Q-Tip will get inside your head

“I can’t even remember it,” Q-Tip said about ripping through his and A Tribe Called Quest’s rhythmic and lyrical wonders like “Bonita Applebum,” “Scenario” and “Award Tour.” “I was cognizant and aware of what was going on, but the spirit — or some other worldly thing — took over. It was church for me. ... The music started out live in the party, connecting with crowds. A whole lot of people have gotten away from doing a proper show.”

A lucky section of Merriweather lost their minds when the 6-foot emcee who calls himself The Abstract ran into the audience. But even before that, Q-Tip proved, while bouncing beside Phife Dawg and Jarobi of Tribe, he deserved the headlining spot in Rock the Bells. A difficult feat given that the powerhouse lineup included the revered Rakim, De La Soul, The Pharcyde, Mos Def — who came on-stage mic-less during Q-Tip’s set — and crowd-divers Method Man & Redman and Raekwon & Ghostface. 

Though Q-Tip hasn’t released an album with a record label since 1999’s successful “Amplified,” it’s obvious the 12,500 fans who came out for Rock the Bells haven’t forgotten him or his words. They sang every lyric with nearly the same intensity as the artist himself, who delivered faces and dances you’d expect from a possessed man before turning introspective. Eyes closed, arms wide open, he basked in sublime musical moments.

On Merriweather’s crowded lawn, fans were quick to name Q-Tip a legend. But, while hauling trash cans back from the curb to his New Jersey home the day after the show, he says he’s “honestly not aware of those conversations” and doesn’t feel pressure to live up to the legend title. “My work is not even done. I haven’t even peaked yet.”

We hope he’s right. His new album, “The Renaissance,” should hit store shelves in September. If the album is as good as the smooth piano, drum and bass-driven “Gettin Up” posted on his MySpace page, then “The Renaissance” will be a welcome addition to his arsenal of memorable tracks. In the coming weeks, he’s meeting with Common about joining forces.

Attention, all the ladies

“Female voices aren’t just missing from the Rock the Bells bill, they’re missing from hip-hop. It would be nice to have that more. [Hip-hop] is such a male-dominated thing. It's like ‘Where's Lauryn [Hill] when you need her?’ I want Lauryn to come back.” — Q-Tip, on Rock the Bell’s all-male lineup.

Hit these up hard this summer

» Pure Aqua  — Finally, the evening poolside parties you envied on 90210 are here for the beautiful people in and around 21224. Baltimore’s only outdoor, poolside nightclub will open at 9 p.m.  every Saturday for the next eight weeks. 3401 Boston St., Baltimore.

» Palma — Previously Stadio for about a blink and before that the Redwood Trust, this Miami-meets-L.A. club celebrated its grand opening July 3 with Tila Tequila and boasts VIP lounges and well-known DJs. 200 E. Redwood St., Baltimore; 410-244-1008.

» Little Havana — A Cuban sandwich in one hand and a beer in the other is mandatory at this indoor-outdoor bar and restaurant. Its Latin rhythms and relaxed vibe should soothe any mid-summer stress you have. 1325 Key Highway, Baltimore; 410-837-9903.

» Bay Cafe — Get a little taste of the beach without wasting a tank of gas at this sand-covered, waterside bar. The bartenders here are arguably the friendliest in the city. 2809 Boston St., Canton; 410-522-3377.

» Fager’s Island — If you’re spending a weekend in Ocean City, Fager’s Island is a perfect place to watch a sunset over the water or promote the new dance routine you put together for Lil Wayne’s “Lollipop” and other top 40 hits. 201 60th St., Ocean City; 410-524-5500.

» The Plaza at Power Plant Live — Jess confesses she once caught a used drum stick from a third-rate band playing there and was overly excited about it. She apologizes to anyone she made look at her drum stick. 34 Market Place, Baltimore; www.powerplantlive.com.

Just give me money!

One billion dollars lies inside the Convention Center. It’s here as part of The World’s Fair of Money in Baltimore through Aug. 3.

The show is free, and lately anything that’s free sounds good, so this can’t be too bad, right? A nickel worth $3 million, printing of $100,000 bills, Maryland money dating back to Colonial days and loads of other currency will be on display. One of the more interesting displays will show how the Treasury Department redeems more than $30 million of damaged currency from the public a year. To read more about the seminars and free appraisals offered, visit www.money.org.

Rock the Bells standouts

» B.o.B — Download the quirky and addicting Mellow Fellow.

» Supernatural — Asking people for CDs, phones and other random objects to freestyle about, he put himself on the spot and delivered. It’s amazing to see how quick his mind works.

» D.J. Kool — The man responsible for high school freak trains across the country performed his signature, “Let Me Clear My Throat.” Too bad they cut it before I could stand up for having real hair, real fingernails and having a job.

» Nas — His shock-and-awe set killed and proved why he has the No. 1 album. 

» Ba-Rock the Vote T-shirts spotted among many registering to vote at the Rock the Vote booth. 

‘Honest and true’

“Kids get to see something here that’s honest and true,” said Pasemaster Mase of the Grammy-winning trio De La Soul. “They’re seeing the contrast within the genre that I come from, and the media coming out and covering it helps people recognize those contrasts.” Mase reluctantly agrees with festival detractors who think hip-hop often sounds like crap live. But he’s quick to point out, it’s up to organizers to ensure quality sound, and events like Rock the Bells that care about the technical side let you have respect for live hip-hop shows.

Taking crime out of the streets

Last year, more than 35 million concerned citizens participated in National Night Out 2007, a crime and drug prevention event designed to heighten awareness, generate support for local anti-crime programs and strengthen neighborhood spirit.

To celebrate Baltimore’s community partnerships with law enforcement, Mayor Sheila Dixon and the City of Baltimore will host the Waverly Village National Night Out Kick-Off Parade on Greenmount Avenue. The parade begins at 11 a.m. on Saturday and features the very first Baltimore Bike Pageant, which celebrates cycling as an essential part of city living, and the Best Pet Yet Parade. Preceding the parade will be  the Tour du Greater Homewood, a relaxed bike ride through north-central Baltimore beginning at 9:30 a.m.

For more information, call 410-261-3507.