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."
Heels
Q-Tip Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Low
Closed or open toe
You be looking good when you rock 'em so
Put your heels on, girl
Them heels on, lady
Get your grind hard
You drive me crazy
Palms get sweaty, I'm imagining things
When I see what reality brings
I get choked from your vision uncomparable
So dime, a man, I could write a parable
Killing when I go back to my rat hole living
Michaelangelo, you're on the ceiling
That outfit you're wearing
With them pretty eyes wherein
I can see your mind's eye staring
Planning on changing the world just like me
You could be the chairwoman
And I'll be the trustee
Let me give all for your benefit
Then I'll get blessed out my deficit
Heels
High heels
Real heels
Ball hard
Blue jeans fitted
'69 Caddy, fully kitted
Muscle, cool town taught you about the hustle
Went away to school
You packed your duffle
You had them sexy little heels for that frat house
Damn
You want a little boy or little man?
Then only for you to even think to doubt
How your heels set it off when you toe up out
High
Low
Closed or open toe
You be looking good when you rock 'em so
Put your heels on, girl
Them heels on, lady
Get your grind hard
You drive me crazy
High
Low
Closed or open toe
You be looking good when you rock 'em so
Put your heels on, girl
Them heels on, lady
Get your grind hard
You drive me crazy
Heels
High heels
Real heels
When you walk around the streets
Men and women break their strides
And want to see
Schoolgirl jeans
You're the star that's going far
When you stroll
Those streaming eyes
Clarity comes from you
And makes them vibe
But them heels
Them heels
Whoa
Them heels
Them heels
Whoa, them heels
In the song “Heels” by Q-Tip, the artist praises the beauty and confidence of women when they wear high heels. Keeping in mind the societal construct that women should look a certain way to be deemed attractive, Q-Tip acknowledges that this pressure can be daunting, but wearing heels makes them look good and feel good at the same time. He highlights the versatility of heels, whether they are high or low, closed or open toe, they always make a statement. The lyrics also suggest how the idea of heels can be alluring, even in one’s imagination, as the idea of a woman wearing them can provoke a reaction from the onlookers.
In the second verse, Q-Tip describes seeing a woman who could potentially change the world, and is so attractive that it is almost overwhelming. He appreciates her intelligence and possible impact, as she can be a chairwoman to his trustee. The artist sees value in sacrificing everything for her benefit and being blessed in return. The message of the song seems to be that women should continue to wear their heels with pride and confidence, as they possess the power to conquer the world and be taken seriously.
Line by Line Meaning
High
The idea of elevating oneself in all aspects of life.
Low
Opposite of high, emphasizing the disparities that exist in people's status and circumstances.
Closed or open toe
Whatever suits a lady best, she wears it with pride and confidence.
You be looking good when you rock 'em so
A woman's display of confidence and grace when wearing heels is captivating and beautiful.
Put your heels on, girl
Encouragement to women everywhere to own their style and step out boldly.
Them heels on, lady
Acknowledgment and admiration for a woman's sense of fashion and elegance.
Get your grind hard
Determination and hard work are essential to achieving goals worth striving for.
You drive me crazy
The things a woman does with confidence can have a strong pull on a man's heart.
Palms get sweaty, I'm imagining things
The excitement and fear that often accompanies curiosity or attraction.
When I see what reality brings
The allure of the unknown paired with the beauty of discovery.
I get choked from your vision uncomparable
The feeling of being overwhelmed by beauty or brilliance.
So dime, a man, I could write a parable
A woman's beauty and appeal can inspire stories and poetry.
Killing when I go back to my rat hole living
A reminder that being inspired by one's surroundings and experiences can lead to growth and creativity.
Michaelangelo, you're on the ceiling
An allusion to the famous painting on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, which reflects inspiration and possibility.
That outfit you're wearing
The confidence a woman exudes when dressing stylishly and wear it with pride.
With them pretty eyes wherein
Eyes that reflect a woman's strength, beauty, and intelligence.
I can see your mind's eye staring
Recognition of a woman's intelligence and creativity, reflected in her eyes.
Planning on changing the world just like me
Acknowledgment of the shared sense of purpose and drive towards a better future.
You could be the chairwoman
Acknowledgment of a woman's leadership skills and potential for excellence.
And I'll be the trustee
Acknowledgment of how both partners have different roles that complement each other.
Let me give all for your benefit
A desire to give to another for their betterment.
Then I'll get blessed out my deficit
A reminder that being selfless and helping others can have positive outcomes on one's own life.
Ball hard
To work hard in all endeavors, be financially successful and achieve one's goals.
Blue jeans fitted
An appreciation for denim's beauty and practicality.
'69 Caddy, fully kitted
Appreciation for classic cars and high-quality engineering.
Muscle, cool town taught you about the hustle
Learning to work hard and be diligent to build a better life, despite all the challenges life throws at you.
Went away to school
Pursuing education, broadening horizons, and breaking free from old habits.
You packed your duffle
Making the most out of opportunities to travel and learn.
You had them sexy little heels for that frat house
Female empowerment, taking control of one's own sexuality.
Damn
Used to express amazement or admiration.
You want a little boy or little man?
Acknowledgment of how a woman's elegance and beauty can inspire strong desires in men.
Then only for you to even think to doubt
An acknowledgment that doubting oneself or one's direction is counter-productive.
How your heels set it off when you toe up out
A woman's heels can be a powerful tool to create desire and admiration in others.
When you walk around the streets
The power and confidence that comes from being supported, appreciated, and admired.
Men and women break their strides
When people see confidence and poise, they take notice and react accordingly.
And want to see
The positive reactions that spur others to work harder and be better.
Schoolgirl jeans
A reference to a time when the singer was younger, and the influence that other women had on his thoughts and desires.
You're the star that's going far
Acknowledgment of a woman's brilliance and the potential she has to change the world.
When you stroll
The elegance and grace of walking confidently in one's shoes and playing one's part in the world.
Those streaming eyes
Eyes that reflect emotion and intelligence and the power they have to inspire and change people.
Clarity comes from you
The clear and confident message that women send through their style and presence.
And makes them vibe
The way that one's style and confidence can shape people's moods and thoughts, and lead to positive change.
Whoa, them heels
A repeating validation of the appeal and beauty of a woman's heels.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Kamaal Ibn John Fareed, Kelvin Lamar Sholar
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind