Breathe and Stop
Q‐Tip Lyrics


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Get up
Come on

A hard time if your motion is still
Let me move some things around because the lyrics is ill
Abstract, you know my stiggidy in here (yeah)
Niggas get on and swear it's they fucking year
But yo your girl just moved
To the joint in the club, in the car if it groove
Broad look, the movement is on
Mild mannered mami's in Victoria thongs, uh
I give my rhyme a bless
Guaranteed to make it right if your night is a bust (yeah yeah)
You vibrant and you fresh and all
Original to say the least and you've impressed Kamal (come on)
Rappers start then they stall
Finding it very hard to make it over the wall
Hey, get your weight up, my motto you heard?
And I grown a deaf ear to felonious words, uh
So girls move it around
If you see your main dog give a brother a pound
And just

Breathe and stop, for real and give it what you got, and just
Breathe and stop, for real and give it what you got
Give it what you got, give it what you got
If you on the block then give it what you got

A thug, a thrill, you as mean as the eyes (say word)
I want to feel you, them big ass thighs
Your Prada dress or your Gucci bag
With the Polo jeans over doobi-bag, uh
Yo hold the door alright?
We coming through, Tribe beef, hold it down for the night
Big Moon got the fifth
D-lyfe he got the deally and girl you got the gif (yeah for real love)
Turn it over the page
Ushering all of y'all to a brand new age, where (yeah)
Status really don't matter
Everybody get right to the pitter the patter (come on)
Making moves, setting precedence
Entering your residence, the whole scene is decadence
And the feeling is true
I'm seeing me and my crew, you seeing black and blue, uh (yeah)
So let's go for the ride
Strap yourself in tight and if you bonafied then just uh

Breathe and stop, for real and give it what you got, and just
Breathe and stop, for real and give it what you got
Give it what you got, give it what you got
If you on the block then give it what you got

Dunn what what bring it, bring it
A-bring it give it bring it give it
Bring it give it bring it give it
A-where we bring it to?
Right here, right where? Right here, right where?
Right here, right where? Right here, right where?
Right here, right where? Right here, here here
Right here, take it home home, take it home, right here

Millennium, on your mind, are you running out of time?
Hope you skipping every line because I'm getting mine
Move it around a bit again
Every block every town we starting a trend (for real for real)
Eye to eye ma and toe to toe (toe to toe)
Who concentrating on killing the show?
Penetration is methodically slow
Mountain high valley low gonna find the dough (yo for real for real)
All my peoples, no matter the creed
We gonna satisfy the urge and discover the need
You feel, you feel the bite in this
If you think I'm type real then invite me miss
And let me say a rhyme in your ear
Dancing close you the most and you fit in here (yeah)
You feel the rhythm is right
You know the spitting is tight
You think you won't but I think you might, uh

Breathe and stop, for real and give it what you got, and just
Breathe and stop, for real and give it what you got
Breathe and stop, for real and give it what you got, and just
Breathe and stop, for real and give it what you got
Breathe and stop, for real and give it what you got, and just
Breathe and stop, for real and give it what you got
Breathe and stop, for real and give it what you got, and just




Give it what you got, give it what you got
If you on the block then give it what you got

Overall Meaning

Q-Tip's song "Breathe and Stop" is both a call to action and an ode to movement. From the opening lyrics, "A hard time if your motion is still," Q-Tip encourages listeners to get up, move their bodies, and let the rhythm of the music guide them. He references the "movement" of life - things shifting and changing - and contrasts it with the stasis of those who refuse to engage with the world around them. The lyrics are multilayered, with references to fashion (Prada dresses and Polo jeans) and nods to his crew, Tribe Called Quest. The song's chorus, "Breathe and stop," is a reminder to take a moment to center oneself before launching into action.


Q-Tip's delivery is a standout feature of the track, with his signature smooth flow working in perfect harmony with the beat. The instrumentation is also noteworthy, with a sample from Kool & The Gang's "N.T." forming the backbone of the song. Q-Tip's musical influences are evident in "Breathe and Stop" - the track is steeped in the classic hip-hop sounds of the 90s, with a nod to funk and jazz. Overall, the song is an efficient, tightly crafted jam that captures the essence of Q-Tip's lyrical style and musical vision.


Line by Line Meaning

Get up
Start moving and taking action


Come on
Encouragement to move faster or to join in


A hard time if your motion is still
It will be difficult for you if you stay inactive


Let me move some things around because the lyrics is ill
Let me change things up, because the lyrics are amazing


Abstract, you know my stiggidy in here (yeah)
My style is unique and you understand it


N***as get on and swear it's they f***ing year
People become successful and act like they own everything


But yo your girl just moved to the joint in the club, in the car if it groove
But your girl is dancing and having a good time in the club or the car if the music is good


Broad look, the movement is on
Look around, things are happening


Mild-mannered mami's in Victoria thongs, uh
Women in sexy underwear are present and dancing


I give my rhyme a bless
I put my heart and soul into my lyrics


Guaranteed to make it right if your night is a bust (yeah yeah)
I promise to make your night better if it's not going well


You vibrant and you fresh and all
You are lively and energetic and you stand out


Original to say the least and you've impressed Kamal (come on)
You are unique and Kamal is impressed with you


Rappers start then they stall
Musicians begin their journey and then stop progressing


Finding it very hard to make it over the wall
Struggling to succeed in the industry


Hey, get your weight up, my motto you heard?
Get stronger and more determined to succeed


And I grown a deaf ear to felonious words, uh
I ignore negativity and criminal talk


So girls move it around
Women start dancing and having a good time


If you see your main dog give a brother a pound
If you see your friend, give them a fist bump in greeting


Breathe and stop, for real and give it what you got, and just
Take a moment to breathe and then give your all


Give it what you got, give it what you got
Do your best and give it your all


If you on the block then give it what you got
If you're out in the streets, give it everything you have


A thug, a thrill, you as mean as the eyes (say word)
You have a tough exterior and a fierce look


I want to feel you, them big ass thighs
I want to be physically close to you


Your Prada dress or your Gucci bag
Your expensive clothing and accessories


With the Polo jeans over doobi-bag, uh
Wearing Polo jeans with a small bag


Yo hold the door alright?
Hold the door open for us, please


We coming through, Tribe beef, hold it down for the night
We are coming in strong and the Tribe needs to keep the momentum going


Big Moon got the fifth
Big Moon has a gun


D-lyfe he got the deally and girl you got the gif (yeah for real love)
D-Lyfe has a drug and the girl has a good vibe


Turn it over the page
Start a new chapter


Ushering all of y'all to a brand new age, where (yeah)
We are bringing everybody to a new era


Status really don't matter
Your social class or standing is not important


Everybody get right to the pitter the patter (come on)
Everybody should start moving to the beat


Making moves, setting precedence
Taking action and leading the way


Entering your residence, the whole scene is decadence
I am entering your space and everything looks luxurious


And the feeling is true
The emotions are authentic


I'm seeing me and my crew, you seeing black and blue, uh (yeah)
I see myself and my team winning, but you may be intimidated


So let's go for the ride
Let's start the journey


Strap yourself in tight and if you bonafide then just uh
Prepare yourself and if you're confident, then let's go


Dunn what what bring it, bring it
Let's bring it on


A-bring it give it bring it give it
Bring your best and keep it coming


A-where we bring it to?
Where are we taking this?


Millennium, on your mind, are you running out of time?
Are you thinking about the future and wondering if time is running out?


Hope you skipping every line because I'm getting mine
I hope you are not standing in my way, because I am pursuing my goals


Move it around a bit again
Start moving and having fun again


Every block every town we starting a trend (for real for real)
We are setting a new trend in every place we go


Eye to eye ma and toe to toe (toe to toe)
We are facing each other and standing our ground


Who concentrating on killing the show?
Who is trying to ruin the performance?


Penetration is methodically slow
Making progress is a slow, calculated process


Mountain high valley low gonna find the dough (yo for real for real)
We will overcome obstacles to achieve success


All my peoples, no matter the creed
All of my people, regardless of race or religion


We gonna satisfy the urge and discover the need
We will fulfill our desire and find what we truly need


You feel, you feel the bite in this
You can feel the energy and intensity of this moment


If you think I'm type real then invite me miss
If you believe I am genuine, then ask me to join you


And let me say a rhyme in your ear
Let me share a few verses with you


Dancing close you the most and you fit in here (yeah)
Dancing close to you feels right and you belong here


You feel the rhythm is right
You feel that the beat is perfect


You know the spitting is tight
You recognize that the lyrics are amazing


You think you won't but I think you might, uh
You may believe you can't do it, but I believe you can




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Broma 16, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Gene Redd,, Roy Handy, Gene Jr. Redd, Cleveland Horne, Robert Bell, Ronald Bell, Robert Mickens, Dennis Thomas, Richard Westfield, George Brown, Claydes Smith, Kamaal Ibn Jonathan Davis Fareed, James Dewitt Yancey

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@whiteMCHammer

From his flow to his beats, Q-tip has always been able to MAKE you move

@TheEguerrero1984

Don't forget J Dilla on the beat also.

@Alessandro1983

Word

@crishnaholmes7730

@@TheEguerrero1984are you a fan of his

@TheEguerrero1984

@crishnaholmes7730  No, I never been a "fan" of any man.

@crishnaholmes7730

@@TheEguerrero1984 mhm

4 More Replies...

@TonezworldTV

Can we all just appreciate the lyrical skills on this??? Of course the beat and productions is lit as well!!

@bobipicha9046

bruv he goes in the ear to clean wdym lyrical skills

@tommygunn9811

Q-tip still shootin knowledge and a flow with rhymes ya can understand clearly, definitely a classic

@debrabrewer709

Hey I know you. 😊

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