Can He Still Kick It?: Five Degrees of Q-Tip

Next Monday (3 Nov, 2008), hip-hop legend Q-Tip (known in some circles as Kamaal the Abstract, but his mum shouts Jonathan Davis out the back door at tea time) releases his first album proper in nine years, The Renaissance. To refresh your memory of the genius, here’s a rundown of his five finest moments on wax:

1. Can I Kick It? (A Tribe Called Quest)

This Walk On The Wild Side-sampling cut, taken from the 1990 debut People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm, provides a blueprint for the NY hip-hop outfit's sound, honed over five albums until their split in 1998. Tip and schoolfriend Phife swap verses over a shuffling drum beat and that loping bassline, and as always it's Davis's easy bravado that stands out. When he asks "Can I kick it?", he doesn't sound like there's any doubt in his mind.

2. What? (A Tribe Called Quest)

The Tribe drew huge critical acclaim for the minimalist jazz-funk stylings on 1991's The Low End Theory. On this crunchy workout, Tip demonstrates his verbal dexterity with an endless round of questions. "What's an MC if he doesn’t have stamina?", indeed.

3. A Rollerskating Jam Named "Saturdays" (De La Soul feat.Q-Tip)

Although Q-Tip featured on many De La Soul tracks (first coming to recognition with his cameo on Buddy, the innuendo-fest bringing up the rear on 3 Feet High and Rising), this is the one to hear. Tip beats De La's own Pos and Trugoy - no mean feat - at their own abstract game as he effortlessly rides Maseo's expert scratching.

4. Get It Together (Beastie Boys feat. Q-Tip)

The Abstract swings by the studio as New York's snotty frat-rappers-turned-socially-conscious-MCs record Ill Communication, freestyles a few verses over a Moog loop while under the influence, and almost single-handedly makes it one of the record’s standouts, coining the album's title while he's at it.

5. Breathe and Stop vs. Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough (Q-Tip vs. Michael Jackson)

An inspired mash-up. Tip's spitting is lent extra intensity by the swooping strings of this Jacko classic, which drop in and out with heartstopping unpredictability.