Former A Tribe Called Quest frontman Q-Tip
has been quiet for too long, but 2007 should put an end to all that. Tip is gearing up for a pair of solo
albums this year, leading with his Universal Motown release of The Renaissance.

You can expect another change in sound from Q-Tip, as he recorded the album with a “hip-hop band.” “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 told Billboard. “In
that sense this record feels like we’re moving in a new direction … something
hip-hop should do.”

While it’s a safe bet that the album
wasn’t complete, September saw a mysterious Tip album called Open
leak on the Internet. Clearly backed by a band and featuring Andre 3000, Common and D’Angelo – the very same guests slated
to appear on The Renaissance – it
seems as if the cat is out of the bag.

Speaking of leaked, yet-to-be-released albums,
his shelved 2001 album Kamaal The
Abstract will get an official release this year, equipped with some bonus
tracks. No release date for either has been given yet.