Beats, Rhymes and Life
Motivators
A Tribe Called Quest
Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis
20
End
183
Internal
76
Multi
217
Slant
5
Chain
Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Verse 3: Consequence]
Yo, if I ruled✦ the world...
It wouldn't be that gassed✦ shit, niggas'd mix it like swirl
'Cause half of you G's ain't nothin'✦ but Girl Scouts
And I'mma✦ show you what it's all about✦
"Aww, yeah!" — that's what you say when my love's✦ in your mouth
Without a doubt, I cut MC's like the cord
'Cause I does more than that MC from the Lords
While you be froggin' like Bud-wei-ser
And rappin'✦ ain't what you slackin' in
I'm knockin' MC's outta✦ action✦ like abstinence
Rockin'✦ since Kiss-My-Dick was kickin'✦ that "Peachfuzz"
Cuz, you might be on drugs
[Chorus: A Tribe Called Quest]
We be the number✦ one motivators✦
Ghetto✦ mentality and the innovators✦
Some of y'all may really✦ hate us
But we won't be sore, all we wanna✦ do is rock the floor
[Post-Chorus: Q-Tip]
To all my people 'cross the state who sit back and contemplate✦
Motivate,✦ uh, motivate✦
To all my people 'cross the land who get they feet stuck in sand
Motivate,✦ uh, motivate,✦ y'all
[Verse 4: Consequence]
A-yo, I stay with somethin'✦ new, but not Granddaddy I.U.
Stay tuned,✦ live from the L.B.Q
A-yo, it's just the same guy, swingin' on your block
You know how I get down like Heather B with them Glocks
I came to lead my team to victory like Hayden✦ Fox
'Cause heads ain't ready✦ for the Willie I got
Yanahmean, slim? I does my Thing like Ben Grimm
Leavin'✦ crews in shades✦ of black and blue like Rakim✦
And if you don't know, you better✦ ask another
It's like 1-9-2 when we rollin'✦ Deep Cover✦
So don't shut down on the Razor✦
'Cause in the 9-Live, we steppin' through hotter✦ than the Trail Blazers
And in Queens, I be a legend like Richard Dean
Son, I got a scheme that Hakeem✦ couldn't dream
While you be Sam Cassell'n, Queens keep it live
Who the hell you tellin'?✦ (Can't front on the Tribe)
[Verse 5: Phife Dawg & (Q-Tip)]
Let me tell you why I be the top dog in the industry (Why's that?)
Because all these so-called mutts are not seein' me (Say word)
They too busy✦ eatin'✦ cycles✦ 1, 2, and 3
They can't emcee, I'd rather✦ be down with fuckin'✦ Droopy✦ D
My style is deadly,✦ word bond, act like you fuckin'✦ know
Been writin'✦ rhymes✦ ever✦ since Ray Parker✦ sang with Raydio✦
Your style is played out like a two-tone down goose
You couldn't Converse if you had fuckin'✦ react juice
So hold your corner✦ as I start to bless this mic in here
I'm eatin'✦ through your crew like Stephen King's Langoliers
Try bite my steez — word to God, I'm gonna✦ hurt you
(Will y'all fall off?) Will Laura✦ fuck Urkel? Never!✦
Here comes✦ the funk, smell the aroma✦
Kid, my shit's the bomb, ask my peeps in Oklahoma
[Outro: Q-Tip]
To all my peoples✦ 'cross state who sit back and contemplate✦
Motivate,✦ motivate,✦ uh, motivate,✦ y'all
To all my peoples✦ 'cross land who get stuck in quick sand
Motivate,✦ uh, motivate✦ y'all
To all my peoples✦ everywhere, throw yo' mitts in the air
Motivate,✦ motivate,✦ motivate,✦ motivate✦
Can't do nothin'✦ for your frontin', get involved and do somethin'✦
Motivate,✦ motivate,✦ uh, motivate,✦ uh, motivate,✦ uh, moti—
Technical Breakdown
7.3
Multisyllabic Rhymes9.5
Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)
Internal Rhymes9.5
Rhymes within a line (data-driven)
Wordplay / Double Entendres6.0
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 Score7.35
Production
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Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™
Consequence demonstrates a refined mid-90s boom-bap aesthetic, prioritizing rhythmic density and internal rhyme chains over heavy conceptual density, fitting perfectly into the Tribe-era sonic landscape.
B+
9.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
6.5
Cadence / Flow
8
Vocabulary
6
Wordplay
7
Delivery
Multisyllabic internal rhymingPhonetic playCultural reference seeding
Rhyme Architecture: Uses heavy multi-syllabic linkage (e.g., 'swirl'/'Girl Scouts'/'all about') and rhythmic syncopation, maintaining a high density of internal rhyme strings typical of his 1996 era.
Verified Doubles & Entendres
"knockin' MC's outta action like abstinence"
① The physical act of removing a competitor from the game② The practice of abstaining from sex which effectively prevents the 'action' of conception
"cut MC's like the cord"
① Severing the connection/career of a competitor② The medical act of cutting the umbilical cord at birth (a 'newborn' or 'beginner' insult)
Excellent rhythmic consistency
Strong confidence in vocal pocket
Effective use of multis to drive flow
Punchlines rely on period-specific tropes that have aged significantly
Some metaphors lack subtext beyond the surface literalism