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)
Kids...
A Tribe Called Quest Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just forgot to call you back, simple as that
I ain't no almanac, so lick my dictionary
I might just call a cab 'cause I dig canary
Yellow accents on a dark bitch
I met her back when she kept all her carpet
I'm well aware all that shit is fantasy
I double dare y'all to fuck your plan B
That mean, don't mean to get vulgar, but it's some
Hoes in this bitch like a box of donuts
It's cold out and that bitch standing on the corner
Condolences to niggas that got erased
I pour out some liquor on the cops' graves
Mmm, digital church bells
Ringin' 'cross the street, sure work well
(Kids) Kids, don't you know how all this shit is fantasy?
(Kids) Kids, don't you know how all this shit is fantasy?
(Kids) Kids, don't you know how all this shit is fantasy?
(Kids) For real (For real?)
For real (For real)
Kids, don't you know how all this shit is fantasy?
(Kids) Kids, don't you know how all this shit is fantasy?
(Kids) Kids, don't you know how all this shit is fantasy?
(Kids) For real (For real?)
For real (For real)
I don't wanna get up, no, I don't wanna go to school
I don't wanna be the best, don't wanna follow rules
Mom, I think you fuckin' lied to me
Three Stacks said all this shit is fantasy
It's my time, gon' put a little life to it
If life's an obstacle then I'mma bike through it
I see her like a kiddie on the carousel
If I 'url while I go around, what the hell
And that went well, so I'm compelled
To have visions of getting chicken while my friends get jel
My young nigga motto was, "Fuck it, I'm already grown"
And I dream of when I'm 16, I'm out my home
That petty though, 'cause my mama boyfriend dough
It's kinda long like this old head hustle, yo
He cognizant of a nigga ride and die
I see us getting money through my green eyes
(Kids) Kids, don't you know how all this shit is fantasy?
(Kids) Kids, don't you know how all this shit is fantasy?
(Kids) kids, don't you know how all this shit is fantasy?
(Kids) For real (For real?)
For real (For real)
Yeah, all the kids, all the what, uh, what
Yeah, all the badass kids, uh
Kids say I'm the shit
I'm Chick-fil-A nuggets, McDonald's french fries
The spicy Popeyes and Red Lobster biscuits
And girls scout thin mints
Pardon my penmanship, but oh shit
Feel like I'm hungry now again
And I can't do nothing about it 'cause my teeth are all rotted
And my mom and my pop, they just grin
And empathize with me cause they were little like Pygmies
But too bad they can't get back they 'member whens
Them grown-up stories don't work
In the court of the kiddies', the judgement is in
And while y'all doing all y'all bids, y'all reminisce as kids
Fuck it, kids, the grown-ups won't own up
They stood on the corner, like you once upon a
Time, and probably felt like a loner
And smelled like a stoner, and snuck to Daytona
So when they question you about who or who you ain't boning
Complaining that you always moaning, never saying good morning
Storming out my house and slamming doors like you pay your bills
They been through it too, though
They were kids like you, though
But what if they knew though and hit you with the cheat code
To a game you just start playing, no extra man
Leave you reckless on the court with no high percentage shot
Just a bunch of, "You got it, nigga, just give it what you got"
Yeah, it look a little different on the yacht, but ain't gon' lie, I miss kayaking
I love the young niggas, and they do too, they just be acting
Like a bunch of retired tired thespians, a bit too salty
Shit, their blood pressure high, why?
They don't play no more, probably
(Kids) Kids, don't you know how all this shit is fantasy?
The lyrics to "Kids" by A Tribe Called Quest explore the theme of disillusionment and the loss of innocence that comes with growing up. The song acknowledges the harsh realities of life and questions the validity of the dreams and fantasies that we often hold onto as children. The opening lines suggest a sense of detachment and apathy, as the singer admits to being high and forgetting to call someone back. This lack of connection extends to the idea of needing an almanac to navigate life, and the desire to escape reality through a cab ride or the allure of material possessions, represented by the phrase "I dig canary."
The lyrics further delve into the idea of fantasy versus reality, with references to "yellow accents on a dark bitch," which could symbolize the desire for something exciting or exotic, only to discover that it is all an illusion. The mention of "plan B" alludes to the need for backup plans and the fleeting nature of success. The song also touches on social issues, expressing condolences to those who have been erased or marginalized, while also pouring out liquor on the graves of the oppressors.
Throughout the song, there is a call to the younger generation of "Kids" to recognize the illusions and fantasies that surround them. The repetition of the line "Kids, don't you know how all this shit is fantasy?" serves as a reminder that the dreams we once had may not align with the realities of the world. The lyrics also critique the older generation, suggesting that they too were once young and idealistic, but have now become cynical and jaded.
Overall, "Kids" is a thought-provoking exploration of the loss of innocence and the disillusionment that comes with growing up. It challenges the listener to question their own fantasies and perceptions of reality, and to navigate the complexities of life with a critical eye.
Line by Line Meaning
I ain't even gon' lie, I was probably high
I must confess, I was most likely under the influence of drugs
Just forgot to call you back, simple as that
I simply neglected to return your call, it is as straightforward as that
I ain't no almanac, so lick my dictionary
I do not possess all knowledge, so you can disregard my opinions
I might just call a cab 'cause I dig canary
I may decide to request a taxi because I have a fondness for the color yellow
Yellow accents on a dark bitch
Bright yellow details on a person with a dark complexion
I met her back when she kept all her carpet
I encountered her during a time when she maintained a full head of hair
I'm well aware all that shit is fantasy
I am fully conscious that all those things are not real
I double dare y'all to fuck your plan B
I strongly challenge you all to abandon your backup plans
That's demeanor, momma's mannerisms
That is the way she carries herself, inherited from her mother
That mean, don't mean to get vulgar, but it's some
That signifies, not intending to be explicit, but there are certain
Hoes in this bitch like a box of donuts
Promiscuous women in this place, similar to a box filled with donuts
It's cold out and that bitch standing on the corner
It is chilly outside and that woman is situated on the street corner
Condolences to niggas that got erased
I offer my sympathies to individuals who were eliminated
I pour out some liquor on the cops' graves
I symbolically pour alcohol on the burial sites of law enforcement officers
Mmm, digital church bells
Hmm, electronic sounds representing church bells
Ringin' 'cross the street, sure work well
Resounding across the street, they indeed serve their purpose
(Kids) Kids, don't you know how all this shit is fantasy?
Young ones, do you not understand that all these things are not real?
(Kids) For real (For real?)
Seriously, is that genuinely the case?
I don't wanna get up, no, I don't wanna go to school
I have no desire to wake up and attend school
I don't wanna be the best, don't wanna follow rules
I do not aspire to be the most exceptional, nor do I wish to abide by regulations
Mom, I think you fuckin' lied to me
Mother, I believe you have deceived me
Three Stacks said all this shit is fantasy
Andre 3000 stated that all these things are not real
It's my time, gon' put a little life to it
It is my moment, I am going to add some vitality to it
If life's an obstacle then I'mma bike through it
If life presents challenges, I will overcome them with ease
I see her like a kiddie on the carousel
I perceive her as a child enjoying a carousel ride
If I 'url while I go around, what the hell
If I vomit while spinning on it, what an unpleasant situation
And that went well, so I'm compelled
And that went smoothly, therefore I feel obliged
To have visions of getting chicken while my friends get jel
To imagine myself acquiring money while my friends become envious
My young nigga motto was, "Fuck it, I'm already grown"
My young friend's mantra was, "Forget it, I am already mature"
And I dream of when I'm 16, I'm out my home
And I fantasize about being 16 years old and no longer living with my parents
That petty though, 'cause my mama boyfriend dough
That is insignificant though, because my mother's partner possesses wealth
It's kinda long like this old head hustle, yo
It is quite extensive like this long-running scheme, my friend
He cognizant of a nigga ride and die
He is aware of a person's loyalty and devotion
I see us getting money through my green eyes
I envision us amassing wealth through my ambitious perspective
Yeah, all the kids, all the what, uh, what
Yes, all the young individuals, all of them, uh, what
Yeah, all the badass kids, uh
Yes, all the mischievous youngsters, uh
Kids say I'm the shit
Young individuals claim that I am excellent
I'm Chick-fil-A nuggets, McDonald's french fries
I am akin to Chick-fil-A chicken nuggets and McDonald's french fries
The spicy Popeyes and Red Lobster biscuits
Similar to the flavorful dishes from Popeyes and the delicious Red Lobster biscuits
And girls scout thin mints
And the popular Girl Scout thin mint cookies
Pardon my penmanship, but oh shit
Excuse the quality of my handwriting, but oh my goodness
Feel like I'm hungry now again
I have the sensation of being hungry once more
And I can't do nothing about it 'cause my teeth are all rotted
And I am unable to address this issue because my teeth are decayed
And my mom and my pop, they just grin
And my mother and father simply grin
And empathize with me 'cause they were little like Pygmies
And express understanding because they were once small like Pygmies
But too bad they can't get back they 'member whens
Unfortunately, they are unable to retrieve their memories of the past
Them grown-up stories don't work
Those tales of adulthood are ineffective
In the court of the kiddies', the judgement is in
Among the children, the decision has been made
And while y'all doing all y'all bids, y'all reminisce as kids
And while you all are serving your prison sentences, you recall your childhood
Fuck it, kids, the grown-ups won't own up
Forget it, children, the adults refuse to take responsibility
They stood on the corner, like you once upon a
They positioned themselves on the street corner, just like you did before
Time, and probably felt like a loner
Back in time, and most likely experienced solitude
And smelled like a stoner, and snuck to Daytona
And had the aroma of someone who smokes marijuana, and went to Daytona secretly
So when they question you about who or who you ain't boning
So when they inquire about your sexual partners
Complaining that you always moaning, never saying good morning
Complaining that you are always whining and never greeting them in the morning
Storming out my house and slamming doors like you pay your bills
Leaving my residence in a fit of anger, slamming doors as if you financially contribute
They been through it too, though
They have experienced similar situations as well
They were kids like you, though
They were once young individuals like you, though
But what if they knew though and hit you with the cheat code
But what if they were aware of this and provided you with the trick to success
To a game you just start playing, no extra man
To a game you have only just begun, with no additional assistance
Leave you reckless on the court with no high percentage shot
Leave you vulnerable on the basketball court, without a high probability of success
Just a bunch of, "You got it, nigga, just give it what you got"
Just a series of encouragements, saying, "You have the ability, my friend, just do your best"
Yeah, it look a little different on the yacht, but ain't gon' lie, I miss kayaking
Yes, things appear quite distinct on a luxurious yacht, but I must admit, I do miss the simplicity of kayaking
I love the young niggas, and they do too, they just be acting
I have great affection for the young individuals, and they feel the same way, but they often pretend
Like a bunch of retired tired thespians, a bit too salty
Similar to a group of exhausted retired actors, exhibiting a negative attitude
Shit, their blood pressure high, why?
Indeed, their blood pressure is elevated, but why?
They don't play no more, probably
They no longer engage in playful activities, most likely
(Kids) Kids, don't you know how all this shit is fantasy?
Young ones, do you not understand that all these things are not real?
(Kids) For real (For real?)
Seriously, is that genuinely the case?
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Kamaal Ibn John Fareed, Malik Izaak Taylor, Andre Lauren Benjamin, Hirano Masayuki, Casey Benjamin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TripleJJJay
This joint is so underrated. I remember hearing this when the album came out like...damn...thanks an instant underground classic. Going on 5 years later and it has aged beautifully as has the album.
@cm472vids5
The Truth hurts
These Kids
@noahdavidson8733
Sad that this may be the closest thing we’ll ever get to an OutKast x Tribe collab. But I’ll take what we’ve been given
@haroldhollemanii3309
Imagine Phife and Big Boi on a track that would’ve been magic🤧
@noahdavidson8733
@@haroldhollemanii3309 truly. I’m still holding out hope that the “Tribe Called Kast” demos are out there somewhere
@phillyfans5641
Well at this point just listen to the message of the song. All this shit is fantasy
@mesus3701
A tribe called Quest and Andree is like Nas and wu tang
@CHEDDScast
true true
@odiraru6716
More like A Tribe Called Quest and Andre 3000 is like A Tribe Called Quest and Andre 3000
@Klamzzzz
Bro they’re touring together now 🤯