Kanye West has nabbed another big name for his G.O.O.D. Music label. As Rap Radar points out, A Tribe Called Quest’s Q-Tip has reached a deal with Def Jam and West’s imprint, which will release his fourth solo LP, tentatively titled The Last Zulu, in 2013.

“I’m excited to be a part of the great iconic Def Jam label,” said Q-Tip in an issued statement. “I’m humbled to be a part of such a storied history… As far as G.O.O.D. Music, I’m excited to solidify my working relationship with Kanye, and I look forward to all the opportunities that lie ahead in our partnership. I will do my best to present the most cutting edge music I can.”

Q-Tip now joins Pusha T, Kid Cudi, John Legend, and Big Sean on G.O.O.D. Music.

Below, you can watch West and Q-Tip perform together at last year’s Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival.

Recent documentary subject Q-Tip headlined the Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival over the weekend and brought out KanYeezy West for a melody featuring My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy‘s “Dark Fantasy” and “All of the Lights”, the classic “Can’t Tell Me Nothing”, and a mind-numbing take on A Tribe Called Quest’s “Award Tour”. The festival has since posted some HD footage of the moment, which you can check out below.

Q-Tip also spoke on why he <3′s Kanye:

The artist formerly known as Santogold is ready to follow up her 2008 breakout debut. Over at Jay-Z’s newly launched Life + Times website, in between Hov’s interview with Gwyneth Paltrow and an Ichiro Suzuki biography, you can stream a new track entitiled “Go”, which features the vocals of Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ Karen O and the production work of Q-Tip and Switch. There’s also an interview with the 34-year-old Philadelphia native in which she explains that the song has a dual meaning. “On one hand it’s a challenge, beckoning any would-be usurpers to come show and prove. On the other, it’s a call to myself to rise to the occasion.”

There’s no word on when Santigold’s new album will see light, so stay tuned for more details.

Mixtapes are a dime a dozen in the hip-hop culture.  Sure, they serve the purpose of hyping an artist prior to dropping their new LP, but there’s definitely a near-endless supply of tapes from rap’s elite to, well, these guys. But if you’re looking for a mixtape with a little meaning, we suggest Wake Up! Radio. If the title sounds familiar, it should be: the digitial release is a remix of sorts of the John Legend-Roots collabo album Wake Up!. Created by J. Period, a Brooklyn-based producer and DJ, the mixtape, according to the DJ’s official site, “dissects, remixes and rebuilds the original recording sessions from the Wake Up! album in an unprecedented manner.” Guests on the effort, which is hosted by Roots frontman Black Thought, include Common, Pete Rock, CL Smooth, Q-Tip, Rakim, and K’Naan.

You can download the tape for free here. Period also plans to drop an exclusive track featuring Legend, Black Thought, and Rakim called “In The Ghetto (Wake Up!)” as a digital 12″ on February 15th.

You can find the first part by clicking here. Keep an eye out for additional posts next week as well.

And be sure to keep checking out our site. As you can clearly see, December has gotten off to a great start. We intend to end it, and the year in general, on a high note.

– Consequence of Gorillaz, anyone? Damon Albarn and co. pretty much dominated our headlines this week, with everything from retirement rumors to new album details to, um, Olympic-related updates surfacing within a few days of each other. And I almost forgot to mention the new video with Snoop Dogg. And the scavenger hunt.

– Coachella doesn’t arrive until next spring, but we’ve already started our lineup predictions.

– Sir Paul McCartney made Saturday Night Live watchable.

– Robert Plant told us not to get our hopes up for a Led Zeppelin reunion anytime soon.

– Big comebacks: Jeff Mangum appeared in public, Godspeed You! Black Emperor performed for the first time in six years, and Rammstein delivered their first U.S. performance in a decade.

– Michael Jackson‘s new single, “the 2010 version of ‘Thriller’,” dropped.

– Peter Bjorn and John‘s forthcoming LP now has a release date.

– While we’re on the subject of Swedish indie stars, Jens Lekman wrote a song about stalking Kirsten Dunst.

– Heather Mills took credit for putting The Beatles‘ catalog on iTunes.

– Q-Tip clarified a few things about the upcoming A Tribe Called Quest documentary.

– On a sad note, Aretha Franklin was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

– Judas Priest announced their final world tour. Ever.

– Pete Doherty is set to make his acting debut soon.

– Need tips for Bonnaroo? Well, you’re in luck.

– Raekwon‘s s new LP is allegedly due out next year.

– The Cars put out even more new material. These guys haven’t been this productive in a long time. Twenty-three years to be exact.

– Pearl Jam announced plans to host their own music festival.

– Want special-edition Daft Punk headphones? Okay, but it’ll cost you.

– The new Death Cab for Cutie album now has a title.

– R.E.M. jumped on the holiday single bandwagon.

– Watch this clip of Feist and Broken Social Scene performing “I Feel It All” together.

– Don’t watch this Kings of Leon video.

– Chris Coplan reviewed Ryan Adams‘ latest effort. Coplan also took on lists in the latest edition of Nod Your Head.

– Ted Maider shared his thoughts on deadmau5′s 4 x 4 = 12.

– Jónsi has finally made his solo debut. Find out what David Buchanan had to say about it here.

– Ted Leo and The New Pornographers played NYC’s Terminal 5. Alex Young and Kelly Staskel were there.

– We debuted our podcast this week, something we like to call Audiography.

– Derek Staples interviewed Gang Starr‘s DJ Premier.

– Harry Painter sat down with Thomas Ross Turner of Ghostland Observatory to discuss, well, lots of different things.

According to the Q-Tip, his gripe has little do with the actual subject material or how the band is portrayed; instead, it’s from what he perceives as a rush to get the project released. “I’m a producer on the film, Tribe is a producer on the film. I’m speaking for the whole group…,” the rapper said. “Different things need to be done edit-wise. The sentiment of the film is there, 80% is there, it’s just not done.”

Despite the objections, Q-Tip is sympathetic toward Rapaport, saying, “It’s tough when you are an up-and-coming director and you’re working on something out of your pocket, you kinda wanna see it… and you start speeding a little.” The “out of pocket” bit happens to explain a lot.

Make sure to check out the entire interview (once again, here) for more of Q-Tip’s thoughts. In other news news, the MC also revealed the name of his upcoming fourth LP, The Last Zulu, which will combine boom-bap and world music to make what Q-Tip is saying is “probably going to be the hardest shit I ever did.” No word on a release date, so stay tuned for that and more.

As far as famous quarrelsome bands go, A Tribe Called Quest doesn’t sit in the forefront of my mind. (I think of Guns N Roses, Metallica, Oasis, The Libertines etc…) How can music with the chillest vibes and stuff spawn such ill-will? This is what actor Michael Rapaport hopes to explore with his new documentary Beats, Rhymes, and Fights: A History of A Tribe Called Quest (via The Playlist) (though IMDB suggests that the title is Beats, Rhymes, and Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest).

He may be no Demme or Scorsese, but for the past two years Rapaport has been following Phife Dawg, Q-Tip, and Ali Shaheed Muhammad to create what Tip says is the “first motion picture documentary done on a hip-hop group” (via). Clearly he’s forgetting about this gem. Below, you can watch the (unauthorized and way out of sync) trailer, which features interviews with ?estlove, Mos Def, Ghostface Killa, Ludacris, Pete Rock, and many more in a movie that hopes to explore “the inner workings and behind the scenes drama that follows the band to this day.” I guess Phife Dawg and Q-Tip can’t be on point all the time.

Update: Apparently, the trailer isn’t the only unauthorized thing about the film. At least, according to Q-Tip:

The film is set to debut at next year’s Sundance Film Festival.

2/3 of that epic collaboration appear on the newly leaked “That’s My Bitch”, a track presumably off Kanye and Jay-Z’s forthcoming joint effort, Watch the Throne. According to YourAudioFix, Q-Tip oversaw production, and La Roux’s Elly Jackson, who’s all over the place these days, handles the hook.

It’s another Saturday release for Kanye‘s G.O.O.D. Friday music series, but this one was totally worth the wait. For G.O.O.D. Friday, pt. 14, the Chicago MC has dropped the Talib Kweli and Consequence-featuring, Q-Tip-produced “Chain Heavy”. Originally rumored to be included on the Chicago MC’s forthcoming album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, the track is now slated to appear as a bonus cut on the album’s deluxe edition. But thanks to the magic of G.O.O.D. Friday, you can check it out now below.

Check Out:
“Chain Heavy” (feat. Talib Kweli and Consequence)

Mark Ronson was joined by his “Bang Bang Bang” collaborators Q-Tip and MNDR to perform the single for David Letterman’s audience (video below thanks to The Audio Perv). There is a ton going on in this performance, including Amanda Warner dancing and wearing white-rimmed fake glasses, Q-Tip being Q-Tip, and a glowing guitar which impressed Letterman. Warner and Tip share fronting duties; they don’t have much chemistry, but they get the job done. And you might not notice but Ronson’s the guy on keyboards with bleached blond hair.

Uh, and damn is this song catchy. Check it out below.

Exciting… exhilarating… exhausting. Those are a few good ways to describe the current output of Kanye West. The dude just doesn’t stop. Rightfully, fans are beside themselves with joy, while those indifferent to the Chicago MC must be out of their mind annoyed by the constants tweets and posts detailing the latest West-related endeavor. Well guess what? It ain’t ending anytime soon — his new album is still six weeks away, and god knows how long it’ll be before the publicity train comes to a halt.

But accepting Kanye West’s world domination is a lot different than knowing about and enjoying his multiple ongoing endeavors. Thus, we put together a handy guide that not only details West’s current projects but also introduces you to his many collaborators. There are also streams of his new songs, along with some nuggets on what’s to come.

Enjoy/hate/run away/be appalled.

Collaborators

– Jay-Z: Billionaire hop hop mogul viewed as father figure by West. The two have previously collaborated on numerous tracks, including “Run This Town”, “Never Let Me Down”, and “Diamonds From Sierra Leone” remix. They’re now collaborating on a brand new EP titled Watch the Throne. West said Jay will appear on the album as well.

– Swizz Beatz: West calls the 32-year-old Bronx native and husband of Alicia Keys “the greatest producer of all time.” He has been heavily prevalent in the G.O.O.D. Friday tracks and that role will continue for the new album.

– Pusha T: One half of the critically acclaimed Clipse, Pusha T recently signed with West’s G.O.O.D. Music label. Since then, he’s been all over West’s G.O.O.D. Friday tracks.

– Kid Cudi: Considered Kanye’s current protégé, the 26-year-old NYC MC is gearing up for the release of his second studio album on G.O.O.D. Music. He is among the confirmed guests on the new album.

– Nicki Minaj: Hip hop’s hottest female MC. She’s currently signed to Lil Wayne’s Young Money Records and plans to release her solo debut the same as West. However, that didn’t stop Minaj from dropping a blistering verse on the G.O.O.D. Friday track “Monster”.

– Charlie Wilson: The R&B soul singer and lead vocalist of The Gap Band is signed to G.O.O.D. Music.

– Mos Def: Acclaimed MC who recently signed onto G.O.O.D. Music. He has already made an appearance on the G.O.O.D. Friday track “Lord Lord Lord” and is said to be on the album.

– Common: Actor/rapper who is also signed to G.O.O.D. Music. You noticing a trend yet?

– RZA: De facto leader of Wu-Tang clan. The rapper is said to be heavily involved in the production of West’s new album.

– Raekwon: Wu-Tang rapper who collaborated with West on much talked about Justin Bieber remix.

– Q-Tip: Legendary rapper from A Tribe Called Quest. He reportedly produced at least two tracks on the new album and will also appear on West and Jay-Z’s collaborative EP.

– Madlib: Los Angeles based producer who has worked with acts like De La Soul, Ghostface Killah, Talib Kweli, A.G., and MF DOOM. He is said to have produced five tracks on the new album.

– DJ Premier: Considered on of the greatest producer in hip hop history, the Brooklyn native supplied several beats for the new album.

– John Legend: Piano maestro and much acclaimed R&B vocalist signed to West’s G.O.O.D. Music.

– Justin Vernon: Frontman of the indie folk outfit Bon Iver. West reportedly flew Vernon to his recording sessions in Hawaii where they collaborated on up to a dozen tracks.

– M.I.A.: Acclaimed yet controversial hip hop singer/songwriter who provided vocals on “Swagga Like Us”. She is said to be appearing on West’s album.

– Elly Jackson: Vocalist of UK electropop oufit La Roux. She is also said to have a role on the new album.

– No I.D.: The current President of G.O.O.D. Music is also a producer.

G.O.O.D. Friday

On August 23rd, West revealed his intention to release one new song every Friday night from then and until Christmas. He said via Twitter, “We look at the game completely different now… It’s about the fans. No more holding back.” During the London Premiere for his film Runaway, West further elaborated on the project, noting, “it’s an exercise in the power of art.”

West has dropped nine G.O.O.D. Friday tacks so far, include one that wasn’t supposed to happen and another that features the return of Child Rebel Solider. You can listen to them in the order of their release below:

“Power” remix (feat. Jay-Z & Swizz Beatz)

“Monster” (feat. Rick Ross, Nicki Minaj & Bon Iver)

“Runaway Love” remix (feat. Raekwon)

“Devil in a New Dress”

“G.O.O.D. Friday” (feat. Big Sean, Charlie Wilson, Common, Kid Cudi, & Pusha T)

“Lord Lord Lord” (feat. Mos Def, Swizz Beatz, Raekwon, & Charlie Wilson)

“So Appalled” (feat. Jay-Z, Pusha T, RZA, Swizz Beatz, Cyhi the Prynce)

“Christian Dior Denim Flow” (feat. Kid Cudi, Pusha T, John Legend, Lloyd Banks, & Ryan Leslie)

“Don’t Stop”

G.O.O.D. Music

As you may have noticed, many of Kanye West’s current collaborators are also members of his label, G.O.O.D. Music. Of late, the record executive side of West has been especially prolific, signing both Mos Def and Clipse’s Pusha T in the span of a month, and there are rumors that New Orleans rapper Jay Electronica could be next.

The MCs join a roster that already includes Kid Cudi, Common, John Legend, Big Sean, GLC, Consequence, Mr. Hudson, Cyhi The Prynce, Fonzworth Bentley, and Malik Yusef.

My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

The biggest of Kanye West’s current projects is of course his fifth studio album. Titled My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy and due for release on November 22nd via Def Jam, the effort will mark the MC’s return to rap and deep cut samples, after trying his hand at singing on the heavily auto-tuned 2008 effort 808s & Heartbreak.

Like his G.O.O.D. Friday offerings, the effort will also be jam packed with guests, including Jay-Z, Kid Cudi, Pusha T, Alicia Keys, John Legend, Elly Jackson, M.I.A., and Justin Vernon. Also rumored to appear are Nicki Minaj, Mos Def, Dwele, and Q-Tip.

On the production side, DJ Premier, Mad Lib, Q-Tip, RZA, and Pete Rock are all said to have contributed, while Ye will also incorporate samples ranging from King Crimson’s “21st Century Schizoid Man” (“Power”) to Aphex Twins’ “Avril 14th” (“Blame Game”). At one time, West was also working with a sample of the Broadway showtune “Wicked”, but it is not known if it will appear on the album.

A tracklist has not yet been announced, but confirmed songs included the first three singles, “Power”, “Runaway”, and “All The Lights”, album opener “Dark Fantasy”, and “Blame Game”.

Artwork has also yet been announced, but there are rumors that the above image could be it.

“Power”

“Runaway”

Runaway: The Film

Image via DJ Semtex

To coincide with the release of My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, West created a film titled Runaway. According to the rapper, the 35-minute feature tells “the story of a phoenix fallen to Earth, and I make her my girlfriend, and people discriminate against her and eventually she has to burn herself alive and go back to her world.”

West stars as the main character “Griffin,” while current girlfriend Selita Ebanks plays the phoenix. Nicki Minaj serves as the narrator, using a British accent.

During the London premiere of the film, West said he hoped Runaway would serve as a modern version of such classic music films as Prince’s Purple Rain, Pink Floyd’s The Wall, and Michael Jackson’s Thriller. He also noted that the film was “an overall representation of what I dream”, inspired by artists like Picasso and Matisse.

According to the BBC, the film will receive a worldwide premiere within the next two weeks and will also be packaged with his new album.

Touring

West has yet to confirm any upcoming dates, but he did say he’ll tour in support of My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy starting February 2010. According to the BBC, West plans to play several festivals as well as a concert outside the Egyptian pyramids, which will be used to cap off his world travels.

Watch the Throne

West collaborative EP with Jay-Z was perhaps the most unexpected of all of his recent announcement. Five tracks are expected to be included on the effort, with three — the “Power” remix,  Nicki Minaj-featuring “Monster”, and the RZA-featuring “So Appalled” — having already been unveiled. West plans to complete the EP later this month and promises that one of the tracks will feature Q-Tip of A Tripe Called Quest.

A November 23rd release date was initially rumored, but with My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy now due out on November 22nd, expect the EP to be pushed back a bit.

“Power” (remix)

“Monster” (feat. Rick Ross, Nicki Minaj & Bon Iver)

“So Appalled” (feat. Jay-Z, Pusha T, RZA, Swizz Beatz, Cyhi the Prynce)

CRS (Child Rebel Solider)

Though Lupe Fiasco had previously confirmed CRS (Child Rebel Solider) — the hip hop super group featuring himself, West, and Pharrell Williams — had scrapped plans to expand their discography beyond two songs — “Us Placers” and N.E.R.D.’s “Everyone Nose” remix — West revealed during the London premiere that the project “still in the cards.” Whatever that means.

Update: Go figure. They just released a new song, “Don’t Stop!”, which you can stream below.

“Don’t Stop”

“Us Placers”

Earlier tonight, West celebrated the London premiere of his new feature film, Runaway. Afterward, he took part in a lengthy Q & A session. Combining the tweets of attendees with the posted review on The Hip Hop Chronicle UK, we can garner the following information:

As previously reported, West says Runaway tells “the story of a phoenix fallen to Earth, and I make her my girlfriend, and people discriminate against her and eventually she has to burn herself alive and go back to her world.” In addition to serving as the film’s director, West also plays the character “Griffin”, while new fling Selita Ebanks plays the phoenix.

Introducing the film West said: “Purple Rain, The Wall, Michael Jackson’s Thriller – I wanted to do a modern version of that.” He added the film was “an overall representation of what I dream”, inspired by artists like Picasso and Matisse.

The film itself features French subtitles, numerous tracks (8-9) from West’s My Dark Beautiful Twisted Fantasy, and an ode to Michael Jackson. You can read the spoilers here.

According to the BBC, the film will receive a worldwide premiere within the next two weeks and will also be packaged with his new album.

During the Q&A session, West all but confirmed G.O.O.D. Music’s signing of rapper Mos Def, even noting that the two have already worked on five songs together.

As for his other upcoming release, the Watch the Throne EP with Jay-Z, West noted that he’ll resume working on it once he turns over My Beautiful Dark Twisted Life to Def Jam on October 14th. He added that the release will also feature a track that hears him and Jay-Z paired up with Q-Tip of A Tribe Called Quest.

And perhaps the most ambitious of West’s upcoming plans? He hopes to play a concert outside the pyramids. Like as in the Egyptian pyramids.

Good ass job, Ye.

Image via Virgil Abloh

“You know, I hate to sound self-involved but I feel like I haven’t peaked yet. I have a lot to give still. I still look the part… I still got it. I’m getting ready to work on stuff for Mary J. Blige… Kanye and I are gonna continue to work together. We’re doing some stuff for Jay-Z’s new album that’s coming out in the spring, and then after Jay’s thing I’m gonna start recording my new album…Kanye should be working on that, too.”

– Q-Tip drops his upcoming itinerary in a recent interview with XXL, and though we already knew about the forthcoming full-lengths from both the A Tribe Called Quest icon and Mary J. Blige, this is the first we’ve heard that Jay-Z might be gearing up for a new one as well. Maybe Q-Tip is confused with that forthcoming hits collection… or maybe Hova is really ready to followup The Blueprint 3. If it’s the latter, hopefully Jack White is included.

Update: While we’re on the topic of Hova, the rapper will release his first ever book on November 16th. According to an issued statement, the 336-page Decoded is a collection of “lyrics and their meanings that together tell the story of a culture, an art form, a moment in history, and one of the most proactive and successful artists of our time.” And what better than to cover such work than Andy Warhol’s Rorschach.

The “mini-album” will feature some of duo’s better known offerings, including “Opposite of Adults”. It will also feature some star-studded contributions with Pharrell Williams, Q-Tip, and Darwin Deez, an indie folk-rocker/weirdo everyone should’ve checked out by now.

Enjoy the tracklist below. As always, stay tuned for more news on their debut as it’s announced. The Preview is available for download October 12th.

The Preview Tracklist:
01. The Good Life
02. Truth
03. Opposite Of Adults
04. Here We Go (ft. Q-Tip)
05. All Things Go
06. Nothing On We
07. Bad Boy (ft. Darwin Deez)
08. Old Ways

When I first heard Mobb Deep, it was far too late. The group that is Havoc and Prodigy, two of Queensbridge’s finest MCs, were now only infamous for being tied in with G-Unit, making mediocre new-age rap that was not as intellectual as previous works. So, when I saw a copy of the album’s cover posted on my friend’s wall during when I was 18, I questioned the validity, but The Infamous proves to be an outstanding landmark in hip-hop as a whole. Mobb Deep were just art-school graduates with drinking problems at the ripe age of 19 when they stepped into the studio to record this album. The two would get wasted and rap over Havoc’s flawless production with eerie piano loops, jazzy bass hooks, and obscenely standard drums.

When the album kicks off, it automatically sends chills down your spine, because you can tell in the first 20 seconds how raw this album is. “The Start of Your Ending (41^st Side)” is a bone chiller of an opener, making you visualize the dark streets of Queensbridge on a rainy night as the air is filled with violence. Havoc doesn’t even hesitate dropping the dope rhymes, “It’s the semi auto/You can bring it on yo/I’m pulling out/Stripping niggas just like a porno flick/I’m sick/The Mobb rolls thick/Cross paths with my clique/And get vic.”

Prodigy wastes no time either, “I use to drive an Ac and kept a Mac in the engine/Little painted it black with crack sales intentions/To blow up the whole projects the Infamous/Our sons will grow up to be murderers and terrorists.” This is Queenbridge, home of the infamous M-O-B-B.

The album only gets creepier with every track. “Survival of the Fittest” follows, being one of the more popular songs on the album. A bass line straight out of the projects commences, while you can envision the blunt smoke rising to Havoc’s production. Prodigy discusses the “war” going on in their part of the city, while Havoc spits what he and his crew are all about. Lines like, “As long as fiends smoke crack/I’ll be on the block hustling/Counting my stacks,” are quite witty, and his overall description of people is priceless, “I’m strictly Timb boots/And army certified suits/Puffin L’s/Laid back/Enjoying the smell/In the Bridge getting downIit ain’t hard to tell.” That shit is as gritty as New York hip-hop could get.

The album only gets better. “Eye for an Eye” features guest appearances from a young and very poetic Nas commenting that Queensbridge will bring forth the apocalypse. Meanwhile, Raekwon the Chef drops rhymes about people’s corneas. “Give up the Goods” has that classic New York sound, plus an appearance from Big Noyd, as Mobb Deep raps about robbing people just to survive day-to-day life. “Temperature’s Rising” is a spectacular letter to a friend lying low for murder. Prodigy and Havoc express how much they miss him and how they wish he could come back to be with the crew, but the cops are out looking.

“Q.U. Hectic” is a jazzy number, and probably my favorite track, which sounds like a storm brewing over New York City. The classic and sociological line, “Fuck a fantasy/I’m living in reality,” comes from this track, while Prodigy and Havoc insist that, “Up in Queens/Shit is for real/It’s about to get hectic,” and you have to know they mean it. “Drink Away the Pain” is an alcoholic’s anthem for a lifetime, featuring a verse from the legendary Q-Tip.

Mobb Deep had it right, even in 1995, when they said, “I think the whole world’s going insane/I fill my brain up with liquor/And drink away the pain.” The classic “Shook Ones Pt. II” follows with some of the greatest lines in rap (“As long as I’m alive/I’m gonna live illegal”) and a hook that keeps you on your toes from fear. This was the most known song on the album and will generate lots of street credit, if you turn this on at a party (since only hip-hop die-hards seem to remember this song). The final song is “Party’s Over”, and one can take the title any way they want. Either the real party is over, or Mobb Deep is robbing a bank screaming those exact two words. The lyrics hint to either scenario.

This album says a lot since it came from two teens in Queensbridge who had a love for cognac, an art-school background, a friend named Nas, and an album that nobody thought would take them anywhere. In the years since, the group has collaborated with Nas on several tracks, released a plethora of decent songs (note on “Quiet Storm”) and still tour from time to time. However, they are no longer the same intellectual, jazz-influenced pair that they were in 1995, which is sad because it was how I will always remember them. Prodigy and Havoc will always be infamous, despite the reason behind that infamy changing completely.

While the idea of Soulja Boy making an appearance on the upcoming album, tentatively titled Good Ass Job (by the way, Kanye, please put a hyphen in there somewhere), is head-scratching at best, SOHH reports there are some more impressive names working with West on this one.

Okay, that’s not much of an achievement, but seriously, there are some interesting reported collabos. Fuse TV’s Touré has learned that Q-Tip, RZA, and the legendary Pete Rock have all put in production work on the new album. Not only that, but Drake (who, like West, is recording his new LP in Hawaii) and Pusha T of Clipse have contributed to the LP, which will be West’s fifth full-length.

It’s impossible to say for sure, but it seems likely that these particular collaborations mean West is phasing out the Auto-Tune experiments and getting back to making rap albums.

The track “Stay Off the Fucking Flowers” is an interesting combination, which surely is the point of a group like The Black Keys making a hip-hop record. The beat is something like an antique jazz song played in hyperdrive with a sullen guitar taking the place of some squeaky trumpets. And in proof of his often understated skills, Rae spits it big time with a speed and dominance most others would kill for. If this is further proof of what to expect, we’ll gladly allow the boys to make as many rap records as they so desire.

The album is out November 27th (Black Friday, y’all).

Check Out:
Stay Off The Fucking Flowers

Since then, a few more pieces of info have emerged. We now know that the album will be a self-titled affair and will consist of 11 tracks, including a track titled “Ain’t Nothing Like You (Hoochie Coo)” (stream here). According to The Guardian, Damon Dash produced the album, and he will release it on a new label launched with the Black Keys’ management on November 27th.

Pre-orders are now ongoing on the Keys’ website. The album will be available on both CD and vinyl.

Blackroc Tracklist:
01. Coochie
02. On The Vista
03. Hard Times
04. Dollaz & Sense
05. Why Can’t I Forget Him
06. Stay Off The F*%$#n’ Flowers
07. Ain’t Nothing Like You (Hoochie Coo)
08. Hope You’re Happy
09. Tellin’ Me Things
10. What You Do To Me
11. Done Did It

While details remain a bit sketchy, as Billboard reports and this teaser trailer confirms, The Black Keys have teamed up with hip-hop heavyweights Mos Def, Q-Tip, RZA, Raekwon, Ludacris, Pharoahe Monch, NOE, Nicole Wray, Billy Danze, and, somehow, the late Ol’ Dirty Bastard for a brand new project called Blakroc.

The collaboration reportedly got underway in early summer in Brooklyn, N.Y and will come to fruition on November 27th when Blackroc releases a yet-to-be-titled album. According to Donewaiting, The Black Keys served as producers of the effort, which will consist of 11 tracks and be released on a label started by Dame Dash and The Black Keys management.

Obviously, more details are still forthcoming, and, as always, we’ll have them when they become available.

If you don’t know the story/why this is a big deal, let’s recap (via Uppity Music): The nine-track effort, which is described as as a “daring mélange of soul, supa-cool jazz, head nodding hip-hop, and organic pop magic in the vein of Stevie Wonder or Prince,” had been scheduled for release in 2002. However, Arista/BMG Records ultimately canceled the release, deeming the album “uncommerical,” aka they didn’t like the fact that the hip-hopper sang on several tracks. Eventually, Q-Tip negotiated his release from the label, acquired the rights to the Kamaal the Abstract and re-mixed and re-mastered it, which has led to us where we are now.

And, who said petitions don’t work…

Kamaal the Abstract Tracklist:
01. Feelin’
02. Do U Dig U?
03. A Million Times
04. Blue Girl
05. Barely In Love
06. Heels
07. Reverber For Factory
08. Caring
09. Even If It’s So

Due for release on March 20th via Strut Records, the 20-track effort is described as a culmination of the Bronx native’s legendary music career: “As a DJ, I’ve been blessed to see many different people, places and styles. The album title represents all the bridges I’ve crossed worldwide…The bridges of time, cultures and colour, the bridges of hip hop, funk, pop, rock, jazz, punk, disco and R&B,” explained Flash, who recorded the album in New York over the last two years.

To create what the musician born Joseph Saddler calls a representation of the “global language of hip hop,” he tapped a number of the genre’s high-profile names to serve as special guests, including Busta Rhymes, A Tribe Called Quest’s Q-Tip, and Snoop Dogg. Kel Spencer, best known for his work with Will Smith, Jumz, Red Cafe, and Lyn Carter are among the other notable names lending their talents on the record.

Of course, The Bridge also brings with it a bit of sentimental value as well. As mentioned, the record will not only serve as the long-awaited followup to 1987′s On the Strength, but will also mark his first new release since his induction into the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame in 2007.

The Bridge Tracklist:
01. Intro
02. Shine All Day (feat. Q-Tip, Jumz, & Kel Spencer)
03. We Speak Hip Hop (feat. KRS-One, Afasi, Kase-O, Maccho, Abass)
04. Here Comes My DJ (feat. DJ Kool & DJ Demo)
05. Bounce Back (feat. Busta Rhymes)
06. Swagger (feat. Red Café, Snoop Dogg & Lynn Carter)
07. What If (feat. KRS-One)
08. Interlude
09. Tribute To The Breakdancer (feat. MC Supernatural)
10. Can I Take You Higher (feat. Mr. Cheeks, Granmaster Caz & Tito)
11. Grown & Sexy (feat. Lordikim Allah)
12. When I Get There (feat. Big Daddy Kane & Hedonis Da Amazon)
13. Interlude
14. I Got Sumthin’ To Say (feat. Lordikim, J-Flo & Almighty Thor)
15. Unpredictable (feat. Syndee & Big Daddy Kane)
16. Those Chix (feat. Byata, Princess Superstar & Hedonis Da Amazon)
17. Bronx Bombers (feat. Lordikim, Almighty Thor & Mann Child)
18. Outro
19. Oh Man (Intro)
20. Oh Man (feat. Syndee & Natacha Atlas)

To an extent these guys are right to criticize the current climate of mainstream rap. A good heap of today’s most popular artists offer little more than a misogynistic catchphrase over a bass-heavy beat. But the mainstream is also home to Lil Wayne’s linguistic acrobatics, T.I.‘s internal moral struggles, and, well, Kanye freakin’ West. These are probably the three most dominant names on the national stage and all three of them are displaying far greater artistic vision than, let’s say, Little Brother. And yet these and other worthy artists are continuously disrespected by a group of purists who would rather everybody still sound like De La Soul and A Tribe Called Quest. It is within this scene that Quest’s Q-Tip reemerges as a Messianic figure, charged with the task of setting everything right with the world.

Part of what makes Q-Tip’s third solo album, The Renaissance, so enjoyable is that he spends less time whining that nobody on the radio sounds like Q-Tip and more time actually BEING Q-Tip. I was sort of making a little joke right there (albeit not a very funny one) but the point is that while a lot of underground rappers are criticizing the mainstream for not saying anything of substance, they really aren’t saying much of substance either. It doesn’t take a whole lot of creativity to holler dopey lines about booties into a mic for 72 minutes, but it takes even less to spend 72 minutes talking ABOUT somebody who hollers dopey lines about booties into a mic. Q-Tip wisely shies away from that here.

Like his many fans, Q-Tip certainly believes there is a void in the hip hop world for what he has to say, but from the outset he makes it clear that he respects many of today’s biggest artists. Within the album’s first few lines he claims, “And it’s up to me to bring back the hope / Or feeling in the music that you can quote / Not sayin’ I hate it, cause yeah, I kinda dig it / But what good is an ear if a Q-Tip isn’t in it.” Besides being an early demonstration that Tip’s long layoff has done little to dull his wit, this line shows that the rapper has a much clearer, and far less hoity-toity, picture of the current scene than most of his followers. He recognizes that for all its flaws, rap has continued to evolve and there is still a whole lot worth listening to. Later, on “Life is Better”, Q-Tip’s tribute track to some of his favorite artists, he doesn’t hesitate to include names like Ludacris and Lil Wayne right alongside all the legends you come to expect from a track like this.

By not wasting his time whining about the things that are lacking from the current scene, Q-Tip has more time to actually fill the void. There aren’t many lyricists like Tip at the top of the game right now and on The Renaissance he demonstrates that he hasn’t missed a step. “Dance on Glass” begins with a full minute of mind-blowing a capella before the beat hits. Elsewhere, he is personal on love songs such as “You” and socially aware on “We Fight / We Love”.

Even better is Q-Tip’s ability to craft an album as a cohesive unit. Thanks to the Internet, rap has become a genre dependent on singles, with most mainstream rap albums consisting of a handful of well-known tracks and a handful of filler to round out the 70+ minutes. The Renaissance is short and sweet, flowing effortlessly between tracks that work well together. “I’m gonna do it for me, then I’ll do it for you,” Q-Tip claims on “Official”, before breaking directly into the next song, “You”. For all the strengths of today’s artists, I wouldn’t mind seeing a few more that are able to craft an album the way Tip does.

The Renaissance, which is almost entirely self-produced by Q-Tip, pushes the genre forward musically. The beats are extremely laid-back and jazzy. It is not a hook-heavy record. This is hip hop that needs to be digested (maybe one of the reasons it took me over a week to sit down and write this review.) This is another reason The Renaissance stands out in the current hip hop landscape. Rap is a genre that thrives on immediacy. Most of the best albums of this year are the ones that just jump off the shelves at listeners. But once in a while it is nice to hear somebody like Q-Tip deliver a subtle work of art that takes a little more time to grow on you.

The only point where Q-Tip relinquishes production duties is on the two-part “Move”, posthumously credited to J Dilla. The first half of the song is built around a sample of The Jackson 5′s “Dancing Machine”. But it’s the second half that breaks down into one of the more memorable beats of the album as Tip offers a touching autobiographical verse, claiming Tribe’s place in the history books: “Don’t you ever forget who put that pep in your step / We made it cool to wear medallions and say Hotep.”

It’s not really a complaint, but Q-Tip probably could have benefited from an occasional guest MC, somebody to break up his subtlety with a little fire from time to time. But this is definitely a grown-up rap album. The only guest spots belong to grown-up singers like Raphael Saadiq, Norah Jones, and D’Angelo. All of them show fairly well, including Jones, whose voice actually sounds made for rap choruses.

The Renaissance closes with “Shaka”, a tribute to lost loved ones that celebrates life more than it mourns death. “Dilla having you in my past has been a blast / You’ve inspired so many and forever will you last / And to my father your spirit is drapin’ me / Never escapin’ me / I’m happy that I have you in my past.” Q-Tip is giving a nod to the past, but he is not wallowing in misery. We should all be grateful for the people and the times we have loved in the past, but now we must live in the present.

What’s next?

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