Gig Review: Q-Tip

Now over 30 years old, the Hip-Hop genre is in serious danger of losing its charm. Nowadays, a Hip-Hop fan is nostalgic; looking back on the great albums of yore. A figure that will forever win such peoples’ hearts is Q-Tip. Whilst the outstanding five albums of 90’s band A Tribe Called Quest and his own solo work is enough to secure his place as a legend of the genre, he is first and foremost incessantly likable, charming and talented. Having not visited these shores for fourteen years, and with a stellar album released last November, the Abstract One had to deliver, and Saturday’s show at the Roundhouse proved to be a performance befitting our towering expectations.

From his smooth laidback vocals to his ever-calm interview demeanour, one would expect a funky and relaxed show. Yet from the opener onwards his infectious energy was a remarkable and joyous surprise. With the frenzied opener ‘Shaka’, Q-Tip relished the adoration of his love-starved crowd, and his tremendous vivacity didn’t once relinquish in his triumphant set.

For the Tribe fan, there was a wealth of favourites, from Midnight Marauders gems ‘Sucka N***a’ and ‘Electric Relaxation’ to The Low End Theory classic ‘Check the Rhime’. With the ATCQ reunion over and done with, these additions may provide little consolation for those who never had a chance to see the band live. However, as Q-Tip soldiered through his best work, rapping former co-member Phife’s verses as he did so, he at the very least reminded us of what Quest meant to rap music.

Naturally, much of the set was comprised of his most recent album The Renaissance, from the anti industry anthem ‘Dance on Glass’ to the jazzified ‘Gettin Up’, which shifted into a whirlwind of improvisation from his six man band. Tip seemed to relish every second, as his veteran status shone through. As he climbed the speaker set for a rousing rendition of ATCQ’s ‘Award Tour’, he had the adoring crowd in the palm of his hand.

Q-Tip’s musical range has always been what has set him apart from his contemporaries, and his most recent Neo-Soul experiments sparked some gorgeously intimate moments in the show. From the political yet danceable ‘We Fight/We Love’ to the sombre break up number ‘You’, Tip added another dimension to the show. With the latter, the crowd seemed almost transfixed, as Q-Tip sprawled across the stage pointing, singing and unifying his audience.

Epitomising the power and vibe of the show, the closer ‘Life is Better’, a song celebrating the rich history of Hip-Hop, saw Q-Tip dive into the crowd allowing all of the willing to sing the chorus. Whilst the fourteen year wait has provided that sense of occasion that is always synonymous with ‘classic’ shows, the fact remains that it was a master class in live Hip-Hop. Q-Tip was energetic, relentless and left the crowd aching for more; let’s just hope it won’t be another fourteen years.

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