POP CULTURE ICON Q-TIP RELEASES THE RENAISSANCE TODAY!

POP CULTURE ICON

Q-TIP RELEASES THE RENAISSANCE TODAY- NOVEMBER 4^th

"4 Stars"- People Magazine

“ His music now seems as fresh and necessary an alternative to rap’s mainstream as it did when Tribe first arrived. (A)”

- Entertainment Weekly

November 4, 2008- New York, NY- Grammy award winning hip-hop pioneer Q-Tip releases his highly anticipated new album The Renaissance (Universal Motown) today- November 4^th. His first release since 1999’s acclaimed solo debut Amplified, The Renaissance is a versatile portrayal of a pivotal, multi-talented artist at the top of his game. Q-Tip, handling productions duties, taps into a unique sound combining live instrumentation and samples that is pure hip-hop.

Q-Tip states, “This album is part of a reawakening. For me it was a journey through a musical and cultural rebirth, hence the title. The Renaissance is an album inspired by a new era of vigor, musical expression and of a palpable new movement of time when the youth is ushering in new hopes and ideas without the restriction of boundaries. The Renaissance is the first album of a series I will be creating in this remarkable time of new awakenings.”

The lead single from The Renaissance- “Gettin’ Up”- is reminiscent of the cerebral wordplay, socially conscious themes and fusion of genre-bending influences that established Q-Tip as a key innovator in the world of music.

Revered by peers in and outside of hip-hop’s tremendous orbit, Q-Tip has tapped the vocal talents of some of the industry’s best. Norah Jones can be heard on “Life is Better” – a tribute to hip-hip history makers from Kool Herc to J .Dilla, producer of the track “Move.”. Two of soul’s finest, D’Angelo and Raphael Saadiq, are featured on the tracks “Believe” & “WeFight/WeLove” respectively. Q-Tip is also joined by hip-hop poet and vocalist Amanda Diva on “ManWomanBoogie.”

As a member of A Tribe Called Quest, Q-Tip changed and advanced both the sound and the lyrical agenda of rap, recording with the group a string of five classic gold and platinum albums over eight years. His diverse sound has spawned collaborations with artists such as the Black Eyed Peas, Pharrell, Kanye West and The Chemical Brothers. Q-Tip closed the Nineties with his first gold-certified solo album Amplified, the crossover smash "Vivrant Thing" and collaborations with Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Janet Jackson, REM, Missy Elliott and Lucy Pearl.

In support of The Renaissance, Q-Tip will be making several special appearances:

- On Wednesday, October 29^th, he performed at the New York Knicks opening game. Q-Tip recently recorded his own version of the “Go New York Go” anthem, which will be heard throughout the season.

- Q-Tip, alongside Rich Medina, hits the decks at Santos Party House in New York City every Friday. The duo spins a diverse mix of classic and new hip-hop, soul, funk, dancefloor bangers and more.

- Q-Tip makes his first national TV appearance in support of The Renaissance on the Late Show with David Letterman on November 6^th.

- In November and December, Q-Tip headlines the 2K Sports Bounce Tour with opening act The Cool Kids.