The Q in his name stands for Queens, and it is also said to be a name that represents his ability to get into one’s ears.
Early career:
Q-Tip's first appearance on record was on the Jungle Brothers' Straight Out the Jungle in 1988. Besides performing with his popular and successful jazz-influenced hip hop group, Tip also did production work (under his production alias "the Abstract" or often — along with fellow Tribe member Ali Shaheed Muhammad and the late Slum Village member Jay Dee — as part of The Ummah) for artists such as Nas ("One Love," from Illmatic, 1994), Mobb Deep (co-producer on "Give up the Goods (Just Step)," "Temperature's Rising," and "Drink Away the Pain," from The Infamous, 1995) and even R&B divas Mariah Carey ("Honey," from Butterfly, 1997) and Whitney Houston ("Fine," from Greatest Hits).
Solo career:
A Tribe Called Quest disbanded in 1998, after which Q-Tip pursued a solo career. His first solo singles, "Vivrant Thing" and "Breathe & Stop," were far more pop-oriented than anything he had done in A Tribe Called Quest, as was his solo debut LP for Arista Records, Amplified. His 2002 follow-up, Kamaal the Abstract, although critically acclaimed and issued a catalog number, was never released because the label believed that it did not have commercial appeal. His next album, The Renaissance, was released November 2008.
A Tribe Called Quest reunited in 2006 and played a limited number of dates. The group was composed of its original lineup, including Tip and occasional member Jarobi White. Early the next year, Tip signed a new solo deal with Motown/Universal Records.
As of late, Q-Tip has been very active, once again happily reunited with the full line-up of A Tribe Called Quest on the 2K7 NBA Bounce Tour and regaining control of his previously label-owned MySpace page. He has filled the page up with demos and rarities, (some of them from Kamaal the Abstract), and has announced he is negotiating for the ownership of the masters of earlier material from his previous labels and plans to release them independently. Currently, he resides in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey.
Q-Tip has recently stated that he will be forming a hip hop group with fellow rapper Common, called "The Standard."
A Million Times
Q-Tip Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Thought I told you a million times
Thought I told you a million times
Again and again
I said we're going to do it, again and again
I said we're going to do it, again and again
I said we're going to do it, again and again
A million times
Thought I told you a million times
Thought I told you a million times
Thought I told you a million
Times
Again and again
We're going to do it, again and again
I said we're going to do it, again and again
I said we're going to do it, again and again
Said we're going to do it, again and again
Said we're going to do it, again and again
Said we're going to do it, again and again
We're going to do it, again and again
Said we're going to do it, again and again
Said we're going to do it, again and again
Said we're going to do it, again and again
A million times
Again and again
A million times
Again and again
A million times
Again and again
A million times
Again and again
A million times
Again and again
A million times
The lyrics of Q-Tip’s song A Million Times appear to be repetitive, with the phrase “Thought I told you a million times” being repeated throughout the song. However, upon closer inspection, there seems to be a deeper meaning behind the repetition. The phrase itself suggests that the singer is tired of having to repeat themselves over and over again, indicating a sense of frustration, as if they are constantly being ignored or not heard. However, the repetition of the phrase could also suggest a sense of determination, as the singer is consistently trying to get their message across, no matter how many times they have to repeat it. It could also be interpreted as a message of perseverance in reaching a goal or achieving success, where the singer is saying that they will continue to strive for it “again and again, a million times.”
Another interesting aspect of the song is the use of the phrase “We’re going to do it” throughout the lyrics. This phrase could be interpreted as the singer motivating themselves or others to keep pushing towards their goals, no matter how many times they may fail or face setbacks. It could also suggest a sense of optimism and hope in the face of adversity, as the singer is constantly reaffirming their belief in achieving their aspirations.
Additionally, the song’s use of repetition and rhythmic flow creates a sense of hypnotism and trance-like state, which could suggest the power of words and the impact they can have on the listener. The repetitive nature of the song could also suggest a sense of meditation, where the repetition of the lyrics is used to calm and focus the mind.
Line by Line Meaning
Thought I told you a million times
I have repeated this message to you numerous times, but it still doesn't seem to be getting through to you.
Again and again
Repeatedly, as many times as necessary.
I said we're going to do it, again and again
I have made it clear that we will keep doing this over and over until we succeed.
A million times
Figuratively, I have said this phrase countless times.
Said we're going to do it, again and again
I have reiterated this message repeatedly and I will continue to do so.
We're going to do it, again and again
We will persist and repeat our efforts until we achieve our goal.
A million times
I will be relentless in my pursuit of success, repeating my actions and words continuously.
Again and again
I will continue to repeat my actions and words until I reach my desired outcome.
A million times
I will repeat this message as many times as necessary, until everyone involved understands and acts accordingly.
Again and again
I will persist, even in the face of obstacles and setbacks, and repeat my actions and words until we succeed.
A million times
I will not give up, and I will continue to repeat this message until it is fully understood and acted upon.
Again and again
I will repeat my message and actions without wavering, until we achieve the results we desire.
A million times
I will not be deterred, and I will continue to repeat myself as many times as necessary until success is achieved.
Again and again
I will persist in my efforts, repeating myself without hesitation, until we reach our goal.
A million times
This phrase represents the unrelenting persistence and dedication required to succeed in any endeavor.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Kamaal Ibn John Fareed, Guyora Kats, Christopher Lee Sholar
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind