Q-Tip new album "The Renaissance" coming soon

Q-Tip is currently in the midst of wrapping up work on his new album The Renaissance (scheduled for release on Motown/Universal Records in late Summer/Early Fall 2007). Featuring fellow musicians as D’Angelo, Common and Outkast’s Andre 3000, this album has been described as a "return to his A Tribe Called Quest hip hop roots" which, like the message in the film, will be rooted in positive messages and personal empowerment.

Having toured last year with his A Tribe Called Quest mates for the first time since 2000, Q-Tip is back on the solo beat.

"I wanted a hip-hop sonic feel, something pure to the sound of hip-hop with real drums, real emotion and people taking solos," he tells Billboard. "In that sense this record feels like we’re moving in a new direction ... something hip-hop should do."

Also percolating is the first official release, with bonus tracks, of the 2001 album "Kamaal the Abstract," which was shelved by Arista. Q-Tip now owns the album, and will perform tracks from it when he hits the road on behalf of "The Renaissance."

"You can hear we were having fun without regard for anything," he says of the album. "It’s that spirit people picked up on."

As for performing again as part of A Tribe Called Quest, Q-Tip says the group’s tour run last fall felt "good, like old times. We got a great response, and I was surprised to see so many young kids out." Will they do it again? "I don’t want to say never," he replies after a pause. "But at this point, I think we’re done for now."