With the likes of Kanye and Swizz Beatz, its seems like producers-turned-MCs has become the transitioning trend of the century, but for 33-year-old producer/songwriter/rapper, 88-Keys, it’s a lifestyle. Producing beats for Mos Def at the age of 14, the now 15-year hip-hop vet should don the title best in his class as opposed to being associated with these “freshmen” on The Great Hangover Tour. From a strictly Polo attire to the Vag, here 88 chops it up with GIANT while on tour…

GIANT: What’s the first tour you’ve ever been on?

88: The very first tour that I’ve ever performed was 2K Sports Bounce Tour with Common and Q-Tip. I was the opening act with Percee P. He had 20 minutes and I had an hour. That was, what, only two years ago? Yeah, I’m new to this rap shit [chuckles]. And I wasn’t even rapping yet but the first tour that I actually rode out and actually slept on the bus and learned not to go number 2 on the bus was Kanye’s “Touch the Sky Tour” which was my favorite tour to date.

GIANT: And that was your favorite tour?

88: See I don’t know if I can really say the “Great Hangover Tour” just yet but tour number one completely blew me away, Day one was so awesome with Boston—oh my God, they caught me off guard. It was the crowd because I had a feeling that a lot of people got to know who I was from that show. Even though when I asked, ‘Yo, ya’ll eff with 88-Keys?’ They were like ‘yeaaah.’ And I was like come on ya’ll don’t know me like that but I appreciate it. I appreciate not having me listening to crickets when I ask questions.

The show was so awesome that there was a part for one song in particular I tried to get a wave going. So I asked them, ‘Alright, we’re going do the wave now.’ And we’ll do the wave through the first hook and then I start rapping and they’re waving the WHOLE song. I was like that’s incredible. That’s when I said alright, Boston got it. But we’ll see what happens.

Ok, If I can’t say the “Great Hangover Tour” then I would have to say “Fresh Rhymes and Videotape Tour” headlining with Dilated Peoples, Aceyalone and the Alchemist. I believe I was the opening act for that tour as well. That tour was just so fun cause it’s just a bunch of comedians on the bus. Everybody snapping on each other—like actually playing tricks on each other on the bus. It was like a frat house. Alchemist and Evidence, really need their own reality show, seriously. And I actually ended up forming a group with them which we haven’t gotten to it yet because all of our schedules have been hectic.

GIANT: What do you look most forward to while on tour?

88: I look forward to visiting different cities so I can visit their different record shops so I can go digging. And also hitting different Ralph Lauren stores. Other than that I just look forward to the show and performing and stuff like that.

GIANT: Least look forward to?

88: Being asked to go to the after parties and stuff like that. I appreciate getting the offer and I know I should be there and I really do try to force myself to actually show up and be seen and heard by the public and stuff. But I prefer after the show to shake a few hands, meet the people, meet the crowd, and stuff like that and straight to the hotel and break out my laptop and watch Law & Order SVU, Heroes, talk to my wife because I’m a homebody. I’m used to just staying home and making beats. Being married and having kids and stuff I’m just used to being at home. I get more enjoyment indoors than I do outdoors. Indoors is like my own personal space.

GIANT: I know you’ve been wearing polo head to toe for like 16 years, do you plan on coming out with your own line?

88: Nope. Just Ralph Lauren Polo strictly, no other fabric touches my body. Besides that, seriously for about 16 years I’ve been doing this. I stopped wearing Nikes and Timbs in about 2006. No endorsement deals or anything like that. I’m not seeking one either. I respect what Ralph does as a businessman and more so his designs and fabrics that he chooses. And its funny because I’m not into fashion at all. Like I could give a damn about what’s hot this season or you know or what Gucci has coming out this season, like I don’t subscribe to that. I’m just strictly Ralph Lauren. It’s my lifestyle and my daughters lifestyle. I keep them fresh.

GIANT: What about the Adam concept?

88: Well the song title came from my boy DJ Homicide. He’s the DJ from the group Sugar Ray, I met him in ‘04. Him, Sugar Ray and Kanye had a concert together out in Rutgers University or something like that. And I met Sugar Ray and DJ Homicide and I exchanged info and we used to instant message each other because we both had Sidekicks and eventually we got so cool that he would just instant message me a joke. So one day he hits me going back like 5 years ago, and he hits how many different names do you know for the vagina but he used the p word (pussy). And he hits me like a thesaurus of words for vagina and one phrase that stuck out was the death of Adam. Then the whole concept came up when I was working on beats for my first album. I made the beat that became the song “There’s Pleasure in It” and I just kept thinking this gave the album meaning. I was thinking you know what gives me pleasure–the VAG.

GIANT: What are you working on now?

88: I’m just starting to work on my second mixtape or album or both depending on how the songs come out. I’m working with Colin Munroe, on a project we plan on doing an album together. A remix for one of my favorite bands, The Morning Wood, and also Ra Ra Riot. And also just a bunch of features. I’m doing like a lot of rap features for future artists that are coming out and those that are out there already. But the next project that’s been confirmed, 100% mixed and mastered is Colin Munroe and myself we have a song called “Wake Up Call’ on the next NBA Live video game.

GIANT: Do you game?

88: Yea I play video games, well I used to play video games. But like I’m not into the sporting games I’m more into the fighting games. Tekken, then games like Dino Crisis, Resident Evil, stuff like that.

GIANT: What do you do while on tour to past time?

88: I just listen to my Ipod. Listening to the Morning Bender’s album, I’ve started listening back to my old records so now I’m putting my record collection onto my Ipod and twitter.

GIANT: Do you tweet?

88: I do it in spurts. Its like once I see a lot of people hitting me up and I read it and usually I’m busy I just start answering everybody like in a row. And I definitely go to the app store on my Iphone because I am the app man.

GIANT: Anything else you want to do add?

88: Eightocho.com my website.

Also this week, 88 dropped a new video for “The Friends Zone” from his album The Death of Adam. Check it out after the jump. 

  -Felicia Kelley

At last night’s installment of “Noisemakers” with Peter Rosenberg, the hip-hop equivalent of “Inside the Actor’s Studio,” Q-Tip shared amazing stories about A Tribe Called Quest’s ascension from high school talent shows to international stages.

The event was a rap-nerd’s heaven; a hip-hop history lesson for even the most informed old-school heads in attendance. Thankfully the evening didn’t devolve into a The Low End Theory vs. Midnight Marauders death match, and instead consisted of hilarious impersonations, amazing stories and background on some of the greatest hip-hop records ever recorded.

Here are some of the gems from last night:

1. Tip revealved that he made the beat for “Bonita Applebum” at the age of 15.

2. After the dissolution of Leaders of the New School, Busta Rhymes was on the verge of joining ATCQ! He ended up going solo, but not without Tip’s help. He explains below.

In the above clip he also imitates Busta’s animated performance of “Scenario” on the Arsenio Hall Show (seen below).

3. Tip put on the late J-Dilla. Many already know this, but last night Q shared how he was introduced to Dilla and how he then proceeded to turn all of hip-hop onto the Detroit beat-making legend. Peep the video below.

4. In addition to Dilla and Busta, Q-Tip helped launch the careers of Mobb Deep’s Prodigy and Havoc.

5. The Low End Theory was sonically inspired by NWA’s Straight Outta Compton, which in turn inspired Dr. Dre’s The Chronic.

6.”I Left My Wallet in El Segundo” was on the first demo tape A Tribe Called Quest ever recorded. That demo prompted a bidding war between Def Jam, Geffen and Jive.

7. Tip kicked it with De La Soul and The Jungle Brothers back when he was still in high school and those groups were just breaking. As Peter Rosenberg said, “These are rap super heroes. You’re talking about hanging out with MC Serch and DJ Red Alert! And that was nothing for you. That was just Saturday!”

For a generation of Tribe stans, last night’s “Noisemakers” was a revealing look at one of the best emcee/producers of all time. Tip offered an exclusive inside look at a group that changed hip-hop with their dominant bass lines, catchy jazz samples and live instrumentation. Whether or not you are/were a fan of ATCQ, they pioneered a brand of hip-hop carried into the present by The Roots, Common, Mos Def and others.

Tip famously spit on “Electric Relaxation,” “I couldn’t drop dimes cuz she couldn’t relate,” but luckily last night we could and he did. Even hip-hop’s nerd-in-chief, ?uestlove, left amazed.

-Lukas Brekke-Miesner

Next time we see Q-Tip we’re going to have to ask him how he got Kanye to take a break from blogging and trying to take over the world to hop on the remix for his song “We Love/We Fight.”

Tip whatever your secret is, keep doing you thing. Hear the song below:

There is justice in the world… its either that or someone in Universal Motown’s A&R department has a decent ear. My favorite rapper’s favorite rapper Consequence has just inked a deal with the label.

According to The Urban Daily, Cons announced the signing via his blog, ItsTheCons. I think it’s a good look for the kid. I really liked Don’t Quit Your Day Job… even if I am only one of the 12 people that heard it. Watch Cons sign his new contract in the video below:

Congrats, Cons!

The 2K Sports Bounce tour will receive a funk injection on its Atlanta leg as Janelle Monae will be rocking with the headliners Q-Tip (with live band), DJ Scratch of EPMD and The Cool Kids. Also, the Knux will be on hand to provide some of that N’awlins thump. Check it out tonight at the LOFT, one of ATL’s finest venues. The tour ends on December 6th at the House of Blues in Chicago.

-Jimmy Ngokwey

This Q-Tip guy is one hell of an MC. I wonder why no one has ever heard of him before.

All jokes aside, I am really feeling (pause) both this song and the Rik Cordero-directed clip. Hip-Hop might have a savior after all. No offense, ‘Ye.

Q-Tip – “Renaissance Rap” from Three/21 Films on Vimeo.

If the domain of music videos were to have a ruling monarch, then it was surely Hype Williams who laid claim to the throne during the late 90s. In the era of flash and booties that followed, the natural heir was Hype’s understudy, Little X.  Now, the one rockin’ the crown is Filipino filmmaker Rik Cordero. Creating visuals for the likes of legends such as The Roots and indies including Joell Ortiz, the versatility of his vision has been comprehensive to say the least. GIANT caught up with the director as he shot his latest project and one of his biggest singles yet, “Arab Money,” by the equally prolific Busta Rhymes.

GIANT:  What do you make of the “Arab Money” dance?

Rik Cordero:  I didn’t really know too much about the dance—I just knew how they invented it on the Tim Westwood show. Then I went on Youtube and I saw instructional videos to really teach you how to do it.  It’s funny—it’s a craze. I think Busta has always been known to push the boundaries of creativity and I think this is the first time there is a full-blown dance that he created. He didn’t do it as a gimmick—he was just vibin’ out and it happened. I think it’s dope that a guy who’s been in the game so long is able to generate something fresh and just have fun with it.

GIANT:  What is the concept of the video?

RC: The concept is basically Busta and Spliff Star walking through this lost, deserted city, and they come upon a really wealthy prince who lives in this mansion. As soon as they walk in, the prince showers them with gifts and brings them into his world. The prince and all his friends are these wealthy people from somewhere like Dubai.

GIANT: How will the concept come together?

RC:  (Pointing to the green screen) There’s a mansion right there (laughs). I’m not known for a lot of effects work, so this is my first official stab at doing something like this. I think it works for what the resources are.  We’re not doing it because we’re lazy—this is what we have. For me, it’s not gonna look like something you’ve probably seen before because I’ve never done it (laughs). It’s definitely gonna have a different kind of feel. I think it’s gonna be surprising to a lot of people how we pull this off.

GIANT: How are you staying respectful of the Arabic community?

RC: What we’ve done is really stayed away from any stereotypical Arabic influences. Obviously, there are lyrics that can be taken offensively, but I think in hip-hop, it’s more metaphorical. You’re always making metaphors for things in other cultures. You’re not making fun of it but just identifying it, and that’s what Busta does.

It’s not trying to go over the top with a bunch of people in turbans, trying to offend the Arabic people or Islam. It’s similar to how we approached Nas’s “Be A N***** Too” video. We could have easily just went over the top with it, but it became more than that—it became a visual metaphor of people united. For this, it’s just celebrating how well the Middle Eastern culture is doing in places like Dubai where there’s also a heavy Western influence. And what’s cool is Busta does have ties to the Arab community who support him and know him personally. He’s really respectful of the culture. The guy has met the King and Prince of Saudi Arabia.  It’s just cultures coming together. He just made a song identifying—not mocking—the culture.  It’s celebrating what some of these guys actually do, like being great businessmen.

GIANT:  How have you been able to elevate yourself to the top of the music video game?

RC: I don’t know about that, but give me a couple years. It’s really about being able to contribute something to the culture and being a hip-hop head who really has been inspired by these artists—whether it’s the artists that are coming out now or artists that I grew up on like Nas, Busta, Q-Tip, The Roots, or KRS-One. These are guys that I’ve shot and just been like, “I can’t believe it.” And they know they’re in good hands because it’s more than just a job for me—this is what I do, this is what I think about, this is what I feel. This is more than just a job, so I’m always gonna do more than what’s expected because I really do care about these artists.

When I was a kid, they did so much with their music and made me feel a certain way when I was at home DJing, trying to rock a party, or in the car with a bunch of friends. There’s nothing like that feeling.  When you get in the business, you lose that sometimes because it just becomes about work. But whenever you meet these guys, it all comes flowing back to you.

Some of these guys, like Nas, are good friends.  He invited me to dinner a couple weeks ago and I met Kelis. He didn’t have to do that—he didn’t want anything from me. I wasn’t like, “Yo, when are we gonna do your next video?” It was just straight up respect. I didn’t say anything the whole time, and I was like. “Yo sorry, I’m not much of a talker.” He said something like “A good man listens before he speaks”—just some real insightful shit. It’s cool because when you respect an artist like that and try to just be real cool individuals, it makes everything worth it. It makes going that extra mile when you don’t have a whole lot of money to work with worth it. And the smart ones know that. They stick with you and do things like take you out to dinner (laughs).

-Devin Chanda

Red and black checkered plaid is the hottest trend on the streets of New York City. From hip hop to hipsters, fashionistas to footwear, Buffalo checks are making style statements. At Q-Tip’s recent performance at The Knitting Factory, the Renaissance man, rocked the mike in a red and black check shirt.

When Lil’ Wayne celebrated his 26th birthday last month in Miami, and received a milli from the Birdman, he was wearing a red and black Buffalo check hat and scarf.

Checkerboard plaid is described as even squares of two alternating colors to form a row resembling a checkerboard. It’s also called Buffalo Check. Brands like Polo Ralph Lauren, Woolrich and Penfield all offer checkered clothing. Rockport even has a boot with check detail.

So whether you are hiking in the forest, chopping it up in the ‘hood or just keeping it fresh in the city, Buffalo plaid is a way to check-mate your style.

New York’s social scene was all a buzz last week when Target hosted the album release party to launch Q-Tip’s first solo album in nine years, The Renaissance. Music industry executives, VIPs and celebrity friends including Nas, The RZA, Nia Long and Estelle were all on hand to help celebrate. Check out some of the red-hot pics below.

Rik Cordero directed Q-Tip’s second vid from his upcoming “The Renaissance.” Love the Dilla-produced track, kinda feeling the video. What do you think?

Move

Also, here’s “Getting Up” for those of you who haven’t seen it yet.

Gettin Up