In 1991, the group released its jazz-influenced second album, The Low End Theory, regarded for helping shape alternative hip hop in the 1990s. In 1998, the group broke up shortly before releasing its fifth album, The Love Movement, but in 2006, the group's original members reunited and toured the United States. In 2016, the group released its sixth and final album, We Got It from Here... Thank You 4 Your Service, which was still incomplete when Phife Dawg died suddenly in March 2016, and was completed by the other members after his death. A Tribe Called Quest was the most commercially successful act in the Native Tongues collective, with all six of its albums certified either gold or platinum.
John Bush of AllMusic called them "the most intelligent, artistic rap group during the 1990s." The Source gave the group's debut album, People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm (1990), a perfect rating of five 'mics,' marking the first time that the magazine awarded the rating. In 2005, A Tribe Called Quest received the Founders Award at the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Awards, and two years later, the group was honored at the 4th VH1 Hip Hop Honors. In 2017, the group was awarded the Brit Award for International Group.
AllMusic critic John Bush called A Tribe Called Quest "without question the most intelligent, artistic rap group during the 1990s", further stating that the group "jump-started and perfected the hip-hop alternative to hardcore and gangsta rap." At a time when James Brown drum breaks and P-Funk basslines dominated hip hop production, the group successfully bridged the gap between jazz and hip hop, incorporating bebop and hard bop samples and recording with double bassist Ron Carter. The group's production influenced their contemporaries, thus changing the sound of hip hop; Dr. Dre produced his highly regarded debut The Chronic after being inspired by The Low End Theory, and Pete Rock stated, "There were times when I would walk into a record store and see Tip sitting on the floor with his glasses on, going through albums, looking for beats ... I was like, 'This guy is serious.' Being around [the group] made me step up and become even more serious than I was".
Lyrically, A Tribe Called Quest has been regarded for addressing many social issues through Q-Tip's philosophical viewpoints and Phife Dawg's everyman perspectives. People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm influenced several hip hop artists; Scarface asserted that it "really made me want to rap", and Pharrell Williams expressed that it was "the turning point [which] made me see that music was art." Kierna Mayo, former editor-in-chief of Ebony, said that The Low End Theory and Midnight Marauders "gave birth to neo-everything. ... That entire class of D'Angelo, Erykah Badu, Maxwell, and Lauryn Hill—and moving on to André 3000, Kanye West, and Talib Kweli—everything that is left of everything begins with Tribe." The group has also been credited for helping launch the solo careers of Busta Rhymes, J Dilla and Consequence.
The group was the subject of the acclaimed 2011 documentary film Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest, directed by Michael Rapaport.
Studio albums
People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm (1990)
The Low End Theory (1991)
Midnight Marauders (1993)
Beats, Rhymes and Life (1996)
The Love Movement (1998)
We Got It from Here... Thank You 4 Your Service (2016)
1nce Again
A Tribe Called Quest Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Once Again Tip
You on point Phife?
Once Again Tip
You on point Phife?
Once Again Tip
Word
Watch me bust they shit
Oh, you did it to me once again my friend
I swear you do it to me everytime
Cause you stay crazy on my mind
Yo you got it goin on (say word), on and on and on
On and on and on
This is the year that I come in and just devastate
My style is great ask your peoples can I dominate?
My rhymes are harder than last night's erection
Don't play me close, I'll have this mic up in your rear section
My shit is lovely simply meaning that my joint is tight
Amping up the mic making sure production's tight
Sometimes I might catch a severe case of writer's block
But by the end of the day you'll be on my jock
My name's Malik my hobby's putting MC's to the test
And if you front I'll put my foot up in your freaking chest
Freestyle fanatic, and never will it ever stop
You crew is loose, you might just want to call the cops
Aye, yo I gotta put some action on paper
Make sure my verse jump up and spread out like the raper
The only tip I got for a waiter
Is watch the doorknob hit me where the dirty dog shoulda' bit me
That was my train of thought, but for so long I fought
Now I'm at a level supreme to the devil
So turn up the bass and lay low on the treble
We be the real MC's and you dead, bring a shovel
Revitalize, the vital Tribe nigga, WHAT?
The ladies sweat the style like the squirrel sweat the nuts
You know a fellas good for the moola
Don't smoke no woolas, read the name call me Slick Tip the Ruler
Oh, you did it to me once again my friend
I swear you do it to me everytime
Cause you stay crazy on my mind
Yo you got it goin on, on and on and on
On and on and on
Yo I've been treading on this globe man for twenty-five joints
Sometimes Shaitan got me by the pressure points
But I can break a fella down like sex
You eat Wheat Chex but still light in the ass and can't flex
If one nigga front I'mma make more pay
Cause tonight, we gettin off like O.J
And yo I got a Dawg that bites, fuck the barking
Yo I got a crew with the beats and the smarts and
I fought my shit up on Linden in the one-nine-two
Forever writing never biting ain't shit else to do
Hoping to battle, but most MC's ain't ready yet
But if they utter one word then it's as good as set
You have MC's dropping bombs that's incredible
Some of the brothers, their styles are just despicable
As for me see I just do how I love to do
Try to deny me of my props then I'll be seeing you
Most of you suckers wanna be down for the tag along
The freaking fame, someone tell em that this shit ain't games
You gots to do this from your heart meaning your inner soul
And if it's real only then will you be on a roll
I try to stay on top my game there ain't no time to lose
Four albums deep as a Quester but still we payin' dues
So hear me out one time, you gots to be yourself
Cause if you ain't yourself you end up by your freaking self
I'm coming rugged with the Linden Boule type of slang
And yo, we'll see who can hang yo
You on point Tip?
Yo once Again Phife
You on point Tip?
Yo once Again Phife
You on point Tip?
Yo once again Phife
Ayo that kid is marvelous
Oh, you did it to me once again my friend
I swear you do it to me everytime
Cause you stay crazy on my mind
Yo you got it goin on, on and on and on
On and on and on
The lyrics to A Tribe Called Quest's "1nce Again" are a testament to the group's ability to dominate the rap game with their rhymes. The opening lyrics featuring Phife Dawg and Q-Tip asking if the other is "on point" before stating "watch me bust they shit" set the tone for the entire song. Q-Tip's verse touches on his confidence as an MC and the quality of his rhymes, while Phife Dawg's verse focuses on his tenacity as an MC and his commitment to staying true to himself. Both verses are filled with literary devices such as metaphors and allusions that paint vivid images in the listener's mind.
The chorus, "Oh, you did it to me once again my friend, I swear you do it to me every time, 'cause you stay crazy on my mind. Yo, you got it goin' on, on and on and on," serves as a break between the two verses, allowing the listener to catch their breath before the next wave of lyrical mastery hits them. Overall, the song is a testament to A Tribe Called Quest's ability to blend smooth, jazzy instrumentation with whip-smart wordplay to create an unparalleled rap experience.
Line by Line Meaning
You on point Phife?
Phife, are you ready to start?
Once Again Tip
Tip, are you ready to start again?
You on point Phife?
Phife, are you ready to start?
Once Again Tip
Tip, are you ready to start again?
You on point Phife?
Phife, are you ready to start?
Once Again Tip
Tip, are you ready to start again?
Word
Just a confirmation signal, like 'OK'
Watch me bust they shit
Watch me perform and impress the audience
Oh, you did it to me once again my friend
You impressed me, again, as you always do
I swear you do it to me everytime
You never fail to impress me
Cause you stay crazy on my mind
Your talent always stays on my mind
Yo you got it goin on (say word), on and on and on
You're skilled and talented, and it shows in your performance, continuously
This is the year that I come in and just devastate
This year, I aim to create an extremely impressive impact on the hip hop scene
My style is great ask your peoples can I dominate?
My style and performance is impressive, I ask others to acknowledge my talent
My rhymes are harder than last night's erection
My rhymes are bold and intense, like a strong erection
Don't play me close, I'll have this mic up in your rear section
Don't try to challenge me or provoke me to use my talents aggressively on you
My shit is lovely simply meaning that my joint is tight
My music is impressive and tight, demonstrating my skill
Amping up the mic making sure production's tight
I'm ensuring that the production and performance is excellent and flawless
Sometimes I might catch a severe case of writer's block
Occasionally I struggle with creativity and writer's block
But by the end of the day you'll be on my jock
By the end of the day, I will have surprised and impressed people with my skills
My name's Malik my hobby's putting MC's to the test
My name is Malik, and I enjoy challenging other MC's with my talents
And if you front I'll put my foot up in your freaking chest
If someone challenges me, I will not hesitate to assert my dominance in a powerful way
Freestyle fanatic, and never will it ever stop
I am a dedicated freestyle rapper and will never stop doing so
You crew is loose, you might just want to call the cops
Your team is weak and unable to challenge us, you may as well call for backup
Aye, yo I gotta put some action on paper
I need to showcase my skills in writing, and put together a great performance
Make sure my verse jump up and spread out like the raper
My lyrics need to be bold and influential, just like the rhythm in the music
The only tip I got for a waiter
I have nothing but advice to give to those in the service industry
Is watch the doorknob hit me where the dirty dog shoulda' bit me
Be careful when passing me, almost as if I am a wild animal
You have MC's dropping bombs that's incredible
Some MC's are incredibly talented and can easily impress an audience
Some of the brothers, their styles are just despicable
Other MC's are less talented and impressive, and show a lack of creativity
As for me see I just do how I love to do
I simply enjoy showcasing my talents in music
Most of you suckers wanna be down for the tag along
Many people want to follow me and be with me, simply because of my talent and success
The freaking fame, someone tell em that this shit ain't games
Many people are only motivated by the pursuit of fame, but it's not easy nor is it a game
Four albums deep as a Quester but still we payin' dues
Despite our success with four albums, we are still paying our dues and working hard
So hear me out one time, you gots to be yourself
Listen to me, be genuine and true to yourself
Cause if you ain't yourself you end up by your freaking self
If you don't remain true to yourself, you will be lost and alone
I'm coming rugged with the Linden Boule type of slang
I'm coming forward with a rough, urban style of speech
And yo, we'll see who can hang yo
Let's see who can keep up with me and my skills
Ayo that kid is marvelous
That individual is incredibly talented and impressive
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ALI SHAHEED JONES-MUHAMMAD, JAMES DEWITT YANCEY, KAMAAL IBN JOHN FAREED, MALIK IZAAK TAYLOR, STEPHEN W. SWALLOW
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Pride317
Lyrics
Yeah y'all
Yeah y'all
[Intro]
You on point Phife?
Once Again Tip
You on point Phife?
Once Again Tip
You on point Phife?
Once Again Tip
Word
Watch me bust they shit
OK
[Chorus: Tammy Lucas]
Ooh, you did it to me once again my friend
I swear you do it to me everytime
Cause you stay crazy on my mind
Yo you got it going on (say word), on and on and on
On and on and on
[Verse 1: Phife Dawg]
This is the year that I come in and just devastate
My style is great ask your peoples can I dominate?
My rhymes are harder than last night's erection
Don't play me close, I'll have this mic up in your mid-section
My shit is lovely simply meaning that my joint is tight
Amping up the mic making sure production's tight
Sometimes I might catch a severe case of writer's block
But by the end of the day you'll be on my jock
My name's Malik my hobby's putting MC's to the test
And if you front I'll put my foot up in your freaking chest
Freestyle fanatic, and never will it ever stop
You crew is loose, you might just want to call the cops
[Verse 2: Q-Tip]
Aye, yo I gotta put some action on paper
Make sure my verse jump up and spread out like the raper
The only tip I got for a waiter
Is watch the doorknob hit me where the dirty dog shoulda' bit me
That was my train of thought, but for so long I fought
Now I'm at a level supreme to the devil
So turn up the bass and lay low on the treble
We be the real MC's and you dead, bring a shovel
Revitalize, the vital Tribe nigga, WHAT?
The ladies sweat the style like the squirrel sweat the nuts
You know a fellas good for the moola
Don't smoke no woolas, read the name call me Slick Tip the Ruler
[Chorus: Tammy Lucas]
Ooh, you did it to me once again my friend
I swear you do it to me everytime
Cause you stay crazy on my mind
Yo you got it going on (say word), on and on and on
On and on and on
[Verse 3: Q-Tip]
Yo I've been treading on this globe man for twenty-five joints
Sometimes Shaitan got me by the pressure points
But I can break a fella down like sex
You eat Wheat Chex but still light in the ass and can't flex
If one nigga front I'm a make more pay
Cause tonight, we getting off like O.J
And yo I got a Dawg that bites, fuck the barking
Yo I got a crew with the beats and the smarts and
[Verse 4: Phife]
I fought my shit up on Linden in the one-nine-two
Forever writing never biting ain't shit else to do
Hoping to battle, but most MC's ain't ready yet
But if they utter one word then it's as good as set
You have MC's dropping bombs that's incredible
Some of the brothers, their styles are just despicable
As for me see I just do how I love to do
Try to deny me of my props then I'll be seeing you
Most of you suckers wanna be down for the tag along
The freaking fame, someone tell em that this shit ain't games
You gots to do this from your heart meaning your inner soul
And if it's real only then will you be on a roll
I try to stay on top my game there ain't no time to lose
Four albums deep as a Quester but still we paying dues
So hear me out one time, you got to be yourself
Cause if you ain't yourself you end up by your freaking self
I'm coming rugged with the Linden Boule type of slang
And yo, we'll see who can hang yo
[Hook]
You on point Tip?
Yo once Again Phife
You on point Tip?
Yo once Again Phife
You on point Tip?
Yo once again Phife
Ayo that kid is niiiiiiiice
[Chorus: Tammy Lucas]
Hmm, you did it to me once again my friend
I swear you do it to me everytime
Cause you stay crazy on my mind
Yo you got it going on (say word), on and on and on
On and on and on
@trentyates418
Dilla is a genius. It sounds like he made this beat in space.
@ads718beats9
Dilla made this ?
@starwalker8601
Dilla actually made this? Wow, he’s g.o.a.t
@jadamane
@@ads718beats9 you sleep 🛌
@jadamane
@@starwalker8601 you woke now lol
@Angld003
@@ads718beats9 YES!!! This had Dilla written all over it lol!
@jacques4446
RIP J Dilla x Phife Dawg
@NJbakintheday
Crazy, how much greatness we've lost...
@jacques4446
I know ughhhh. Jay Dee's humbleness is something I strive for on a daily basis
@gwise8095
@@NJbakintheday they're still here just not in the physical.I wouldn't want Phife to come bacc ..OG was suffering with that disease he had..