Q-Tip: ‘Renaissance’ man

The man responsible for launching one of most innovative and influential hip-hop acts of all time is stuck in traffic on the very New York City streets he rhymed about some 20 years ago. “I’m going to pick up my boy and go to the lab,” mumbles an annoyed Kamaal Fareed, a.k.a. Jonathan Davis, a.k.a. Q-Tip, leader of A Tribe Called Quest.

Tip has done a lot since he broke out on a De La Soul track (“Buddy”) as the rapper with the helium pipes and ear for catchy jazz samples—strengths that helped Tribe sell over five million albums and land 1991’s “Low End Theory” on several music magazines’ best ever lists.

Back in the day, Tip recorded five Tribe albums, as well as a solo effort in 1999 straight out of left field, with Puffy-ied gloss and a duet with nu-metal kings Korn. Even though “Amplified” produced a hit single (“Vivrant Thing”), Tribe fans were left scratching their heads.

In the 21st century, Tip has fallen mostly silent, struggling to complete a jazz concept album and making tabloid headlines dating hot mom Nicole Kidman.

Enter summer 2008: a long awaited second solo album, “The Renaissance,” is reportedly done and scheduled for released by year's end. The first single, “Getting Up,” hints at a return to old-school form. And this fall, Tip headlines 2K Sports' annual Bounce Tour, on which he'll appear with a live band and help from opening acts the Cool Kids and DJ Scratch (from EPMD).

While crawling through Manhattan congestion, a mildly annoyed Tribe frontman spoke about remembering old lyrics, mentoring Santogold and sampling Barack Obama.

How is “The Renaissance” different from “Amplified”?
It’s different just because it’s a different time, different setting, different space, so it’s a different approach. That’s the way that it’s different.

Is it more like A Tribe Called Quest?
Some may say that, some may not. It’s up to those who listen to make that assessment. For me, personally, I feel like it’s got that vibe. It’s smacking.

On the new album you sample a Barack Obama speech. How do you pick the right sound bite?
It’s just something that is very poignant and resonated with me. That’s kinda what you look for in anything, something that really strikes a chord with you.

Can you describe the sample?
He says something about how he gets ridiculed about using the word “hope” and how the term is not blind optimism. He says hope is standing up for what you believe in.

Who made the call to bring A Tribe Called Quest back together again?
We said last time we went out that that was it, but then we got all of these calls and all of this pressure and we said, okay, this is it—one last time and then it’s over.

What’s it like when you guys rehearse? Do you remember all your songs?
Sometimes you don’t. There’s a lot of material, so it’s hard to remember everything. It’s relearning a lot of the songs.

Name some.
Songs off of the first album, like “Rhythm” or “Ham ‘n’ Eggs.”

You’ve shouted out Santogold as one of your favorite new artists. What draws you to her?
I love her because I’ve known her for a very long time and watched her grow. She was in a band called Stiffed and she was doing kinda more of a punk thing, and metamorphosed. I’m proud of her.

You once did a song with Korn. Do you regret doing that in any way?
No. Do you?

It’s an OK track. Are there any rock acts you’re really into?
I like MGMT. I like the Arctic Monkeys and Architecture in Helsinki. I love Radiohead.

I heard a rumor that you’re going into the studio with [Radiohead producer] Nigel Godrich?
Yeah, it’s true. We working on the next album, no title, but we’re going to work together.