Discover the poetic beauty in ‘Word Play’ by A Tribe Called Quest. This lyric breakdown takes you on a journey through the artist’s thoughts, emotions, and the story they aim to tell. From clever metaphors to evocative imagery, we delve into the nuances that make this song a lyrical masterpiece. Whether you’re a fan of A Tribe Called Quest or a lover of well-crafted words, our detailed analysis will give you a deeper understanding and appreciation of this song.
One, two, what’cha wanna do
Three, four, cuz we’re gonna give you more
Five, six, and we ain’t the tricks
Seven, eight, and we got it straight
Nine, ten, cuz we make it blend
Eleven, twelve, never ever goin for self
Tribe called quest situation
Check it out
Power, people really get caught with this on different levels
Power controls your life
Money: the companion of the first, some people tend to worship
And we know this ain’t right
Attitude (attitude) is how I get my point across
You can’t call yourself an mc if you know that you’re soft
Aggressive, is how the stage is approached, I burn mcs like toast
Cuz I’m the host with the most
Illin (illin) is what you do when you’re assin
Whether it be you or all up in your fashion,
Cashin, it turns your people corrupt
It’s six o’clock, yo, you gotta get your weight up
Sex(sex), either a man or a woman
It’s a gender, or when lovers get down
Froggin, when niggas try to play roles
But when they really need to put that shit background
Miserable(miserable) is what your whole crew will be
If you’re not original and you show no strategy
Heavenly, is how the track tends to flow
And if you don’t know, tell em diggy said so
We livin this cuz it’s deep in our bones
A tribe called quest with this hip hop jones
So sit and analyze the lyrical spray
Cuz all it really is is word play(word play)(word)
Willie, that’s what I kick to get this millie on a lilly
Now, I’m baggin dimes like chilli
Stress (stress), that’s what I always go through
Cuz it’s survival of the fittest on the 192
Knowledge, when the mind accept facts
On this plane of livin, knowledge be the key, black
Understanding, gettin a grip on what’s revealed
When shit be real, can’t give understanding back
Analyze, that’s what I do to mcs
That be talkin bout they this and that, money please
Ego, I’m on my own jock skill
Cuz if I don’t say I’m the best, tell me who the hell will
Cheeba smoke y’all, that’s what I use to get high
When I’m in a rut and I don’t know why
Try, yo try again my friend
Cuz you can’t see this mc representin linden
Freestyle (freestyle), a true mc trait
And when you do it ill, niggas respect it as great
Yo, I gotta
We livin this cuz it’s deep in our bones
A tribe called quest with the hip-hop jawns
So sit and analyze the lyrical spray
Cuz all it really is is word play(word play)