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 it’s a safe bet that the album wasn’t complete, September saw a mysterious Tip album called Open leak on the Internet. Clearly backed by a band and featuring Andre 3000, Common and D’Angelo – 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.