Soul Fixin'

Take A Ride With Q-Tip & Amanda Diva

Q-Tip's 'Manwomanboogie' has finally received the video treatment. The fourth video from The Renaissance was released last week. Somehow, it managed to slip under my radar. A train ride, with a host of characters including Native Americans, serves as the backdrop as the video explores the compelling relationship between man and woman. Check out the video directed by Rick Cordero and let us know what you think.

Soul Fixin'

Q-Tip's 'Renaissance Rap'
Days after releasing his first album since 1999's Amplified, Q- Tip has released another video for the masses. Borrowing a page from the Beatsie Boy's video for 'Sabotage,' Q- Tip and director Rick Cordero created a video for 'Renaissance Rap.' New York City serves as the backdrop for Tip's saga, in which he plays a game of cat and mouse with a group of secret agents. While Q-Tip's latest video won't help usher in a period of renaissance in hip-hop videos, it is worth watching. Take a look and let Public Soul Announcement know what you think.

Soul Fixin'

Maxwell Is Glad To Be Back
In a recent interview with the NY Post Maxwell opened up about his six year hiatus, current tour, and upcoming album. Maxwell revealed that he had begun to question his decision to stay away from music for so long, "Did I take off too long?...did I kill my career?" After his surprising and show stopping performance at the recent BET Awards, Maxwell said he knew he had to make a comeback, "right then I knew it. I felt the energy and was like, 'It's time to go out on the road and meet the people again." He did just that, he is currently on tour with Jazmine Sullivan. (D'Angelo, did you hear that?) While many are disgusted with the outrageous ticket prices, venue after venue has sold out and more dates have been added due to the high demand. Speaking of his highly anticipated trilogy, Black Summers' Night, his first new project since 2001's Now, Maxwell revealed that a list of producers have yet to be confirmed but he is in talks with Q-Tip and hopes to collaborate with Swizz Beats, Jazmine Sullivan, and Aretha Franklin. Maxwell and Aretha, sounds interesting. An Aretha album produced by Maxwell sounds even better. Moving right along, if you can't afford to see Maxwell live, enjoy the YouTube video of Maxwell performing 'Whenever, Wherever, Whatever' in Amsterdam.

Soul Fixin

Rock The Bells
The 2008 Rock The Bells Festival, hip-hop's premier summer event, is still in full effect. The festival includes performances by hip hop legends De La Soul, Rakim, Nas, Raekwon and Mos Def and new jacks Kid Sister, Santgold and The Cool Kids and many more. The festival is making stops in New York, Miami and Cali in the coming weeks. For complete tour dates and info on how to purchase tix click here.

Soul Fixin'

Q- Tip Experiences A Renaissance
It's been 9 long years. Q- Tip is preparing for the release of his sophomore album The Renaissance. According to Q -Tip the changing landscape of hip hop makes it the perfect time to release The Renaissance, "I had to wait until the time was right. If I put it out a couple of years ago, it wouldn’t have been right. But now you have people like Santogold, Kanye West, Lupe Fiasco, Common. It seems like it’s a bit more in tune with what I’m doing.”

The Renaissance features collaborations with D'Angelo, Raphael Saadiq and Norah Jones.

In addition to The Renaissance, Q-Tip plans on releasing Kamaal The Abstract, an album that was shelved by Arista in '02, later this year. A release date for The Renaissance has not been set.

Saturday Soul

Betty Wright's Explosion[Okayplayer]
Perfect Combinations -- The Soul Duets[VIBE]
Smooth Soul Survivors [SoulTracks]
Q-Tip in Super Group with D'Angelo & Raphael Saadiq?? [The BoomBox]
Old School Friday: Hip Hop [Songs In The Key Of Life]
Snoop Dogg Goes Country [Billboard]