Rhythm
A Tribe Called Quest Lyrics


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It's a new decade
The Native Tongues are about to proceed with the usual lingo
The usual rhythm
Devoted to, the art of moving butts
The rhythm's happenin', and it's movin' up
The Tribe has been on hold for much too long
Don't fear the rhythm because it's strong
On the corners, brothers bop their heads
From the high-tops to the knotty dreads
I'm a Nubian y'all, look what we did
Took the crust away from the third eye lid
Now, it's kinda open, longs to see the site
Rhythms of the Tribe which is passed out right
Night after night, day after day
Questin' for the rhythms of the Native Tongue lay
Rhythm is the key as we open up the door
Things a b-boy has never seen before
Polyrhythmatic with a big fat boom
You have an eargasm as you start to consume
The ghetto beat with a ghetto poem
Yeah, it's from the heart, 'cause it's from the home
Jarobi, Phife, Ali Shaheed
Call me Koala, got what you need
You're a disc jock, then jock this
Rhythms can't lose, rhythms can't miss
If you feel uptight and you need to freak
It'll be alright once we drop this beat

I got the rhythm, you got the rhythm
I got the rhythm, you got the rhythm
I got the rhythm, you got the rhythm
I got the rhythm, you got the rhythm
I got the rhythm, you got the rhythm
I got the rhythm, you got the rhythm
I got the rhythm, you got the rhythm
I got the rhythm, you got the rhythm

Mama say, ma ma coo sa
Gets hectic, freak a bourgeois
We Quest around for the musical hard
On the avenues, streets and boulevard
Not sellin' out, that's a negative
Lovin' hip hop, lovin' heritage
Got the instinct to travel miles and miles
Gotta whole lot of room for piles and piles
Now, you're kinda with it, want to get the funk
From the Zulu Nation, toppin' all the junk
Standin' on the top like the Temptations said
Rhythms are obese, yeah, you gotta keep 'em fed
Read what I read, can't be better said
Tribalic motions dabble in the head
Sweetback's bad, not as bad a beat
It's a "stone groove baby"
Continue, on the windy road
But, I'm luggin', a crazy big load
Will we be on point for the ninety deck
Is it muscle bound and will it flex?
But trudging, we are used to
You don't Quest alone, Quest with a crew
We're four, once more, must make the tracks
You see four fronts, but now you see four backs





I got the rhythm, you got the rhythm

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Rhythm (Devoted to the Art of Moving Butts)" by A Tribe Called Quest speak to the dedication of the group and the Native Tongues movement to creating music that moves the body and the mind. The opening lines of the song, "It's a new decade, The Native Tongues are about to proceed with the usual lingo," usher in a sense of anticipation for something new and fresh. The group speaks to their commitment to creating a rhythm that people can move to, from bopping their heads on street corners to dancing in clubs.


The lyrics also reference the group's Afrocentric roots, with lines like "I'm a Nubian y'all, look what we did, took the crust away from the third eye lid, now it's kinda open, longs to see the site, rhythms of the Tribe which is passed out right." Here, the group highlights their pride in their heritage and the way that their music can be a form of liberation for those who listen to it.


Additionally, the song references the struggle to maintain authenticity in the face of commercialization, with lines like "Not sellin' out, that's a negative, lovin' hip hop, lovin' heritage." The group recognizes that their quest to create rhythm is not just about making popular music, but about staying true to themselves and their culture.


Overall, "Rhythm (Devoted to the Art of Moving Butts)" celebrates the power of rhythm to unite people and to create something that is both physical and spiritual.


Line by Line Meaning

It's a new decade
The start of a new era.


The Native Tongues are about to proceed with the usual lingo
The Native Tongues are about to continue with their unique style of rap.


The usual rhythm
The usual groove or beat in their music.


Devoted to, the art of moving butts
The purpose of the rhythm is to make people dance.


The rhythm's happenin', and it's movin' up
The rhythm is lively and energizing.


The Tribe has been on hold for much too long
The musicians have not been active for a while.


Don't fear the rhythm because it's strong
The rhythm is powerful and should not be ignored or underestimated.


On the corners, brothers bop their heads
People are reacting positively to the music.


From the high-tops to the knotty dreads
Everyone is enjoying the music, regardless of their hair style.


I'm a Nubian y'all, look what we did
The singer is a proud member of an African nation and is celebrating their accomplishments.


Took the crust away from the third eye lid
People are able to see clearly and appreciate life's beauty.


Now, it's kinda open, longs to see the site
People want to explore and discover more about the world around them.


Rhythms of the Tribe which is passed out right
The Tribe's music is spreading and reaching more people.


Night after night, day after day
The musicians perform frequently and consistently.


Questin' for the rhythms of the Native Tongue lay
The musicians are seeking to find the essence and heart of their music style.


Rhythm is the key as we open up the door
The rhythm is crucial in unlocking new experiences and opportunities.


Things a b-boy has never seen before
The music is innovative and introducing new ideas to the scene.


Polyrhythmatic with a big fat boom
The music has multiple rhythms and a powerful bass.


You have an eargasm as you start to consume
The music is so good it's like experiencing an 'ear orgasm.'


The ghetto beat with a ghetto poem
The music and lyrics reflect the culture and experiences of the urban community.


Yeah, it's from the heart, 'cause it's from the home
The music is genuine and comes from the musician's personal experiences.


Jarobi, Phife, Ali Shaheed
The names of the Tribe's members.


Call me Koala, got what you need
The singer goes by the nickname Koala and can provide what people want in their music.


You're a disc jock, then jock this
If you're a DJ, then play this music.


Rhythms can't lose, rhythms can't miss
The rhythms are so good they cannot fail or be ignored.


If you feel uptight and you need to freak
If you're feeling anxious or stressed and need a release, this music can help.


It'll be alright once we drop this beat
Listening to the music will make you feel better and relieve stress or tension.


Mama say, ma ma coo sa
A phrase used to express being overwhelmed or hectic.


Gets hectic, freak a bourgeois
Things can get crazy and disrupt the calm or calmness associated with the bourgeoisie or elites.


We Quest around for the musical hard
The Tribe searches for the most challenging and rewarding musical experiences.


On the avenues, streets and boulevard
The Tribe is everywhere, on all the streets and neighborhoods of the city.


Not sellin' out, that's a negative
The Tribe refuses to compromise their musical vision or values for money or popularity.


Lovin' hip hop, lovin' heritage
The Tribe loves and celebrates hip hop music and their cultural heritage.


Got the instinct to travel miles and miles
The Tribe has the natural desire to explore and see more of the world.


Gotta whole lot of room for piles and piles
The Tribe has plenty of space and capacity for new experiences and knowledge.


Now, you're kinda with it, want to get the funk
People are starting to enjoy and understand the music and want to dance to it.


From the Zulu Nation, toppin' all the junk
The music is influenced and inspired by the Zulu Nation, surpassing all other forms of music.


Standin' on the top like the Temptations said
The Tribe has reached their peak and is enjoying success and recognition.


Rhythms are obese, yeah, you gotta keep 'em fed
The music is rich and satisfying, and needs to be nurtured and sustained.


Read what I read, can't be better said
The lyrics are clear and reflective of the songwriter's emotions and intentions.


Tribalic motions dabble in the head
The music and lyrics evoke strong emotions and thoughts in the listeners.


Sweetback's bad, not as bad a beat
Sweetback is a band with a great sound, but the Tribe's music is even better.


It's a "stone groove baby"
The music is funky, lively, and enjoyable to listen and dance to.


Continue, on the windy road
The journey continues on the winding and unpredictable path of life.


But, I'm luggin', a crazy big load
The singer is carrying a heavy load or burden, whether physical, emotional or spiritual.


Will we be on point for the ninety deck
Will the Tribe be successful and relevant in the 1990s?


Is it muscle bound and will it flex?
Will the Tribe continue to grow and evolve in their musical abilities?


But trudging, we are used to
The Tribe is accustomed to working hard and persevering through challenges.


You don't Quest alone, Quest with a crew
The Tribe values working together and supporting each other in their musical endeavors.


We're four, once more, must make the tracks
The Tribe consists of four members and needs to create new music.


You see four fronts, but now you see four backs
The Tribe is successful on both sides of the stage, with both the performers and the audience enjoying the music together.


I got the rhythm, you got the rhythm
The Tribe and the listeners all feel and enjoy the rhythm together.


I got the rhythm, you got the rhythm
The rhythm is shared and felt by everyone involved in the music.


I got the rhythm, you got the rhythm
The music and rhythm binds everyone together.


I got the rhythm, you got the rhythm
The music is a shared experience and feeling.


I got the rhythm, you got the rhythm
The music unites and brings people together.


I got the rhythm, you got the rhythm
Everyone involved in the music feels a sense of connection and enjoyment.


I got the rhythm, you got the rhythm
The rhythm is shared and enjoyed by all involved.


I got the rhythm, you got the rhythm
The music creates a sense of unity and shared experience.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: KAMAAL IBN JOHN FAREED, ALI SHAHEED JONES-MUHAMMAD, GEORGE JR. CLINTON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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