Beats, Rhymes and Life

1nce Again

A Tribe Called Quest

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

28

End

166

Internal

48

Multi

221

Slant

6

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Verse 2: Q-Tip]
Ayy, yo, I gotta✦ put some action on paper✦
Make sure my verses✦ jump up and spread out like the raper✦
The only✦ tip I got for a waiter✦
Is watch the doorknob hit me where the dirty✦ dog should've bit me
That was my train of thought, but for so long I fought
Now I'm at a level✦ supreme to the devil
So turn up the bass and lay low on the treble
We be the real MCs and you dead, bring a shovel✦
Revitalize, the vital✦ Tribe nigga✦ (WHAT?)
The ladies✦ sweat the style like the squirrel sweat the nuts
You know a fella's✦ good for the moola✦
Don't smoke no woolas,✦ read the name, call me Slick Tip the Ruler✦
[Chorus: Tammy Lucas & Q-Tip]
Ohhhh, you did it to me once again,✦ my friend
I swear you do it to me every✦ time
'Cause you stay crazy✦ on my mind
Yo, you got it goin' on
On and on and on
On and on and on (Yeah, yeah)
Yeah, yeah-yeah
[Verse 3: Q-Tip]
Yo, I've been treading on this globe, man, for twenty-five joints
Sometimes Shaitan got me by the pressure points
But I can break a fella✦ down like sex
You eat Wheat Chex but still light in the ass and can't flex
If one nigga✦ front, I'ma✦ make more pay
'Cause tonight, we gettin✦ off like O.J
And yo, I got a Dawg that bites,✦ fuck the barking
Yo, I got a crew with the beats and the smarts and—
[Verse 4: Phife Dawg]
I fought my shit up on Linden✦ in the one-nine-two
Forever writing, never✦ biting,✦ ain't shit else to do
Hoping✦ to battle, but most MCs ain't ready✦ yet
But if they utter✦ one word then it's as good as set
You have MCs dropping bombs that's incredible
Some of the brothers, their styles✦ are just despicable
As for me, see, I just do how I love to do
Try to deny✦ me of my props then I'll be seeing you
Most of you suckers wanna✦ be down for the tag-along
The freaking✦ fame, someone tell 'em that this shit ain't games✦
You gots to do this from your heart, meaning your inner✦ soul
And if it's real, only✦ then will you be on a roll
I try to stay on top my game, there ain't no time to lose
Four albums deep as a Quester but still we payin' dues
So hear me out one time, you gots to be yourself✦
'Cause if you ain't yourself,✦ you end up by your freaking✦ self
I'm coming✦ rugged with the Linden✦ Boule type of slang
And yo, we'll see who can hang, yo
[Bridge: Phife Dawg & Q-Tip]
You on point, Tip?
Yo, once again,✦ Phife
You on point, Tip?
Yo, once again,✦ Phife
You on point, Tip?
Yo, once again,✦ Phife
Ayy, yo, that kid is niiiiiiiice
[Chorus: Tammy Lucas]
Ohhhh, you did it to me once again,✦ my friend
I swear you do it to me every✦ time, yeahhh
'Cause you stay crazy✦ on my mind, ohhhh
Yo, you got it goin' on, ohhhh-ohhhh
On and on and on, yeah
Oh yeah

Technical Breakdown

7.8
Multisyllabic Rhymes7.5

Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)

Internal Rhymes9.5

Rhymes within a line (data-driven)

Wordplay / Double Entendres7.0

Clever language, metaphors, punchlines

Cadence / Rhythm8.0

Flow variation and timing (data-driven)

Vocabulary Complexity6.0

Range and depth of words used (data-driven)

Delivery / Breath Control8.0

Performance and control

Computed Score7.79

Production

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Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

Q-Tip utilizes unconventional rhythmic syncopation and a conversational yet authoritative tone to maintain the Tribe signature style, prioritizing flow and cadence over density of wordplay while successfully incorporating period-specific cultural signifiers.

B+
7.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
8
Cadence / Flow
6
Vocabulary
7
Wordplay
8
Delivery
Internal rhyme clustersRhythmic syncopationSlant rhyme integrationSelf-referential wordplay
Rhyme Architecture: The verse employs a loose, conversational AABB structure that pivots into tight internal rhyme clusters (e.g., 'level/devil/treble/shovel') to anchor the listener before relaxing back into a more fluid, rhythmic prose style.
Verified Doubles & Entendres

"Slick Tip the Ruler"

① A reference to his moniker 'Q-Tip' and his status as a master of the craft.② A clear homage to Slick Rick 'The Ruler', aligning his status with golden-era rap hierarchy.

"The ladies sweat the style like the squirrel sweat the nuts"

① Literal animal behavior where squirrels gather and preserve nuts.② A street-level, slightly comedic metaphor comparing the intense desire for his style to an animal's instinctual drive to protect its resources.

Exceptional rhythmic cadence that avoids mechanical rigidity

Strong command of internal rhyme placements

Character-driven, authoritative vocal delivery

Effective use of non-rhyming phonetic connections to sustain flow

Occasional reliance on simpler rhyme patterns that deviate from the multi-syllabic density of his contemporaries

Some metaphors lack the conceptual depth required for higher wordplay scores

User Scores