A man most obviously in love with hip-hop, Q-Tip blessed Rites' Friday crowd with an unabashed excitement for music.

Despite technical difficulties and an audience composed largely of unacquainted listeners, the former A Tribe Called Quest frontman bequeathed an infectious energy upon the festival. Just as eccentric, lively and brazen as he appears in music videos and studio recordings, Q-Tip climbed stage equipment, told jokes and sweated profusely, all in an attempt to give Vanderbilt its money's worth.

Not as inspirational as K'naan or as confrontational at T.I., the hip-hop veteran relied upon his unyielding charisma and appealing tracks, both new and old, to carry his set to success. They did just that.