Kamaal Ibn John Fareed (born Jonathan William Davis, April 10, 1970 in Harl… Read Full Bio ↴Kamaal Ibn John Fareed (born Jonathan William Davis, April 10, 1970 in Harlem, New York), also known by his stage names Q-Tip, Kamaal the Abstract and The Abstract Poetic, is an American Grammy Award winning rapper, actor, producer and the former leader of the group A Tribe Called Quest. He converted to Islam in the mid-1990s and changed his name to Kamaal Ibn John Fareed. He later moved to Jamaica, Queens, New York as a child. As referenced in the song "Check the Rhime", he mostly resided at Linden Boulevard. He released his debut solo album Amplified in 1999 and followed this up in 2008 with The Renaissance. His third release, Kamaal/The Abstract, was recorded in 2002 but was shelved by his label Arista as they didn't believe it had commercial appeal, but it was eventually released on CD in 2009.

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."

For the Nasty
Q-Tip Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

(featuring Busta Rhymes)

[Q-Tip Intro/Chorus]
I be that nigga that I think y'all know
With Mr. Busta Rhymes (A-yo, I'm in the studio)

[Busta Rhymes]
Girl MOOOOOVE!

Show me what y'all know
Girl MOOOOOVE!
Show me what y'all know
Girl MOOOOOVE!
Show me what y'all know
Girl MOOOOOVE!
Show me what y'all know

[Q-Tip]
Close the door, 'ight, let a nigga rock
Cause we 'bout to eat real shit, not shit slop
Nigga can't say shit about this hip-hop
Cause I build dudes lanes while at pit stop
Built they styles and they names, Frankenstein, right
It's a high state game, dudes are playing it
I be questioning alot of y'all who made it in
Just move with the joint that we chartering
Make you disappear quick, like you're part of wind
Then laugh, ah-ha ha, and laugh again
Shorty, move a lil bit, I'm looking at your friend
Let's get in there and shake for the beat, girl
Do a lil eye wink, throw a tongue twirl
Gotta hit lock smashed in, tied down
We on your block, turned hot spots to ghost towns
A-yo, I'm tired of these niggaz, Bus-a-Bus, now
Say it to 'em

[Chorus - Q-Tip]
This is just, for the nasty
A-yo, this is just for the sassy
A-yo, this is just for the classy
A-yo, this is just for the what? (Tell 'em now)

[Busta Rhymes]
Girl MOOOOOVE!
Show me what y'all know
Girl MOOOOOVE!
Show me what y'all know
Girl MOOOOOVE!
Show me what y'all know
Girl MOOOOOVE!
Show me what y'all know

[Busta Rhymes]
Pardon me, now, gimme room again
It's time to raise the level of the boom again
NOW WHO THAT?! Bus-a-bus-a-bus rhyme
(RAAAAAAA!!!) See, I ain't do that in a long time!
Spitting shit, make piece, do more crime
Hot songs, cribs, have a little more to shine
Alright, yea, shh shh, mm, uh, I pity y'all
The way I bang niggaz, and how I shit on y'all
Spit the slang bigger, make your label quit on y'all
And do my thang, bitch, from here to Synagogue
We getting alot of money, me and my friend, Kamal
I take your money too, I ain't afraid of y'all
With so much class, my shit will kill ya
When I don't wanna rap
And still I'ma smash and make the bitches Make It Clap
As soon as I'm finished with her, homey, I'll give her back
Say it to 'em

[Chorus - Q-Tip]
This is just, for the nasty
A-yo, this is just for the sassy
A-yo, this is just for the classy
A-yo, this is just for the what? (Tell 'em now)

[Busta Rhymes]
Girl MOOOOOVE!
Show me what y'all know
Girl MOOOOOVE!
Show me what y'all know
Girl MOOOOOVE!
Show me what y'all know
Girl MOOOOOVE!
Show me what y'all know

[Q-Tip]
When the beat bang, and you're up in the club
When you listen and you feel a thug
When you hear my voice, understand the love
When the DJ spins it back, it's a friendly rub
But, when I'm behind, I cannot be kind
With your waistline, and the way you move
Like a old great beat, I'ma catch a groove
Or like a old hip-hop joint, you Nice & Smooth (Come on, girl)

[Chorus - Q-Tip]
This is just, for the nasty
A-yo, this is just for the sassy
A-yo, this is just for the classy
A-yo, this is just for the what? (Tell 'em now)

[Busta Rhymes]
Girl MOOOOOVE!
Show me what y'all know
Girl MOOOOOVE!
Show me what y'all know
Girl MOOOOOVE!
Show me what y'all know

Girl MOOOOOVE!
Show me what y'all know

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Q-Tip's song "For the Nasty" featuring Busta Rhymes is a classic rap song that's all about the love of hip-hop and the art of rapping. Q-Tip opens the song with a boastful introduction, making it clear that he is the one who knows his worth and what he is capable of. Busta Rhymes then takes over, urging the audience to get up and dance with catchy chants like "Girl MOOOOOOVE!".

Throughout the song, both Q-Tip and Busta Rhymes showcase their skills as rappers by boasting about their fame and fortune, their ability to make great music, and their prowess with women. The chorus, "This is just for the nasty, this is just for the sassy, this is just for the classy" reinforces their appeal to all types of women.

The song speaks to the glitz and glamour of the hip-hop lifestyle, but also acknowledges the talent and creativity required to make it as an artist in the genre. The playful nature of the lyrics and the catchy beat of the song make it a classic and a staple of the hip-hop genre.

Line by Line Meaning

I be that nigga that I think y'all know
I am the person that I believe you all recognize

With Mr. Busta Rhymes (A-yo, I'm in the studio)
Busta Rhymes is present in the studio with me

Girl MOOOOOVE!
Women, please move your bodies energetically

Show me what y'all know
Demonstrate to me what you are capable of doing

Close the door, 'ight, let a nigga rock
Shut the door and allow me to perform without interruption

Cause we 'bout to eat real shit, not shit slop
We are going to engage in genuine music, not meaningless noise

Nigga can't say shit about this hip-hop
No one can criticize this hip-hop music

Cause I build dudes lanes while at pit stop
I construct pathways for other musicians while taking a break from my own music

Built they styles and they names, Frankenstein, right
I created the styles and names of other musicians, like Frankenstein putting together a monster

It's a high state game, dudes are playing it
The music industry is highly competitive, and people are actively participating in it

I be questioning alot of y'all who made it in
I have doubts about many of the people who have succeeded in this industry

Just move with the joint that we chartering
Just go along with the music that we are creating

Make you disappear quick, like you're part of wind
I can make you vanish rapidly, like you were never even there

Then laugh, ah-ha ha, and laugh again
Then laugh out loud, multiple times

Shorty, move a lil bit, I'm looking at your friend
Young lady, dance a little bit while I check out your friend

Let's get in there and shake for the beat, girl
Let's dance enthusiastically to the rhythm

Do a lil eye wink, throw a tongue twirl
Give a small wink or stick out your tongue in a flirtatious way

Gotta hit lock smashed in, tied down
We have to infiltrate quickly and securely

We on your block, turned hot spots to ghost towns
We have turned your previously popular and active areas into deserted places

A-yo, I'm tired of these niggaz, Bus-a-Bus, now
I am exhausted from dealing with these individuals, Busta Rhymes, and I need your assistance

This is just, for the nasty
This music is made for those who are willing to get down and dirty

A-yo, this is just for the sassy
This music is for individuals who are confident and flirty

A-yo, this is just for the classy
This music is for people who have refined and tasteful attitudes

Girl MOOOOOVE!
Women, please move your bodies energetically

When the beat bang, and you're up in the club
When the music is playing loudly, and you are in a club

When you listen and you feel a thug
When you can hear the tough and aggressive tone in the music

When you hear my voice, understand the love
When you hear my voice, recognize the appreciation and affection I have for this style of music

When the DJ spins it back, it's a friendly rub
When the DJ rewinds the track, it is a sign of mutual respect and camaraderie

But, when I'm behind, I cannot be kind
However, when I am leading or in control, I do not show kindness

With your waistline, and the way you move
With the way you sway your hips and dance

Like a old great beat, I'ma catch a groove
Like an unforgettable rhythm, I will find the groove and dance along

Or like a old hip-hop joint, you Nice & Smooth (Come on, girl)
Like a classic hip-hop song, such as 'Nice & Smooth,' you should move your body and dance

Girl MOOOOOVE!
Women, please move your bodies energetically

Contributed by Colton M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Remus Pirsan

4y↑3

Intro: Pharrell, Q-Tip, Busta Rhymes]
Let me, let me, let me, let me
Let me tell you a story, yes (uh uh)
About a boy from the Tribe Called Quest (uh uh)
I be that nigga that I think y'all know
With Mr. Busta Rhymes (A-yo, I'm in the studio)

[Busta Rhymes]
Girl MOOOOOVE!
Show me what y'all know
Girl MOOOOOVE!
Show me what y'all know
Girl MOOOOOVE!
Show me what y'all know
Girl MOOOOOVE!
Show me what y'all know

[Q-Tip]
Close the door, 'ight, let a nigga rock
Cause we 'bout to eat real shit, not shit slop
Nigga can't say shit about this hip-hop
Cause I build dudes lanes while at pit stop
Built they styles and they names, Frankenstein Rock
It's a high stake game, dudes are playing it
I be questioning a lot of y'all who made it in
Just move with the joint that we chartering
Make you disappear quick, like you're part of wind
Then laugh, ah-ha ha, and laugh again
Shorty, move a lil bit, I'm looking at your friend
Let's get an ass shake for the beat, girl
Get a lil eye wink, throw a tongue twirl
We gotta him locked smashed in, tied down
We on your block, turned hot spots to ghost towns
A-yo, I'm tired of these niggas, Bus-a-Bus, now
Say it to 'em
[Hook: Q-Tip]
This is just, for the nasty
A-yo, this is just for the sassy
A-yo, this is just for the classy
A-yo, this is just for the what? (Tell 'em now)

[Busta Rhymes]
Girl MOOOOOVE!
Show me what y'all know
Girl MOOOOOVE!
Show me what y'all know
Girl MOOOOOVE!
Show me what y'all know
Girl MOOOOOVE!
Show me what y'all know

[Busta Rhymes]
Pardon me, now, gimme room again
It's time to raise the level of the boom again
NOW WHO'S THAT?! Bus-a-bus-a-bus rhyme
(RAAAAAAAWR!!!) See, I ain't do that in a long time!
Spitting shit, make the streets do more crime
Cop some cribs, cop a little more shine
Alright, yea, shh shh, mm, uh, I pity y'all
The way I bang niggas, and how I shit on y'all
And spit the slang bigger, make your label quit on y'all
And do my thang, bitch, from here to Senegal
We getting a lot of money, me and my friend, Kammal
I take your money too, I ain't a friend of y'all
With so much class, my shit will kill ya blood
(jghejhejhehjeh) When I don't wanna rap
And still I will smash and make the bitches make it clap
As soon as I'm finished with her, homie, I'll give her back
Say it to 'em
Hook: Q-Tip]
This is just, for the nasty
A-yo, this is just for the sassy
A-yo, this is just for the classy
A-yo, this is just for the what? (Tell 'em now)

[Busta Rhymes]
Girl MOOOOOVE!
Show me what y'all know
Girl MOOOOOVE!
Show me what y'all know
Girl MOOOOOVE!
Show me what y'all know
Girl MOOOOOVE!
Show me what y'all know

[Q-Tip]
When the beat bang, and you're in the club
When you listen and you feel a thud
When you hear my voice, understand the love
When the DJ spins it back, it's a friendly rub
But, when I'm behind, I cannot be kind
With your waistline, and the way you move
Like a old break-beat, I'ma catch a groove
Or like a old hip-hop joint, you Nice and Smooth (Come on, girl)