Jazz sample from Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers’ ‘A Chant For Bu’ recorded in the 1970s with the great Woody Shaw on trumpet.
Excursions
A Tribe Called Quest Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Before I had status and before I had a pager
You could find the Abstract listening to hip hop
My pops used to say, it reminded him of be-bop
I said, "Well daddy don't you know that things go in cycles
The way that Bobby Brown is just ampin' like Michael"
Its all expected, things are for the looking
If you got the money, Quest is for the booking
Come on everybody, let's get with the fly modes
Still got room on the truck, load the back boom
Listen to the rhymes, to get a mental picture
Of this black man, black woman venture
Why do I say that? 'Cause I gotta speak the truth man
Doing what we feel for the music is the proof and
Planted on the ground, the act is so together
Bona fide strong, you need leverage to sever
The unit, yes, the unit, yes, the unit called the jazz is
We deliver it each year on the street for the beat 'cause
You can find it on the rack in your record store(store)
If you get the record, then your thoughts are adored and appreciated
'Cause we're ever so glad we made it
We work hard, so we gotta thank God
Dishing out the plastic, do the dance till you spastic
If you diss, it gets drastic
Listen to the rhymes, 'cause its time to make gravy
If it moves your booty, then shake, shake it baby
All the way to Africa a.K.a. The Motherland (uh)
Stick out the left, then I'll ask for the other hand
That's the right hand, Black Man (man)
Only if you was noted as my man (man)
If I get the credit, then I'll think I deserve it
If you fake moves, don't fix your mouth to word it
Get in the zone of positivity, not negativity
'Cause we gotta strive for longevity
If you botch up, what's in that (what?)
A pair of Nikes, size ten-and-a-half (come on, come on)
We gotta make moves
Never, ever, ever could we fake moves (come on, come on)
We gotta make moves
Never, ever, ever could we fake moves (come on, come on)
We gotta make moves
Never, ever, ever could we fake moves (come on, come on)
We gotta make moves
Never, ever, ever could we fake moves (come on, come on)
You gotta be a winner all the time
Can't fall prey to a hip hop crime
With the dope raps and dope tracks for you for blocks
From the fly girlies to the hardest of the rocks
Musically, the Quest, is on the rise
We on these Excursions so you must realize
Hip hop continually, about the Zulu
If you don't like it, get off the Zulu tip
So what can you do in the times which exist?
You can't fake moves on your brother or your sis
But if your sis is a (bitch), brother is a jerk
Leave 'em both alone and continue with your work
Whatever it may be into this society
Everything is fair, at least that how it seems to me
You must be honest and true to the next
Don't be phony and expect one not to flex
Especially if you rhyme, you have to live by the pen
Your man is your man, then treat him like your friend
All it is, is the code of the streets
So listen to the knowledge being dropped over beats
Beats that are hard, beats that are funky
It could get you hooked like a crackhead junkie
What you gotta do to is know that the Tribe's in this sphere
The Abstract Poet, prominent like Shakespeare
We gotta make moves
Never, ever, ever could we fake moves (come on, come on)
We gotta make moves
Never, ever, ever could we fake moves (come on, come on)
We gotta make moves
Never, ever, ever could we fake moves (come on, come on)
We gotta make moves
Never, ever, ever could we fake moves (come on, come on)
Time is running out on black power advocates in the day (excursions, excursions)
And white thighed supporters at night (excursions, excursions)
Every time you see them, they're chasin' some white woman (excursions, excursions)
With their tongue hangin' out (excursions, excursions)
Time is running and passing, passing and running (excursions, excursions)
Running and passing, passing and running (excursions, excursions)
The lyrics of A Tribe Called Quest's song "Excursions" revolve around the evolution of hip hop culture and its relation to African American heritage. The lyrics also touch on the significance of staying true to oneself, striving for success, and being honest and true to those around you. The opening lines of the song talk about the days of adolescence when the singer was immersed in hip hop, and how it reminded his father of jazz music. The song's title, "Excursions," metaphorically refers to the journey that hip hop has taken over the years, from its roots in New York City to its growth and transformation into a global phenomenon.
The second part of the song talks about the importance of honesty and integrity. The singer emphasizes the need to always stay true to oneself and not take shortcuts to success. He encourages listeners to be respectful and honest with others and treat them as friends, not enemies. The use of the term "code of the streets" highlights the importance of knowledge, self-respect, and honor in hip hop culture.
Finally, the song takes on a more critical tone as the singer makes references to themes of racial inequality and sexual objectification. The line "Time is running out on black power advocates in the day, and white thighed supporters at night" is a commentary on the co-opting of black culture by white people. The reference to "chasing some white woman" with their "tongue hanging out" is a critique of the sexual fetishization of white women by black men in popular culture.
Overall, "Excursions" is a thought-provoking and introspective song that delves deep into the themes of identity, integrity, and culture in the context of hip hop.
Line by Line Meaning
Back in the days when I was a teenager
I reminisce about my teenage years when things were different
Before I had status and before I had a pager
I was not as successful as I am now and advanced technology like a pager didn’t exist
You could find the Abstract listening to hip hop
I, the Abstract Poet, used to listen to hip hop music back then
My pops used to say, it reminded him of be-bop
My father used to compare hip hop music to be-bop jazz music due to their similar style and rhythm
I said, "Well daddy don't you know that things go in cycles
I explained to my dad that everything in life repeats itself
The way that Bobby Brown is just ampin' like Michael"
Bobby Brown is imitating Michael Jackson's style
Its all expected, things are for the looking
It's all predictable, you just need to observe and pay attention
If you got the money, Quest is for the booking
If you have money, you can hire our group, A Tribe Called Quest
Come on everybody, let's get with the fly modes
Join us and participate in cool, fun activities
Still got room on the truck, load the back boom
We still have space for more people to join us
Listen to the rhymes, to get a mental picture
Pay attention to the lyrics and imagine the concepts being presented
Of this black man, black woman venture
This music project is a collaboration between African American men and women
Why do I say that? 'Cause I gotta speak the truth man
I'm saying the truth because it needs to be said
Doing what we feel for the music is the proof and
The evidence of our dedication to music is our passion
Planted on the ground, the act is so together
Our actions are united and in harmony
Bona fide strong, you need leverage to sever
Our group is genuinely strong and cannot be easily separated
The unit, yes, the unit, yes, the unit called the jazz is
We are a group, and we perform as jazz musicians
We deliver it each year on the street for the beat 'cause
We showcase our music on the streets every year to express ourselves
You can find it on the rack in your record store(store)
Our music is available for purchase at record stores
If you get the record, then your thoughts are adored and appreciated
We appreciate anyone who supports our music by buying our records
'Cause we're ever so glad we made it
We're thrilled to be successful
We work hard, so we gotta thank God
We recognize our hard work and thank God for our success
Dishing out the plastic, do the dance till you spastic
Giving away vinyl records and dancing without inhibitions
If you diss, it gets drastic
If you criticize us, we will respond strongly
Listen to the rhymes, 'cause its time to make gravy
Pay attention because this is the time to succeed
If it moves your booty, then shake, shake it baby
If our music makes you dance, keep dancing
All the way to Africa a.K.a. The Motherland (uh)
From America to Africa, our music has a strong connection to the continent
Stick out the left, then I'll ask for the other hand
Extend your left hand, and I'll ask for your right hand
That's the right hand, Black Man (man)
I'm referring to your right hand, addressed to an African American man
Only if you was noted as my man (man)
Only if we have a close relationship
If I get the credit, then I'll think I deserve it
I'll appreciate if I get the credit and recognition I deserve
If you fake moves, don't fix your mouth to word it
Don't lie about your actions
Get in the zone of positivity, not negativity
Think positively and avoid negativity
'Cause we gotta strive for longevity
We need to focus on long-term success
If you botch up, what's in that (what?)
If you mess up, what's the consequence?
A pair of Nikes, size ten-and-a-half (come on, come on)
You might lose something like a pair of shoes
You gotta be a winner all the time
You need to constantly succeed
Can't fall prey to a hip hop crime
Don't get trapped by the negative aspects of hip hop culture
With the dope raps and dope tracks for you for blocks
We create amazing music for everyone to enjoy
From the fly girlies to the hardest of the rocks
Everyone from beautiful women to street-hardened men appreciates our music
Musically, the Quest, is on the rise
Musically, our group A Tribe Called Quest is on an upward trajectory
We on these Excursions so you must realize
We're on these musical journeys, and you should acknowledge that
Hip hop continually, about the Zulu
Hip hop is always about the Zulu people
If you don't like it, get off the Zulu tip
If you don't like our music, stop listening to it and following the Zulu culture
So what can you do in the times which exist?
What can you do in the current times?
You can't fake moves on your brother or your sis
Don't deceive your siblings
But if your sis is a (bitch), brother is a jerk
If they're difficult people, it's best to avoid them
Leave 'em both alone and continue with your work
Ignore them and focus on your goals
Whatever it may be into this society
Whatever the endeavor in this society
Everything is fair, at least that how it seems to me
Everything is fair, or at least that's what it appears to me
You must be honest and true to the next
You should always be honest and truthful to others
Don't be phony and expect one not to flex
Don't be fake and expect others not to challenge you
Especially if you rhyme, you have to live by the pen
Especially if you're a rapper, you have to be honest with your lyrics
Your man is your man, then treat him like your friend
If he's your friend, treat him with respect and loyalty
All it is, is the code of the streets
This is the unwritten rules of the streets
So listen to the knowledge being dropped over beats
Pay attention to the wisdom in the lyrics being presented
Beats that are hard, beats that are funky
The music is powerful and infectious
It could get you hooked like a crackhead junkie
The music is addictive and could 'enslave' you like drugs
What you gotta do to is know that the Tribe's in this sphere
You must recognize that our music group A Tribe Called Quest are present and active
The Abstract Poet, prominent like Shakespeare
I, the Abstract Poet, am as famous and significant as the famous playwright William Shakespeare
Time is running out on black power advocates in the day (excursions, excursions)
The time is limited for advocates of black power during the day
And white thighed supporters at night (excursions, excursions)
And white supporters at night
Every time you see them, they're chasin' some white woman (excursions, excursions)
Every time you see them, they're pursuing a white woman
With their tongue hangin' out (excursions, excursions)
Enticing them with sexual gestures
Time is running and passing, passing and running (excursions, excursions)
Time is limited, and it keeps moving forward
Running and passing, passing and running (excursions, excursions)
Running and passing like in a game, yet time keeps moving faster and faster
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Ali Shaheed Jones-Muhammad, Malik Izaak Taylor, Kamaal Ibn John Fareed
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sambanelly4219
16 April 2022
I've been listening to People's Instinctive Travels and the paths of rhythym for 2 years now, because I wanted to really grasp the tribe sound and understand the native tongues. I took my time with that album and really enjoyed it. I listened to The Low End Theory today and now I can't stop playing it! The jazz influence really turned up a notch and they took a different turn to really reel you in. From the lyrics,the rhyme scheme, the beats, jazz , bass and the overall feel is fantastic. It's like Tip knew that the beats gotta be better and phife knew he needed to come in spittin.
This album, The Low End Theory is iconic, plus we hear Busta Rhymes's humble begginings and hear the earliest lyrics of him refrencing dungeon dragons that nicki minaj borrowed for romans revenge ft eminem AND lyrics which were also used in his 2002 song 'As I come back' produced by The Neptunes. Maybe skateboard told busta to bring it back since he is a stan of Q-tip and Tribe. If it was then pharrel is a genius. Now I'm hooked to Tribe the same way I was hooked to The Fugees, especially Wyclef and Lauryn. If The Fugees did more material together I would say that they should have done a VERZUZ with A Tribe called quest. I'm gonna take my time with this album before I move on to Midnight Marauders. The Low End Theory is a classic. 10/10.
I feel like tribe showed the world that you do not need to be a gangsta to rap, swear a lot in your raps, do commercial raps like mc hammer and sir mix a lot, last but not least, you do not need a chain or be materialistic to be a rapper and make it in rap. I'm definetly not against the ones that do or did all that shit, its dope but with Tribe, they showed the world that all you need is great artistry. That's what they display
I hope they get inducted into the rock and roll hall of fame.
Shoutout to anyone who take their time to read this. Rest Easy Phife and Hip Hop for life!
@Mettis3
Verse 1: Q-Tip]
Back in the days when I was a teenager
Before I had status and before I had a pager
You could find the Abstract listenin' to hip-hop
My pops used to say, it reminded him of Bebop
I said, "Well, Daddy, don't you know that things go in cycles?
Way that Bobby Brown is just amping like Michael"
It's all expected, things are for the lookin'
If you got the money, Quest is for the bookin'
Come on everybody, let's get with the fly mode
Still got room on the truckload of black boom
Listen to the rhymes, then get a mental picture
Of this black man, and black woman fixture
Why do I say that? 'Cause I gotta speak the truth, man
Doin' what we feel for the music is the proof, and
Planted on the ground, the act is so together
Bona fide strong, you need leverage to sever
The unit, yes, the unit, yes, the unit called the jazz is
Delivering each year an LP filled with street goods
You can find it on your rack in your record store
If you get the record, say your thoughts are adored
And appreciated, 'cause we're ever so glad we made it
We work hard, so we gotta thank God
Dishin' out the plastic, do the dance till you're spastic
If you diss—it gets drastic
Listen to the rhyme, 'cause it's time to make gravy
If it moves your booty, then shake, shake it, baby
All the way to Africa, A.K.A. the Motherland
Stick out the left, then I'll ask for the other hand
That's the right hand, Black man
Only if you are noted as my man
If I get the credit, then I think I deserve it
If you fake moves, don't fix your mouth to word it
Get in the zone of positivity, not negativity
'Cause we gotta strive for longevity
If you botch up, what's in that [ass]
(What?) A pair of Nikes, size ten-and-a-half
[Chorus]
We gotta make moves (words)
Never, ever, ever could we fake moves (come on, come on)
We gotta make moves (words)
Never, ever, ever could we fake moves (come on, come on)
We gotta make moves
Never, ever, ever could we fake moves (come on, come on)
We gotta make moves
Never, ever, ever could we fake moves (come on, come on)
[Interlude: Sample]
"Time, time is a ship on a merciless sea
Drifting toward an abyss of nothingness
Until it can be recharted for its own destiny
Time is an inanimate object paying and paying and paying for no justification for belief
Time is dancing, boogalooing-away all memories of past—"
[Verse 2: Q-Tip]
We gotta be a winner all the time
Can't fall prey to a hip-hop crime
With the dope raps and dope tracks we move blocks
From the fly girlies to the hardest of the rocks
Musically the Quest, is on the rise
We on these excursions so you must realize
That continually, I pop my Zulu [shit]
If you don't like it, get off the Zulu tip
So what can you do in the times which exist
You can't fake moves on your brother or your sis
But if your sis is a [bitch], brother is a jerk
Leave 'em both alone and continue with your work
Whatever it may be in today's society
Everything is fair, least that's how it seems to me
You must be honest and true to the next
Don't be phony and expect one not to flex
Especially if you rhyme, you have to live by the pen
Your man is your man, then treat him like your friend
All it is, is the code of the streets
So listen to the knowledge being dropped over beats
Beats that are hard, beats that are funky
They could get you hooked like a crackhead junkie
What you gotta do is know the Tribe is in the sphere
The Abstract Poet, prominent like Shakespeare
(Or Edgar Allan Poe, or Langston Hughes, or...)
[Chorus]
We gotta make moves
Never, ever, ever could we fake moves (come on, come on)
We gotta make moves
Never, ever, ever could we fake moves (come on, come on)
We gotta make moves
Never, ever, ever could we fake moves (come on, come on)
We gotta make moves
Never, ever, ever could we fake moves (come on, come on)
[Outro: Sample + Q-Tip]
"—time is running out on black power advocates in the day and white thighed supporters at night
Every time you see them, they're chasin' some white woman with their tongue hangin' out
Time is running and passing, passing and running, running and passing, passing and running—"
Excursions
@itsthekidkp
one of the best intros to an album of all time
@tdubble73
I want the t shirt that has the lyrics on it. RIP Phife
@gingdaninj3040
+Karl Püschel Right up there with Dark Fantasy.
@jonathangasana
I remember listening to this n putting it on replay
@bryantorres5238
Bone Thugs- Eternal 1999 East
@-S-zo1dv
+Bryan Torres I wanna slap you
@OMEGAxWARRIOR
This song definitely set the tone for the rest of the album with its dark streetwise edge and stark hitting beats. The Low End Theory just may be the greatest sophomore album ever created by any Hip-Hop artist.
@1074gasman
I agree this album is the sh@t!!
Yo much love and respect from Chicago!!!
Keep bangin this loud and hard for this generation who don’t know real hip hop!!!
@ch.illmatic
Ah man it's so tough, so many good sophomore albums. Like it already be competing with ATLiens, The Infamous, It Was Written, Follow The Leader, but Low End Theory I def vibe to the most
@K-Dot94
Gkmc or this for me