If there can truly be a definitive Renaissance-era in hip hop, what would you consider it to be? For this reviewer, the Renaissance in hip hop was from 1991 to 1993 when hip hop was blessed with an undeniable shift in subject matter, style, attitude and appreciation. A rebirth. This was around the time The Low End Theory and Midnight Marauders dropped courtesy of A Tribe Called Quest. Amongst the Renaissancial emcees was the group’s leader, Q-Tip, appropriately nicknamed The Abstract. Could he create a shift from his rather questionable releases Kamaal the Abstract and Amplified with his newest release, The Renaissance?
Q-Tip somewhat returns to his traditional lyrical form and is better than he has been in the last decade in terms of songwriting, structure, and delivery. The immaculate flow is displayed on “Johnny is Dead” and Tip zones out, as well as the buttery smooth “Believe” featuring D’Angelo. The flow is complemented well by the lyrical pursuit of verbal slaughter on “Won’t Trade.” The track is addictive, as is the track the follows it, “Getting Up,” yet another smooth track that Tip is perfect on.
The Abstract certainly gets a little weird with “Manwomanboogie” and “Dance on Glass.” The latter track has Tip doing beat-less rhyme for a minute; it’s questionable and the result isn’t effective. The beat that zones in and out of the track never gets a chance to shine, which is unfortunate because it bangs hard. Aside from two tracks produced by Dilla (”Move” and the bonus track, “Fever”) Tip handles all of the production on his own. Even though he is a great producer, someone such as Mark Ronson or ?uestlove could’ve handled most of the album in a respective manner. While the effort is admirable, no beat of his will demand the repeat button. Plenty of tracks are unsatisfying because the production is much too organic for an already complex and complete MC such as Tip.
The feature of Norah Jones seems to weaken Tip’s performance on “Life is Better” because she absolutely steals the show. Raphael Saadiq, steals “We Fight/Live” from Tip as well. Both tracks, like most of the album, will take some time to develop into something of familiar taste, but because it is so unsettling and different, a heavy burden is placed on Q-Tip’s lyrical ability, a trait he undoubtedly can succeed in delivering well.
A huge positive to take from this album is the return to form of Q-Tip’s microphone mastery. While the production is generally uncertain of itself, Tip on the mic is not. However, the album has very little replay value. No song, despite the lyrical foundation, demands that ‘must-listen’ feel to it. The good songs, such as the aforementioned “Won’t Trade” and “Johnny Is Dead” are very good while the Dilla produced “Move” is very “Midnight”-esque. Still, this Renaissance isn’t as ‘moving’ or thought provoking as the 14th Century movement, nevertheless, it is the rebirth of a much more riveting and conscious effort of emceeing.
Overall Score: 76/100
Standout Tracks:
“Won’t Trade”
“Move”
“Gettin’ Up”
{ 26 comments… read them below or add one }
Good review Deez. I know we both agreed on the fact that this album had little replay value at first. But after a few listens i can appreciate it more. Especially considering that it’s new Q Tip. LOL. this project is a lot better than i expected and a lot better than most music we have today!
Great review, but I’m gonna disagree with the comments about the subpar production and the replay value. I think Tip did a hell of a job production-wise and I have been listening to this album none stop since it leaked… HUGE replay value!
On first listen I wouldve agreed with you on this review but man you seemed to miss even mentioning other standouts on this album. Songs like “You” and “Renaissance Rap” alone are repeat worthy!!! Not to mention “Move”, “Gettin Up”, “ManwomanBoogie” c’mon!! This album is so worthy of bringing about a musical Renaissance that songs that I didn’t dig at first like the Norah Jones joint had me humming the tune after a few listens. this album is a great mixture of what he was trying to accomplish with Kamaal The Abstract and what we were looking for as classic Tribe fans!!
I gotta agree with Bingo…. sorry Deez.
lol Bingo makes me seem like a hater. I’m pretty sure “move” and “Getting up” were 2 of my 3 stand out tracks.
Not sure what song you mean by “renaissance rap”
“you” doesn’t do much and Manwomanboogie is weird.
not to mention the fact that this album is like the 3rd best rank ratings wise (hip hop) all year in terms of my ratings
“Manwomanboogie” (whatup Deev!) is a burner. it is super funky, in the vein of “The Cell” on Erykah’s album. people sleep on that track as well. people act like they’re scared of the funk these days.
I’m digging the album, but a 76 is high for an album with no replay value…don’t you think? Nice laid back feel to it. “Won’t Trade” is just about addictive as “I’m Innocent” by Murs. Have to give that at least 2-3 spins back to back before moving on.
“We Fight / Love” is another fav of mine.
Wow… The review really doesn’t give credit where it’s due. Listening to this album is like having an old friend come home after years away… I’ve got nothing but respect for Q-Tip here. I’ve had this album on repeat since the day it came out. His lyrics on “We Fight/We Love” are incredible, and the beat and Raphael are just as clean. Deez, your favorite songs are my least favorite, although I still appreciate them too. If you listen to “You” on a nice system, the baseline fills out the melody beautifully, while Q-Tips rhymes about his relationship are incredible. His flow to the beat on Official is really tight,,, and “Gettin Up” should be considered the classic Hip-Hop song of the year! What really offended me is the thought that Mark Ronson or ?uestlove should have produced this album… Q-Tip is a pioneer in this production game. I would think after getting every little snippet of his groups previous samples compiled, you would have more respect for what he’s done here. Watch how this album and The Poetic Abstract’s stature influences this scene over the next couple years. With so few tight albums coming out on major labels, I feel it’s extremely important to show our support for ones that do deserve it… We fight we love!!!
Deez, i like mostly everyone else who has responded to your review the renaissance has to agree with the generally sentiment that you are a little off with your review of the album. NOTHING REPEAT WORTHY??? Not even the dilla produced “move” which you said is a standout but it must not be because you didnt listen to it in its entirely my friend. the song renaissance rap which you say u don’t know about is a secret song that is not id on the cd but comes on immediately after move… are you properly listening to the music you review bro??? this really brings your “reviewer” status into question if we the average listener can hear something that you the “expert” doesn’t. you should really listen to it its probably the best song on the cd…. i would rate it a 90 …. its pretty close to a classic hip hop album
pardon the typos….. LOL
Gotta stand up for my homie here. He’s not going to put out a review without previewing the music he takes too much pride in his work…from my perspective and based on his previous reviews/post, etc. I would say a 90 (based on how Sean rates) is pretty high for this album or any album for that matter and he just doesn’t throw out those types of scores out.
I myself, even questioned the score of 76 with “no replay value”, but not in an attacking way. I just wanted an explanation on the score based on the content of the review.
I think your attacking the man’s credibility with an asinine statement: “this really brings your “reviewer” status into question if we the average listener can hear something that you the “expert” doesn’t.” My question would be where in liner notes does it say that the joint after “Move” is called “Renaissance Rap”? Is this something that was leaked to the internet as the “official” name of that or something that someone made up? To me its just an extension of the song “Move.”
IHere are some other links that big up the album for to your liking.
http://www.xxlmag.com/online/?p=29233
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2008/11/album-review-q.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2008/oct/31/q-tip-review
I don’t have a problem with questioning his opinion, but when you get into attacking personally…that bugs me…and I think that’s what your doing. Maybe I’m reading more into your words, but it is what it is.
I really don’t need to write this cause Sean will have plenty to say…I’m sure of it.
not attacking at all its just that alot of us out here are impressionable and we kinda look to the “experts” to see if our views of things are in concert with theirs… thats all to it. when Bingo mentioned “renaissance rap” and sean didnt seem to know what it was that left me a bit miffed. you have to really listen to things all the way through to offer true critique. im not hating just stating the obvious. hope that clears it up. dont need to see other reviews … thanks. peace.
I didn’t say you were hating….I just thought you were trying to attack Sean personally with some of your comments. I’m ok with attacking/questioning the content of the review…I just thought it went a little past that. You cleared that issue up…I’m take you on your word.
“impressionable” may be where the problem lies….a review is that a review…someone else’s opinion. So because Sean’s words weren’t in line with your thoughts does that change your view of the album? I think I know that answer to that “no” is the answer. I think we gotta what he or anyone else writes in context. I’m not just saying to because we both contribute to the site…because lord knows I’m still salty about the 69 he gave Nas’s new album; I don’t agree with his conclusion or assessment of that album or Large Pro’s either; but I respect what he wrote because I know he listened and put effort into the piece. Those reviews weren’t half assed nor is this one regardless of if I agreed with it or not.
And for the record I think the album is dope and a change up from what I normally listen to.
no doubt thom… im glad we have clarity.. bigup to mr. deez!! long live hiphop
are you properly listening to the music you review bro??? this really brings your “reviewer” status into question if we the average listener can hear something that you the “expert” doesn’t.
- Wow. Ear, I don’t know where my credibility would come into question. I’ve persuaded many listeners to cop albums they would’ve otherwise not picked up. I take tons of pride in my reviews.
I listened to the advanced as SOON as it came out because I wanted to get you guys the review before the album came out. I don’t like reviewing advances for this exact reason, this bonus track wasn’t on the advanced, unless under another name.
I feel as if I’m getting a lot of hate for this review, which I should expect, but for every person to disagree with me, I could probably find one who agrees. This seems to be a love it or hate it album
Thomas is the fucking man
I have both the advance release/CD; and the so called “renaissance rap” song is on both releases; but not in the linear notes of the CD.
I’m curious to find out if the end of “Move” is called “renaissance rap” or not. Not to prove anyone wrong, but to put the issue to rest so to speak.
nobody is hating sean… don’t worry bro. it is just CRITISM… ya dig??
Yo, I have been reading these comments all day long and it’s killed me not to be able to comment. I gotta stand behind my man Deez. Although him and I rarely see eye to eye on his reviews, he puts a lot of effort and thought into every piece he writes.
Earmark, though I agree with your opinion of this album, I don’t agree with the way you attacked Sean’s credibility. You went after him for not knowning about the hidden track “Renaissance Rap”. I gotta know where this name came from. I’m sure Deez knew about the track, but didn’t know that it was called “Renaissance Rap”. Hell, I didn’t. I thought it was a beat switch and continuation of “Move”.
Anyway, I don’t want this to keep going back and forth. You made your peace. I just had to stand by Deez and show my support.
No disrespect Deez… After everyone pats each other on the back… The simple fact is that you were wrong.
Q-Tip’s new album is dope, it deserves at the very least to be in the 80-90 range, and it definitely has tons of repeat value.
Nice try, but you can’t be right all the time… haha
whoa!! I didn’t know I started this clusterf#%k over here …sorry LOL
I heard Q-tip mention the song “Renaissance Rap” on an interview I saw on Youtube prior to hearing the album where he was asked what his favorite rhyme off the joint was.The Rakim influenced flow and the beat on that song had me damn near in tears driving off the road as a heard it the first time.That song made me change my outlook on the album and give it the chance it needed to hear it as the modern classic it is.
I have seen this kind of emotion before with the releases of “Beats,Rhymes and Life” and “Love Movement”
the expectations are so high after so much classic material that he has been apart of b/c at this pointing Q-Tip is only competing with himself and the legacy of ATCQ.
It was a great review Sean but you know we have to get defensive over our hip hop legends/icons LOL
Oh and also I am digging manwomanboogie b/c of beat and those live claps remind me of something he did on ATCQ first album…. I think “Description Of A Fool”.
http://www.xxlmag.com/online/?p=30320
I think this answers the question I was looking for!
just got back here to say how insane this album is. I’m totally in love with this album, thing that didn’t happen this year until now! Best hip-hop album of 2008.
You first hear it, sum songs will feel like “eehh”, but playin it over again u’ll feel like “ahhhhh”…one of my fav albums of 08…real hip-hop
Best songs on the album…”Gettin Up”, “You”,”We Fight/We Love”, “Renaissance Rap”, “I Believe” and “Shaka”…songs like these helps me remenisce to them “Tribe Days”…
It’s called The Renaissance for a reason…
oh Yea, “Man/WomanBoobgie” is a tough song also..not as soulful as the others mentioned…