The Love Movement

Like It Like That

A Tribe Called Quest

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

9

End

89

Internal

19

Multi

107

Slant

2

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Verse 2: Q-Tip]
Who could be the one, rhyming ill, having✦ fun
Blowing up, making✦ musical memories✦ and things
Elevate your thoughts on the vibe that we brought
While we climbing, we shine like a Super✦ Bowl ring
You could do it too, I mean hop like we do
Interlock like we do and make your own mark
It's deeper✦ than the song, hope you live your life long
When you win, how you start, kid you gotta✦ have heart
Niggas in my shit, move! Give a nigga✦ room
Back it up, it's a grown man making✦ on time (Making✦ on time)
Plus you damn similar to Newport's
Smoking ain't a new sport
Smoke you since the invent✦ of rhyme
Gotta✦ spread love, no matter✦ where you are
Where you at, where you went, 'cause nobody✦ want beef
Fountain is good, just flows like a river✦
Just go with a nigga,✦ kid, my stay ain't brief
Put your heart in the day, in the night, family✦
Enemies✦ but yo I, really✦ don't wet that
We was in the back of the joint cooling out
And I saw this girl asked if her if she like it like that, yo
[Echo: Q-Tip]
You like it that, you like it that
You like it that, you like it that
You like it that, you like it that
You like it that
[Outro: Q-Tip]
Yo, yo, yo, yo, yo, yo
What up, what up, what up, what up, what up
Gotta✦ get out of here though
Let's ride out

Technical Breakdown

6.4
Multisyllabic Rhymes7.5

Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)

Internal Rhymes9.5

Rhymes within a line (data-driven)

Wordplay / Double Entendres5.5

Clever language, metaphors, punchlines

Cadence / Rhythm5.5

Flow variation and timing (data-driven)

Vocabulary Complexity6.0

Range and depth of words used (data-driven)

Delivery / Breath Control6.5

Performance and control

Computed Score6.42

Production

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Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

Q-Tip utilizes an accessible, conversational cadence that prioritizes rhythmic pocket-locking and cultural wisdom over dense lyrical abstraction, characteristic of the mid-90s boom-bap aesthetic.

B
7.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
5.5
Cadence / Flow
6
Vocabulary
5.5
Wordplay
6.5
Delivery
Internal rhyme chainsConversational flowPolysyllabic end-rhyme stringsCall-and-response vocal layering
Rhyme Architecture: Primarily composed of AABB/AABB variations with a heavy emphasis on internal multisyllabic clusters that anchor the verse to the beat.
Verified Doubles & Entendres

"Smoking ain't a new sport / Smoke you since the invent of rhyme"

① A literal reference to smoking cigarettes (Newport brand)② A lyrical battle reference implying the emcee has been lyrically 'smoking' opponents since the inception of hip-hop.

"Fountain is good, just flows like a river"

① A reference to the artist's creative output as a consistent water source② A metaphorical claim about the natural, effortless quality of his rhythmic delivery.

Consistent rhythmic pocket maintenance

Strong command of tone and persona

Effective use of internal rhyming to maintain momentum

Limited metaphorical depth

Some forced rhyme pairings to satisfy the AABB structure

Lacks the high-level lyrical complexity seen in other Tribe tracks

User Scores