Search - Q-Tip :: Amplified

Amplified
Q-Tip
Amplified
Genres: Pop, Rap & Hip-Hop
 
  •  Track Listings (12) - Disc #1

Breaking up is hard to do but sometimes the aftermath can shine a light on the individuals and just what they brought to the mix. Over the course of five albums (three of which are certified hip-hop classics), Q-Tip, the d...  more »

     
   
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CD Details

All Artists: Q-Tip
Title: Amplified
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 1
Label: Sbme Special Mkts.
Release Date: 8/4/2009
Genres: Pop, Rap & Hip-Hop
Styles: East Coast, Experimental Rap, Pop Rap
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 886974876328

Synopsis

Amazon.com
Breaking up is hard to do but sometimes the aftermath can shine a light on the individuals and just what they brought to the mix. Over the course of five albums (three of which are certified hip-hop classics), Q-Tip, the dominant wordsmith and resident sex symbol of A Tribe Called Quest, was the guy with the goods. With his adenoidal tone and nimble way with a rhyme, he was the focus of much of the attention Tribe justifiably received. Yet left to his own devices, Tip falls short and Amplified is not the triumph fans might have expected. Part of the fault lies in the production, which with the exception of two great cuts (both produced by DJ Scratch), is provided by Tip and partner J.D., who also worked the last two (weak) Tribe CDs. Tip's new sound is typified by the revved up, sexy push and pull of his smash "Vivrant Thing." But that song's sound and subject matter--sex--is the main theme throughout this album. Adding to the dilemma is the fact that the advances sent to press were sequenced as if Amplified was one continuous track, which makes the sameness of many of the cuts even more obvious. True, Tip is playful and pointed, but the lyrics are remarkably linear for a guy who once dubbed himself "abstract" and the similarity of the drum patterns and tempo start to grow tiresome. Sadly, what should have been a breakthrough solo debut from a truly gifted artist only makes you yearn for the subtle jazzy touches and deadpan retorts former Tribe members Ali and Phife provided. --Amy Linden

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CD Reviews

Read this before the review up top
Kallen J. Saczkowski | 12/26/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)

"this album is great. and the girl that reviewed this album doesn't have a clue what she's talking about. the drums sound the same because all drums in every song at that time sounded the same. it was 2000 and it wasn't until timbo blew up that drums in hip hop changed. secondly. J.D is JayDee and he killed the last two (still classics) that tribe put out. he was also a part of tribe before those albums came out, he just didn't get the credit. this album was way ahead of it's time, now jaydee is a legend. this album is nuts"
Way underrated! Don't judge a CD by its cover.
Itchy T | S.F., CA | 05/28/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)

"What part of Q-Tip and J-Dilla don't you understand??

One of the best all time MC's with one of the best all time producers (J-Dilla, aka Jay Dee).

I know the album cover is wack....just get it."
10 years later, still "Moving With U.."
Max Headroom | Brooklyn, NY | 10/06/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)

"You've got to love how every person who gives this album a mediocre review starts their review out with "Now nobody is a bigger ATCQ fan than me, but..."



That's your problem--this ISN'T a Tribe album!! Jeez, can't a brother do something new once in a while??



So it seems that folks are mad at Tip for talking too much about "girls" on this album. Can someone suggest a 'more appropriate' topic? These people must have missed the fact that somewhere around 90% of songs written by all males are about WOMEN. As a man who listens to music, I happen to enjoy listening to songs by artists like Q-Tip who talk about women. Besides, how are you going to get mad at the guy for having some game and wanting to talk about it? Maybe that's a sign that you need to "step your own game up." I guess he should be more sensitive to his rabid, unwashed backpacker fan base next time if he wants to avoid more bad reviews. Sheesh.



With that out of the way, this is an excellent album, and by no means a disappointment even by the high standards Tip had set for himself before it. My favorite tracks are "Moving With U," "Let's Ride," and "Things U Do." The beats were also way ahead of their time, and still sound recent today (just like almost all of the material Tip had a hand in). A definite requirement for any fan's player."