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."
What Lies Beneath
Q-Tip Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I figured that I'd do it cause it wasn't no harmin'
Shine a little bit in case somebody was forgettin'
About that Queens motherfucker, y'all need to take cover
I'ma take position and y'all best to take sha-hida
'Cause the shit that I spit is hot as hellfire, hotter
Sendin' this to Cross, Meniski, and Bay Vigi
Doug, Pretty Tone and the one that shoot the vidi
Fuck the fame and my aim find the clarity in art
This cowards got it once cause he kept his lips zippin'
Now he in the news and he wettin' and I'm livin'
This Southern cowards life who I used to do my clues with
Subliminally this is me, I try not to assume shit
Let's not forget the king of Internet
Will assume another name while he tarnishes ya rep
And calls you Ziggy Starters but who the major charm
Who starts to elevate out the reach of his arm
It's a great day fuck it
Ya probably hear the bundles overflowin' out of Ruckers
The name is Abstract don't confuse without description
'Cause you lil' gremlins envy so just cut the fuckin' weak shit
Ride off in the night, V8 lost power
From a soundbomb killin' the lone ranger drillin'
You eager with ya mouth then just be a big proactive
Ya actin' with ya heart then start preachin' with ya fatness
The clear voyage psychic MC is a minion
You cornered and you bagged in so where you gon' run to
Used to get my mother's switches now I grant her wishes
Never superstitious breakin' mirrors with the pitches
Ya man is insane with that do-do on his chain
Funkin' up the joint he pain, that ain't a bling that's a blang
Besides can he rap about a real life vision
Success lies a struggle that's what most of y'all are missin'
Got so many sons I wish I had as many ones
Clown nigga's raps get converted into guns
Illuminati president it's a government official
They dogs and they henchmen is comin' out to get you
The age of Aquarius, the change is goin' on
We gotta keep strivin' movin' on
Ya dead wrong, ya wrong, ya know ya wrong
(Ya know ya wrong for that)
(Now why ya gotta go and do that)
Ya dead wrong, ya wrong, ya know ya wrong
And you know, you know you are ooh
And you know, you know you are
In "What Lies Beneath," Q-Tip addresses a wide range of topics, including the music industry's tendency to neglect certain artists, his own rise to fame, and his disdain for those who exploit the industry for personal gain. He opens by explaining that he agreed to work on the song for Soundbombing, a mixtape put together by Rawkus Records, because he wanted to make sure people didn't forget about him. Throughout the song, Q-Tip emphasizes the importance of staying true to oneself and focusing on the art of music, rather than pursuing fame and wealth at any cost.
He also touches on several social and political issues, including the power of the Illuminati and government officials, and the need for people to keep striving and moving forward in the face of change. The chorus, "Ya dead wrong, ya wrong, ya know ya wrong," serves as a call to action, urging listeners to take responsibility for their actions and make positive changes in their lives.
Overall, Q-Tip's lyrics in "What Lies Beneath" are a powerful statement against the music industry's culture of exploitation and the negative effects it can have on artists and society as a whole. They encourage listeners to take control of their own lives and focus on what truly matters, rather than chasing after hollow fame and fortune.
Line by Line Meaning
Shocka called me up to do this thing for Soundbombing
Someone called me to participate in a musical project called Soundbombing
And I figured that I'd do it cause it wasn't no harmin'
I agreed to participate because it wouldn't cause any harm
Shine a little bit in case somebody was forgettin'
I want to remind people of my talent and presence
About that Queens motherfucker, y'all need to take cover
I am from Queens and I am a dangerous person that you should not mess with
I'ma take position and y'all best to take sha-hida
I am claiming my spot and you better recognize my skills and authority
'Cause the shit that I spit is hot as hellfire, hotter
My rapping is intense and passionate, like a fiery inferno
Sendin' this to Cross, Meniski, and Bay Vigi
I am giving a shoutout to some people I respect in the music industry
Doug, Pretty Tone and the one that shoot the vidi
I am recognizing the people that help me create and film my music videos
Y'all stay in my heart, while I dabble with the charts
I appreciate and remember the people that support me while I pursue commercial success
Fuck the fame and my aim find the clarity in art
I am not interested in just being famous, I want to create meaningful and authentic art
This cowards got it once cause he kept his lips zippin'
Someone who was previously silent is now facing the consequences of their actions
Now he in the news and he wettin' and I'm livin'
They are in trouble now and I am thriving
This Southern cowards life who I used to do my clues with
I used to work with this person to solve mysteries but now I see them as a coward
Subliminally this is me, I try not to assume shit
I am expressing myself indirectly, and I try to avoid making assumptions
Let's not forget the king of Internet
There is someone on the internet who is very powerful and influential
Will assume another name while he tarnishes ya rep
They will pretend to be someone else while damaging your reputation
And calls you Ziggy Starters but who the major charm
They call you a derogatory name but they are the ones with the real power
Who starts to elevate out the reach of his arm
The powerful individual is becoming even more powerful and untouchable
It's a great day fuck it
I am feeling positive and carefree today
Ya probably hear the bundles overflowin' out of Ruckers
You can hear the success and abundance in my voice, referencing the Rucker Park basketball courts in New York
The name is Abstract don't confuse without description
My name is Abstract and it is important to understand me and my work
'Cause you lil' gremlins envy so just cut the fuckin' weak shit
Jealous people need to stop with their weak and negative behavior
Ride off in the night, V8 lost power
Leave quietly and unexpectedly, like a car that suddenly loses power
From a soundbomb killin' the lone ranger drillin'
A powerful musical impact caused by a Soundbomb, killing the enemy and drilling it into their head
You eager with ya mouth then just be a big proactive
If you talk a big game, you need to back it up with action
Ya actin' with ya heart then start preachin' with ya fatness
If you are acting with emotion and passion, you need to also deliver a meaningful message
The clear voyage psychic MC is a minion
Only a select few can truly understand the clear-minded and intuitive MC
You cornered and you bagged in so where you gon' run to
You are trapped and don't know where to go
Used to get my mother's switches now I grant her wishes
I used to get punished, but now I am successful and able to fulfill my mother's dreams
Never superstitious breakin' mirrors with the pitches
I don't believe in superstitions and I break mirrors with baseball pitches
Ya man is insane with that do-do on his chain
Your man is crazy for wearing fake, cheap jewelry
Funkin' up the joint he pain, that ain't a bling that's a blang
Your cheap jewelry is negatively affecting the atmosphere, and it's not real bling
Besides can he rap about a real life vision
Can this rapper deliver an authentic and meaningful perspective on life?
Success lies a struggle that's what most of y'all are missin'
Success comes from overcoming struggles, and many people fail to recognize this
Got so many sons I wish I had as many ones
I have many protégés and I hope I had as much money as influence
Clown nigga's raps get converted into guns
Some rappers' words can incite violence and have real-world consequences
Illuminati president it's a government official
There are powerful individuals with secret agendas influencing government decisions and policies
They dogs and they henchmen is comin' out to get you
The people in power have loyal followers that will come after you
The age of Aquarius, the change is goin' on
We are entering a new age of change and transformation
We gotta keep strivin' movin' on
We need to continue working hard and progressing forward
Ya dead wrong, ya wrong, ya know ya wrong
You are very wrong about something and you know it
(Ya know ya wrong for that)
You should feel bad about what you did
(Now why ya gotta go and do that)
Why did you have to ruin things?
And you know, you know you are ooh
You are fully aware of your mistake
And you know, you know you are
You are fully aware of your mistake
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind