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It's been nearly 10 years since Q-Tip's debut solo album, Amplified, but he's kept himself busy over the years making feature appearances on tracks for Lupe Fiasco, Kanye West, the Chemical Brothers, Jay-Z, R.E.M. and dozens more. Q-Tip's practice is paying off on The Renaissance. Finally taking the spotlight, Q-Tip maintains the sure-fire flow that caught listeners' attention when he was the front man of A Tribe Called Quest. For his 2008 output, laid-back rhymes are delivered comfortably and with confidence. Featuring sparse help from D'Angelo, Norah Jones and the late J Dilla. The Renaissance avoids being cluttered with too many guests or skits, and rolls through 12 cool tracks that couldn't be improved upon. Q-Tip not only proves his vocal ability throughout, but his producing skills as well. He gives up the producer's reins only once for J Dilla on "Move," a track that joyously pushes aside the negative stereotypes of the rap world in the name of something hopeful.