The Love Movement

Start It Up

A Tribe Called Quest

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

24

End

122

Internal

34

Multi

135

Slant

14

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Hook: Q-Tip]
Don't beat me in the head with the bullshit✦ bat
C'mon everybody,✦ let's start (Uh, yo)
Don't beat me in the head with the bullshit✦ bat
C'mon everybody,✦ let's start (C'mon)
[Verse 2: Q-Tip]
Ummah,✦ Mos, Jane Doe, Willy✦
Punchline, Wordsworth, SV, Chrissy
S.O.S., Tribe Called✦ Quest
Get it off your chest, say it (Tribe Called✦ Quest!)
Can you, feel it, when it, hit right?
Can you, feel it, when we, do it?
Truth, power, taste, devour✦
Niggas in the street, here comes✦ the illest✦ beat now
Move, oceans, with your, mental
Think it, do it, be it, embellish✦
Here's✦ another point for everyone to relish
When Ski busts his tools, all y'all foes will embellish✦
For somethin', wicked,✦ at y'all, faces✦
What I, see is, longin',✦ needin'✦
Hey I got you with that good stuff
And ya probably won't get enough
Ayo, lyrics,✦ I got it, lyrics,✦ cadence✦
Do it, with fun, and, patience✦
Funky,✦ rhythmic, characteristic✦
Ebonically lingustic with the ghetto✦ futuristic✦
Ay, ay, ay, ay, ay, ay, ay
[Hook: Q-Tip]
With the bullshit✦ bat
C'mon everybody,✦ let's start
Don't beat me in the head with the bullshit✦ bat (Ghetto✦ futuristic)✦
C'mon everybody,✦ let's start
[Outro: Q-Tip]
Beat me in the head, don't beat me in the head
Don't beat me in the head, don't beat me in the head
Don't beat me in the head, don't beat me in the head
Don't beat me in the head, head, head, head
So here we are fam, let's start
So here we are fam, let's start
So here we are fam let's start
To The Ummah✦ family,✦ let's start
Ayo, get off your ass and let's start
Uh, ayo, here we are fam, let's start
C'mon, get off your ass and let's start
Here we are fam, let's start
Here we is fam, let's start
Get off your ass and let's start
Here we are fam, let's start
Get off your ass-ah-ah-ah-ah
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
And let's start

Technical Breakdown

8.0
Multisyllabic Rhymes7.5

Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)

Internal Rhymes9.5

Rhymes within a line (data-driven)

Wordplay / Double Entendres5.0

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 Control7.5

Performance and control

Computed Score8.04

Production

— The Ummah

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Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

Q-Tip utilizes the verse as a structural bridge, prioritizing rhythmic propulsion and internal rhyme density over dense metaphorical wordplay, serving as a masterclass in breath control and syncopated delivery.

A
7.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
10
Cadence / Flow
5
Vocabulary
5
Wordplay
7.5
Delivery
Syncopated cadencesList-based flowInternal rhyme stackingRhythmic enjambment
Rhyme Architecture: The verse relies on a high frequency of internal rhyming and rhythmic repetitions (e.g., 'Can you, feel it, when it, hit right?'), creating a driving cadence that emphasizes the bounce of the beat rather than linear narrative.
Verified Doubles & Entendres

"Move, oceans, with your, mental"

① Physical act of shifting large bodies of water.② The metaphorical power of thought to create monumental change or paradigm shifts.

"Get it off your chest"

① The physical act of alleviating pressure on the thoracic region.② The colloquial imperative to speak one's mind or release pent-up emotions.

Exceptional rhythmic precision

Dynamic cadence shifts

Strong structural coherence

Effective use of pauses to emphasize vocal placement

Low metaphorical density

Lack of complex narrative or layered wordplay

Reliance on list-based filler for rhyme density

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