Midnight Marauders
Keep It Moving
A Tribe Called Quest
Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis
15
End
172
Internal
81
Multi
185
Slant
5
Chain
Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Verse Two] [Skit Slam]:
Yo, I wanna✦ thank the Bronx for the hip hop invention✦
The music,✦ the breakin' that got everyone attention✦
My backspin's longer✦ than a pen life sentence✦
Wave lockin'✦ and bendin',✦ create new inventions✦
Strike a pose air flare, one arm extending
Apple Jacks on your head and start spinnin'
Head glide, suicide and leg swipes✦
You had to practice day and night to get nice
I used✦ to up rock, for money✦ at the bus stops
At least I wasn't tryin' to hustle at the drug spot
Who remember Puma✦ sweat suits and Adidas?
Fat laces✦ to make your footwork the neatest
Pull out the cardboard
There's✦ none around?
Well let's get busy✦ on the hard floor
I'm thinkin' 'bout the moves✦ that bring chills
Moonwalkin'
Nah, windmills
No hands, if you advanced with skill
Battle while the DJ on the wheels of steel
It's all love though
B-Boys and B-Girls are brethren
And show mad love to hip hop legends
[Scratch Hook]:
"Let me show you somethin'✦ now about✦ hip hop" - Boogie Down Productions✦ 'My Philosophy'✦
"You know the elements"✦ - A Tribe Called✦ Quest 'Keep It Moving'✦
"Got to have style and let it be original"✦ - Boogie Down Productions✦ 'My Philosophy'✦
"You got what it takes"✦ - KRS-One 'MC's Act Like They Don't Know'
"Let me show you somethin'✦ now about✦ hip hop"
"You know the elements"✦
"Got to have style and let it be original"✦
"Understand✦ what I'm talkin'✦ about"✦ - A Tribe Called✦ Quest 'Keep It Moving'✦
[Verse Three] [Cymarshall Law]:
Ayo man up brother
I speak with enough✦ power✦ to chain lightening bolts and handcuff thunder
When I, use the mic to control the crowd
An MC, never✦ phoney,✦ a master✦ of ceremony
Somethin'✦ always✦ been inside✦ and nobody✦ had ever✦ told me homie
I was born to lead and teach youth
Study✦ the culture and it's deep roots
It's my job to, get on the mic and speak truth
Yo, honesty the policy✦
For a top MC it gotta✦ be
Speak from your heart without apology
I use every✦ second to flee to show you
Even✦ if you're not ready✦ to see the rebel✦ in me
The difference✦ is
When you rock, the crowd evaporate✦
But I can take a rowdy✦ bunch and show you how to captivate✦
The voice of the people, speak truly✦ is my duty✦
And whoever you be, know you can't do nothin'✦ to me
[Scratch Hook]:
"Let me show you somethin'✦ now about✦ hip hop" - Boogie Down Productions✦ 'My Philosophy'✦
"You know the elements"✦ - A Tribe Called✦ Quest 'Keep It Moving'✦
"Got to have style and let it be original"✦ - Boogie Down Productions✦ 'My Philosophy'✦
"You got what it takes"✦ - KRS-One 'MC's Act Like They Don't Know'
"Let me show you somethin'✦ now about✦ hip hop"
"You know the elements"✦
"Got to have style and let it be original"✦
"Understand✦ what I'm talkin'✦ about"✦ - A Tribe Called✦ Quest 'Keep It Moving'✦
Technical Breakdown
7.3
Multisyllabic Rhymes9.5
Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)
Internal Rhymes9.5
Rhymes within a line (data-driven)
Wordplay / Double Entendres5.5
Clever language, metaphors, punchlines
Cadence / Rhythm6.5
Flow variation and timing (data-driven)
Vocabulary Complexity8.0
Range and depth of words used (data-driven)
Delivery / Breath Control7.0
Performance and control
Computed Score7.30
Production
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Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™
The verse functions as a highly rhythmic, nostalgic historical catalog that relies on technical rhyme density and flow control rather than complex lyrical abstraction.
B+
9.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
6.5
Cadence / Flow
8
Vocabulary
5.5
Wordplay
7
Delivery
Multisyllabic internal rhymingList-based narrative structureEnjambment for rhythmic tensionCadence variation
Rhyme Architecture: Predominantly AAAA or AABB couplets with dense internal multi-rhyme chains (e.g., invention/attention/sentence/inventions/extending/spinnin') that anchor the delivery to the beat.
Verified Doubles & Entendres
"pen life sentence"
① A metaphorical duration of time (length of a dance move compared to the physical length of a pen/writing instrument).② A literal reference to a prison 'life sentence', contrasting the longevity of the dance move with the severity of incarceration.
"wheels of steel"
① A common idiom referring to the physical turntables used by a DJ.② A metaphorical evocation of the industrial, mechanical precision required for the DJ's craft.
Exceptional rhythmic consistency
Strong historical imagery and cultural specificity
Effective use of the 'list' device to maintain momentum
Lacks deep metaphorical layering
Relies heavily on direct, literal descriptions of B-Boy culture
Minimal use of complex double entendres