Verses from the Abstract
A Tribe Called Quest Lyrics

I had a dream about my man last night
I had a dream about my friend last night

And my man came by the studio
And my friend visited the recording studio

And his name is Busta Rhymes in effect, Shaheed is in effect
And his name is Busta Rhymes and Shaheed is also here

Phife Did-awg is in effect
Phife Dawg is also here

Check it out and give me my 'spect
Listen and show me respect

I'm moving, yes I'm grooving cause my mouth is on the motor
I'm moving and grooving because I'm focused and speaking passionately

Use the Coast in the morning to avoid the funky odor
Travel along the coast in the morning to avoid unpleasant smells

Can't help being funky, I'm the funky Abstract brother
I naturally exude funkiness, as I'm an unconventional and unique individual

Funky in a sense, but I play the undercover
I have a funky style, but I prefer to remain low-key

Once had a fetish, fetish for some booty
I used to have a strong desire for intimate encounters

Now I'm getting funky and my rapping, that's my duty
Now I'm expressing my funky style through my rap, as it's my responsibility

Brothers tend to jock on the style in particular
People envy and imitate my unique style

If you got the ego like some brothers, then I'll get with ya
If you have a big ego like some people, then I'll associate with you

But if I don't pursue, then I just don't give a (fuck)
If I don't chase after something, I simply don't care about it

My motto in the 90's is be happy making bucks
My philosophy in the 90's is to find happiness while making money

Girls love the Jim, 'cause it causes crazy friction
Women are attracted to me, Jim, because I bring excitement and tension

When it goes up in and fluctuates the diction
When my style becomes intense and changes the way I speak

I still understand the oomph 'cause that's what I met her for
I still comprehend the emotional impact, as that's what I initially connected with

I'm hooked on the swings, so just call me the music whore
I'm deeply passionate about musical melodies, so you can label me a music lover

Women love the voice, brothers dig the lyrics
Women admire my voice, while men appreciate my lyrical content

Quest the people's choice, we thrive it for the spirit
A Tribe Called Quest is the popular choice of the people, and we create music that uplifts the soul

If you can't hear it, then get the wax utensils
If you can't hear our music, then clean out your ears

Write my rhymes straight up, don't get with no fancy stencils
I write my lyrics honestly and without using any cliched techniques

The rhymes we get is sweet, we stay away from tart
Our lyrics are enjoyable and pleasing, and we avoid being harsh or bitter

Our perfection is at work, perking up the art
We strive for excellence and enhance the art of music

If you want to battle, I suggest you check your clock
If you want to compete with me, you should reassess your skills and readiness

Your demise is coming up and I want your man to watch
I'll defeat you and I want your partner to witness your failure

Be the prime example, I deep instilled the sample
Be the outstanding model, I have deeply incorporated the musical influence

Insignificance, here I'll place you on the mantle
You'll be insignificant, and I'll display you as a trophy on the mantle

Born up in Harlem, reside down in Jamaica
I was born in Harlem and now I live in Jamaica

The girl I used to rock, her moms was a Quaker
The girl I used to date, her mother was a Quaker

Now what does that make her? The evil money taker?
So what does that make her? A greedy person who takes advantage of others for money?

The crazy move faker, I used that to break her
She was a manipulative person, and I used that as a reason to end the relationship

Phife is in the house (ooh, you know you got going on)
Phife Dawg is present and showcasing his skills

Uncle Mike is in the house (this ain't a R&B song)
Uncle Mike is here, and this is not an R&B song

Bob Power is in the house (you got it going on)
Bob Power is here, and he's doing a great job

Tim Latham is in the house (and on and on and on)
Tim Latham is present, and the list of people goes on

Wise Men is in the house
Wise Men are here

The Brand Nubs is in the house (on)
The Brand Nubian members are here and active

The J Beez, they in the house
The Jungle Brothers are here

And De La, they in the house
And De La Soul is here

I must regroup my thoughts and kick the next ones for my people
I need to gather and organize my ideas, and then deliver the next lyrics for my audience

Please don't be deceived by the ugly slice of evil
Please don't let the negative side of life mislead you

The world is kinda cold and the rhythm is my blanket
The world can be harsh, but music is my source of comfort

Wrap yourself up in it, if you love it, then you'll thank it
Embrace music, and if you truly love it, you'll appreciate its impact

Don't move to rebuttal, wave your hand for action
Instead of arguing, take action and show your support

Some ladies in the '90's want more than satisfaction
In the 90's, some women desire more than just fulfillment

They want keys and Gs, and all those illy things
They want material possessions and wealth

If you want to, I'll show you, just what the Ab can bring
If you're interested, I can demonstrate the unique qualities A Tribe Called Quest can offer

I keep a tight net with my brothers Ken and Kenny
I maintain a strong bond with my friends Ken and Kenny

If the question is of rhymes, then I'll tell ya, I got plenty
If you're asking about lyrics, then I guarantee I have an abundance of them

The thing that men and women need to do is stick together
Everyone should unite and support each other

Progressions can't be made if we're separate forever
We can't make progress if we remain divided indefinitely

I hooked this funky beat with the loop and the feature
I combined this funky beat with the repetition and highlighted aspect of the song

With the funky singing by Miss Vinia Mojica
With the addition of Miss Vinia Mojica's funky vocals

So listen because the Quest is led through the underground
Listen attentively because A Tribe Called Quest leads the underground music scene

My people been up on Quest to long, no more will we be down
My fans have supported A Tribe Called Quest for a long time, and we won't be disheartened anymore

People tend to riff 'cause they don't know the mental
People tend to criticize because they don't understand the mindset

People tend to bug 'cause their beats are hard but gentle
People tend to annoy because their music is intense yet soothing

Africano lurks through the body of this youngin'
African influence permeates through my essence as a young person

Play like Bobby Byrd on your back and your coming to
Perform like Bobby Byrd, fully utilizing your skills and talents

The house of the jazz, of the funk, of the rhythm
A haven for jazz, funk, and rhythmic music

All the goods are welcome, but if you're a villain
All the great elements of music are embraced, except if you're a malicious person

I'll just wait and debate, contemplate your arrival
I'll patiently observe and consider your entrance

If flexing is your motive, then you don't like survival
If showing off is your intention, then you don't appreciate true success

The Abstract is speaking, the hard beats is reaching
I, the Abstract, am expressing myself while the powerful beats are resonating

The Black and Puerto Ricans
Black and Puerto Rican individuals

'Cause their butt naked, streakin' through the ever murky streets
Because they're completely honest, boldly moving through the uncertain streets

Of the urbanized areas
Of the densely populated cities

Blastin' out the speakers is the hip hop hysteria
The hip hop music is playing loudly and excitingly

Craig is in the house (ooh, you know you got going on)
Craig is here, and he's impressive

Pete Rock is in the house (this ain't a R&B song)
Pete Rock is present, and this is not an R&B song

Cl is in the house (you got it going on)
CL is here, and he's doing great

Ultra Mag is in the house (and on and on and on)
Ultramagnetic MCs are here, and the list continues

Nice and Smooth is in the house
Nice and Smooth is present

Big Daddy Kane is in the house
Big Daddy Kane is here

Beatnuts is in the house
The Beatnuts are here

Special Ed is in the house
Special Ed is present

Yeah
Yes

This one goes out to my man
This song is dedicated to my friend

Thanks a lot Ron Carter on the bass
Thank you Ron Carter for playing the bass

Yes my man Ron Carter is on the bass
Indeed, Ron Carter is playing the bass

Now check it out
Now listen to this

Born into the '91 decade
Born in the 1991s

Up in until the 2000 decade
Up until the 2000s

You gotta say the Quest is on
You have to acknowledge that A Tribe Called Quest is still active

And goddamn it, yes the Quest is on
And indeed, A Tribe Called Quest is still active

And we out
And we're finished