Q-Tip listening party at Turntable Lab tonight
Ever wanted to ask Q-Tip about the chances of another A Tribe Called Quest album? Well, tonight might be your opportunity to chat up Linden Boulevard's most popular son, when the native of Queens, New York, makes a stop at Fairfax Avenue's Turntable Lab from 7 to 9 p.m.
The listening party for Q-Tip's election day release, “The Renaissance,” will undoubtedly be a packed affair. So arrive early. This is the emcee-producer's second officially released solo effort, after his platinum-selling "Amplified," which featured the booty-shaking hit “Vivrant Thing.” Take a look at Chris Lee's article on the Abstract Poetic.
Check out the video for Q-Tip's new single, "Move," after the jump. It's directed by Rik Cordero, who's being touted as the next Hype Williams...
And since we're on the topic of the golden era's groundbreaking producer-emcees, anyone catch that Large Professor show at the Knitting Factory on Sunday? In addition to his chart-topping work with Main Source, he was also one of the first producers to bring Nas into a studio. Extra P or Large Pro -- his chosen nom de guerre of the moment -- has inspired and contributed to albums by no less than than three classic rap acts: A Tribe Called Quest, Eric B. & Rakim and Kool G Rap & DJ Polo. His latest release, named after the group that made him famous, is “Main Source,” a return to his sparse, thumping bass roots, or “boomp-bap,” as he likes to call it.
With retro-rap making all the skinny jean-clad hipsters cram the dance floors, don't forget the backpack-rap forefathers of that sound, especially when they still find time to stop in your back yard.
-- Camilo Smith
Correction: This post originally ran with a photo of Mos Def, not Q-Tip. But we come correct with this portrait of Q-Tip by Carolyn Cole/Los Angeles Times.
Turntable Lab, 424 N. Fairfax Ave., Hollywood. Listening session from 7 to 9 p.m. with free Red Bull, if that's your thing.
