New OkayArtist

The Abstract

Q-Tip

 Modern hip-hop and R&B music can both arguably be divided into pre- and post-A Tribe Called Quest, and the musical efforts of its lead MC and producer Kamaal Ibn John Fareed-better known to the world as Q-Tip. Consider the jazzy sampling, laid-back tempos and boho-chic vibe he introduced, then mull over the bohemian posturing and sounds of the neo-soul movement, plus any rap music that shies away from hardcore posturing. All roads lead back to ATCQ and the beats, rhymes and life of one man: Q-Tip. And now the time is ripe for The Renaissance, the Abstract MC's first solo album in nine years. Read more...

interviews.

latest.

 

Blu's Rookie Year: Johnson&Jonson Up To Bat
Posted on 09/19/2008
Has any other emerging artist in hip-hop had a rookie year as chockfull of material and schizophrenic artistic direction as Blu? While the LA-based rapper seemingly scored the most points with the underground hip-hop head demographic with his collaborative debut with producer Exile, Below the Heavens, he’s since been cranking out albums at an alarmingly rapid pace – his release with Ta'Raach as C.R.A.C., The Piece Talks hit stores months...
Read More
Add Comment (30)
Hits: 5044
 
 

Raphael Saadiq: A Modern Day Classic
Posted on 08/08/2008
It’s very rare in this age of the public’s know-all, tell-all relationships with its celebrities to find someone that is unanimously liked. People might like what Oprah Winfrey represents, but they surely don’t all agree with her views or watch her show. Or any male star, be it a sports figure or businessman, gets credit for his community outreach or entrepreneurship, but is criticized for his womanizing. It’s hard to...
Read More
Add Comment (24)
Hits: 8047
 
 

Tanya Morgan Take It To The Bridge
Posted on 08/04/2008
With their latest release, The Bridge EP, garnering the group more attention than ever before, and their recent addition as opening act for indie hip-hop legends Hieroglyphics, it looks like another one of our own is on the cusp of breaking into a new sphere of success. Tanya Morgan is on the grind, having come a long way since the trio first linked up through Okayplayer’s message boards. ...
Read More
Add Comment (6)
Hits: 2249
 
 

Gemstones: More Than Semi-Precious
Posted on 07/28/2008
If you ask any rapper to come out of Chicago in the last 15 years, they can tell you how much of a hustle it is to break out.  In a game where connections make success happen faster, the reality in Chicago is rather inverted. You can know all the top heads, producers, and visionaries in the game, and still be a nobody- or a second class citizen- if you...
Read More
Add Comment (20)
Hits: 3409
 
 

Skillz: His Dreams Are In His Backpack
Posted on 07/22/2008
Skillz is something of an anomaly in hip-hop – he’s managed to maintain a healthy music career over the better part of two decades, and yet in many respects, his new album The Million Dollar Backpack is akin to a release from an up-and-coming artist.
Read More
Add Comment (20)
Hits: 3272
 
<< Start < Prev 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Next > End >>

Results 11 - 15 of 53