1. Terrance Quaites is an American R&B singer, known professionally as TQ.<… Read Full Bio ↴1. Terrance Quaites is an American R&B singer, known professionally as TQ.
TQ was raised in the church (he sang in the choir) but his real education came from the streets, where the first wave of hip-hop music became the soundtrack to his life. "From Monday to Saturday I was hangin', partyin', chasing girls, getting in trouble, and straight-up acting the fool," he admits. "But on Sunday my mother dragged me out of bed to go to church. That's where I developed my singing voice and learned how to make people feel me."

2. Nadine Nguyen known as TQ, a veteran singer from Southern California who made her debut Italo Disco singing career in November 2012.
After singing in the Vietnamese community for more than a decade, TQ teamed up with Ian Nguyen (DJ BPM) and many European producers & songwriters to record her own materials with the 80’s New Wave/Italo Disco sound. Her first song & music video; LET’S GO TO TOKYO immediate got the attentions from many audiences who love the sounds of the 80’s. Follow the success of LET’S GO TO TOKYO, TQ released 12 more songs & music videos with special appearances of some 80’s icons including Lian Ross, Fancy, Ken Laszlo, Fred Ventura, Linda Jo Rizzo, Trans-X, John Sauli (ROFO). She also teamed up with a Swedish band, ITALOVE with project: RHYTHM OF LOVE. All of her music video were shot and directed by Ian Nguyen. Many of her songs have reached #1 in dance charts and popularity in countries such as Mexico, Poland, Hungary, Russia, Serbia etc…
Recently, she just signed the contract with ZYX Music, a major German record label specialized in Italo Disco/New Wave since the 80’s. TQ will be the first Vietnamese recording artist who will be with ZYX Music. Her first album, OUT OF THE SHADOWS will be released worldwide by the end of 2014, which contains 14 audio tracks and 12 music videos.

Listen
Tq Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Lend me your ear (listen)
Won't you listen?
Listen (listen)
Listen
Listen

Granddaddy was a hustla
On the dirt road

Him and his brother
Stayed sharper than a motherfucker
That nigga stayed on the corner
Stacy Adams never scuffed up (listen)
So that explains bout my daddy and me
I mean the apple don't fall too far from the tree
I was thirteen, mad as hell
Thinking why can't we live up in Beverly Hills (listen)
Wondered why all my homies in my hood were killed
Thinking why I got a 9 in my pocket for real? (listen)
It's gotta be a better life than this
I mean kids shouldn't have to go through this shit
I mean this is California, Land of the Free
But every city in America it's plain to see (listen)
Dawg, my people ain't getting they due
That's the reason why we do what we gotta do

Listen
This is for the homies in my hood
All the single mamas it's all good (listen)
All why'all soldiers on the front line
Doing what you got to do to get by (listen)
This is for the struggle it don't stop
This one's for Malcolm, Martin and Tupac (listen)
No matter how hard they try can't stop us
We still gon get by mother fucker
Listen

I ain't in love with the situation
But I'ma get by and I'ma get mine
And my mamas and my daddies and my whole line
Until ShaunShaun sitting on a gold mine (listen)
I'ma play my position get up in the middle
Sneak and attack this dog eat dog shit here
A whole lot of folks got to eat here
Grandmamma had 24 kids and that's real (listen)
Cause I plan to build a boys club or something
Where fathers can take their sons on weekends
Cause that's what they need
I don't want to see them in these streets
These sharks out here and they eating (listen)
I know I been gone for a minute but I'm back
Just to put the West Coast back on track
I gangsta represent it till the day that I die
And I didn't tell a lie
Still gon get by

Listen
This is for the homies in my hood
All the single mamas it's all good (listen)
All why'all soldiers on the front line
Doing what you got to do to get by (listen)
This is for the struggle it don't stop
This one's for Malcolm, Martin and Tupac (listen)
No matter how hard they try can't stop us
We still gon get by mother fucker
Listen

Baby girl I know you trying to do it by yourself
And ain't nobody there to help you
Seem like nobody cares
For beautiful you (listen)
For beautiful you
Baby boy trying to get up out the game now (so much pressure)
But damn it's so much pressure (so much pressure)
It ain't a penthouse in the sky
It's keeping on the lights
We just trying to get by

Listen
This is for the homies in my hood
All the single mamas it's all good (listen)
All why'all soldiers on the front line
Doing what you got to do to get by (listen)
This is for the struggle it don't stop
This one's for Malcolm, Martin and Tupac (listen)
No matter how hard they try can't stop us
We still gon get by mother fucker
Listen

Listen
This is for the homies in my hood
All the single mamas it's all good (listen)
All why'all soldiers on the front line
Doing what you got to do to get by (listen)
This is for the struggle it don't stop
This one's for Malcolm, Martin and Tupac (listen)
No matter how hard they try can't stop us
We still gon get by mother fucker
Listen

Listen
This is for the homies in my hood
All the single mamas it's all good (listen)
All why'all soldiers on the front line
Doing what you got to do to get by (listen)
This is for the struggle it don't stop
This one's for Malcolm, Martin and Tupac (listen)
No matter how hard they try can't stop us

We still gon get by mother fucker
Listen

Overall Meaning

The song "Listen" by Tq tells the story of his upbringing in California and the struggles of his community. He begins by talking about his grandfather, who was a hustler but always looked sharp, and how that influenced his own life. As a teenager, he was angry about the poverty and violence in his neighborhood and wondered why he had to carry a gun just to be safe. Despite his frustration, Tq still had hope for a better future and wanted to build a boys' club for fathers and sons to spend time together. He also acknowledges the struggles of single mothers and the pressure on young men to stay in dangerous situations.

Throughout the song, Tq urges his listeners to "listen" to the issues facing their communities and to support each other in their struggles. He name-checks Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr., and Tupac Shakur as inspirations for his activism and his commitment to making a difference. The chorus repeats this call to action, reminding the listener that they can't be stopped by the challenges they face.

Overall, "Listen" is a powerful message of hope and resilience, even in the face of adversity. By telling his own story and encouraging others to speak up and share their experiences, Tq inspires his listeners to take action and make a positive difference in their own communities.

Line by Line Meaning

Lend me your ear (listen)
Pay attention to what I have to say

Won't you listen?
I'm asking you to hear me out

Listen (listen)
Please pay attention to this message

Listen
I'm emphasizing the importance of listening

Granddaddy was a hustla
My grandfather was a hustler

On the dirt road
Living in poverty

Him and his brother
My grandfather and his brother

Stayed sharper than a motherfucker
They were very savvy and astute

That nigga stayed on the corner
He remained in the same place

Stacy Adams never scuffed up (listen)
His shoes were always pristine

So that explains 'bout my daddy and me
My upbringing and personality are influenced by my family and their experiences

I was thirteen, mad as hell
I was very angry at that age

Thinking why can't we live up in Beverly Hills (listen)
I wondered why we couldn't live in a higher class area

Wondered why all my homies in my hood were killed
I didn't understand why so many of my friends were dying

Thinking why I got a 9 in my pocket for real? (listen)
I questioned why I had to carry a gun for protection

It's gotta be a better life than this
I believed that there was a better life that we could strive for

I mean kids shouldn't have to go through this shit
Children shouldn't have to endure the negative aspects of living in poverty

I mean this is California, Land of the Free
I expected better living conditions since I live in California

But every city in America it's plain to see (listen)
The struggle is apparent in every city throughout America

Dawg, my people ain't getting they due
My community isn't receiving the resources and opportunities they deserve

That's the reason why we do what we gotta do
We resort to taking action to receive what we should already have access to

This is for the homies in my hood
This message is dedicated to the people in my community

All the single mamas it's all good (listen)
Supporting and acknowledging the struggles of single mothers

All why'all soldiers on the front line
Acknowledging and appreciating those who are fighting for their community

Doing what you got to do to get by (listen)
People are doing what they need to in order to survive in difficult circumstances

This is for the struggle it don't stop
Acknowledging that the struggle continues

This one's for Malcolm, Martin and Tupac (listen)
Honoring the legacies of Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr., and Tupac Shakur

No matter how hard they try can't stop us
Despite the challenges, we will persist

I ain't in love with the situation
I don't accept my current circumstances as ideal

But I'ma get by and I'ma get mine
I will survive and achieve my goals

And my mamas and my daddies and my whole line
My family and ancestors will also thrive

Until ShaunShaun sitting on a gold mine (listen)
I am determined to provide a better future for my son

I'ma play my position get up in the middle
I will take my place and make a difference

Sneak and attack this dog eat dog shit here
I will navigate the harsh reality of society to succeed

A whole lot of folks got to eat here
There are many people who are struggling and need help

Grandmamma had 24 kids and that's real (listen)
My grandmother had a difficult life raising many children

Cause I plan to build a boys club or something
I want to create resources for young boys in my community

Where fathers can take their sons on weekends
A place for positive father-son experiences

Cause that's what they need
Support and guidance from positive role models is necessary

I don't want to see them in these streets
I want to protect young boys from negative influences in their environment

These sharks out here and they eating (listen)
There are dangerous people who take advantage of vulnerable communities

I know I been gone for a minute but I'm back
I may have been absent, but I'm here now

Just to put the West Coast back on track
I want to make a positive impact on my community

I gangsta represent it till the day that I die
I will always represent my community and their struggles

And I didn't tell a lie
I am being honest and genuine with my message

Baby girl I know you trying to do it by yourself
Acknowledging the challenges faced by single mothers

And ain't nobody there to help you
Realizing the lack of support for single mothers

Seem like nobody cares
Feeling abandoned and unsupported

For beautiful you (listen)
Encouraging self-love and appreciation

Baby boy trying to get up out the game now (so much pressure)
Acknowledging the pressure to leave a dangerous lifestyle

But damn it's so much pressure (so much pressure)
Emphasizing the difficulty of leaving behind a harmful environment

It ain't a penthouse in the sky
My aspirations are not unrealistic or unattainable

It's keeping on the lights
Success means being able to provide for basic necessities

We just trying to get by
We are striving for survival and stability

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Ronald Eldon Sexsmith, Don Kerr

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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