The Renaissance Tracklist
The Renaissance is Q-Tip’s second studio album, though it could have been his third or fourth. After having his intended sophomore release Kamaal/The Abstract shelved at Arista Records, the same fate befell the next two albums he recorded for Motown: Open and Live at the Renaissance.
His bad luck streak with Industry Rule #4080 finally ended on November 4, 2008 when The Renaissance finally saw the light of day. And that light dawned with a sunny first single entitled “Gettin' Up.” Q-Tip handled all of the production for this album except on his second single “Move” which was produced by the late J. Dilla.
Although Tip can handle himself in the studio without help, he felt no need to prove it this time around. The Renaissance boasts some impressive guest personnel: Raphael Saadiq (“We Fight/We Love”), Robert Glasper (“You”), Norah Jones (“Life Is Better”), D'Angelo (“Believe”) and others.
After all the creative frustration, Q-Tip turned out an essential record with The Renaissance. The album reached #2 on the Billboard Rap charts and #3 on R&B. It even netted a much-deserved Grammy nomination for Best Rap Album in 2010.
“The Renaissance” Q&A
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What did Q-Tip say about this album?
I didn’t plan on releasing The Renaissance the same day of the 2008 Presidential elections. It just worked out that way. The Renaissance is a special album for me. I really enjoyed this album. It’s very optimistic. It let people know what time it was for me as an artist. Getting D’Angelo on the album was big (‘Believe’). And I did this track called ‘We Fight/We Love’ with Raphael Saadiq. I sung the words and melodies to Raphael and he killed it.
I have to do what’s in my heart. I have to have a conviction about the music. That’s how I am still to this day. I can’t conform. I’m not going to be one those artists that’s had this career and now is trying to come back by jumping on tracks that sound like what’s going on now. I gotta do me. And that’s what you hear on The Renaissance.
— Vibe, 2011
