Q-Tip injects his raps with interpolated lines from Peter, Paul & Mary’s “Leaving on a Jet Plane”, as well as Sugar Hill Gang’s “8th Wonder”.
This song’s message is similarly conveyed on “Show Business,”, another track on the album.
The drums on the beat were sampled from The New Birth’s “Keep on Doin' It”:
Rap Promoter
A Tribe Called Quest Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To the effect of nothing, effective fronting
Is what I don't allow so let me tell you something
I am a bon-a-fide
Not too modest and not a lot of pride
Soon to have a ride and a home to reside
If my momma is sick, I'm by her beside
Used to watch the show on channel 4 called Riptide
Wash my wears in Tide 'cause it's too damn cold out-Tide
That's how the runnings go
If there ain't no dough, then there ain't no show
So take your roly poly fat promoter (ass)
To the Chemical Bank, and get my cash
If you want to see the people scream and laugh
You best Quest you ask, the Quest you ask real fast
'Cause I don't want to see em, start buckin'
Throwin' chairs in the air while you be duckin'
What what? Don't step to me with that
If you promotin' the show make sure it ain't wack
Or else I'm leaving (let me tell you)
I'm leaving (let me tell you)
I'm leaving (let me tell you)
Your wack show
Yo man what's up with that?
Yo don't sweat me
C'mon, five hundred, that was the deal
C'mon man, don't try to play me out
We don't need you, sorry
You know you need me
And the Abstract rapper says
I want chicken, and orange juice, that's what's on my rider
And my occasional potato by Ore-Ida
Don't forget my pastry, make sure they're tasty
I'm not the type to be pushy or hasty
See I'm the type of bro that's reared in the ghetto
Took a few shorts before
Now the only ones I take are the ones that I wear
Ain't takin' no shorts no more, now
Please act proper 'fore I call the Crime Stoppers
Don't dip on the dough, 'cause that's a no-no
Make sure you count your money real slow
Be alert, look alive, and act like ya'know
It's, the 90's, time to make moves
Not, the 80's, do away withcha womb
So what? You got a crew
I got one too, they're called the Brooklyn Zoo
Don't break fool, let's be reserved and cool
We don't have to act like we in grade school
Just make sure that we're taken care of
And we'll do a fly show for ya bub, check it out
Diggi-dang-diggi-dang, di-dang-ga-dang-a-diddy
Diggi-dang-diggi-dang, di-dang-ga-dang-a-diddy
Diggi-dang-diggi-dang, di-dang-ga-dang-a-diddy
Diggi-dang-diggi-dang, di-dang-ga-dang-diggy-diggy
In A Tribe Called Quest's song Rap Promoter, the group critiques the commercialization of rap music through the lens of a conversation between themselves and a shady promoter. The song opens with the singer addressing the issue of “effective fronting,” or the way in which people present themselves to be something they’re not. He says he doesn’t allow this, and is honest about his relatively modest lifestyle, though he boasts that he is “bon-a-fide” and “soon to have a ride and a home to reside.” He warns that if the promoter doesn’t deliver the money he’s owed, the show won’t go on.
The chorus maintains this same tone of warning, saying that if the promoter’s show isn’t good enough, “I’m leaving.” The group challenges the promoter to come correct and treat them with respect, even asking for some simple food items in their dressing room. The song ends with a playful chorus of “diggi-dang-diggi-dang” that the rapper delivers with cheeky flair. Overall, the song paints a picture of a group who is protective of their craft, won’t accept being played, and won’t compromise their values for commercial success.
Line by Line Meaning
To the effect of nothing, effective fronting
I won't tolerate fake behavior or fronting.
Is what I don't allow so let me tell you something
I won't put up with anyone who isn't honest and real.
I am a bon-a-fide
I am a true, authentic artist.
Not too modest and not a lot of pride
I'm confident in my abilities, but not arrogant.
Soon to have a ride and a home to reside
I'm on the rise and finding success.
If my momma is sick, I'm by her beside
My family comes first, and I take care of them.
Used to watch the show on channel 4 called Riptide
I grew up watching TV like everyone else, but that's not important.
Wash my wears in Tide 'cause it's too damn cold out-Tide
I use Tide detergent because it works well and is widely available.
That's how the runnings go
That's just how things are sometimes.
If there ain't no dough, then there ain't no show
Money is necessary to put on a good performance.
So take your roly poly fat promoter (ass)
I don't want to work with a promoter who's overweight and lazy.
To the Chemical Bank, and get my cash
Pay me what you owe me before we do anything else.
If you want to see the people scream and laugh
I'm here to put on an entertaining show.
You best Quest you ask, the Quest you ask real fast
You should book my group quickly because we're in high demand.
'Cause I don't want to see em, start buckin'
I don't want anyone in the crowd causing trouble.
Throwin' chairs in the air while you be duckin'
I don't want anyone getting hurt at my show.
What what? Don't step to me with that
Don't try to argue or negotiate with me.
If you promotin' the show make sure it ain't wack
I expect you to do a good job promoting my show.
Or else I'm leaving (let me tell you)
I won't hesitate to cancel the show if things aren't up to par.
Your wack show
I won't put up with a subpar performance.
Yo man what's up with that?
What's the deal with this situation?
Yo don't sweat me
Don't worry about me, I've got things under control.
C'mon, five hundred, that was the deal
We agreed on a specific amount of money for this performance.
C'mon man, don't try to play me out
Don't try to cheat me out of what I'm owed.
We don't need you, sorry
We can find someone else to work with if we have to.
You know you need me
You know I'm the best option for this event.
I want chicken, and orange juice, that's what's on my rider
These are the specific items I want provided for me at the show.
And my occasional potato by Ore-Ida
I like to have a specific brand of potato sometimes.
Don't forget my pastry, make sure they're tasty
I want a good quality pastry provided for me as well.
I'm not the type to be pushy or hasty
I'm not someone who demands things of others.
See I'm the type of bro that's reared in the ghetto
I'm someone who comes from a tough background.
Took a few shorts before
I've experienced tough times and struggles in the past.
Now the only ones I take are the ones that I wear
Now, I only take the opportunities that I know are right for me.
Ain't takin' no shorts no more, now
I won't accept less than what I'm worth anymore.
Please act proper 'fore I call the Crime Stoppers
Behave yourself, or I'll report you to the authorities.
Don't dip on the dough, 'cause that's a no-no
Don't try to cheat me out of my payment.
Make sure you count your money real slow
Check and verify your payments carefully.
Be alert, look alive, and act like ya'know
Be aware of your surroundings and act confidently.
It's, the 90's, time to make moves
It's a new era, and we need to keep progressing.
Not, the 80's, do away withcha womb
We need to move beyond old ways of thinking and doing things.
So what? You got a crew
I'm not impressed by the size of your group.
I got one too, they're called the Brooklyn Zoo
I have my own group, and we're from Brooklyn.
Don't break fool, let's be reserved and cool
Let's stay calm and professional.
We don't have to act like we in grade school
We're adults, and we should act accordingly.
Just make sure that we're taken care of
Make sure we're treated fairly and respectfully.
And we'll do a fly show for ya bub, check it out
And we'll put on an amazing performance for you.
Diggi-dang-diggi-dang, di-dang-ga-dang-a-diddy
This is just a fun and catchy phrase repeated for effect and rhythm.
Diggi-dang-diggi-dang, di-dang-ga-dang-a-diddy
This is just a fun and catchy phrase repeated for effect and rhythm.
Diggi-dang-diggi-dang, di-dang-ga-dang-a-diddy
This is just a fun and catchy phrase repeated for effect and rhythm.
Diggi-dang-diggi-dang, di-dang-ga-dang-diggy-diggy
This is just a fun and catchy phrase repeated for effect and rhythm.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Ali Shaheed Jones-Muhammad, Kamaal Ibn John Fareed, Malik Izaak Taylor
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tate Buitrago
on Electric Relaxation
another of my dads