If I were to take part in my own feature, I Used to Love H.E.R., and write a little something about my favorite hip-hop album, the choice is pretty easy: Midnight Marauders by A Tribe Called Quest. At a time when I was devouring so much hip-hop, Midnight Marauders was the pinnacle, a classic that just begged to have all its lyrics memorized (and I did).

So as far as I’m concerned, Tribe deserves any and all tributes, like the Q-Tip for President mix from J. Period. The latest will come from DJ Chong Wizard, a mixtape called Eclectic Relaxation. Thick Magazine offered up a single from the mix, an updated version of Lyrics to Go by Del the Funky Homosapien, which is only appropriate since he was one of the many to grace the Midnight Marauders album artwork (third row from bottom, second from left).

• Del the Funky Homosapien | Lyrics to Go 2009 (via)
• A Tribe Called Quest | Lyrics to Go

In anticipation of the verrrrrry long-awaited proper release of Kamaal the Abstract, Jive/Battery Records will be releasing daily webisodes created by Q-Tip in which he discusses each track from the album, due for release on Sept. 15.

You can get the backstory on Kamaal the Abstract – which would have been Q-Tip’s second solo release – at Pitchfork. In short, the album’s release in 2001 was shelved, only to be passed around in bootleg form in the years to come. Pitchfork is correct in calling it “one of the greatest stylistic left turns in pop history,” an album that I’ve not completely warmed to even still. But this proper release gives me good reason to have another go-round with it.

Spine Magazine recently posted a (bonus) track from the album, a song that closer resembles what we heard on last year’s The Renaissance than some of the jazzy leanings on Kamaal the Abstract.

• Q-Tip | Damn You’re Cool

The new Def Jux compilation, Definitive Jux Presents IV, is out today and it features new tracks from El-P, the late Camu Tao, Central Services, Cage, Mr. Lif and more. It’s available to order from Def Jux in five different prices/packages.

To get a taste, El-P is streaming his new track, How to Serve Man, on his MySpace page, where you can also hear Reports of a Possible Kidnapping by the Weathermen (Aesop Rock, El-P and Cage), the first track on the compilation.

[STREAM]: El-P | How to Serve Man (The Meanest Things I’d Never Say)

I swear I didn’t plan on back-to-back posts on Quannum artists, but then, I didn’t know Gift of Gab was releasing a new album – Escape 2 Mars – on Oct. 27.

The album – a follow-up to his 2004 solo debut 4th Dimensional Rocketships Going Up – comes roughly a year after Gab, Headnodic and Lateef released Droppin’ Science Fiction under The Mighty Underdogs moniker. Guests on Escape 2 Mars include Headnodic and Lateef (naturally), Del and Brother Ali (on the same track!).

Though that somewhat tacky space-themed press photo isn’t doing Gab any favors, the first single is fire – a Latin-style beat that Gab negotiates with ease.

• Gift of Gab | El Gifto Magnifico

After tributes to Christina Ricci and Lisa Bonet already, Murs and Slug (collectively known as Felt) are preparing for Vol. 3 of their “musical collaboration with the long-term goal of having sex with b-level Hollywood actresses.”

Nobody is saying who this round’s lucky lady is, but Rhymesayers is offering some clues in the form of a blurred-out photo and fans are taking their guesses at Facebook. One thing appears to be clear: Aesop Rock handles production for the album, whose release date also seems to be shrouded in mystery. Will the suspense ever end?

Rhymesayers was kind enough to offer up an mp3 from the album, a track called Protagonists.

• Felt | Protagonists