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)
What Really Goes On
A Tribe Called Quest Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yo, we preparin ourselves for this ultimate war
The MCs are really lost and it's at a big cost
We be rhymin at our show thinkin we gettin dough
Movin throught every town off the fumes of
And accolades of the crowd with our chests out proud
Yo, we bout to pack these joints so that these, sound loud
It's the rapper Abstract that make the joint get amped
Yo, use your body maker and use your minds, to break true
Yo, we gotta do the do
Son, we livin in a time where mad folks talk (shit)
Representin they crews or they East-West clicks
Let me tell everybody from coast to coast
About the lands we boast, but we don't own jack
How the (fuck) we movin through makin moves like that?
How the (hell) we movin through makin moves like that?
Can you explain that? I doubt that, very highly
We got jewels and Mo and the life is type rowdy
Everybody lookin (shitty) like a to' down committee
Let's make these institutions, body slam for the smitties
I got girls with plenty tails, smarts and big (titties)
And they all stressin me, yo, really?
What really goes on? ( I don't know)
We got the bump-da-bump-da-bump bump
One is for the beat and the two is for the rhyme
Three is for the life, now we on this incline
Never catch this kid stickin forks in swine
Never ran my gibs in nuthin less than a dime
A few of my brothas did that asshole one time
Strivin miss sunrise, sometimes is known as crime
The three twenty-five got that Windex shine
And when I shot skelly, I had my boxes in lines
All I wanna do is live life and be fair
I used to stress girls with long legs and long hair
Now, I want a woman with a spiritual flair
God will never make it too hard for me to bare
I'm hungry like a derelict whose stays in the diluse
Some can count me out, but yo, I doubt that I lose
The Westernized world got our minds confused
You frontin on me, ak, then you don't get bruised
The funny style cats, they be playin games like Chucky
Government officials shoot their same old
Made of devil agents a.k.a. the devil flunky
Stiff (ass) squares gettin mad cuz we funky
This the crap game, then we got the top rolls
The positive jumps the negative like frogs
Resentin evil vibes, yo, that (shit) is at the morgue
We celebrate laughin down in at the smorgas borg
You still lookin (shitty) like a to' down committee
Let's make this institution, buy the land for the smitties
I got girls with tails, plenty smarts and big (titties)
And they all stressin me, really
We got the bump-da-bump-da-bump bump
The lyrics of the song "What Really Goes On" by A Tribe Called Quest are a commentary on the state of hip hop and society as a whole. The track is a critique of the commercialization of hip hop and the loss of the genre's original essence. It also touches on issues of social justice such as the unfair distribution of wealth and the systemic oppression of marginalized communities.
The first verse opens with a description of the state of the rap game, where artists have lost their way and become blinded by the lure of fame and fortune. The group is critical of how some rappers "act stank like a baby pant" and rely on their bodies rather than their minds to make music. They call for a return to the true essence of hip hop, one that relies on originality and creativity.
The second verse extends their critique to current society, where people are more concerned with representing their crew or their East-West clicks rather than addressing the larger issues at hand. Tribe speaks on the wealth gap and how people are moving through life making moves without truly understanding the consequences of their actions. They also speak on the social and economic inequality that persists, questioning the legitimacy of the Westernized world.
Overall, "What Really Goes On" is a powerful track that calls for a return to the true essence of hip hop and a more equitable society. The lyrics are thought-provoking and highlight the need for conscious and critical thinking to address the larger issues at hand.
Line by Line Meaning
We got the bump-da-bump-da-bump bump
We have a strong beat that energizes and unites us.
Yo, we preparin ourselves for this ultimate war
We are gearing up for a challenging battle to maintain our position in the rap game.
The MCs are really lost and it's at a big cost
Many rappers lack direction and suffer the consequences of their aimlessness.
We be rhymin at our show thinkin we gettin dough
Performing at shows makes us feel like we're getting rich, but the reality may be different.
Movin throught every town off the fumes of
Touring from city to city, we survive on the excitement and energy of the audience.
And accolades of the crowd with our chests out proud
We take pride in the love and respect we receive from our fans.
Yo, we bout to pack these joints so that these, sound loud
We are about to turn up the volume and make our music heard.
Some kids be actin stank like a baby pant
Some young rappers display an unpleasant attitude and behavior.
It's the rapper Abstract that make the joint get amped
Q-Tip's unique style and skills elevate the energy and excitement of the music.
Yo, use your body maker and use your minds, to break true
Physical and mental efforts are necessary to achieve success and authenticity in the rap game.
Yo, we gotta do the do
We have to take action and make things happen.
Son, we livin in a time where mad folks talk (shit)
Many people talk nonsense and spread negativity in today's society.
Representin they crews or they East-West clicks
People often identify with and promote their neighborhoods or regions in hip hop culture.
Let me tell everybody from coast to coast
I want to address everyone in the country.
About the lands we boast, but we don't own jack
We brag about our territories and culture, but we lack true ownership and power.
How the (fuck) we movin through makin moves like that?
How can we make big moves and progress with our limited resources and disadvantages?
How the (hell) we movin through makin moves like that?
How can we succeed in the rap game with so many obstacles in our path?
Can you explain that? I doubt that, very highly
Do you have an answer to that question? I highly doubt it.
We got jewels and Mo and the life is type rowdy
We have valuable possessions, money, and a wild lifestyle.
Everybody lookin (shitty) like a to' down committee
People look disheveled and run down like a poor organization.
Let's make these institutions, body slam for the smitties
We need to take down corrupt systems that exploit and harm vulnerable people.
I got girls with plenty tails, smarts and big (titties)
I have female admirers with various attractive qualities.
And they all stressin me, yo, really?
All of them demand my attention and affection, which can be overwhelming.
One is for the beat and the two is for the rhyme
The rhythm and lyrics are the two essential elements of hip hop music.
Three is for the life, now we on this incline
Hip hop culture represents the diverse and dynamic experiences of urban life.
Never catch this kid stickin forks in swine
I don't eat pork, as it is forbidden in my religion.
Never ran my gibs in nuthin less than a dime
I never sold drugs for less than ten dollars, as it was not worth the risk.
A few of my brothas did that asshole one time
Some of my friends made the mistake of selling drugs and faced the consequences.
Strivin miss sunrise, sometimes is known as crime
Trying to build a better life and make progress is often perceived as a criminal act.
The three twenty-five got that Windex shine
My Adidas sneakers are shiny and clean like a freshly washed window.
And when I shot skelly, I had my boxes in lines
When I played the game of skelly, I made sure my milk bottle caps were arranged in neat rows.
All I wanna do is live life and be fair
My goal in life is to live honestly and equitably.
I used to stress girls with long legs and long hair
I used to prioritize physical beauty in my romantic relationships.
Now, I want a woman with a spiritual flair
Now, I value a partner with inner depth and spirituality.
God will never make it too hard for me to bare
I trust that God will not burden me with more than I can handle.
I'm hungry like a derelict whose stays in the diluse
I am extremely hungry, like a homeless person who lives in extreme poverty.
Some can count me out, but yo, I doubt that I lose
Many people may underestimate me, but I am confident that I will succeed.
The Westernized world got our minds confused
Western influence has clouded our thinking and identity.
You frontin on me, ak, then you don't get bruised
If you disrespect me, you will face consequences and criticism.
The funny style cats, they be playin games like Chucky
Some people behave insincerely and manipulatively, like a character in the movie Child's Play.
Government officials shoot their same old
Politicians often repeat the same ineffective policies and rhetoric.
Made of devil agents a.k.a. the devil flunky
These politicians are essentially agents of evil and corruption.
Stiff (ass) squares gettin mad cuz we funky
Conventional and close-minded people are offended by our unconventional and creative style.
This the crap game, then we got the top rolls
The music industry is comparable to a game of chance, and we have the potential for great success.
The positive jumps the negative like frogs
Positivity and optimism can overcome negativity and pessimism, like frogs hopping over obstacles.
Resentin evil vibes, yo, that (shit) is at the morgue
Rejecting and defeating negative energy and people is essential for mental and emotional health and success.
We celebrate laughin down in at the smorgas borg
We enjoy and savor the abundance and variety that life has to offer.
You still lookin (shitty) like a to' down committee
You still look sloppy and disorganized, like a poorly run organization.
Let's make this institution, buy the land for the smitties
We need to establish and invest in a more positive and efficient system for our community.
I got girls with tails, plenty smarts and big (titties)
I have attractive and intelligent female admirers with ample cleavage.
And they all stressin me, really
They all demand my attention and affection, which can be both flattering and overwhelming.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: KAMAAL IBN JOHN FAREED, ALI SHAHEED JONES-MUHAMMAD, MALIK IZAAK TAYLOR, JAMES BROWN, LEROY BONNER, MARSHALL E. JONES, RALPH MIDDLEBROOKS, WALTER MORRISON, NORMAN B. NAPIER, ANDREW NOLAND, MARVIN R. PIERCE, GREGORY A. WEBSTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tate Buitrago
on Electric Relaxation
another of my dads