Q-Tip To Drop 2 Albums in '07

Former A Tribe Called Quest frontman Q-Tip has been quiet for too long, but 2007 should put an end to all that. Tip is gearing up for a pair of solo albums this year, leading with his Universal Motown release of The Renaissance.

You can expect another change in sound from Q-Tip, as he recorded the album with a hip-hop band. "I wanted a hip-hop sonic feel, something pure to the sound of hip-hop with real drums, real emotion and people taking solos," he told Billboard. "In that sense this record feels like we're moving in a new direction ... something hip-hop should do."

While its a safe bet that the album wasnt complete, September saw a mysterious Tip album called Open leak on the Internet. Clearly backed by a band and featuring Andre 3000, Common and DAngelo the very same guests slated to appear on The Renaissance it seems as if the cat is out of the bag.

Speaking of leaked, yet-to-be-released albums, his shelved 2001 album Kamaal The Abstract will get an official release this year, equipped with some bonus tracks. No release date for either has been given yet.