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)
Whateva Will Be
A Tribe Called Quest Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just another dummy caught up in the system
Unruly hooligan who belongs in Spofford
Verse gettin' that degree at Stanford or Harvard
Threatened by my work ethic, the way I speak, yo
Should I be mentally weak, verse being Malik
Yo, should I be trapped in the trap? Would you prefer that?
Fourth grade reading level but he knows how to rap
The English that's broken?
The weed that I'm smokin'?
The guns that I'm totin'?
The drugs that I'm sellin'?
No need for improvement
Fuck you and who you think I should be, forward movement
Melanated shrouded in complexity
Brain charge shocking like 'lectricity
Mouth translate happens organically
The media relates to what it thinks it sees
Judging steps in shoes from a path they never walked
Shot down in a blaze over phrases, how to talk
Dark skinned, walk with a bot, portrayed villain
I'm chillin', felon down to the DNA crime willin'
Subliminate their youth, hyper-sexualize their women
They ain't got the strong enough hold, so they built the prisons
Pumping false religion to all of these niggas' systems
Every voice devoid of the truth
Come on, listen
Man look at this, man look at this
Whatever will be will be
Like a billionaire investin' in a nigga's dreams
Certainly a head scratcher, like Pac and Big's killers' capture
Or a women with the wisdom who's leadin' the way
The rarity is in the rear, but never today
Man, picture a PD lettin' good records play
On the strength of what it is, not the finesse of your biz
And your lady calls you dirty, her dirts under rugs
You'll find out only if she tells you, take her kiss and hug, cuz
In the answer for cancer in a prodigious kid's mind
Yes, the government will fund learning is free for everyone
And from that lie, your leaders will rise in the eyes
Of despair and adversity in some universe this verse will be true
Everybody runnin' when they see the stars comin'
But whatever's gonna be will be
Everybody runnin' when they see the stars comin'
But whatever's gonna be will be
Some will dash to the mountain, some will crawl
And the weakest amongst them, they will fall
But the strongest in faith, they will stand tall
Everybody runnin' when they see the stars comin'
But whatever's gonna be will be
I just wanna feel as liberated as lions in Liberia
'Cause recently my heart turned cold as Siberia
'Cause everywhere I go, bein' cold is the criteria
Let's see how well you know all your Tribe trivia
Green and the white, we servin' that Nigeria
North side of Queens, one-nine-two is the area
This is for my dawgs from Shih Tzus to Terriers
Fuck it, it's showtime
Tip, make sure they hearin' ya
The song "Whateva Will Be" by A Tribe Called Quest revolves around the struggles and challenges that black people face in America. The lyrics start with the singer questioning whether they are supposed to be dead or in prison, highlighting the systemic oppression faced by black people in the justice system. The singer goes on to talk about how their work ethic and way of speaking threaten those around them and how they are judged by the media and society.
The lyrics then shift to showcase how black people are represented and portrayed, how their struggles and challenges are turned into entertainment, and how they are dehumanized by the system. The second verse touches upon the hyper-sexualization of black women, the building of prisons for profit, and the false religion forced upon black people. The third and final verse talks about how society treats successful black people, using the metaphor of lions in Liberia to show the desire for freedom and liberation from the constraints placed upon them.
Overall, the song highlights the struggles and oppression faced by black people in America, while also showcasing their resilience and determination to overcome these obstacles.
Line by Line Meaning
Say am I 'posed to be dead or doin' life in prison?
Questioning whether their place in society is predetermined, and their fate already decided
Just another dummy caught up in the system
Feeling trapped and helpless in a society that's designed against them
Unruly hooligan who belongs in Spofford
Being judged and labeled by society based on their appearance and behavior
Verse gettin' that degree at Stanford or Harvard
Dreaming of possibilities outside their current situation, despite societal limitations
Threatened by my work ethic, the way I speak, yo
Feeling discriminated against and judged by society for being successful and intelligent
Should I be mentally weak, verse being Malik
Questioning whether they should conform to societal expectations and stereotypes or be true to themselves
Yo, should I be trapped in the trap? Would you prefer that?
Asking society whether they'd rather see them stuck in a cycle of poverty and crime
Fourth grade reading level but he knows how to rap
Feeling misunderstood and judged based on their outward appearance and interests
Are you amused by our struggles?
Asking society whether they take pleasure in seeing others struggle due to systemic issues
The English that's broken?
Feeling judged and marginalized for their accent or dialect
The weed that I'm smokin'?
Feeling judged for their recreational activities, which are often a result of their environment and upbringing
The guns that I'm totin'?
Feeling judged for carrying a weapon, which is often seen as a necessity for survival in their community
The drugs that I'm sellin'?
Feeling judged for selling drugs, which are often a result of limited economic opportunities in their community
No need for improvement
Feeling like society sees them as hopeless or beyond help
Fuck you and who you think I should be, forward movement
Refusing to conform to societal expectations and choosing to move forward and progress despite the obstacles.
Melanated shrouded in complexity
Acknowledging the depth and complexity of their identity as a person of color
Brain charge shocking like 'lectricity
Using their intellect and creativity as a means of empowerment and resistance
Mouth translate happens organically
Being authentic and true to oneself in all aspects of their life
The media relates to what it thinks it sees
Feeling misrepresented and stereotyped by the media, which perpetuates harmful and inaccurate narratives for profit
Judging steps in shoes from a path they never walked
Feeling like society judges them without truly understanding their struggles and experiences
Shot down in a blaze over phrases, how to talk
Feeling oppressed and threatened for expressing their opinions and thoughts, which often stem from their unique life experiences
Dark skinned, walk with a bot, portrayed villain
Feeling judged and dehumanized based on their physical appearance and perceived demeanor
I'm chillin', felon down to the DNA crime willin'
Feeling like society has labeled them as a criminal or dangerous person based on their past or current actions
Subliminate their youth, hyper-sexualize their women
Feeling like society actively targets and exploits their community, especially young people and women, for profit and control
They ain't got the strong enough hold, so they built the prisons
Feeling like society creates systems of oppression, like the prison-industrial complex, to maintain power over marginalized groups
Pumping false religion to all of these niggas' systems
Feeling like society uses religion as a means of control and manipulation, especially in their community
Every voice devoid of the truth
Believing that the truth is often silenced or ignored in society, especially for marginalized groups
Man look at this, man look at this
Expressing frustration and disbelief at the current state of society
Whatever will be will be
Accepting that despite the odds and obstacles, their future is ultimately out of their control
Like a billionaire investin' in a nigga's dreams
Feeling empowered and uplifted by others who believe in their potential and invest in their success
Certainly a head scratcher, like Pac and Big's killers' capture
Expressing confusion and frustration at the lack of justice or resolution for important social and political issues, such as the murders of Tupac and Biggie
Or a women with the wisdom who's leadin' the way
Acknowledging the power and potential of women leaders and visionaries
The rarity is in the rear, but never today
Believing that progress and change are slow but steady, and will come eventually
Man, picture a PD lettin' good records play
Imagining a world where law enforcement and authority figures are open-minded and compassionate towards their community
On the strength of what it is, not the finesse of your biz
Believing that true success and progress come from authenticity and hard work, rather than manipulation or deceit
And your lady calls you dirty, her dirts under rugs
Feeling betrayed and disappointed by a loved one who hides their own flaws or mistakes while judging others
You'll find out only if she tells you, take her kiss and hug, cuz
Acknowledging the importance of communication and forgiveness in relationships, and the need to practice love and compassion even in difficult situations
In the answer for cancer in a prodigious kid's mind
Believing in the power of innovation and creative thinking to solve important social and scientific problems
Yes, the government will fund learning is free for everyone
Imagining a world where education is accessible and affordable to all, and where the government prioritizes investing in the future
And from that lie, your leaders will rise in the eyes
Believing that truth and justice will ultimately prevail, and leaders who embody those values will be empowered
Of despair and adversity in some universe this verse will be true
Hoping that someday, their struggles and experiences will be acknowledged and valued by society as a whole
Everybody runnin' when they see the stars comin'
Feeling like society is afraid of those who dare to rise above their station and challenge the status quo
But whatever's gonna be will be
Accepting that despite the fear and uncertainty, their fate is out of their hands
Some will dash to the mountain, some will crawl
Acknowledging the different paths people take in life, and that each person's journey is unique
And the weakest amongst them, they will fall
Recognizing that some people face more obstacles and challenges than others, and that not everyone may succeed
But the strongest in faith, they will stand tall
Believing that those who have hope and faith in themselves and their community will persevere and overcome obstacles
I just wanna feel as liberated as lions in Liberia
Longing for freedom and liberation, both personally and for their community as a whole
'Cause recently my heart turned cold as Siberia
Feeling disillusioned and disappointed by the current state of society
'Cause everywhere I go, bein' cold is the criteria
Feeling like society values toughness and detachment over empathy and compassion
Let's see how well you know all your Tribe trivia
Challenging listeners to understand and appreciate the legacy and culture of their community and the wider hip-hop movement
Green and the white, we servin' that Nigeria
Proudly representing and celebrating their African heritage and cultural background
North side of Queens, one-nine-two is the area
Identifying their neighborhood and community in Queens, and expressing pride and solidarity with their neighbors
This is for my dawgs from Shih Tzus to Terriers
Acknowledging the diversity and variety of their community, and celebrating everyone's unique contribution
Fuck it, it's showtime
Embracing the moment and seizing the opportunity to shine and succeed
Tip, make sure they hearin' ya
Encouraging their fellow artists and community members to speak up and be heard, and to never give up on their dreams and aspirations
Lyrics © Ultra Tunes, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Kamaal Ibn John Fareed, Dexter Mills, Jarobi White, Malik Izaak Taylor
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tate Buitrago
on Electric Relaxation
another of my dads