Q-Tip: WTF???

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So what IS the deal with Q-Tip? Is he totally going for the gold, or is his new image just a way to sneak in the Man's back door and drop some knowledge on His dime?

(Actually, since his album came out, like, 15 years ago, he's probably already gone & went for it. Plus, there's the Janet Jackson appearance, the non-existant duet with Mos Def ("Nigga Nigga"), a team-up with Korn (I think ?!?!?!?!) - what's going ahn, man?)

David Raposa, Wednesday, 6 June 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

Not having followed the man's doings, 2 things seem possible:

i) Q-Tip is more popcult-eclectic than his old band and the ppl who have something invested in him staying 'real' allowed him to be. Or maybe he's 'working against his tastes'.

ii) Q-Tip is a total sellout, dude.

I need more background. Meanwhile I applaud TWO new hip-hop threads and NEITHER of them started by Ethan!

Tom, Wednesday, 6 June 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

I'm fairly convinced that Q-Tip has always dreamed of huge crossover success. I think that ATCQ kind of became the poster children of Real by accident; they honestly thought their sound was going to be the next to blow up the airwaves.

I must admit that I really dig the Korn collaboration, though...

Dan Perry, Wednesday, 6 June 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

q-tip's post-tribe work has really been depressing not because of the quality of it (not much worse than any other current stuff) but because it's MY tip, the clever voice with the smooth production skills, and now he's just 'not much worse than other stuff'. it's not like he sold out and went 'pop', tribe were always best at their most pop, it's that the pop isn't GOOD anymore. isn't really cool to say, but i miss the old q- tip.

oh, and re: tip's 'non-existant duet' with mos, i don't know what's up with him constantly referencing 'sucka nigga' on other people's songs (see also common's 'stolen moments' interlude). i mean, it's one of my favorite songs on the album and all, but he should give it a fucking rest. it didn't even make much sense the first time around.

ethan, Wednesday, 6 June 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

oh, and anyone heard anything about the rumours that he might be gay? i've heard this from several sources but it doesn't really stand up.

ethan, Wednesday, 6 June 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

he sure doesn't seem gay in those recent videos. but maybe it's all just a front, part of his bid for more mainstream acceptance; 1990 Tip would never objectify women like that. So he's probably gay.

Larms, Wednesday, 6 June 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

In the improbable case of the gay MC being only one guy, instead of a whole bunch of them (much more likely), my money is on Jay-Z. I do know a true story about a certain rap mogul and a magazine editor...

Mark Morris, Wednesday, 6 June 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

tip may not have objectified women as much in the past, but he certainly didn't shy from constant sexual come-ons, so anything seen as overcompensating now has probably been in effect for a while.

ethan, Wednesday, 6 June 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

Can I withdraw that Jay-Z comment?

Mark Morris, Wednesday, 6 June 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

Why? I'd heard that rumor already myself.

Ned Raggett, Wednesday, 6 June 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

I'd heard that as well, plus some interesting stories about Puffy during his college days. Note: In the previous sentence, "interesting" is used as a synonym for "unspecific and lacking in details".

Dan Perry, Wednesday, 6 June 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

Speaking of "rappers who might be gay", a friend of mine claims that the semi-infamous Kool G Rap is. Fact, rumor, or fiction?

Phil, Wednesday, 6 June 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

kool g rap was one of the first rappers to get in trouble with gay rights groups way back when he released his first album (for 'truly yours', mostly), but that proves nothing.

ethan, Wednesday, 6 June 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

hmm, interesting, concerning kool g rap. does everyone here already know, then, that michael stipe (!) will be doing vocals on one track on the upcoming kool g. rap album? this is TOTALLY on the level. it's strange cos i hear that stipe guy might be gay.

fred solinger, Wednesday, 6 June 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

jesus, i expect that sort of shit from krs but not kool g. poor guy, he must be strapped for cash or something. better not get any indie cred from this. so is stipe trying to beat elton john at his own game or what?

ethan, Wednesday, 6 June 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

seven years pass...

I just grabbed Kamal The Abstract and The Renaissance this week.

Finally having a chance with them, about 4 or 5 songs standout enough for some rotation (Official, Even If it is So, So Sexy, Official, Do You Dig You)

Considering these are only semi-released, and not exactly Hip-Hop-centric, maybe the appeal is limited.

Thoughts?

PappaWheelie V, Friday, 27 June 2008 00:58 (fifteen years ago) link

I meant That's Sexy

PappaWheelie V, Friday, 27 June 2008 00:58 (fifteen years ago) link

Which of those is 'Johnny Died' off? That tune is a BANGER. Surprised you didn't mention it.

sam500, Friday, 27 June 2008 01:07 (fifteen years ago) link

Yeah, Johnny Died is on The Renaissance. It wasn't the first track to jump out at me, but I'm still getting acquainted with the album.

I also picked up Lucy Pearl and Kevin Michael in this batch, so lots to digest right now.

PappaWheelie V, Friday, 27 June 2008 17:12 (fifteen years ago) link

eight months pass...

The renaissance has not fallen out of my rotation since it came out. Did this shit make any noise in the album poll for 08? Or is this getting slept on?

carne asada, Tuesday, 3 March 2009 20:56 (fifteen years ago) link

also lol @ the gay rapper rumors in this thread.

carne asada, Tuesday, 3 March 2009 21:05 (fifteen years ago) link

The Rennaisance is his official album that came out last year. Do you mean Open? I like Kamaal the Abstract, especially "Do U Dig U?" a lot more than last year's album. Haven't really gotten a chance to dig into Open.

The Reverend (rev), Tuesday, 3 March 2009 21:30 (fifteen years ago) link

Oh, ha that was responding to Pappawheelie's post from months ago.

The Reverend (rev), Tuesday, 3 March 2009 21:31 (fifteen years ago) link

As for The Rennaisance, I can't believe people rep for that uninspired bs.

The Reverend (rev), Tuesday, 3 March 2009 21:32 (fifteen years ago) link

It's not great, but since I'm pretty out of sync with current rap, I liked it a lot better than all the poll winning stuff.

Benjamin Motherfucking Franklin (Oilyrags), Tuesday, 3 March 2009 21:33 (fifteen years ago) link

Really rev? I like that bs

carne asada, Tuesday, 3 March 2009 21:35 (fifteen years ago) link

"Gettin' Up" is very fine.

The Screaming Lobster of Challops (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Tuesday, 3 March 2009 21:38 (fifteen years ago) link

Not bad at all for a gay rapper amirite?

carne asada, Tuesday, 3 March 2009 21:41 (fifteen years ago) link

I like Amplified almost as much as any Tribe Called Quest album, so yeah, he's probably gay.

Nurse Detrius (Eric H.), Tuesday, 3 March 2009 22:11 (fifteen years ago) link

the J Period mixtape is def one of my recent favs

simon peggle (M@tt He1ges0n), Tuesday, 3 March 2009 22:16 (fifteen years ago) link

WTF???

eman, Tuesday, 3 March 2009 22:25 (fifteen years ago) link

http://www.jperiod.com/q-tip/

simon peggle (M@tt He1ges0n), Tuesday, 3 March 2009 22:28 (fifteen years ago) link

also lol @ the gay rapper rumors in this thread.

― carne asada, Tuesday, March 3, 2009 4:05 PM (1 hour ago) Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink

to be fair hes a bi rapper - fuckd leo decaprio no less

ice cr?m, Tuesday, 3 March 2009 22:43 (fifteen years ago) link

Fucking Leo would not be my definition of electric relaxation.

The Screaming Lobster of Challops (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Tuesday, 3 March 2009 22:45 (fifteen years ago) link

the renaissance was a real good album imo

peep game on gas prices (deej), Tuesday, 3 March 2009 22:51 (fifteen years ago) link

I like Amplified almost as much as any Tribe Called Quest album, so yeah, he's probably gay.

Suggest Ban Permalink
― Nurse Detrius (Eric H.), Tuesday, March 3, 2009 2:11 PM Bookmark

haha, if I'm completely stymied by the logic of this sentence, I'm hoping it's intentional on your part

the most disgusting savage on earth imo (The Reverend), Tuesday, 3 March 2009 22:55 (fifteen years ago) link

to be fair hes a bi rapper - fuckd leo decaprio no less

Suggest Ban Permalink
― ice cr?m, Tuesday, March 3, 2009 2:43 PM Bookmark

would that make him a....ringtone bisexual?

the most disgusting savage on earth imo (The Reverend), Tuesday, 3 March 2009 22:56 (fifteen years ago) link

WTF?? Leo is gay too??

carne asada, Tuesday, 3 March 2009 22:59 (fifteen years ago) link

naw he just likes to party

ice cr?m, Tuesday, 3 March 2009 23:07 (fifteen years ago) link

one year passes...

"vivrant thing" > anything by atcq

based lord sotosyn (The Reverend), Saturday, 20 November 2010 06:38 (thirteen years ago) link

challop alert

smangs of new york (deej), Saturday, 20 November 2010 20:25 (thirteen years ago) link

yeah waht

horseshoe, Saturday, 20 November 2010 20:55 (thirteen years ago) link

Amplified > any ATCQ album that's not Midnight Marauders

Miss Garrote (Eric H.), Saturday, 20 November 2010 20:58 (thirteen years ago) link

But only just.

Miss Garrote (Eric H.), Saturday, 20 November 2010 20:58 (thirteen years ago) link

"Gettin' Up" >>>> anything from Amplifed

look at it, pwn3d, made u look at my peen/vadge (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Saturday, 20 November 2010 20:59 (thirteen years ago) link

Yeah, that one's great too.

Miss Garrote (Eric H.), Saturday, 20 November 2010 21:08 (thirteen years ago) link

low end theory is better than amplified, vivrant thing is better than gettin up, rough thread revive

smangs of new york (deej), Saturday, 20 November 2010 21:08 (thirteen years ago) link

Anyway, I'm just playing. The Low End Theory is better than almost every album ever made.

Miss Garrote (Eric H.), Saturday, 20 November 2010 21:09 (thirteen years ago) link

dudes check this outfit

http://grab.by/7uXH

ice cr?m, Saturday, 20 November 2010 21:18 (thirteen years ago) link

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WKx3s35ms0&

ice cr?m, Saturday, 20 November 2010 21:19 (thirteen years ago) link

yeah, revive post is a challop, but some challops are true. (actually, i should have said it's better than any atcq song, to be more accurate)

based lord sotosyn (The Reverend), Saturday, 20 November 2010 23:54 (thirteen years ago) link

i certainly bump "vivrant thing" more than any atcq

based lord sotosyn (The Reverend), Saturday, 20 November 2010 23:55 (thirteen years ago) link

and i love atcq. low end theory is one of my desert island discs.

based lord sotosyn (The Reverend), Saturday, 20 November 2010 23:56 (thirteen years ago) link

Not challopsey at all. Amplified is the best thing he's done. Well, and Beats, Rhymes & Life. Ummah really sorted his drums out there...

paulhw, Sunday, 21 November 2010 03:06 (thirteen years ago) link

yeah thats reasonable, if you have no taste whatsoever in the whole world at all

ice cr?m, Sunday, 21 November 2010 03:09 (thirteen years ago) link

rough thread revive

Rougher thread start.

Miss Garrote (Eric H.), Sunday, 21 November 2010 03:44 (thirteen years ago) link

lol icey

based lord sotosyn (The Reverend), Sunday, 21 November 2010 04:44 (thirteen years ago) link

btw re early thread topic this dude is totally bi

ice cr?m, Sunday, 21 November 2010 04:49 (thirteen years ago) link

the ringtone bisexual clique welcomes him

based lord sotosyn (The Reverend), Sunday, 21 November 2010 04:54 (thirteen years ago) link

thought u would apreesh

ice cr?m, Sunday, 21 November 2010 04:56 (thirteen years ago) link

ws "Got Til It's Gone" Q-Tip

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9QYv9XBMHI

Miss Garrote (Eric H.), Sunday, 21 November 2010 04:59 (thirteen years ago) link

must have made it real awkward recording that homphobic tribe song that was never released

based lord sotosyn (The Reverend), Sunday, 21 November 2010 05:02 (thirteen years ago) link

lol janet neo soul steez

ice cr?m, Sunday, 21 November 2010 05:03 (thirteen years ago) link

neo soul bohemian was agl for janet, imo

A solo Beatle--Paul, George, John, Yoko, etc. (Whitey on the Moon), Sunday, 21 November 2010 08:59 (thirteen years ago) link

Q-Tip is cute.

look at it, pwn3d, made u look at my peen/vadge (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Sunday, 21 November 2010 13:16 (thirteen years ago) link

cuetest. also Rev, u crazy.

horseshoe, Sunday, 21 November 2010 16:02 (thirteen years ago) link

yeah definitely ws q-tip. also that is a great video

The Brainwasher² = (The Brainwasher) X (The Brainwasher), Sunday, 21 November 2010 16:10 (thirteen years ago) link

Yeah, great video. Mark Romaneck the director, was inspired by and paying tribute to Malian portrait photographer Malick Sidibe.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jHL0GIWvmwY/Sps-uC83t6I/AAAAAAAAASg/qW87VJpCgdc/s320/sidibe_3.jpg

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jHL0GIWvmwY/Sps-tgoxqUI/AAAAAAAAASY/Z6V4eXsVvZo/s320/sidibe_2.jpg

dsb, Sunday, 21 November 2010 16:25 (thirteen years ago) link

two years pass...

Not challopsey at all. Amplified is the best thing he's done. Well, and Beats, Rhymes & Life. Ummah really sorted his drums out there...

― paulhw,

still gawking at this. My face still hurts.

A deeper shade of lol (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Saturday, 22 June 2013 19:10 (ten years ago) link

i'd be willing to make an argument for Q-Tip as the most talented MC/producer (as in, most skilled at both disciplines) of all time. shame he's probably gonna spend the next few years getting little scraps of work on G.O.O.D. Music releases.

some dude, Saturday, 22 June 2013 20:03 (ten years ago) link

no MC has given me more pleasure than Tip has, certainly. I listened to Nas' "One Loe" this afternoon and fell in love with his production again.

A deeper shade of lol (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Saturday, 22 June 2013 20:06 (ten years ago) link

I think, most of all, I love the grain of his voice.

A deeper shade of lol (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Saturday, 22 June 2013 20:06 (ten years ago) link

I guess Kanye would be Tip's main competition there, some dude? I'd go with Q-Tip but that's personal preference more than anything.

A True White Kid that can Jump (Granny Dainger), Saturday, 22 June 2013 20:13 (ten years ago) link

this is getting into pretty irrelevant pedantry, but i would say Kanye obviously is the most accomplished MC/producer of all time (especially when the only guys with a comparable profile are, like, Dre and Puffy, neither of whom really write rhymes), but just talking in terms of a balance of talent in both skill sets, i wouldn't necessarily put Kanye over Q-Tip or DJ Quik, or maybe even Andre.

some dude, Saturday, 22 June 2013 21:01 (ten years ago) link

Quik & Tip top two

Shock G Mo Collier (Spottie_Ottie_Dope), Saturday, 22 June 2013 21:09 (ten years ago) link

my man

some dude, Saturday, 22 June 2013 21:21 (ten years ago) link

lol even better

Shock G Mo Collier (Spottie_Ottie_Dope), Saturday, 22 June 2013 21:30 (ten years ago) link

Quik & Tip top two

― Shock G Mo Collier (Spottie_Ottie_Dope), Saturday, June 22, 2013 2:09 PM Bookmark

add pimp c

The Reverend, Saturday, 22 June 2013 22:47 (ten years ago) link

oh word, that was another one on the tip of my tongue

some dude, Saturday, 22 June 2013 22:56 (ten years ago) link

yeah

some dude, Saturday, 22 June 2013 23:38 (ten years ago) link

Sorry for derail, just kept thinking about it had to do up a top 25

Quik
Tip
Pimp C
Mannie
Redman
Kanye
Diamond D
Puff
Dre
Madlib
Daz Dillinger
Havoc
Psycho Les
Rza
Erick Sermon
Large Pro
Dilla
Doom
Dre 3000
Lord Finesse
J Zone
Spice 1
Pharrell
Ant Banks
Alchemist

Shock G Mo Collier (Spottie_Ottie_Dope), Sunday, 23 June 2013 04:45 (ten years ago) link

haha nice.

some dude, Sunday, 23 June 2013 10:56 (ten years ago) link

Never mind producer, Tip is probably in my top 5 favorite MCs alone. It is the grain, yeah, but also how sly he is about pushing the beat. He sounds laid-back but he feels urgent.

something of an astrological coup (tipsy mothra), Sunday, 23 June 2013 13:00 (ten years ago) link

yeah, it's unique to sound that conversational and also be that in the pocket

some dude, Sunday, 23 June 2013 13:04 (ten years ago) link

two years pass...

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2016/03/08/q-tip-is-the-kennedy-centers-first-artistic-director-of-hip-hop-culture/

According to its season announcement on Tuesday, the Kennedy Center has named Q-Tip its first artistic director of hip-hop culture. The 45-year-old rapper, a founding member of New York City hip-hop pioneers A Tribe Called Quest, is expected to begin curating performances at the Kennedy Center this summer. According to a press release, “Q-Tip will establish a dynamic, new program that will stretch across all disciplines, bringing the historic roots, contemporary expressions, and transformative power of Hip Hop to the [Kennedy] Center and local and national audiences.”

Let’s hope he does the job as well as Jason Moran, the jazz pianist who the Kennedy Center promoted to artistic director for jazz in 2014.

curmudgeon, Tuesday, 8 March 2016 16:59 (eight years ago) link


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