Q-Tip pays tribute

The latest single from Q-Tip's incredible The Renaissance album is the Norah Jones-featuring Life Is Better. You will not be surprised to hear that it's a jazzy space odyssey with a laid back lyric from the Donald Duck-voiced rapper (seen right, in front of some tasty curtains).

Among the song's many highlights is a sublime potted history of hip-hop in verse two:

Playlist setting: Cold Crush, Furious Five, and the Master Fon
Cosmic Force, Bammbaataa, Jazzy 5
Lovebug Starski, Junebug, Busy Bee
Run, D, Jay, LL, Kane, Biz Markie
Doug E., Will, Barry B., Spoonie, Schooly D.
Rakim, BDP, Dana Dane, Ricky D.
Leaders of the New School, Snoop Dogg, Monie Love
B.I.G. and Pac are up above, Eazy-E and Bone Thugz
Fat and Skinny Boys, Cash Money and the rapper Nas
Large Professor, Lauryn, Wyclef, and Pras
Brand Nubian, Diamond D, Ludacris, and Jay
R.I.P. Pimp C, Common, Lil Wayne, and 'Ye
Primo, OutKast, where my nigga Dilla at?
S.V. - uh uh, where my nigga Dilla at?

In keeping with the song's romantic nostalgia, the video is shot in the style of a scratchy black and white home movie, embellished with hand-drawn doodles of puppies and feathers and stars.

It's the most charming, anti-rap-cliché rap video of the year.

Q-Tip ft Norah Jones - Life Is Better

Tweet