photos by Toby Tenenbaum

"Central Park SummerStage is a tradition in New York, one in which music lovers flock to in order to catch a free show from an array of artists. This past weekend Q-Tip took to the stage, after performances by openers Benji B, Little Dragon and Max and D.A. of pop band Chester French and rocked the park at the Giant Step sponsored event.

The 'Renaissance Man' ran through his set with the energy and exuberance he's known for but it was his impromptu dance partner who stole the show.

While fans surely won't forget the SummerStage performances of Tribe classics, including 'Bonita Applebum,' 'Award Tour' and 'Sucka N---a,' it was Diddy's participation on Tip's solo hit 'Vivrant Thing' that made the crowd go wild. Sean "Diddy" Combs took it back to the '90s with the Puff Daddy two-step/shuffle as he danced alongside Tip. Anything and everything can happen in New York!" [The Boombox]

Saturday's show in Central Park happened at the same time as the Siren Festival in Coney Island. More pictures and a bunch of videos from it, below...

Continue reading "(Diddy joined) Q-Tip, Little Dragon & Chester French @ Central Park Summerstage - pics & video"

Q-Tip @ Highline Ballroom in December (more by Leia Jospe)

Ballantine Books will publish Industry Rules by Q-Tip, world-renowned artist, producer, DJ, and lead MC of hip-hop's legendary A Tribe Called Quest...Q-Tip was inspired to write Industry Rules as he acknowledged upcoming milestones in his personal life and professional career--most notably, 2010 marks the twentieth anniversary of A Tribe Called Quest's first album, People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm (Jive Records, 1990). The main idea for the book grew from a verse Q-Tip penned a year later, in the group's critically acclaimed 1991 release The Low End Theory. In the song "Check the Rhime," he raps, "Industry rule number 4080: record company people are shady." The book will expand on the 4080th rule and include more of Q-Tip's thoughts on the entertainment business, fashion, love, and morality.

Q-Tip will playing the Central Park Summerstage on Saturday, July 18th (3pm-7pm) for a free show with Chester French, Little Dragon & Benji B. His album Kamaal/The Abstract, originally recorded in 2001, is finally due out September 15th on (BMG-owned) Battery Recrods.

Little Dragon will also be at the The Freedom Party NYC at (Le) Poisson Rouge on Friday (tonight). Tickets are on sale.

Q-Tip album art, tracklist, book info, and Little Dragon tour dates, below...

Continue reading "Q-Tip - an album, a book (Industry Rules) & a Summerstage show Saturday (w/ Little Dragon who is @ LPR tonight)"