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."
Breathe And Stop
Q-Tip Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
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
The lyrics in Q-Tip's song "Breathe and Stop" promote movement and action, encouraging listeners to get up and seize the day. The verses reference elements of hip-hop culture, including fashion (such as Victoria's Secret thongs and Polo jeans), and boast a sense of confidence, suggesting that the singer and his crew are the ones moving the scene forward.
The chorus is simple but effective, repeating the titular phrase "Breathe and stop" to remind listeners to take deep breaths and focus on their actions, whatever they may be. The lyrics also suggest a call to arms for the hip-hop community, with lines like "I grown a deaf ear to felonious words" suggesting that Q-Tip is uninterested in drama or beef within the genre and just wants to focus on making good music.
Overall, "Breathe and Stop" is a fun, upbeat song that encourages listeners to move and groove, while also promoting a sense of community and collaboration within the hip-hop scene.
Line by Line Meaning
Get up
Encouraging the listener to rise and take action.
Come on
Continuing the encouragement to act.
A hard time if your motion is still
Life is difficult if you remain stagnant.
Let me move some things around because the lyrics is ill
Allow me to change up the status quo as my lyrics are exceptional.
Abstract, you know my stiggidy in here (yeah)
My personal style is unique and unfamiliar to many.
Niggas get on and swear it's they fucking year
People often forget their roots and believe they have accomplished more than they truly have.
But yo your girl just moved
Your significant other has started dancing and is catching the attention of others around them.
To the joint in the club, in the car if it groove
Your significant other is enjoying the movement and rhythm of the music whether it's in the club or car.
Broad look, the movement is on
The party atmosphere is in full effect.
Mild mannered mami's in Victoria thongs, uh
Attractive women are present, dressed in Victoria’s Secret thongs.
I give my rhyme a bless
I give my lyrics my best effort.
Guaranteed to make it right if your night is a bust (yeah yeah)
My music can make a bad night better.
You vibrant and you fresh and all
You have a lively and energetic aura.
Original to say the least and you've impressed Kamal (come on)
Your unique and impressive qualities have caught the attention of Kamal and he agrees.
Rappers start then they stall
Most rappers are unable to maintain long-lasting success.
Finding it very hard to make it over the wall
Rappers face many hurdles and obstacles in their journey to success.
Hey, get your weight up, my motto you heard?
My motto is to work hard and achieve success through determination and perseverance.
And I grown a deaf ear to felonious words, uh
I ignore negative and hateful language from those around me.
So girls move it around
Women should dance and enjoy themselves.
If you see your main dog give a brother a pound
If you see someone you know, give them a greeting, like a fist bump.
A thug, a thrill, you as mean as the eyes (say word)
You have a menacing appearance similar to that of a thug or villain.
I want to feel you, them big ass thighs
I want to experience the pleasure of touching your large and curvy thighs.
Your Prada dress or your Gucci bag
Your expensive clothing and accessories which indicate wealth and status.
With the Polo jeans over doobi-bag, uh
Wearing designer clothing from different brands.
Yo hold the door alright?
Hold the door open for me, please.
We coming through, Tribe beef, hold it down for the night
The rap group A Tribe Called Quest is arriving and requesting that the party maintains a lively experience.
Big Moon got the fifth
Big Moon has a .45 caliber handgun.
D-lyfe he got the deally and girl you got the gif (yeah for real love)
Others in the group have their unique skills/assets as well.
Turn it over the page
Transitioning to the next phase or chapter of the party.
Ushering all of y'all to a brand new age, where (yeah)
Moving everyone forward to a new and exciting era.
Status really don't matter
Your social status, wealth, or fame does not matter in this party atmosphere.
Everybody get right to the pitter the patter (come on)
Get into the rhythm and enjoy the music.
Making moves, setting precedence
Taking action and setting an example for those around you.
Entering your residence, the whole scene is decadence
Arriving in style to your location and experiencing luxury and indulgence.
And the feeling is true
The emotional connection to this experience is genuine and authentic.
I'm seeing me and my crew, you seeing black and blue, uh (yeah)
We are enjoying ourselves, but others may be tired or bruised from dancing too much.
So let's go for the ride
Let's continue to enjoy ourselves and stay on this wild ride.
Strap yourself in tight and if you bonafied then just uh
Hold on tight and enjoy the experience to the fullest.
Millennium, on your mind, are you running out of time?
Considering and feeling the pressure of time moving forward towards a new era/millennium.
Hope you skipping every line because I'm getting mine
I hope you are enjoying the party, but I am completely immersed in my own experience.
Move it around a bit again
Continue to dance and groove to the music.
Every block every town we starting a trend (for real for real)
Our influence and popularity is spreading to different neighborhoods and cities.
Eye to eye ma and toe to toe (toe to toe)
Direct face-to-face communication and interaction.
Who concentrating on killing the show?
Who is trying to outdo everyone else by dominating the party atmosphere?
Penetration is methodically slow
The atmosphere is building up slowly but surely.
Mountain high valley low gonna find the dough (yo for real for real)
We will travel far and work hard to achieve our goals and success.
All my peoples, no matter the creed
All of my friends and associates, regardless of their background or beliefs.
We gonna satisfy the urge and discover the need
We will fulfill our desires and understand our true needs and wants.
You feel, you feel the bite in this
You can sense the intensity and passion in my music.
If you think I'm type real then invite me miss
If you believe that I am genuine and authentic, then feel free to invite me to your life or party.
And let me say a rhyme in your ear
Allow me to share my music and creativity with you on a personal level.
Dancing close you the most and you fit in here (yeah)
Dancing and being near each other makes you the perfect fit for this party atmosphere.
You feel the rhythm is right
You are feeling the beat and rhythm of the music perfectly.
You know the spitting is tight
You acknowledge that my lyrics and rhymes are exceptional.
You think you won't but I think you might, uh
You may not believe that you can handle this wild party, but I have faith in you to enjoy it to the fullest.
Give it what you got, give it what you got
Put forth your best effort and enjoy yourself to the fullest.
If you on the block then give it what you got
If you're present at a party or gathering, then participate and enjoy yourself to the fullest.
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
@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
@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. 😊