Beats, Rhymes and Life

What Really Goes On

A Tribe Called Quest

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

End

Internal

Multi

165

Slant

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight

[Chorus]

We got the bump-da-bump-da-bump^✦ bump

We got the bump-da-bump-da-bump^✦ bump, uh

We got the bump-da-bump-da-bump^✦ bump

We got that bump-da-bump-da-bump^✦ bump

We got the bump-da-bump-da-bump.^✦ bump-da-bump-da-bump,^✦ bump-da-bump-da-bump^✦ bump

[Verse 2: Q-Tip]

One is for the beat and the two is for the rhyme

Three is for the life, now we on this incline

Never^✦ catch this kid stickin' forks in swine

Never^✦ ran my gibs for nothin'^✦ less than a dime

A few of my brothers did a **** for a time

Strivin' to survive^✦ sometimes is known as crime

The three twenty-five^✦ got that Windex shine

And when I shot skellies,^✦ I had boxes^✦ in lines^✦

All I wanna^✦ do is live life and be fair

I used to stress girls with long legs and long hair

Now I want a woman^✦ with a spiritual flair

God will never^✦ make it too hard for me to bare

I'm hungry^✦ like a derelict who stays in deludes

Some could count me out, but yo, I doubt that I'll lose

The Westernized world got our minds confused

You frontin' on me, akh, then your dome get bruised

The funny^✦ style cats, they be playin' games^✦ like Chucky^✦

Government officials shoot their same old ****

They the devil^✦ agents AKA^✦ the devil^✦ flunky^✦

Stiff-**** squares gettin'^✦ mad 'cause we funky^✦

This the crack game, then we got the top cause

The positive^✦ jumps the negative^✦ like flaws

We deadin'^✦ evil^✦ vibes,^✦ yo, that **** is at the morgue

We celebrate laughin' down in at the smorgasbord

You still lookin'^✦ **** like the tore down committee

Let's make this institution, buy the lands for the smitties^✦

I got girls with tails, plenty^✦ smarts and big ****

And they all stressin' me, really?^✦

[Chorus]

We got the bump-da-bump-da-bump^✦ bump joint

We got the bump-da-bump-da-bump^✦ bump joint (I don't know)

We got the bump-da-bump-da-bump^✦ bump joint

We got the bump-da-bump-da-bump^✦ bump joint (I don't know)

We got the bump-da-bump-da-bump^✦ bump joint (I don't know, I don't know)

We got the bump-da-bump-da-bump^✦ bump joint

We got the bump da-bump^✦ da-bump^✦ da-bump^✦ da-bump^✦ da-bump^✦ da-bump^✦ da-bump^✦ da-bump^✦ da-bump^✦ da-bump^✦ da-bump^✦ da-bump,^✦ bump, bump, joint

Technical Breakdown

8.5

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 / Rhythm10.0

Flow variation and timing (data-driven)

Vocabulary Complexity5.0

Range and depth of words used (data-driven)

Delivery / Breath Control8.0

Performance and control

Computed Score8.53

Production

— The Ummah

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Critic Analysis

RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

Q-Tip utilizes a precise, conversational cadence that contrasts with the internal rhythmic complexity of his rhyme schemes, effectively balancing street-level narrative with existential reflection.

9.5

Multisyllabic

9.5

Internal Rhymes

Cadence / Flow

Vocabulary

6.5

Wordplay

Delivery

Internal multisyllabic rhymingConversational flow patternsLexical repetition for rhythmic emphasisStaccato delivery

Rhyme Architecture: The verse relies on consistent AAAA monorhyme structures per couplet (e.g., rhyme/incline/swine/dime) punctuated by precise internal anchor points that maintain forward momentum.

Verified Doubles & Entendres

"God will never make it too hard for me to bare"

① The physical act of uncovering or revealing his burdens or soul to the divine.② A play on 'bear' (to endure), suggesting faith provides the strength to carry heavy life circumstances.

"The three twenty-five got that Windex shine"

① Reference to a specific car model (BMW 325i).② Metaphorical description of extreme cleanliness/clarity of the vehicle, likened to the streak-free transparency of Windex.

Exceptional rhythmic pocket and internal rhyme density

Authentic, grounded storytelling that avoids caricature

Sophisticated balance between phonetic play and thematic gravity

Vocabulary remains functional rather than expansive

Occasional reliance on standard hip-hop tropes for setup

Limited metaphorical depth outside of personal narrative

What Really Goes On

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

Technical Breakdown

Production

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