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."
Caring
Q-Tip Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If you feel blue
Know someone is caring for you
Caring for you
Don't be blue (Don't be blue)
If somebody's says it's not true
Tell them you do
Have someone who's caring for you
This song is for you
If you feel blue
Know someone is caring for you
Caring for you
Don't be blue (Don't be blue)
If somebody's says it's not true
Tell them you do
Have someone who's caring, for
Caring for you
The lyrics of Q-Tip's song "Caring" convey a reassuring message to the listener who may be feeling down or blue. The song emphasizes the idea that there is always someone out there who cares for them, providing comfort and support. It encourages the listener not to succumb to sadness or doubt if others deny the existence of such caring individuals. The lyrics urge the listener to stand strong and assert that they do, indeed, have someone who cares for them.
The song's repetitive structure emphasizes the central theme and reinforces the message. By repeating the lines, "This song is for you, if you feel blue, know someone is caring for you," the lyrics create a sense of solidarity and comfort. The repetition of phrases such as "caring for you" and "don't be blue" serves as a mantra to reassure the listener and help them regain a sense of hope and support.
"Caring" is a reminder that even during difficult times, there are people who care about us. It seeks to uplift the listener's spirit and remind them that they are not alone in their struggles. The lyrics convey a simple yet powerful message of love, empathy, and human connection, reminding us all of the invaluable support systems that exist in our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
This song is for you
This song is dedicated to you
If you feel blue
If you are feeling sad or down
Know someone is caring for you
Understand that there is someone who deeply cares about you
Caring for you
Showing love and concern towards you
Don't be blue (Don't be blue)
Don't be sad or depressed (Don't be sad or depressed)
If somebody's says it's not true
If someone tries to deny or invalidate it
Tell them you do
Assert that you indeed have someone who cares for you
Have someone who's caring for you
You have someone in your life who actively looks after your well-being
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Kamaal Ibn John Fareed, Kelvin Lamar Sholar
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind