With that said, I think "Amplified" is a great CD. No, it's not that deep socially or politically, but so what! I don't base artistic merit on political content. The beats are infectious and it's musically well-crafted. Granted, it would be nice to hear Q rap about something besides being "a Queens cat," his luxury ride and sex--but bottom line, the disc makes me MOVE in my apartment. And if you're not feeling "Breathe and Stop," then you're deaf because that jam is ALL THAT. I can keep that in a continuous loop on my stereo for hours. I LOVE that song (the video, however, is another story). The one weak spot on the CD, cut #4 "Moving with U." That song simply blows.

All I am saying, is give this disc a chance.
I can't front. When I first listened to this album I was a little disappointed. Being a die-hard Tribe fan, I was expecting the resurrection of the Abstract; the iconic rapper missing from 1996's "Beats, Rhymes,..." and 1998's "The Love Movement".

Instead of layered, cerebral thoughtfulness, Q-Tip the "Rap Superstar" is into moving butts. Ain't nothing wrong with that because I gets amped every time "Breathe & Stop" and "Vivrant Thang" get the dancefloor motivated, and "Ride" has got a brotha wishing he could afford a "low-ride somthin'" with "butter-soft seats". In short, the album has grown on me in a real way. It's heavy in my rotation and I take back most of the diatribes I spewed after the first few spins.

However, my lasting disappointment is that Tip ain't really talking about much more than shaking rumps and pushing fat whips. Don't worry, kids he hasn't quite gone the way of Puff, but the marketing plan was definitely skewed toward pushing Q-Tip the sex symbol not the wordsmith...

...I guess a brotha's gotta eat.

Let Tribe go!
Q-Tip's 'Amplified' is at first listen, a cut-up funk party album. Tracks like 'Vivrant Thing', 'Breath and Stop' and exudes a funkiness which remains consistent throughout the whole album. Most of the production is handled by Jay Dee (otherwise known as Jay Dilla responsible for one half of Jaylib) and his magic touch is definitely appreciated by this listener. Production aside, Q-tip's vocals are smooth and he retains all the charm from his A Tribe Called Quest days. Don't buy this album thinking 'A Tribe Called Quest Solo Version', 'coz it ain't. It's Q-tip just doing his thing, and damn does he do it well.
I needed a Q-Tip to clean out my ears after hearing this Garbage. The only good tracks on here are Breathe and Stop and Vivrant Thing, and they really arent that great. But I was really disappointed in this CD. I was gonna give this CD 1.5 stars and then I remembered that he did a song with KoRn and I had to take away a star just for that. So Q-Tip you get a .5 for this crap. I feel sorry for all of you A Tribe Called Quest Fans.

A Brotha's Gotta Eat
this whole cd blows. for qtip its money over fans. the only good song is the track with KoRn. i would of gave it more stars but its only one good track and it could have been better if qtip was a better rapper.