Q-Tip – Life Is Better video featuring Norah Jones

Directed by Goodtimes.

New York, NY- In these hard times, we can all stand a ray of hope. Hope in hip-hop now comes from the legendary Q-Tip, he of A Tribe Called Quest fame. His long-delayed album Kamaal the Abstract, slated originally for release in 2001, is finally dropping September 15th on Battery Records. A musical hybrid, Kamaal was commendably avant-garde at the time of its creation. Amazingly, it’s even more apropos in 2009; given the dearth of musical merit and capable MCs in today’s hip-hop, the time is ever-so-right for Tip.

Kamaal the Abstract is an intensely idiosyncratic and revealing record. To that end, Q-Tip produced the entire album himself, even playing several instruments. What comes from Kamaal is a daring mélange of soul, supa-cool jazz, headnodding hip-hop, and organic pop magic in the vein of Stevie Wonder or Prince. Check for the superlative figures of saxophonist Kenny Garrett, a one-time member of Miles Davis’ ensemble, on the breathy “Abstractionisms.” Or the fluid flute lines of Gary Thomas, another Davis sideman, on “Do U Dig U.” Elsewhere, note Tip’s ambitious production, arrangements, and even sung stylings.

But make no mistake: Kamaal the Abstract still boasts all the earmarks of Q-Tip’s inimitable mic control. Listen to him blaze through a spiced narrative on “Even If It Is So.” Or paint vivid images on “Blue Girl.” The album has been re-mixed and re-mastered for sonic impact, though it retains the original album artwork. Neil Levine SVP/GM of Battery Records is proud to release this buried treasure from Q-Tip: “Kamaal the Abstract/Q-Tip is a true visionary and ahead of his time. These songs sound more contemporary now than when they were first recorded”. Kamaal the Abstract drops September 15th. Better late than never.

Saturday, July 18, 2009
3:00 PM – 7:00 PM
All Ages
COVER: FREE

Q-TIP WILL BE PERFORMING SELECTIONS FROM HIS SOON TO BE RELEASED ALBUM

“KAAMAL THE ABSTRACT”

IN-STORES SEPTEMBER 15th

Q-Tip is an American hip hop artist, singer, and occasional actor from Queens, perhaps best known as the leader of legendary hip hop group A Tribe Called Quest. After Tribe disbanded in 1998, Q-Tip pursued a solo career. His first singles “Vivrant Thing” and “Breathe & Stop” exemplified his move towards more pop-oriented recordings, closely followed by his solo debut LP Amplified. As of late, Q-Tip has been very active, touring with the full line-up of A Tribe Called Quest as well as continuing to work on his own solo career.

Fresh in town from Australia, in the midst of his international tour, Q-Tip will make a quick stopover in his hometown to introduce Martha to a very special friend before jetting off to Europe to continue his string of limited engagements

Check your local listings for times and stations

Q-Tip – ManWomanBoogie video featuring Amanda Diva from the album The Renaissance

Treatment Excerpt:

A surreal performance setting combined with clever narrative elements will define Man Woman Boogie with fluid camera movement and cinematic proportions. The uptempo jazzy beat inspired me to think about classic films that feature relationships between men and women on trains. Off the top of my head, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and The Darjeeling Limited featured some great scenes between a man and woman combined with the immediacy and urgency of a moving train about to reach its destination. Upon destination the man and woman would go their separate ways and reconcile later on. The moving train to me is a great metaphor for the ups and downs, ins and outs and the rush felt between the forces of man and woman.

Tap Tap Revenge is a music game in the tradition of Guitar Hero or Dance Dance Revolution that puts your rhythmic skills to the test in all-new ways. Tap through the beats or shake left and right as the arrows fall. Download exclusive tracks or take on your friends in Tap Tap Revenge’s unique head-to-head two-player mode.

Q-Tip has the honor of contributing to this iPhone phenomenon by contributing its very first Hip-Hop track in the form of his “Getting Up Remix” featuring Eve. Go to http://tapulous.com/ to download the game and the “Getting Up Remix” for free.

Q-Tip
The Renaissance – In Stores NOW
Universal Motown

http://www.myspace.com/qtip

Q-Tip “Renaissance Rap” – Directed by Rik Cordero

http://video.aol.com/video/renaissance-rap/2327802

Q-Tip – Renaissance Rap video from the album, The Renaissance

PHILLY was in for a treat. The city wins the world series and now the Abstract Poet Q-Tip performed a free intimate MySpace Release for “The Renaissance” show for his core fans with DJ Scratch of EPMD. He is coming back to the city soon for a full show so kept it short and sweet, a majority of his set dedicated to songs of his new album released 11/4. But he also kept the room swaying with classics like “Award Tour” and his own “Vivrant Thing.”

“The Abstract” comes straight off the top of his head in this AOL 16 Bars Feature.