Beats, Rhymes and Life

Get a Hold

A Tribe Called Quest

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

26

End

161

Internal

86

Multi

198

Slant

7

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Verse 2: Q-Tip]
Yo, how you doin'? Let me give you an intro✦
My name's✦ the Abstract, now let me give you some info✦
Got the diamond in the back and the sunroof shit
That makes✦ the hardcore MC's resort to bein' bitch
And I don't give a shit about✦ bein' wild rich
Just make me comfortable and I'll deal with it
Your lust for the riches✦ make a nigga✦ feel sick
Down to his zealots, upchuck and then spit
Denouncin' my beliefs, well, then your wig get split
Lay your egos on the ground so that you'll benefit
You can take these words and relay✦ it to your clique
Take some time for your mind and get off them head trips
Don't try to play me, see, my name's✦ not Dick
The Tribe is the crew that makes✦ the mics get lit
Like the 4th of July✦ on some fireworks shit
My record✦ company be on some true jerk shit
But that's aight, now I'm on some true work shit
And I'mma✦ make it happen✦ for my whole outfit✦
[Chorus: Q-Tip & (Sample)]
(Just... drifting✦ back...)
You know we got to get control✦
(Suddenly...)✦
Over✦ the illest✦ drum rolls
(Suddenly...✦ drifting✦ back... just...)
Third verse
[Verse 3: Q-Tip]
A-yo, we just gettin'✦ started, got to redirect this vision✦
Got the beauty✦ of a flower,✦ plus dimensions like a prism
Your minds are locked✦ down like prison✦
Y'all really✦ need to go lay down 'cause positivity✦ has risen✦
We hittin',✦ yo, bust how we too strong to be broken✦
Occasional malfunction,✦ pressure time, we ain't jokin'✦
For security,✦ yo, we on this Run like Logan✦
Kamaal's doin' the hustle, and you backstage voguein'
We all got faults, don't ever✦ try to think that you perfect
We all are human✦ beings, there's✦ bullshit at the surface
Sometimes, I mean, we rhyme, damn! We ain't prophets
And if you think so, you need to stop it!
So jump back inside✦ your shell
Let your million✦ dollar thoughts propel✦
But next man, don't get jel'
Playa hate — that all carries✦ weight that we don't need
We slim with disabilities,✦ and thick with possibilities✦
'Cause then you can move with agility✦
Navigatin' with good visibility✦
We put these tunes✦ out in record✦ shop facilities✦
And strive to get this constant money✦ activity✦
We try to stay on the scene like Fidel✦
So if you get enraged with these names,✦ it still ring bells
There ain't no plan B's, yo, watch, we movin'✦ through with plan A
Money✦ market,✦ doin' things the right way
[Chorus: Q-Tip & (Sample)]
(Suddenly...)✦
You know we gotta✦ get control✦
(Drifting✦ back... just...)
Over✦ the illest✦ drum rolls
(Suddenly...)✦
You know we gotta✦ get control✦
(Drifting✦ back... just...)
Over✦ the illest✦ drum rolls
(Suddenly...)✦
You know we gotta✦ get control✦
(Drifting✦ back... just...)
Over✦ the illest✦ drum rolls
(Suddenly...)✦
(Drifting✦ back... just...)
[Outro: Q-Tip]
Yo, bust it out
Section,✦ section✦
Section✦ — Linden✦ Boulevard
Section✦ on Merrick
Section✦ — the whole Jamaica
Section✦ on Flushing
Section✦ in Bed-St-id-uy

Technical Breakdown

7.8
Multisyllabic Rhymes9.5

Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)

Internal Rhymes9.5

Rhymes within a line (data-driven)

Wordplay / Double Entendres6.5

Clever language, metaphors, punchlines

Cadence / Rhythm7.5

Flow variation and timing (data-driven)

Vocabulary Complexity7.0

Range and depth of words used (data-driven)

Delivery / Breath Control7.5

Performance and control

Computed Score7.76

Production

— The Ummah, J Dilla

Be the first to rate the production

Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

Q-Tip utilizes a disciplined, conversational flow to deliver a critique of industry materialism, prioritizing rhythmic pocket-stability and internal rhyme density over overt lyrical complexity, which was emblematic of the 1996 jazz-rap aesthetic.

B+
9.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
7.5
Cadence / Flow
7
Vocabulary
6.5
Wordplay
7.5
Delivery
Internal Rhyme SaturationConversational CadenceMultisyllabic End-Rhyme ChainsRhythmic Syncopation
Rhyme Architecture: A consistent reliance on AAAA/BBBB terminal rhyme structures anchored by heavy internal multisyllabic repetition ('intro/info', 'rich/sick/split/clique/trips/Dick/lit/shit/jerk/work/outfit').
Verified Doubles & Entendres

"my name's not Dick"

① A literal denial of the name Dick, distinguishing his identity.② A double entendre referencing the slang term 'dick' (jerk/idiot), indicating he is not to be played or disrespected.

"My record company be on some true jerk shit / But that's aight, now I'm on some true work shit"

① A critique of the label's incompetence ('jerk shit').② A pivot to his own professional commitment ('work shit'), contrasting the label's behavior with his own work ethic.

Exceptional technical mastery of internal rhyme density

Consistent rhythmic pocket and cadence control

Cohesive thematic focus on anti-materialism

Sophisticated use of conversational tone to ground abstract lyrics

Wordplay relies on direct statement rather than oblique metaphor

Occasional filler phrases to force rhyme scheme resolution

Limited usage of higher-level rhetorical devices

User Scores