Verses From The Abstract
29 Mar2008

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Jay Smooth took a trip into his archives and brought out a series of audio clips from a 2002 interview with Q-Tip, in which Tip talks about early Tribe production techniques, shady industry execs, musical segregation and more. Take a listen.

That upcoming album that Tip is speaking of, we’ll finally get that sometime this June. Crazy, right? Pin that on the industry. He’s actually done a few projects (Kamaal The Abstract, Live At The Renaissance, Open) since his last official release (Amplified), however, they didn’t fit inside the mainstream’s little box, and never received a proper release–they’ve since leaked to the web. In the meantime, I’m hoping that this album doesn’t fall victim to any sudden label push-backs between now and June.

 
 
  • Daammnnn, Ginnnnaaaaa...Daammnnn!
  • Example #1: Pete Rock

    Wikipedia: "Although he [Pete Rock] received no official producer credit, he made the original demo beat for A Tribe Called Quest's "Jazz (We've Got)", which was recreated by Q-Tip."

    Pete Rock: "I showed him everything! He found the record, used the same drums, and re-did it…"

    Blasphemy!
  • Yeah man, I’m sure most of the stuff you think you can credit Tip, there’s really somebody else there doing the real grunt work behind the scenes. I do have to point out that one anomaly that is "Kamaal The Abstract." That album is INCREDIBLE. He recorded that whole project with one specific band. When has Tip ever sung before this album? Tip’s music had never sounded like that before so i’m tempted to say that the sound of that whole project can be credited to the band. Just seems kind of odd.

    Vibrant thing still gets played in the club nightly, so to me that album was a success. I think sampling and legal issues crippled that album more than anything. Not sure who dropped the ball on that one either, but it’s definitely a ball that shouldn't have been dropped.

    The Ummah is a perfect example. Who were the members other than Tip & Dilla? Who actually made the beats? DILLA. I've heard on more than one occasion from people 'in the know' who have said Tribe will never get back together because of Tip. I think if you explore the facts void of his legendary status, things will start to look a little fishy. I still got respect for his place in the game and what his movement did for Hip Hop, but 90% of the music industry is filled with snakes. Who’s to say he isn’t one of them.
  • Whoa! I can't believe what I'm hearing right now. You and Allan are trippin, man! LOL.
    True, Dilla blessed Amplified tremendously, but beyond that, Kamaal The Abstract and Live At The Renaissance are both DOPE efforts from Tip. The production is on point, vibe is on point (Kamaal goes from Jazz to almost an almost Rock feel at times), and their just plain solid albums all the way around. But as I said, they were too far left for the industry...especially when labels were checking for stuff similar to Amplified in terms of commercial appeal.
  • Allan and I had an in-depth discussion of Q-Tip the other day...we came to the conclusion that he SUCKS...that's right...SUCKS. Nobody in Tribe can succeed on a solo album, except for possibly Ali Shaheed Muhammed. The only reason Amplified came out was because DILLA (RIP) did all of the production (minus one track)...Amplified was just poorly promoted, which is why it didn't make a lot of noise.

    Tribe was a group that people liked for the vibe they brought forth, not to hear Q-Tip or Phife rhyme. The group was an amazing group, one of my favorites, so this is not a HATE comment. But Q-Tip can't make excuses about the industry being shady blah blah blah, we've all heard that before...fact is, they dont want to support his project, because he's nothing without Tribe, or DILLA.

    I bet if Tribe regroups, and wants to put out an album, I bet the execs wont be shady then...because they know that people will buy a TRIBE album, not a Q-TIP album.

    D.O.N.E.
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