The music video begins in a convenience store where Q-Tip and Phife Dawg are buying snacks. When they get outside, the video shoot's moving stage drives away with Ali on it. As Tip and Phife run after the truck, the kids gathered outside the convenience store chase them. After catching up with it and getting on, Tip begins to rap. There are three main scenes: a gate area, the group on the stage, and Busta Rhymes on the deli's roof. Near the end if the video, when Tip says, "Take off your boots 'cause you can't run the race", the children stop running.
A remix of the song was featured on the limited edition of "The Love Movement". The percussion on the remix was subsequently sampled and used for the percussion of the Jay-Z song "Dead Presidents".
Part of the song was re-recorded for the song "Intro-lude" on TLC's CrazySexyCool album.
The song was featured in the controversial 1995 film "Kids".
The song appeared in the television series "Black Lightning" in the episode "The Book of War: Chapter Three: Liberation," when Khalil Payne, portrayed by Jordan Calloway, fought against Painkiller in his mind to take back control of himself.
Oh My God
A Tribe Called Quest Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm a black intellect, but unrefined
With precision like a bullet, target bound
Just living like a hooker, the harlot sounds
Now when I say the harlot, you know I mean the hot
Heat of the equator, the brothers in the pot
Jah, lick, Jah, lick ya wind up ya hip
Draftin' of the poets, I'm the number seven pick
Licks, licks, licks boy pon your backside
Listen to the fader, Shaheed lets it glide
Tip the earthly body
Heaven's on my side
Even in Santo Domingo
Can I gotta Gringo
Yo, we got mics, when do we go?
Know a little nigga who can rhyme when you ask me
Short, dark, and plus his voice is raspy
1 for the treble, 2 for the bass
You know the style Tip, now watch me rip this
I like my beats harder than two day old shit
Steady eating booty MC's like cheese grits
My man Al B. Sure, he's in effect mode
Used to have a crush on Dawn from En Vogue
It's not like honey dip would want to get with me
But just in case I own more condoms than TLC
Now the formula is this, me, Tip, and Ali
For those who can't count it goes 1-2-3
The answer, big up is how I be
Brothers find it's hard to do, but never me
Some brothers try to diss Malik
You see 'em bitchin'
Mi nuh care 'bout dem dibby MC
Trini gladiator, anti-hesitator
Shaheed push the fader from here to Grenada
Mister energetic
Who me, sound pathetic?
When's the last time you heard a funky diabetic?
I don't know man, I don't know man, I don't know man
I don't know, I don't know
Oh My God, yes, Oh My God
Oh My God, yes, Oh My God
Oh My God, yes, Oh My God
Oh My God, yes, Oh My God
Oh My God, yes, Oh My God
Oh My God, yes, Oh My God
Oh My God, yes, Oh My God
Oh My God, yes, Oh My God
Complimentary are we, the three for poetry
I got a humdinger coming hook, line and sinker
The Timbo hits with the prints underground
Timbo's on the toes, I like the way it's going down
Down like the lady of the evening
When it goes in hun just believe the sin
'Cause Queens is the county, Jamaica is the place
(Take off your boots 'cause you can't run the race)
Oh My God, yes, Oh My God
Oh My God, yes, Oh My God
Oh My God, yes, Oh My God
Oh My God, yes, Oh My God
Oh My God, yes, Oh My God
Oh My God, yes, Oh My God
Oh My God, yes, Oh My God
Oh My God, yes, Oh My God
Oh My God, yes, Oh My God
Oh My God, yes, Oh My God
Oh My God, yes, Oh My God
Oh My God, yes, Oh My God
Oh My God, yes, Oh My God
Oh My God, yes, Oh My God
The title "MC" means Master of Ceremony
Some people who MC, don't know what this term means
The lyrics of A Tribe Called Quest's song "Oh My God" are characterized by fantasy-driven imagery and intricate wordplay. The song opens with Q-Tip announcing himself as a "black intellect," indicating his knowledge and insight but also acknowledging his lack of refinement. He then uses a metaphor for a bullet to describe his precise and targeted style of rapping. When he refers to "living like a hooker," he's likening himself to a musician selling their art, and when he refers to the harlot, he's referring to the heat of the equator where people are hot-blooded and passionate. He speaks to the impact of his rhymes like a bullet hitting a bullseye.
Despite its rather abstract lyrics, the song is mainly about the skill and technique involved in rapping. The number seven pick refers to Q-Tip being the seventh member of the group, while "licks boy pon your backside" is a nod to the Jamaican patois. The chorus, "Oh My God," is repeated throughout the song to express the shock and awe that the rappers experience as they hear their own rhymes.
Overall, "Oh My God" is a celebration of the art form of hip-hop, particularly from the perspective of A Tribe Called Quest, who were one of the most innovative and influential groups of their time.
Line by Line Meaning
Listen up everybody the bottom line
Attention everyone, this is important
I'm a black intellect, but unrefined
I'm a smart African American, but not polished
With precision like a bullet, target bound
I'm focused and precise like a bullet aiming for a target
Just living like a hooker, the harlot sounds
I'm living recklessly and carefree like a prostitute's lifestyle
Now when I say the harlot, you know I mean the hot
When I refer to the harlot, I mean the temperature
Heat of the equator, the brothers in the pot
The temperature is so high, it's like the brothers are cooking
Jah, lick, Jah, lick ya wind up ya hip
Jamaican slang for dancing and enjoying yourself
Draftin' of the poets, I'm the number seven pick
I'm one of the top rappers in the game right now
Licks, licks, licks boy pon your backside
Implies physical violence or punishment
Listen to the fader, Shaheed lets it glide
Listen to the music, DJ Shaheed is making it sound smooth
Tip the earthly body
Refers to rapper Q-Tip's name
Heaven's on my side
I am blessed
Even in Santo Domingo
I'm popular even in the Dominican Republic
Can I gotta Gringo
Can I get someone who is not Hispanic to understand my music?
Yo, we got mics, when do we go?
We're ready to perform, when will we take the stage?
Know a little nigga who can rhyme when you ask me
I know a kid who can rap really well
Short, dark, and plus his voice is raspy
The kid is short, black, and has a rough-sounding voice
1 for the treble, 2 for the bass
Referring to the beats in the music
You know the style Tip, now watch me rip this
Refers to Q-Tip's rapping style
I like my beats harder than two day old shit
I enjoy really strong and impactful beats
Steady eating booty MC's like cheese grits
I'm crushing other rappers with ease
My man Al B. Sure, he's in effect mode
My friend Al B. Sure is doing great
Used to have a crush on Dawn from En Vogue
I used to think Dawn from En Vogue was attractive
It's not like honey dip would want to get with me
I know I'm not very attractive to most women
But just in case I own more condoms than TLC
I'm prepared just in case a woman is interested in me
Now the formula is this, me, Tip, and Ali
Myself, Q-Tip, and Ali are the winning combination
For those who can't count it goes 1-2-3
For those who don't understand the formula
The answer, big up is how I be
I am confident and proud of myself
Brothers find it's hard to do, but never me
Others may find it difficult, but I don't
Some brothers try to diss Malik
Other rappers are trying to badmouth me
You see 'em bitchin'
You can see the anger in their actions
Mi nuh care 'bout dem dibby MC
I don't care about those weak rappers
Trini gladiator, anti-hesitator
I'm a warrior from Trinidad, and I don't back down
Shaheed push the fader from here to Grenada
DJ Shaheed is making the music sound great
Mister energetic
Referring to Q-Tip's nickname
Who me, sound pathetic?
Are you calling me weak?
When's the last time you heard a funky diabetic?
When was the last time you heard a diabetic person who is still cool?
I don't know man, I don't know man, I don't know man
I'm not sure about this
Complimentary are we, the three for poetry
We work well together to create great music
I got a humdinger coming hook, line and sinker
I have a great plan that will be successful
The Timbo hits with the prints underground
Timbaland's beats complement our underground style
Timbo's on the toes, I like the way it's going down
Timbaland is doing great and I'm happy with how things are going
Down like the lady of the evening
Things are going downhill fast
When it goes in hun just believe the sin
When things start happening, you'll know the consequences
'Cause Queens is the county, Jamaica is the place
This is where we're from
(Take off your boots 'cause you can't run the race)
Don't try to compete with us, you're not on our level
The title "MC" means Master of Ceremony
Explains what the title "MC" stands for
Some people who MC, don't know what this term means
Some rappers don't understand the meaning of their title
Oh My God, yes, Oh My God
Expressing excitement and enthusiasm
Oh My God, yes, Oh My God
Further expressing excitement and enthusiasm
Oh My God, yes, Oh My God
Even more excitement and enthusiasm
Oh My God, yes, Oh My God
Still expressing excitement and enthusiasm
Oh My God, yes, Oh My God
The excitement and enthusiasm continues
Oh My God, yes, Oh My God
The excitement and enthusiasm is overwhelming
Oh My God, yes, Oh My God
The excitement and enthusiasm is reaching a peak
Oh My God, yes, Oh My God
The excitement and enthusiasm is at its highest level
Oh My God, yes, Oh My God
Final expression of excitement and enthusiasm
Lyrics © TuneCore Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, O/B/O DistroKid, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Kamaal Ibn John Fareed, Ali Shaheed Jones-Muhammad, Malik Izaak Taylor, Gene C. Redd, Robert Earl Bell, Ronald N. Bell, George Melvin Brown, Robert Spike Mickens, Claydes Eugene Smith, Woodrow Sparrow, Dennis Thomas, Richard A. Westfield
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@dr.madthumbz2689
Spent all day playing The Roots, Malik B, ROSES...
This led me to here, back to Tribe, my TRIBE. Still not over the lost of Phifer.
The link between them : they smiled while spitting. Joy. They spat their happiness. And when you're from the slums... that shit is needed. Thx Phifer, Thx MALIK B.
the heavenly mix tape!
1-Jam Master Jay intro
2- Malik B feat Phifer, on a J Dilla Beat of course track called "Skinny Jeans"
3- Big L feat. Big Pun, Notorious B.i.G.
track called "Big Shots" ;)
4- Guru feat. 2Pac / "Stick up kids"
5- Prodigy feat. Freaky Tah / "Invective"
6- A SEAN PRICE FEAT OL' DIRTY BASTARD, track name :
"FOOD STAMPS"
(hilarious intro from ODB losing his mind searching for his food stamps, gives a phone call to P who's denying stealing his food stamps, while we can clearly hear him chewing food... P!)
I'm sick and tired of loosing my super heros! :(
Love & health people
Montreal, Canada
@WorkingLook
The contrast of Tribe's slick, naturalist style and a jacked-up Busta losing his shit on a rooftop was unforgettable - a symbolic merging of two worlds in the evolution of hip hop.
@rajhansakima
@Brandon West Sources, breh?
@PatinaEdochie
@Rajhan Smith I know right where dem sources at? Cause I was just agreeing with the original commenter then get hit with that mess as if it’s common knowledge or just blatantly info like duh if you don’t know that tf is he talkin bout?!? 😂😩🙄✌🏽💯
@Staniii2360
@Rajhan Smith https://youtu.be/-Fr3QR_4QKY
@metaphysicalperspective4532
@Brandon West I agree bro but let people live in their illusions and enjoy the music. KRS One was one of his boyfriends too.
@jibril2473
@Brandon West man what are you smoking? Bath salt? Cuz none of that shit makes any sense.
@isaiahromero9861
No one's even talking about how elite this beat is, such a funky groove
@monkeyinalamborghini
tribe called quest understood the value of production 20 years before everyone else.
@larrychamberlain8155
THIS BEAT IS 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
@stereo-type1510
Dude we know trust me we know