To be honest, there was a lot standing on Q Tip's show and many of us had high expectations. Aside from the fact that we grew up on Tribe, this was Tip's first UK show in over 10 years (since '94??) with a full live band at the historic 3'000 capacity Roundhouse and with his track history of classic beats and rhymes, expectations were definitely riding high.
Upon entering the arena Little Dragon (from Gothenbourg City, home to our very own Scratch in Sweden) and Dj Semtex warmed the crowd to a bubbling hysteria, playing vintage hip hop before point of arrival...
Then Q Tip jumps on stage full of energy, shaking his rump and bouncing around much to the delight of adoring fans.
I have to admit at this point I had mild reservations, would he be just going through the motions, or would we be getting down to the nitty gritty? Fortunately for us it was the latter !
Tip started off with a few new tracks from his recent Renaissance LP which went down a treat, before delving into his vast back catalog, doing all the big Tribe tunes we all wanted to hear, as well as a few less likely numbers, which added a nice touch.
As the night went on Tip brought everyone under his groove, the band did a great job adding nice touches, like the voice vocoder at the end of 'Find Away', sweeet! 'Award Tour', 'Buggin Out', 'Jazz',' Sucka Nigga', 'Bonita Applebum', 'Electric Relaxation', 'Check The Rhyme' were just some of the highlight tracks he played.
But before you know it, the gig was over. Time certainly flies when your having loads of fun!
An hour later and we're standing at the back end of the afterparty queue waiting our turn as good honest club goers do - not like some cats I could mention, who were, as it happens, successful in jumping the queue, oh no sir I'm not bitter at all, 'ha!'
Once in the club, the atmosphere was perfect like an old school warehouse party in a great one off venue, hosting a decent sound system and (most importantly) Q Tip on the one's and two's playing a dope selection of disco, boogie grooves and some sweet hip hop!!
Do things get any better? No not really!
Lyley
Scratch Crew at The Roundhouse ! (From Left to Right)
Lyley, Swedish Gangster,Richy Pitch, Matt Smooth and Tomski
Check the Youtube video of Q-tip at the Roundhouse and the Afterparty !
And to download J Period's excellent Q-Tip mix click on the picture below.
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