Midnight Marauders

Lyrics to Go

A Tribe Called Quest

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

End

200

Internal

110

Multi

263

Slant

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight

[Chorus]

I got lyrics^✦ to go (Lyrics^✦ to go, it's like that, y'all, c'mon, y'all)

Lyrics^✦ to go (Lyrics^✦ to go, it's like that, y'all, c'mon, y'all)

(It's like that)

[Verse 2: Phife Dawg]

I know it's been two years, but see, the Tribe was never^✦ fallin'^✦ (Uh)

Would have tried for singin',^✦ but that stuff was not my callin'^✦ (Right, uh)

The mic is in effect, so you know I'm never^✦ stallin'

Walkin'^✦ through the door and all them suckas started haulin'^✦

Talk a lot of trash, but no one can seem to beat it (Uh)

Pull out your microphone and watch the Phifer^✦ make you eat it (Uh)

The MCs, they get jelly^✦ when the girlies^✦ rub my belly^✦

Kick a slow dance like my brother R. Kelly^✦ (Bust a rhyme)

Today's^✦ a hip-hop^✦ draft, will I be top-seeded? (Uh)

Worked^✦ too frickin' hard while all the rest were gettin'^✦ weeded^✦

Steady^✦ kickin'^✦ styles^✦ so I can reach that other^✦ level (Uh)

Don't worry^✦ about^✦ gettin'^✦ gassed,^✦ I push the pedal^✦ to the metal^✦

Always^✦ wanted^✦ this 'cause it surely^✦ beats a scramble (Right)

I'm Jordan^✦ with the mic, huh, wanna gamble? (Mmm)

This I dedicate^✦ to all the honeys^✦ that be bogle-in'^✦ (Come on, come on, come on)

'Cause at the end of the night, you know Malik will have his Trojans (Uh)

But when it comes^✦ to nights like this

[Chorus]

I got lyrics^✦ to go (Lyrics^✦ to go, check it out, y'all, it's like that, y'all)

Lyrics^✦ to go (Lyrics^✦ to go, check it out, y'all, it's like that, y'all)

(It's like that, y'all, check it out, y'all)

(It's like that, y'all, check it out, here we go)

[Verse 3: Q-Tip]

Please proceed with caution 'cause the lyricist is fatal^✦ (Uh)

I can kick your little monkey^✦ ass like Kato^✦ (Yes, dread, uh)

Formulate^✦ your rhymes^✦ like a child forms Play-Doh (Right)

Calm and serene^✦ like the study^✦ was Tao

Poetry^✦ machine with correct mechanisms^✦

Immune^✦ to disease, I defeat^✦ organisms^✦ (Come on)

That are waitin'^✦ in my path, I overstep the critters^✦

Give your ass the willies^✦ and your moms'll get the jitters^✦ (Uh)

Quitters^✦ turn to losers,^✦ losers^✦ are forgotten

Tanglin' my cord with hopes^✦ that I'll stop rockin'^✦

Never^✦ will that happen,^✦ only^✦ if it is permitted^✦ (Uh)

Wait, I think somebody^✦ shitted^✦ (Come on)

I guess that would be me 'cause I'm the only^✦ one emceein'^✦ (Right)

I go for what I know, doin' a show for human^✦ beings

Always^✦ try to lead, yo, never^✦ will I follow^✦

Blowin'^✦ up the spot like Fred did to Rollo^✦

And when it comes^✦ to days like this

[Chorus]

I got lyrics^✦ to go (Lyrics^✦ to go, check it out, y'all, it's like that, y'all)

I got lyrics^✦ to go (I got lyrics^✦ to go, everybody,^✦ come on now)

I got lyrics^✦ to go (I got lyrics^✦ to go, check it out, y'all, it's like that now)

I got lyrics^✦ to go (I got lyrics^✦ to go, everybody,^✦ come on now)

I got lyrics^✦ to go (I got lyrics^✦ to go, check it out, y'all, it's like that now)

I got lyrics^✦ to go (I got lyrics^✦ to go, come on now, everybody)^✦

I got lyrics^✦ to go (I got lyrics^✦ to go, it's like that, y'all, check it out now)

I got lyrics^✦ to go (I got lyrics^✦ to go, come on, y'all, everybody)^✦

I got lyrics^✦ to go (I got lyrics^✦ to go, it's like that, y'all, check it out now)

I got lyrics^✦ to go (I got lyrics^✦ to go, it's like that, y'all, everybody)^✦

I got lyrics^✦ to go (I got lyrics^✦ to go, it's like that, y'all, check it out now)

(It's like that, y'all, check it out now)

(It goes— uh)

Technical Breakdown

8.2

Multisyllabic Rhymes9.5

Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)

Internal Rhymes9.5

Rhymes within a line (data-driven)

Wordplay / Double Entendres7.5

Clever language, metaphors, punchlines

Cadence / Rhythm8.5

Flow variation and timing (data-driven)

Vocabulary Complexity5.0

Range and depth of words used (data-driven)

Delivery / Breath Control8.5

Performance and control

Computed Score8.24

Production

— A Tribe Called Quest

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Critic Analysis

RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

Phife Dawg utilizes a dense, repetitive polysyllabic rhyme scheme to establish an infectious, rhythmic 'bounce' that characterizes the ATCQ 'Low End Theory' era aesthetic, prioritizing pocket-driven delivery over complex lyrical abstraction.

9.5

Multisyllabic

9.5

Internal Rhymes

8.5

Cadence / Flow

Vocabulary

7.5

Wordplay

8.5

Delivery

Polysyllabic rhymingInternal rhyme clustersRhythmic syncopationPersona-based braggadocioCultural signaling

Rhyme Architecture: Phife employs a rigorous AAAA-style tail rhyme structure (using the '-allin' suffix) that creates a locked-in cadence, interspersed with mid-line internal rhymes that keep the flow dynamic and fluid.

Verified Doubles & Entendres

"I'm Jordan with the mic, huh, wanna gamble?"

① A direct comparison to Michael Jordan's unparalleled dominance and competitive nature in basketball.② A nod to the well-publicized gambling rumors surrounding Jordan at the time, framing Phife as a high-stakes, high-skill competitor.

"you know Malik will have his Trojans"

① Reference to the ancient Greek myth/people, suggesting an epic or legendary status for the night.② Slang for condoms, implying a sexual conquest following the night's performance.

"The MCs, they get jelly when the girlies rub my belly"

① A comedic image of his short stature and personal confidence allowing him to attract female attention.② The term 'jelly' acts as a double entendre for 'jealousy' while maintaining the playful, lighthearted tone of his delivery.

Exceptional rhythmic consistency that locks the listener into the groove

Highly effective use of multi-syllabic end-rhymes to maintain momentum

Confident, charismatic vocal delivery that defines the persona

Structural balance between boastful braggadocio and playful, conversational asides

Vocabulary remains relatively simple, adhering to an accessible pop-conscious rap aesthetic

Some metaphors (e.g., R. Kelly reference) are dated and lack the lyrical depth found in more abstract contemporaries

Content relies heavily on tropes of the genre (mic dominance, lady-killer persona)

Lyrics to Go

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

Technical Breakdown

Production

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