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)
Get A Hold
A Tribe Called Quest Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Drifting back (just) suddenly
Drifting back (just) suddenly
The deadly venom, let me start from the beginning
We always hitting, so yo, there'll be no extra innings
As I send the mic out the park like Reggie Jackson
You be the minor leaguer who sees no action
And I'mma greet ya, like a rhyming ass creature
Lurking all up in the dark, unknown parts
The brother well prepared is the brother who will start
And that's me Akki, as long as the ladies move they bodies
We'll have a forum to stand
Cause that happens to be the nature of man
Sexuality, it is the format baby
Ain't no ifs, no buts, no ands, or maybes
But I praise the Lord of the worlds that's unseen
Respect me for that and let me do my thing
I said, respect me for that and let me do my thing
You know we gotta get a hold
Over the illest drum rolls
Yo, how you doing? Let me give you an intro
My name's the Abstract, now let me give you some info
Got the diamond in the back and the sunroof shit
That makes the hardcore MC's resort to being bitch
And I don't give a shit about being wild rich
Just make me comfortable and I'll deal with it
Your lust for the riches make a nigga feel sick
Down to his zealots, upchuck and then spit
Denouncing my beliefs, well then your wig get split
Lay your egos on the ground so that you'll benefit
You can take these words and relay it to your clique
Take some time for your mind and get off them head trips
Don't try to play me, see my name's not Dick
The Tribe is the crew that makes the mics get lit
Like the Fourth of July on some firework shit
My record company be on some true jerk shit
But that's aight, now, I'm on some true work shit
And I'mma make it happen for my whole outfit
You know we gotta get a hold
Over the illest drum rolls
A-yo, we just getting started, got to redirect this vision
Got the beauty of a flower plus dimensions like a prism
Your minds are locked down like prison
Y'all really need to go lay down cause positivity has risen
We hitting, yo bust how we too strong to be broken
Occasional malfunction pressure time, we ain't joking
For security, yo we on this run like Logan
Kamaal's doing the hustle and you backstage vogueing
We all got faults, don't ever try to think that you perfect
We all are human beings, there's bullshit at the surface
Sometimes, I mean we rhyme, damn, we ain't prophets
And if you think so, you need to stop it
So jump back inside your shell
Let your million dollar thoughts propel but next man don't get jel
Playa hate that all carries weight that we don't need
We slim with disabilities and thick with possibilities
Cause then you can't move with agility
Navigating with good visibility
We put these tunes out in record shop facilities
And strive to get this constant money activity
We try to stay on the scene like Fidel
So if you get enraged with these names it still ring bells
There ain't no plan B's, yo watch, we moving through with plan A
Money market doing things the right way
You know we gotta get a hold
Over the illest drum rolls
Yo bust it out section, section
Section Linden Boulevard
Section on Merrick
Section the whole Jamaica
Section on Flushing
Section in Bed-Stiduy
The song Get A Hold by A Tribe Called Quest is a rap song that deals with various topics like fame, sexuality, positivity, and the journey to achieving success in the music industry. The lyrics are filled with metaphors and wordplay. The first verse talks about the aggressive nature of the rap game and how the best performers always hit hard. The second verse sees Q-Tip introducing himself and his crew, claiming to be the best in the game. The third verse is more introspective, talking about faults and imperfections and how we should embrace them instead of pretending to be perfect.
In the song, A Tribe Called Quest uses basketball and baseball metaphors to describe their rhyming skills. They also discuss the challenges of staying true to themselves and their beliefs while trying to achieve success in the music industry. The chorus "'Cause you know we gotta get a hold, over the illest drum rolls" is a call to action to stay focused and achieve their goals.
The song was released on A Tribe Called Quest's fourth album, Beats, Rhymes, and Life, which was released in 1996. The album was produced by the group's longtime collaborator, J Dilla, along with Q-Tip and Ali Shaheed Muhammad. The album was a commercial and critical success and featured guest appearances from artists like Faith Evans, Busta Rhymes, and Consequence.
Line by Line Meaning
Drifting back suddenly
Returning to a topic after a brief departure
The deadly venom, let me start from the beginning
Beginning a story with a warning that it will lead to a dangerous or negative outcome
We always hitting, so yo, there'll be no extra innings
Expressing confidence that success can be attained without the need for further attempts or retries
As I send the mic out the park like Reggie Jackson
Boasting about one's skill and ability, comparing oneself to a famous athlete
You be the minor leaguer who sees no action
Belittling someone who is not as successful or accomplished
The coming attraction, what, the main feature
Presenting oneself as the main event or focus of attention
And I'mma greet ya, like a rhyming ass creature
Using wordplay to establish oneself as a talented and creative rapper
Lurking all up in the dark, unknown parts
Emphasizing a sense of mystery or danger by referencing hidden or unknown places
The brother well prepared is the brother who will start
Stressing the importance of being prepared in order to achieve success or take action
And that's me Akki, as long as the ladies move they bodies
Bringing attention to one's appeal to women and their willingness to dance
We'll have a forum to stand
Implying that dancing and socializing create an atmosphere for oneself and others to thrive in
Cause that happens to be the nature of man
Reflecting on universal human characteristics and desires
Sexuality, it is the format baby
Asserting the importance and centrality of sex and sexual attraction
Ain't no ifs, no buts, no ands, or maybes
Using hyperbole to emphasize the certainty and absoluteness of a statement
But I praise the Lord of the worlds that's unseen
Acknowledging a higher power and expressing gratitude or reverence
Respect me for that and let me do my thing
Asserting oneself and demanding respect while insisting on the freedom to express oneself
You know we gotta get a hold
Declaring a goal or intention to take control or achieve success
Over the illest drum rolls
Referring to the exciting and energetic music that will accompany one's success
Yo, how you doing? Let me give you an intro
Introducing oneself and initiating conversation or interaction
My name's the Abstract, now let me give you some info
Identifying oneself and establishing credibility or authority
Got the diamond in the back and the sunroof shit
Boasting about one's success and possession of luxury items
That makes the hardcore MC's resort to being bitch
Implying that less successful rappers will resort to negative behavior or attitudes
And I don't give a shit about being wild rich
Claiming to prioritize comfort and practicality over wealth or fame
Just make me comfortable and I'll deal with it
Clarifying that personal happiness and contentment trump external factors like money or influence
Your lust for the riches make a nigga feel sick
Criticizing people who prioritize wealth over other values and accusing them of causing harm
Down to his zealots, upchuck and then spit
Using hyperbole to create a vivid image of disgust and repulsion
Denouncing my beliefs, well then your wig get split
Asserting oneself and threatening those who challenge or question one's beliefs
Lay your egos on the ground so that you'll benefit
Suggesting that humility and self-awareness will lead to positive outcomes and growth
You can take these words and relay it to your clique
Encouraging sharing and spreading of one's ideas or beliefs
Take some time for your mind and get off them head trips
Encouraging introspection and discouraging being caught up in negative or unproductive thoughts
Don't try to play me, see my name's not Dick
Asserting oneself and cutting off any attempts at manipulation or deception
The Tribe is the crew that makes the mics get lit
Boasting about one's musical talent and success as a group
Like the Fourth of July on some firework shit
Using an analogy to emphasize the excitement and explosive energy of one's music
My record company be on some true jerk shit
Criticizing one's record label for bad or unethical behavior
But that's aight, now, I'm on some true work shit
Acknowledging obstacles or challenges but insisting on working hard and pushing through
And I'mma make it happen for my whole outfit
Expressing commitment to achieving success not just for oneself but for one's community or group
A-yo, we just getting started, got to redirect this vision
Acknowledging that there is work to be done and that one must adjust their approach or perspective for maximum success
Got the beauty of a flower plus dimensions like a prism
Describing oneself as multifaceted and complex but still beautiful and appealing
Your minds are locked down like prison
Critiquing others for being narrow-minded or resistant to change or growth
Y'all really need to go lay down cause positivity has risen
Encouraging others to rest and relax so that they can take advantage of the positive changes happening around them
We hitting, yo bust how we too strong to be broken
Boasting about one's strength and resilience in the face of adversity
Occasional malfunction pressure time, we ain't joking
Acknowledging that setbacks or difficulties will happen but insisting that one is still serious and committed
For security, yo we on this run like Logan
Using a pop culture reference to emphasize that one is taking action to protect oneself and achieve success
Kamaal's doing the hustle and you backstage vogueing
Referencing a specific member of the group and implying that they are working hard while others slack off or engage in unproductive activities
We all got faults, don't ever try to think that you perfect
Acknowledging that everyone has flaws and suggesting that humility and self-awareness are important
We all are human beings, there's bullshit at the surface
Reflecting on the common experiences and challenges faced by all people
Sometimes, I mean we rhyme, damn, we ain't prophets
Acknowledging that one's talent or skill as a rapper does not equate to wisdom or divine knowledge
And if you think so, you need to stop it
Challenging those who may view one as infallible or all-knowing
So jump back inside your shell
Telling someone to back off or retreat into their own space
Let your million dollar thoughts propel but next man don't get jel
Encouraging others to pursue their dreams while cautioning against envy or jealousy
Playa hate that all carries weight that we don't need
Criticizing those who engage in negative or competitive behavior
We slim with disabilities and thick with possibilities
Playing on words to describe how one may be physically disadvantaged but still full of potential and opportunities
Cause then you can't move with agility
Suggesting that embracing possibilities and positivity makes it easier to navigate challenges or obstacles
Navigating with good visibility
Using an analogy to describe the benefits of being self-aware and clear-thinking
We put these tunes out in record shop facilities
Describing the process of sharing one's music and art with the world
And strive to get this constant money activity
Emphasizing the importance of financial stability and success
We try to stay on the scene like Fidel
Referencing a historical figure known for being revolutionary or iconic
So if you get enraged with these names it still ring bells
Anticipating controversy or backlash but suggesting that one's work will still be impactful and memorable
There ain't no plan B's, yo watch, we moving through with plan A
Asserting that there is no room for failure or back-up plans, and that one must stick to their initial strategy or goal
Money market doing things the right way
Emphasizing the importance and success of making smart financial decisions and investments
Section Linden Boulevard
Referencing a specific location or neighborhood
Section on Merrick
Referencing another specific location or neighborhood
Section the whole Jamaica
Expanding the scope of one's references to include an entire geographic region
Section on Flushing
Another reference to a specific neighborhood or location
Section in Bed-Stuy
A final reference to a specific neighborhood or location
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JAMES DEWITT YANCEY, KAMAAL IBN JOHN FAREED, ALI SHAHEED JONES-MUHAMMAD, MALIK IZAAK TAYLOR, BODIE CHANDLER, EDWARD A. MCKENDRY, DEXTER RAYMOND JR. MILLS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tate Buitrago
on Electric Relaxation
another of my dads