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."
Original
Q-Tip Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Different from the original man
Well, King Selassie I is the almighty one
And not the demonical one
Well, me see clear down in a Revelation
One man was worthy and he is to come
Fi sit upon the throne and burn down Vatican
Well, many are call but only few are choose
Don't try to put your foot ina another man's shoes
Then you know you only would a get confuse
Impersonating rastaman do refuse
And corruption bingiman exclude
Nuff a dem a come with things dem a try prove
Competition dem a run
We know dem a go lose
All who a try fi eat another man food
Bwoi
Then you know you the rude
Emperor Selassie I me choose... me can't lose
For me say you carbon
Different from the original man
Well, King Selassie I is the almighty one
And not the demonical one
Nah try sit down ina another man chair
Cake it so big and every man have dem share
Nuff a dem a eagle, dragon and bear
Bwoi you can not escape you judgement chair
King Selassie I alone the rastaman fear
Again again again again again
For me say you carbon
Different from the original man
Well, King Selassie I is the almighty one
And not the demonical one
Well nuff a dem a come like a race dem a run
Emperor Selassie I dem send me come
The meditation from me heart and the words of me tongue
Me come fi burn down Sodom
For me say you carbon
Different from the original man
Well, King Selassie I is the almighty one
And not the demonical one
The lyrics to Q-Tip's song "Original" are politically charged and full of references to Rastafarianism. The opening line "For me say you carbon, different from the original man" suggests that the singer sees themselves as part of an original, authentic group - possibly Rastafarians - and is addressing those who are "carbon," or lesser in some way. The next line "King Selassie I is the almighty one and not the demonical one" is a direct reference to the Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie I, who is seen as a figurehead in Rastafarianism. The line suggests that some people view the emperor as a dark, demonic figure, but the singer sees him as an almighty and powerful leader.
The next verse is a reference to the Book of Revelation in the Bible, which discusses the end of the world and the rise of a new, just society. The singer suggests that the current powers-that-be, represented by the Vatican, will be overthrown by a powerful figure who will take the throne. The following lines warn against people trying to impersonate Rastafarians or steal their traditions. The phrase "competition dem a run, we know dem a go lose" suggests that the singer sees those who are not true to the Rastafarian way of life as ultimately destined for failure.
The rest of the song discusses judgement and the singer's loyalty to Selassie I. The overall tone is one of rebellion and defiance against oppressive systems and a call to true believers to remain steadfast.
Line by Line Meaning
For me say you carbon
I'm telling you that you are a different type of human from the original man
Different from the original man
You are not the same as the first humans, who had a different nature
Well, King Selassie I is the almighty one
Emperor Selassie I is a powerful figure representing divinity
And not the demonical one
He is not a representative of evil or darkness
Well, me see clear down in a Revelation
I have had a vision of future events as described in the Christian book of Revelations
One man was worthy and he is to come
There is a person who is worthy, and he will come to fulfill a prophecy
Fi sit upon the throne and burn down Vatican
This person will overthrow oppressive powers, represented by the Vatican in this case
Well, many are call but only few are choose
Many people are invited, but only a select few can handle the challenge
Don't try to put your foot ina another man's shoes
Do not try to take on someone else's role or identity
Then you know you only would a get confuse
You will become confused and lost if you do this
Impersonating rastaman do refuse
Do not pretend to be a Rastafarian
And corruption bingiman exclude
Corrupt people are not welcome in the Rastafarian community
Nuff a dem a come with things dem a try prove
Many people come with things they are trying to prove
Competition dem a run
People are competing against each other
We know dem a go lose
We know that they will not win
All who a try fi eat another man food
Anyone who tries to steal another's resources or livelihood
Bwoi
Boy
Then you know you the rude
You are being disrespectful if you do this
Emperor Selassie I me choose... me can't lose
I have chosen Emperor Selassie I as my leader, and I will not fail
Nah try sit down ina another man chair
Do not try to take over someone else's position or power
Cake it so big and every man have dem share
The rewards are great enough for everyone to benefit
Nuff a dem a eagle, dragon and bear
Many people act like predatory animals
Bwoi you can not escape you judgement chair
You will be held accountable for your actions
King Selassie I alone the rastaman fear
Only Emperor Selassie I has the power to inspire fear and respect among the Rastafarian community
Again again again again again
Repeating this message multiple times for emphasis
Well nuff a dem a come like a race dem a run
Many people are in a rush to accomplish their goals
Emperor Selassie I dem send me come
Emperor Selassie I sent me to deliver a message
The meditation from me heart and the words of me tongue
I am speaking from a place of deep contemplation
Me come fi burn down Sodom
I am coming to overthrow evil forces
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LOU REED
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@luvcoffee7842
I am 26 years old and Japanese.
I think Q-Tip was intentionally trying to create a major atmosphere for Amplified.
I feel that they were trying to differentiate themselves from atcq.
Amplified has its pros and cons, but I really like the unique music that only Q-Tip could make at this time.
With Renaissance, he was back to his true self.
Amplified has a black jacket and Renaissance has a white jacket.
I feel it is very meaningful.
@FreebieBabe
"Special girl, real good girl
Biggest thing in my itty bitty world
Called her up and she made me feel right
Wish the bliss could never take flight
Sittin back with this mic in my hand
Spittin hot shit tryin to see grand
Imprinted on my mind every minute
Make my plans and you always in it, yo
You're such a vivrant thing,
Vivrant thing, a vivrant thing"
#Old School baby.
@GeminiJo
The beat alone was epic.
@robertgoines2855
Yep + no cursing
@lmrdrummer1
TheHatedHater there were three writers that got credit actually.
@dallascorpio
Barry White sample.
@lisaellis4105
Heck! yeah!
@charleymartinez-rodriguez8358
Sounds like "Just Like Music"-Marvin Gaye
@londontravellers22
I was listening to this the other day. My 17 year old daughter told me I was too old to listen to hip hop and that I need to listen to songs in my generation. I told her this song IS from my generation. I've been listening to this song since I was 16.
@oldirtybastard667
😂😂
@napkinbob4689
HAHA
@funkysexy69
😍...Nice one! 😎🤙🏽🖤