Unpacking the Questionable Lyrics of A Tribe Called Quest

Ahh A Tribe Called Quest! Unquestionably one of the most iconic hip hop groups to bless our ears and a source of endless quotable lines. But sometimes, we need to take a step back and have an honest conversation about their lyrics as not all that comes out of their mouths is pure gold. That's why I'm here today - to pick apart some of those questionable verses (in the spirit of good fun) in my blog post, something critical about A Tribe Called Quest. So come on hip-hop heads – let's dive into this lighthearted journey together and enjoy!

It's no secret that A Tribe Called Quest is one of the most influential hip hop groups of all time. With their laid-back beats, jazzy melodies, and conscious lyrics, they've left an indelible mark on the genre. But as much as we love them, let's face it – not every verse they spit is a masterpiece. In this blog post, we're going to take a closer look at some of the questionable lyrics of A Tribe Called Quest and see if they stand up to scrutiny. So buckle up and get ready for a critical journey through the back catalogue of one of hip hop's most beloved groups.

Let's start with Bonita Applebum, a classic track from their debut album. In it, Q-Tip raps, Looking for a suit and tie rap / That's cleaner than a bar of soap for the shower / Fresh pressed dress to impress ready to party. On the surface, this seems like a harmless line, but when you think about it – what exactly is a suit and tie rap? And why does it need to be cleaner than a bar of soap? Is he suggesting that other rap is dirty or unclean? It's a bit of a head-scratcher, to be honest.

Next up, let's turn our attention to Buggin' Out, a single from their album The Low End Theory. In it, Q-Tip raps, Yo, microphone check one two what is this / The five-foot assassin with the roughneck business. Now, I know what you're thinking – what's wrong with that? Well, for starters, Q-Tip is not the five-foot assassin – that title belongs to his late bandmate Phife Dawg. It's a small error, sure, but it's one that always bugs me when I hear it.

Moving on, let's take a look at Electric Relaxation, another classic from The Low End Theory. In it, Q-Tip raps, Honey, check it out, you got me mesmerized / With your black hair and your fat-ass thighs. Okay, let's just stop right there. The objectification of women in hip hop is a well-documented problem, and this line is a perfect example of it. Do we really need to reduce women to their physical attributes? It's disappointing to hear this kind of thing from a group like A Tribe Called Quest, who are known for their socially conscious lyrics.

Lastly, let's examine Scenario, a track from their album The Low End Theory that features Busta Rhymes. In it, Q-Tip raps, I plan to make millions off of writing not rappin' / Japping or whatever you wanna call it. This line always strikes me as a bit odd – isn't rapping essentially the same thing as writing? It's not like he's making music without putting pen to paper. It feels like an unnecessary dig at his fellow MCs who don't necessarily write their own lyrics – and considering that A Tribe Called Quest has been accused of using ghostwriters themselves, it's a bit hypocritical.

In conclusion, A Tribe Called Quest is a legendary group that has contributed so much to hip hop. That being said, it's important to acknowledge that not every lyric they've written is perfect. By examining some of their questionable verses, we can have a more critical appreciation of their music, and also reflect on some of the problematic themes that exist in hip hop as a whole. In the end, it's all about having a conversation – and hopefully, this blog post has started one.