The Low End Theory

Jazz

A Tribe Called Quest

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

End

259

Internal

Multi

369

Slant

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight

We've got the jazz

Stern firm and young with a laid-back tongue

The aim is to succeed and achieve at 21

Just like Ringling Brothers,^✦ I'll daze and astound^✦

Captivate the mass, 'cause the prose is profound^✦

Do it for the strong, we do it for the meek

Boom it in your boom it in your boom it in your Jeep

Or your Honda^✦ or your Beamer^✦ or your Legend^✦ or your Benz

The rave of the town to your foes and your friends

So push it, along,^✦ trails, we blaze

Don't deserve^✦ the gong, don't deserve^✦ the praise

The tranquility^✦ will make ya unball^✦ your fist

For we put hip-hop^✦ on a brand-new twist

A brand new twist with the homie-alistic

So low-key^✦ that ya probably missed^✦ it

And yet it's so loud that it stands in the crowd

When the guy takes^✦ the beat, they bowed^✦

So raise up squire, adjust^✦ your attire^✦

We have no time to wallow^✦ in the mire

If you're on a foreign path, then let me do the lead

Join in the essence of the cool-out breed

Then cool out to the music^✦ 'cause it makes^✦ ya feel serene^✦

With the birds and the bees and all those groovy^✦ things

Like getting stomach aches^✦ when ya gotta^✦ go to work

Or staring into^✦ space when ya feelin'^✦ berserk

I don't really^✦ mind if it's over^✦ your head

'Cause the job of resurrectors is to wake up the dead

So pay attention,^✦ it's not hard to decipher

And after^✦ the horns, you can check out the Phifer^✦

We've got the jazz

Competition,^✦ them Phifer^✦ come sideway^✦

But competition,^✦ they mus' come straightway^✦

Competition,^✦ them Phifer^✦ come sideway^✦

But competition,^✦ they mus' come straightway^✦

How's about^✦ that, it seems like it's my turn again^✦

Althrough the years my mic has been my best friend

I know some brothers^✦ wonder,^✦ can Phifer^✦ really^✦ kick it?

Some even^✦ wanna^✦ diss me, but why sweat it?

I'm all into^✦ my music^✦ 'cause it's how I make papes^✦

Tryin' to make hits, like Kid Capri mixtapes

Me sweat another? I do my own thing

Strictly hardcore tracks, not a new jack swing

I grew up as a Christian so to Jah I give thanks

Collect my banks, listen^✦ to Shabba^✦ Ranks

I sing, and chat, I do all of that

It's 1991 and I refuse^✦ to come wack

I take off my hat to other^✦ crews that intend^✦ to rock

But The Low End Theory's here, it's time to wreck shop

I got Tip and Shah, so whom shall I fear

Stop look and listen,^✦ but please don't stare

So jet to the store, and buy the LP

On Jive or RCA, cassettes and CD's

Produced and arranged by the four-man crew

And oh shit, Skeff Anselm, he gets props too

Make sure you have a system^✦ with some phat house speakers

So the new shit can rock, from Mars to Massapequot

'Cause where I come from, quality^✦ is job one

And everybody^✦ up on Linden^✦ know we get the job done

So peace to that crew, and peace to this crew

Bring on the tour, we'll see you at a theater nearest you

Ayo but wait, back it up, huh, easy^✦ back it up

Please let the Abstract embellish on the cut

Back and forth just like a Cameo^✦ song

If you dig this joint then please come dance along^✦

To the music^✦ 'cause it's done just for the rhyme

Now I gotta^✦ scat and get mine, underlined

The jazz, the what? The jazz to move that ass

'Cause the Tribe originates that feelin'^✦ of pizazz^✦

It's the universal sound, best to brothers^✦ on the ground

And the ones^✦ six below,^✦ ya didn't have to go

Some say that I'm a sinner^✦ 'cause I once had an orgy^✦

And sometimes for breakfast I eat grits and porgies

If this is a stinker, then call me a stink, I ask

"Whas-whas-what" check it out

All my peoples^✦ in Queens, ya don't stop

Now all my peoples^✦ in Brooklyn, ya don't stop

And all my peoples^✦ uptown,^✦ ya don't stop

That includes the Bronx an' Harlem,^✦ ya don't stop

Now to that girl Ramelle, ya don't stop

I say because Ladies^✦ First, ya don't stop

And to the JB's, ya don't stop

And De La Soul, ya don't stop

To my Brand Nubians, ya don't stop

And to my Leaders of the New, ya don't stop

To my man Large Professor, ya don't stop

Pete Rock for the beat, ya don't stop

Everybody^✦ in the place, ya don't stop

Ya keep it on, to the rhythm, ya don't stop

And last but not least on the sure shot

It's the Zulu^✦ nation

Technical Breakdown

7.3

Multisyllabic Rhymes7.5

Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)

Internal Rhymes9.5

Rhymes within a line (data-driven)

Wordplay / Double Entendres5.0

Clever language, metaphors, punchlines

Cadence / Rhythm9.5

Flow variation and timing (data-driven)

Vocabulary Complexity5.0

Range and depth of words used (data-driven)

Delivery / Breath Control7.0

Performance and control

Computed Score7.25

Production

— Q-Tip, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Phife Dawg

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Critic Analysis

RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

The verse uses a laid-back yet confident delivery to combine elements of hip-hop with a jazz aesthetic, incorporating clever references and internal rhymes.

B+

7.5

Multisyllabic

9.5

Internal Rhymes

9.5

Cadence / Flow

Vocabulary

Wordplay

Delivery

Internal RhymesRepetitionAlliteration

Rhyme Architecture: The verse exhibits a consistent pattern of multisyllabic rhymes blended with internal rhymes, enhancing the flow and complexity of the delivery.

Strong internal rhyme usage

Catchy repetition of 'We've got the jazz'

Engaging cadence with rhythmic diversity

Wordplay lacks depth compared to elite standards

References could feel cliché by modern standards

User Scores

Notes

Smooth incorporation of jazz ideals into rap.