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."
Life Is Better
Q-Tip Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But now, it comes clean
Leaves fall, away
Hip-hop is playing again
And it's bangin', too
Know it's bangin', for you
Don't stop this feeling I feel
I just wanna lay around all day
I'm so into your rich history
Tell me a story to take me away
Come and take me, oh
Come and take me with you
Life is, better
Now that, now that I found you
Life is, better
Now that, now that I found you
Life is, better
Now that, now that I found you
Life is, better
Now that, now that I found you
Life is, better
Now that, now that I found you
Life is, better
Now that, now that I found you
Life is, better
Now that, now that I found you
Life is, better
Now that, now that I found you
Uh, uh, one step at a time, a man walked on the moon
One record got played, Kool Herc said boom
One minute young man, your time come soon
We waiting, it was prophesied you loon
We bang our drums, enter message through sound
We wrasslers and we takin' over your town
Hands sweatin', it's critiquing all this vibe I'm gettin'
Playlist setting: Cold Crush, Furious Five, and the Masterdon
Cosmic Force, Bammbaataa, Jazzy 5
Lovebug Starski, Junebug, Busy Bee
Run, D, Jay, LL, Kane, Biz Markie
Doug E., Will, Barry B., Spoonie, Schooly D
Rakim, BDP, Dana Dane, Ricky D
Leaders of the New School, Snoop Dogg, Monie Love
B.I.G. and Pac are up above, Eazy-E and Bone Thugz
Fat and Skinny Boys, Cash Money and the rapper Nas
Large Professor, Lauryn, Wyclef, and Pras
Brand Nubian, Diamond D, Ludacris, and Jay
R.I.P. Pimp C, Common, Lil Wayne, and 'Ye
Primo, OutKast, where my nigga Dilla at?
S.V. uh uh, where my nigga Dilla at
And when you look into my eyes, it makes all these feelings rise
Makes my space better place, can't you see it in my face?
Life is better, since I found you
The Q-Tip feat. Norah Jones song "Life Is Better" is a celebration of the beauty and richness of life. The song's opening lyrics describe how life can often seem gray and dull, but that when we embrace our passions and let the music take over, life can become vibrant and full of color. The song's upbeat tempo and hip-hop beat reinforce the idea that music can be a transformative force in our lives.
The chorus of "Life Is Better" repeats the phrase "now that I found you" several times, suggesting that the joy of life is often found in the connections we make with other people. The song celebrates the power of human relationships to bring color to our lives and to help us find meaning and purpose.
Line by Line Meaning
Life's filled with gray
Life can be dull and monotonous
But now, it comes clean
But with you, everything becomes clearer and brighter
Leaves fall, away
The old and worn-out things are disappearing
Hip-hop is playing again
The joy of the past is being rekindled through music
And it's bangin', too
The music is awesome and creates a great atmosphere
Know it's bangin', for you
I know you are enjoying the music just as much as I am
Don't stop this feeling I feel
Let's keep this incredible feeling going
I just wanna lay around all day
I want to bask in the happiness and comfort of this moment with you
And feel the breeze upon my knees
I want to enjoy the small, simple pleasures of life with you
I'm so into your rich history
I am fascinated by your culture and background
Tell me a story to take me away
Please share your experiences and take me on a journey with your words
Come and take me, oh
Please invite me into your world and show me more
Life is, better
Life is vastly improved
Now that, now that I found you
Ever since I met you, everything has been better
Uh, uh, one step at a time, a man walked on the moon
Great achievements can be accomplished with patience and determination
One record got played, Kool Herc said boom
One influential moment can spark a revolution
One minute young man, your time come soon
It's important to persevere and wait for your moment of success
We waiting, it was prophesied you loon
People have been waiting and hoping for someone like you to arrive
We bang our drums, enter message through sound
We express ourselves through music and share our message with the world
Hands sweatin', it's critiquing all this vibe I'm gettin'
I feel inspired and energized, and I'm analyzing why this music is affecting me so deeply
Playlist setting: Cold Crush, Furious Five, and the Masterdon
I am listening to a playlist of legendary hip-hop artists
Cosmic Force, Bammbaataa, Jazzy 5
These are more of the amazing hip-hop artists I'm listening to
Lovebug Starski, Junebug, Busy Bee
Even more talented artists on the playlist
Run, D, Jay, LL, Kane, Biz Markie
Some of the most iconic hip-hop artists of all time
Doug E., Will, Barry B., Spoonie, Schooly D
More incredible artists who have contributed to the history of hip-hop
Rakim, BDP, Dana Dane, Ricky D
The list goes on with more influential rappers
Leaders of the New School, Snoop Dogg, Monie Love
The legacy of hip-hop continues with newer artists as well
B.I.G. and Pac are up above, Eazy-E and Bone Thugz
We remember and honor those who have passed on and contributed to the genre
Fat and Skinny Boys, Cash Money and the rapper Nas
More artists who have influenced hip-hop and made it great
Large Professor, Lauryn, Wyclef, and Pras
Hip-hop continues to have incredible artists with unique voices and perspectives
Brand Nubian, Diamond D, Ludacris, and Jay
The list goes on and on with more amazing hip-hop artists
R.I.P. Pimp C, Common, Lil Wayne, and 'Ye
We remember and pay tribute to those who have passed on and made contributions to hip-hop
Primo, OutKast, where my nigga Dilla at?
Even more great hip-hop artists and producers to celebrate
S.V. uh uh, where my nigga Dilla at
We especially remember and honor the legacy of J Dilla
And when you look into my eyes, it makes all these feelings rise
The connection we share is incredibly intense and powerful
Makes my space better place, can't you see it in my face?
Being with you has made my life so much better, and it shows in my expression
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: KAMAAL FAREED, ROBERT GLASPER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Dr.JudeAEMasonMD
Once of the best cross genre duets ever made. This is not cameo, but a genuine collaboration.
@julien890001
You’re so true 😍
@cireravilob
I don't care what anyone says, this is timeless.
@katey5924
Excuse me
@Dr.JudeAEMasonMD
2023 #facts
@mrt7152
Hmmm that’s interesting what you are saying there. It’s timeless in way that it is still incredible good till this day. But it also isn’t because this is really feel good music easing you down. This is simply not made anymore, very unfortunately by the way. Cheer’s missing the those days.
@garybesaw
Fo shizzle!!!
@landisburnett6035
They couldn’t say anything Other✨
@alsaulso1332
NORAH SHOULD HAVE PRODUCED A WHOLE ALBUM WITH TIP!! HER VOICE FITS! LOVE IT!!!
@blkenuf8943
Grown folks hip hop right here. Love this cut.