Beats, Rhymes and Life

Keeping It Moving

A Tribe Called Quest

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

5

End

85

Internal

11

Multi

149

Slant

4

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Chorus]
Keep it movin'✦ — yeah, yeah, to the K.I.M
Keep it movin'✦ — yeah yeah to the K.I.M
I ain't got no time for schuckin'✦ and jivin',✦ uh
Keep it movin'✦ — yeah, yeah
Keep it movin'✦ — yeah, yeah, to the K.I.M
Keep it movin'✦ — true dat, to the K.I.M
I ain't got no time for schuckin'✦ and jivin',✦ uh
[Outro: Q-Tip]
The Pharcyde — you know we do it up, uh
You know we do it up, uh
The Hiero — you know we do it up
Yeah, yeah, you know we do it up
Yeah, to the Mobb Deep, The Infamous — we do it up
Yeah, yeah, you know we do it up
To my peoples Know Naim — yeah, you know we do it up
Uh, uh, you know we do it up
To my man DJ Quik — you know we do it up
Uh, uh, do, we do it up
To my man Biz Mark — yeah, yeah, you know we do it up
Uh, uh, you know we do it up
To my man Ike Love — you know we do it up
Yeah, yeah, you know we do it up
And my man Extra P — you know we do it up
Uh, uh, uh-uh,✦ uh-uh,✦ up
I can't forget Dr. Dre — uh, you know we do it up
MC Eiht — uh, you know we do it up
Shelly Mae — uh, you know we do it up
Uh, Muhammad — uh, you know we do it up
Uh, K-Hard — huh, you know we do it up
Uh, De La — uh, you know we do it up
Uh, my man Jay-Z — you know we do it up
Abstract — and you know we, uh, do it up
It's like that, y'all

Technical Breakdown

5.7
Multisyllabic Rhymes5.5

Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)

Internal Rhymes9.5

Rhymes within a line (data-driven)

Wordplay / Double Entendres3.0

Clever language, metaphors, punchlines

Cadence / Rhythm6.3

Flow variation and timing (data-driven)

Vocabulary Complexity3.0

Range and depth of words used (data-driven)

Delivery / Breath Control5.5

Performance and control

Computed Score5.65

Production

— The Ummah

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Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

The verse functions primarily as a functional, percussive bridge and promotional shout-out track, prioritizing rhythm and community building over complex lyricism or dense wordplay.

C
5.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
6.25
Cadence / Flow
3
Vocabulary
3
Wordplay
5.5
Delivery
Repetitive cadenceCall-and-response structureExternal shout-outsRhythmic syncopation
Rhyme Architecture: The rhyme scheme is highly repetitive, relying on the 'K.I.M' (Keeping It Moving) acronym and the recurring 'up' suffix in the outro to establish a hypnotic, mantra-like groove.
Verified Doubles & Entendres

"schuckin' and jivin'"

① A historical pejorative term describing behavior meant to appease or deceive authority figures.② A dismissal of time-wasting or insincere social interactions, positioning the artist as focused and authentic.

Effective use of repetitive mantras to establish a rhythmic pocket

Strong community-building focus via shout-outs

Consistent, steady flow that serves the track's theme of momentum

Lack of complex wordplay or metaphoric depth

Minimalist lyrical content focusing on repetition rather than narrative development

Technical rhyme density is low compared to the lyrical complexity expected of the era

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