach for. Giving it a 3. Glad I listened, respect it a lot, probably wouldn't return to it on my own.
This is pretty solid rap but not anything that’s probably going to stand out or stick with me
An okay album, j liked Won't Trade the most.
It's solid! Not for me but not bad. 6.1/10
Glad I gave this a second chance. I listened once and wasn't feeling it, so I listened again the next day and was grooving. Maybe it was just the vibe I needed today.
Don't think I've heard q-tip before, definitely a little bit more than the average but there weren't any beats or lines that really grabbed me. Wouldn't consider it to be particularly 'progressive' as the wiki would say, feels like a backup Kanye really. Which i suppose we could do with now, is q-tip still available? Decent for one listen.
This is nice, but if I'm honest there are at least three Tribe albums I prefer to it, and I see Q-Tip also has an extensive subsequent career that I haven't perused, so I'm not even sure if it's his best solo joint.
WeFight/WeLove
This was al-right. I don't think they could have picked an album to make me more baffled about criteria for this list.
Det växte på mig. Instrumentella och sångpartierna var nice, men rap är sällan min favorit. Helhetsbedömningen blir väl ok, en trea.
Stark trea. Svängigt
The album was fine. Hip Hop and Rap not my favorite type of music, but I didn't hate it this time as it didn't seem as angry as other rap songs and not as much foul language.
(4/7) fairly listenable
I almost took a break from listening today when I saw this pop up. It's been a really rough couple of days due to some personal stuff and a general lack of sleep, and I just didn't know if I had it in me to listen to another fairly long album that I felt like I wasn't going to be interested in. But, I decided to power through at lunch today while I caught up on some other things I needed. And while I have to say that I didn't love the album, it actually was much better than I expected. I think one of my issues with some rap music is that some of it is just not that musical (in my opinion) and it just sometimes feels angry in a not so pleasant way. The rap I do like is typically more melodic with an almost sing-songy tone to it. That's what this album is. The album uses a real band rather than a bunch of samples from other songs, and has guests artists like D'Angelo and Norah Jones singing on it. I'm likely never going to play a rap album when I drive somewhere or put my earbuds in to take a walk, but if I'm going to listen to it, this wasn't bad to listen to. I feel totally unqualified to say whether the album is good or bad in the grand scheme of things, but I liked it.
It's good to hear a rap album with melody and some actual choruses. A lot of the lyrics didn't do much for me but the instrumentation and production made up for it. I enjoyed a lot of it, especially the duet with Norah Jones and the final song, "Good Thang," which was more indie rock than rap. He's like a less ego-driven and more sane Kanye.
Po mt legalzinho pra ouvir deboinha
lo que escuchábamos en el bronx back in da day. banger after banger. 3.7
2008. Earned him a Grammy Award nomination for Best Rap Album. Wanted to make an album with a pure hip-hop sound.
I'm a huge fan of ATCQ and love Q-Tip. But this record, eh, it's fine. This was the record he made after Kamaal the Abstract was rejected by his record company. So you can imagine this one is pretty safe. Like straight down the middle of the road. Some good grooves and overall, a pleasant listen. But Kamaal the Abstract, which was eventually released, is by far his best solo work, and this is a far cry from that record
2.9 2x ATL-OAK flight
great time!
My spirit dropped when another rap album came up as today's assignment. However, after a listen...I felt vindicated. While there were a few nice sections, mostly they were the bits without Mr Tip spoiling the groove. Not hateful, but ... just why?
Its okay
What a pleasant little rap album.
Nothing startling original here, but a strong collection of songs with numerous featuring a notable bounce in their step to make for an enjoyable listen. As an MC, Q-Tip is not the most commanding presence. More of a sly onlooker who commentates on the world around him. That understated style served him well with A Tribe Called Quest’s pastiche of sounds. While not a negative, it does limit how much the neo-soul tracks on this record stand out. In the hands of a stronger vocalist/MC, songs like “We Won’t Trade”, “We Fight/We Love” and “Move” would put this record near the top rankings. As a producer and arranger, Q-Tip has enough skills to turn these cuts into enjoyable listens. He is particularly skilled with blending samples, computers and live instruments as he makes the most out of special guests like Raphael Saddiq. I needed a better listen to fully process the lyrics, or maybe there needs to be better wordplay. No phrases immediately grabbed my attention, which can be a positive since too many hip-hop performers turn me off with the lazy use of familiar slurs. (a stereotypical old white guy complaint, but valid IMHO.) Difficult to continue making quality music 15-20 years into a career for any genre, particularly hip-hop. Q-Tip puts out a strong record as he moved into a new phase as a musician.
Far from the best thing Q tip has done but definitely a lot of bangers here, not the most memorable stuff ever
Nice to hear some solo Q-Tip, never heard anything outside of “A Tribe Called Quest”. Also, liked the callabo with Norah Jones!
First piece of this genre I kinda like. 2000s vibe
I love A Tribe Called Quest. I really wanted to love this, but I just don't. While the production is refreshingly different for this era, it just sounds lackluster at best. There are still some ATCQ jazzy parts, but it leans heavily on synth-based R&B. Rhymes and flow are great, but they are overshadowed completely in the mix, making it feel like your focus should be on the "music" and that has always felt wrong to me with hip-hop, an art form that should always place the MC front and center.
Jazzy neo-soul beats and a conversational reflexive set of verses from a rapper with nothing to prove, but not much to say. Feel good optimism with a nostalgic throwback feel.
Smooth, cool, consistent without ever being spectacular or having a hit banger or two. I like it, but wonder if some of the similar but better albums from the likes of Talib Qwali are on the list?
Me gustó mucho no me cambió la vida (uno de los mejores de hip hop hasta ahora)
solidan rep album, jedan od boljih koji sam preslušao s ovog popisa, s dosta dobrim semplovima i sličnim, pa ću dati velikodušnu trojku
Different. I liked it.
I was surprised how much I liked it.
I'm not into hip hop, and there wasn't much I loved about this album, but I did enjoy it. It was good.
Starts off really strong... super varied but lost me a bit towards the end 6-7/10
ja ganz cool i guess
Not bad
Nice airy summer vibes.
Some brilliant compositions and production. Good album.
Good rap from Tribe Called Quest spin off
Like qtip, thought Getting Up, Believe and Shaka were good, but nothing here was great
Maybe a half-star deduction for an unfortunate choice in name, but an enjoyable album nonetheless.
Net geen 4 sterren. Kon m'n aandacht hier niet goed genoeg bijhouden. Wel gigantisch harde bass riffs af en toe.
Prima hip hop plaatje. Ga het niet nog een keer aanzetten.
As much as I love Tribe, it's surprising to me that I have never explored Tip's solo catalog. This is really good and I think I would probably rate it higher with more listens but right now it's just barely under four stars. Call it a 3.99.
Didn't hook me but the samples were fun. 2.9/5
Zou het zelf niet snel opzetten omdat het niet helemaal mijn muziek is maar het is lekker voor op de achtergrond
I did not know Q-Tip dropped solo records. I really enjoyed this but did not listen closely to give a reasonable review
I’m not a huge hip-hop fan. However, I did enjoy listening to the album more than I thought.
Wefight/Welove is a right jam!
This was fine
This is really fun! It’s so easy to listen to - I feel like I could have this on at a party. Loved how this didn’t feel like work to listen to lol
Good, nothing life changing but enjoyable
I suspect I’m going to like this I do But Q … the N … ugh … hard to sing along, then it’s harder to hear… I’d say 6/10
Seems like a nice, pleasant summer album. That's the vibe I get from it. It's nice see some rap with some depth. It's not my style of music but I liked it well enough. 3
The Renaissance feels like cruising through a stylish city at night with excellent headphones, sounding smooth, smart, and cool, although some songs pass by too gently to leave huge impressions before the next laid-back groove arrives and keeps everything pleasantly moving along afterward.
was pretty good tbf would listen again
The loungy sound is nice, coupled with a pleasant rap voice that has a lot of musicality to it. But despite that, the album as a whole feels rather monotone. Good, but not attention-grabbing.
A solid 2000s rap album, though it’s kinda odd to hear this poppier/funkier sound being rapped over by the Tribe Called Quest guy.
I was expecting this to be more A Tribe Called Quest than it was, which is a good thing, as this was a little better and gets three stars. An interesting musical journey that came and went smoothly.
Impressed, not bad at all. Varied, well written good samples.
A compentent, jazzy album that hits hard at the beginning and then gets a bit dull halfway through. Features, anyone?
For a rap album I liked it quite a bit.
vibey, not that interesting tho
Q-Tip of the hat, this is good stuff. Ps if anyone else was enjoying the bassline from ManWomanBoogie, it’s from the 1979 Can track, A Spectacle
It was good, but something just wasn't clicking compared to his work with A Tribe Called Quest. His lyricism was still great, but just felt like a step back musically.
I didn't realize how good he was - not diverse but a voice like no other. No bangers but coherent and entertaining.
Good but not as essential as his work with Tribe Called Quest
I love Q-Tip, but this album just did not leave the same impression and impact as most of A Tribe Called Quest's albums.
Smooth
*70 Solidt q-tip og dilla - gode soul-y jazz-y beats. Der er dog også nogle sange som ikke helt funger for mig.
Det var fint :)
Fin vibe - hørte kun 3 numre
Smooth and jazzy as ever.
Didn’t get to listen but will
One of the first albums I listened as a teenager when I was getting into hip-hop. While at the time I loved the production, lyricism, and themes, as I've grown older the latter two became much weaker in my mind. Not because Q-Tip is a bad rapper, mind you. He's just a bit corny. The lyrics scream early-mid 2000s conscious rap, and that genre as a whole has not aged well in my mind. Despite this, the album is still good, and production is still top-notch. It is Q-Tip after all. Overall a good album, with some... eye-rolling flaws. Highlights are Johnny is Dead, Official, and Move.
Not bad
I’m not usually into hip hop but enjoyed this album quite a bit. It’s really ahead of its time
sounds like a Tribe record from the 90s, which is fine by me
Q-Tip has amazing flow, he's the best. This album is fine, it has some interesting tracks. I can't give it 5 because it doesn't blow my mind. A solid 3 though.
Fun, as all Tribe related things are. Not very outstanding, but fun and relatively consistent. Nothing stood out after the first couple of songs, though, unfortunately. Ill be returning to some songs, but this isn't the highest caliber of hip hop for sure.
Overall a fantastic funky hip hop album
This was fun. I think with repeated listens it would score a 4. Will have to revisit in the coming days this week.
i like the cover. i like the beats. his voice is nice. sounds relatable like he could be a friend… umm manwomanboogie… misogynistic?? homophobic? hmm. mostly positive messages throughout.
I dont usually like rap but this was good
Nothing really outstanding, but it was a nice experience.
Q’s flow and lyrical acrobatics are up there with the very best hip hop artists, so there’s plenty to like here. I found the production a little lacking though, and some of the features I was excited to hear didn’t really get used to their best potential.
Not for me, but it was alright
2 of my fave rappers 2 days in a row? Hip hop Christmas truly did come early this year
It sounded pretty basic to me. Didn’t have an outstanding song but the album was ok in my opinion.
This one surprised me. Was never a Q-tip fan, but this has some really groovy sounds played by real instruments. Not to mention some good sampling and also a good combo balance of singing and rap vocals. A nice change of pace for the rap genre that helps it standout.
Nice flow. Nice rhymes. I enjoyed it but not sure it was super memorable. Some of the late songs weren’t great. 3.25
Johnny Is Dead 3 Won't Trade 3.2 Getting' Up 2.8 Official 2.8 You 2.5 We Fight/We Love 3.1 Manwomanboogie 2.9 Move / Renaissance Rap 2.8 Dance on Glass 2.4 Life Is Better 2.4 Believe 2.6 Shaka 3 Score: 2.791666667
2,7 Highlights: Official, Believe
Solid 3
Decent hip-hop. I only know him from when he did “Got Til’ It’s Gone” with Janet Jackson, the song based on Joni Mitchell’s “Big Yellow Taxi” — if you’re not familiar with it, give it a listen.
top 3 - Johnny Is Dead, Official, Move. I don’t have much to say but it’s solid.
And now Q-Tip? Really? My review track to track will just be yes and no’s. No Yes Yes No No Ahhh no And so on. I fell into the trap of this just being background music. Which is never good.
solid
Not my usual cup of tea, but it was enjoyable. The highlight song was definitely Move. Solid 3 stars.
Yeah, I liked it but didn’t love it. Prefer Q-Tip as a feature artist.
Ca va pour du Hip hop 2.5
Отличный альбом в своём жанре. особенно хорошо здесь звучит именно бас, создавая грув, он не перегрузает музыку, а лишь делает ее интереснее. также на альбоме очень интересные драм партии. вцелом альбом, как бы развиваясь, постепенно меняет звук от песни к песне.
I have no problem with this. I enjoy each song as they're playing. Nothing sticks in my memory. I even own it on CD. I've played it dozen of times. Each time the same result - enjoy it while it's on, forget it when it's gone.