Midnight Marauders

We Can Get Down

A Tribe Called Quest

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

27

End

149

Internal

34

Multi

154

Slant

10

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Chorus]
We can get down, we can-we can get down
We can get down, we can-we can get down
We can get down, we can-we can get down
We can get down, we can-we can get down (Aww)
It's like that man, it's like that (Yes)
It's like that man, it's like that (Yes)
It's like that man, it's like that (Yes)
It's like that man, it's like that (Why waste time on the microphone?),✦ check it
[Verse 2: Q-Tip]
I'm the cherry✦ on the top of yo' ice cream
I'm the mystic✦ thought inside✦ your dream
Listen to the way we pulsate the jam
I'm the nigga here with the mic in hand
Styles✦ that we present are just a few
To do away✦ with you and your humdrum crew
This is '93 and the shit is real
Black people, unite✦ and put down your steel
Ladies,✦ make a forum✦ on your sexual✦ drive
Devote✦ it to your lover✦ and make it thrive
The rhythm's in F, I'm a hip-hop✦ body✦
Release my energy✦ with the force of a shotty✦
Standin' on the wall with my Polo✦ on
Talkin'✦ to the girl with the Liz Claiborne
Keep the poetry✦ in my black knapsack
Got my Timbo✦ hooves✦ and my Doublemint pack
Hit the city✦ streets to enhance my soul
I can kick a rhyme over✦ ill drum rolls
With a kick, snare, kicks and high hat
Skilled in the trade of that old boom bap
I can do a trick with the opposite breed
I used✦ to down forties and smoke grade weed
Now I'm doin' shows with half loot down
Now it's time for me to take ya Uptown✦
[Chorus]
It's like that man, it's like that (Yes)
It's like that man, it's like that (Yes)
It's like that man, it's like that (Yes)
It's like that man, it's like that (Yes)
It's like that man, it's like that (Yes)
It's like that man, it's like that (Yes)
It's like that man, it's like that (Yes)
It's like that man, it's like that (Yes), Shaheed✦
[Interlude]
Why waste time on the microphone?✦
Why waste time on the microphone?✦
Why waste time on the microphone?✦
Why waste time on the microphone?✦
Why waste—
Why waste time on the mic—
[Outro]
A Tribe Called✦ Quest consists of four members
Phife Dawg, Ali✦ Shaheed✦ Muhammad, Q-Tip, and Jarobi✦
A-E-I-O-U, and sometimes Y

Technical Breakdown

7.6
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 / Rhythm9.0

Flow variation and timing (data-driven)

Vocabulary Complexity4.0

Range and depth of words used (data-driven)

Delivery / Breath Control7.5

Performance and control

Computed Score7.60

Production

— A Tribe Called Quest

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Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

Q-Tip utilizes an accessible, rhythmic, and instructional flow that prioritizes cultural unity and aesthetic confidence over dense linguistic gymnastics, fitting perfectly within the 1993 neo-soul/jazz-rap aesthetic.

B+
7.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
9
Cadence / Flow
4
Vocabulary
5
Wordplay
7.5
Delivery
AABB Rhyme StructureMultisyllabic internal rhyme chainsDirect address / Call to actionCultural signaling
Rhyme Architecture: Predominantly AABB couplets with consistent end-rhymes (cream/dream, jam/hand, few/crew) that facilitate a rhythmic, predictable flow suitable for a mid-tempo jazz-hop aesthetic.
Verified Doubles & Entendres

"The rhythm's in F"

① Musical notation referring to the key of F Major or F Minor.② A play on 'F' as an abbreviation for 'Funk' or 'Fresh', grounding the technical music term in hip-hop vernacular.

"Release my energy with the force of a shotty"

① The impact of the rap delivery is as forceful as a shotgun blast.② The rapid-fire delivery of the syllables mimics the cadence of a weapon discharge, emphasizing rhythmic aggression.

Strong command of rhythmic pocket

Effective use of cultural signifiers (Polo, Liz Claiborne)

Clear, authoritative vocal delivery

Polished, coherent structure

Low wordplay density

Relies on standard tropes ('mic in hand')

Lack of complex metaphors

User Scores