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The Space Program

A Tribe Called Quest

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

End

177

Internal

193

Multi

205

Slant

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight

[Hook]

(Move on to the stars)

There ain’t a space program^✦ for niggas^✦

Yeah, you stuck here, nigga^✦

(Move on to the stars)

There ain’t a space program^✦ for niggas^✦

Yeah, you stuck here nigga^✦

(Move on to the stars)

There ain’t a space program^✦ for niggas^✦

Yeah, you stuck here, nigga^✦

(Move on to the stars)

There ain’t a space program^✦ for niggas^✦

Yeah, you stuck, stuck, stuck

(Move on to the stars)

[Verse 2: Q-Tip]

Sit and wonder^✦ sometimes, I read the paper^✦ every^✦ day

All these happenings is cycular, just happen^✦ different ways

And the president's refined,^✦ in her wing she's confined^✦

With about^✦ thirty^✦ Percocets and five bottles of wine

Carolina nothing finer^✦ than a Black woman^✦ who climbs

To the top of the State building claiming that that flag is mine

Now, people on top of people, feels like we can’t breathe

Put so much in this muthafucka, feel like we shouldn't leave

Put it on TV, put it in movies,^✦ put it in our face

These notions and ideas^✦ and citizens live in space

I chuckle just like all of y'all, absurdity, after^✦ all

Takes^✦ money^✦ to get it running and money^✦ for trees to fall

Imagine^✦ for one second^✦ all the people are colored, please

Imagine^✦ for one second^✦ all the people in poverty

No matter^✦ the skin tone, culture or time zone

Think the ones^✦ who got it

Would even^✦ think to throw you a bone?

Moved you out your neighbourhood, did they find you a home?

Nah cypher,^✦ probably no place to

Imagine^✦ if this shit was really^✦ talkin’^✦ about^✦ space, dude

[Chorus: Phife Dawg]

Time to go left and not right

Gotta^✦ get it together^✦ forever^✦

Gotta^✦ get it together^✦ for brothers^✦

Gotta^✦ get it together^✦ for sisters^✦

For mothers^✦ and fathers^✦ and dead niggas^✦

For non-conformers, won’t hear the quitters^✦

For Tyson^✦ types^✦ and Che figures^✦

Let’s make somethin'^✦ happen,^✦ let’s make somethin'^✦ happen^✦

Gotta^✦ get it together^✦ for brothers^✦

Gotta^✦ get it together^✦ for sisters^✦

For mothers^✦ and fathers^✦ and dead niggas^✦

For non-conformists,^✦ one-hitter^✦ quitters^✦

For Tyson^✦ types^✦ and Che figures^✦

Make make make

Let’s make somethin'^✦ happen,^✦ let’s make somethin'^✦ happen^✦

Gotta^✦ get it together^✦ forever^✦

Gotta^✦ get it together^✦ for brothers^✦

Gotta^✦ get it together^✦ for sisters^✦

For mothers^✦ and fathers^✦ and dead niggas^✦

For non-conformists,^✦ one-hitter^✦ quitters^✦

For Tyson^✦ types^✦ and Che figures^✦

Let’s make somethin'^✦ happen,^✦ let’s make somethin'^✦ happen^✦

Gotta^✦ get it together^✦ for brothers^✦

Gotta^✦ get it together^✦ for sisters^✦

For mothers^✦ and fathers^✦ and dead niggas^✦

For non-conformists,^✦ one-hitter^✦ quitters^✦

For Tyson^✦ types^✦ and Che figures^✦

Make make make

Let’s make somethin'^✦ happen,^✦ let’s make somethin'^✦ happen^✦

Gotta^✦ get it together^✦ forever^✦

Gotta^✦ get it together^✦ for brothers^✦

Gotta^✦ get it together^✦ for sisters^✦

For mothers^✦ and fathers^✦ and dead niggas^✦

For non-conformists,^✦ one-hitter^✦ quitters^✦

For Tyson^✦ types^✦ and Che figures^✦

Let’s make somethin'^✦ happen,^✦ let’s make somethin'^✦ happen^✦

Gotta^✦ get it together^✦ for brothers^✦

Gotta^✦ get it together^✦ for sisters^✦

For mothers^✦ and fathers^✦ and dead niggas^✦

For non-conformists,^✦ one-hitter^✦ quitters^✦

For Tyson^✦ types^✦ and Che figures^✦

Make, make, make

Let’s make somethin'^✦ happen,^✦ let’s make somethin'^✦ happen^✦

[Outro]

The danger^✦ must be growing^✦

For the rowers keep on rowing^✦

And they’re certainly not showing^✦

Any^✦ signs that they are slowing!^✦

"We’re there!"

"Where?"

"Here!"

A small step for mankind

But a giant step for us

Oompa,^✦ loompa,^✦ doopa^✦ dee doo

I’ve got another puzzle for you

Technical Breakdown

8.9

Multisyllabic Rhymes9.5

Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)

Internal Rhymes8.5

Rhymes within a line (data-driven)

Wordplay / Double Entendres8.0

Clever language, metaphors, punchlines

Cadence / Rhythm10.0

Flow variation and timing (data-driven)

Vocabulary Complexity6.0

Range and depth of words used (data-driven)

Delivery / Breath Control9.0

Performance and control

Computed Score8.93

Production

— Q-Tip, Blair Wells

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Critic Analysis

RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

Q-Tip utilizes cyclic temporal motifs and sharp socio-political imagery to frame systemic stagnation, elevated by a masterful use of conversational yet rhythmic cadence.

A+

9.5

Multisyllabic

8.5

Internal Rhymes

Cadence / Flow

Vocabulary

Wordplay

Delivery

Cyclical rhyme patternsSocio-political metaphorInternal slant rhymesEnjambment for rhythmic tension

Rhyme Architecture: A sophisticated AABB/CCDD variant that relies heavily on internal multisyllabic clusters (e.g., 'refined/confined/wine/climb/mine') to maintain momentum while shifting narrative focus.

Verified Doubles & Entendres

"All these happenings is cycular"

① Literal events repeating themselves throughout history.② A play on 'secular,' suggesting the repetitive nature of man-made, non-spiritual history vs. the celestial aspirations of the hook.

"Carolina nothing finer than a Black woman who climbs / To the top of the State building claiming that that flag is mine"

① A reference to the 'Carolina' state motto and pride in Black female achievement.② A reclamation of the American state apparatus; claiming ownership of a flag that historically signifies systemic exclusion.

Commanding, conversational vocal delivery that masks technical complexity

Coherent narrative arc connecting personal reflection to national struggle

Effective use of imagery (the flag, the State building) to ground abstract themes

Vocabulary density is lower compared to peak abstract lyricism eras

Occasional reliance on standard rhythmic tropes to balance the density of the hook

The Space Program

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

Technical Breakdown

Production

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