The Low End Theory

The Infamous Date Rape

A Tribe Called Quest

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

17

End

127

Internal

36

Multi

142

Slant

8

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Verse 2: Phife Dawg]
Uh-huh,✦ you know the science; you get buckwild
Runnin'✦ mad games,✦ as if your name was Scott Skiles✦
Or better✦ yet Magic, or even✦ Karl Malone✦
Regardless who it is, your aim is to bone
If she tries to front, that's when you start to diss her
If she's with the program, that's when you start to kiss her
Might as well get to the point, no time to waste
Might as well break the ice, then set the pace
You start to talk nasty,✦ now she's ready✦ to bone
Step out of the shower,✦ throw on cologne
All of a sudden,✦ her sugarwalls tumble down like Jericho
She's hotter✦ than Meshach, Shadrach, and Abednego
You listen✦ to After✦ 7, break fool after✦ 10
Do your thing at 12 o'clock and when you go again✦
There goes round 1, ding, there goes round 2
Now tell me what the (fuck) are you supposed to do? Huh
What do you know, when the meow is completed
Girly✦ girl cried "rape," yo, I didn't really✦ need it
[Interlude: Q-Tip]
Sweetheart,✦ we ain't goin' out like that (Uhh)
Sweetheart,✦ we ain't goin' out like that (Haha)✦
Sweetheart,✦ we ain't goin' out like that (Zulu)✦
We ain't goin' out like that (Zulu)✦
We ain't goin' out like that
[Verse 3: Q-Tip]
Now, baby,✦ bust it, if you wanna✦ groove
Me and you can do it, it will be the move
I won't cry over✦ spilled milk
If you won't let me take you to the Hilt'
I don't wanna✦ bone you that much
That I would go for the unforbidden touch
I'm not the type that would go for that
I'll have to fetch a brand new cat
Baby,✦ baby,✦ baby,✦ I don't wanna✦ be rude
But I know the cause of your bloody✦ attitude
I know why you act that way
It usually happens on the 28th day
I respect✦ that crazily
When you're done with the pads, can you come check me?
This ain't a joint to disrespect✦ you
Because one head ain't better✦ than two, check it out, it's a–
[Outro: Q-Tip & Phife Dawg]
Classic example of a (a date—)

Technical Breakdown

7.5
Multisyllabic Rhymes8.5

Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)

Internal Rhymes9.5

Rhymes within a line (data-driven)

Wordplay / Double Entendres5.0

Clever language, metaphors, punchlines

Cadence / Rhythm9.0

Flow variation and timing (data-driven)

Vocabulary Complexity6.0

Range and depth of words used (data-driven)

Delivery / Breath Control6.0

Performance and control

Computed Score7.54

Production

— A Tribe Called Quest

Be the first to rate the production

Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

Phife Dawg utilizes rhythmic cadence and pop-culture reference stacking characteristic of the early 90s, though the lyricism leans heavily into narrative simplicity rather than complex wordplay.

B+
8.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
9
Cadence / Flow
6
Vocabulary
5
Wordplay
6
Delivery
Pop-culture allusion stackingBiblical hyperboleRhythmic sequential storytellingEnd-rhyme consistency
Rhyme Architecture: Predominantly AABB couplet structure with strong internal rhymes connecting the end-rhymes (bone/Skiles/Malone/bone/diss/kiss), maintaining a steady, percussive pulse throughout the 16 bars.
Verified Doubles & Entendres

"sugarwalls tumble down like Jericho"

① Physical surrender and intimacy (sexual gratification)② A biblical reference to the Battle of Jericho where the walls fell, implying an inevitable surrender of resistance

"runnin' mad games, as if your name was Scott Skiles"

① Reference to the basketball player known for passing/playmaking② Metaphor for 'playing games' or manipulating a romantic interest

Consistent rhythmic pocket

Effective use of sequential timing in storytelling

Strong integration of 90s basketball/pop culture references

Maintainability of flow across long segments

Wordplay is surface-level

Lack of dense metaphorical layering

Predictable rhyme structures

Thematic subject matter lacks narrative depth beyond the literal

User Scores