We Got It from Here... Thank You 4 Your Service

Whateva Will Be

A Tribe Called Quest

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

8

End

56

Internal

37

Multi

155

Slant

2

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Verse 3: Q-Tip]
Man look at this, man look at this
Whatever will be will be
Like a billionaire investin' in a nigga's dreams
Certainly a head scratcher, like Pac and Big's killers' capture✦
Or a women✦ with the wisdom who's leadin'✦ the way
The rarity✦ is in the rear, but never✦ today✦
Man, picture✦ a PD lettin'✦ good records play
On the strength of what it is, not the finesse of your biz
And your lady✦ calls you dirty,✦ her dirts under✦ rugs
You'll find out only✦ if she tells you, take her kiss and hug, cuz
In the answer✦ for cancer✦ in a prodigious kid's mind
Yes, the government will fund, learning is free for everyone
And from that lie, young leaders will rise
In the eyes of despair and adversity
In some universe, this verse will be true
[Hook: Q-Tip]
Everybody✦ runnin'✦ when they see the storm's comin'✦
But whatever's✦ gonna✦ be will be
Everybody✦ runnin'✦ when they see the storm's comin'✦
But whatever's✦ gonna✦ be will be
Some will dash to the mountain, some will crawl
And the weakest amongst them, they will fall
But the strongest in faith, they will stand tall
Everybody✦ runnin'✦ when they see the storm's comin'✦
But whatever's✦ gonna✦ be will be
[Verse 4: Consequence]
I just wanna✦ feel as liberated as lions in Liberia✦
'Cause recently my heart turned cold as Siberia✦
'Cause everywhere I go, bein' cold is the criteria✦
Let's see how well you know all your Tribe trivia✦
Green and the white, we servin'✦ that Nigeria✦
North side of Queens, one-nine-two is the area✦
This is for my dawgs from Shih Tzus to Terriers
Fuck it, it's showtime, Tip, make sure they hearing you

Technical Breakdown

6.8
Multisyllabic Rhymes8.5

Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)

Internal Rhymes8.5

Rhymes within a line (data-driven)

Wordplay / Double Entendres6.5

Clever language, metaphors, punchlines

Cadence / Rhythm5.5

Flow variation and timing (data-driven)

Vocabulary Complexity7.0

Range and depth of words used (data-driven)

Delivery / Breath Control7.0

Performance and control

Computed Score6.75

Production

— Blair Wells, Q-Tip, Consequence

Be the first to rate the production

Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

Q-Tip delivers a reflective, stream-of-consciousness meditation on societal instability and utopian longing, relying on rhythmic fluidity and philosophical juxtaposition rather than dense, layered punchlines.

B
8.5
Multisyllabic
8.5
Internal Rhymes
5.5
Cadence / Flow
7
Vocabulary
6.5
Wordplay
7
Delivery
Stream of consciousness deliveryPhilosophical rhetorical questioningAsymmetric phrasingSubversive juxtaposition
Rhyme Architecture: A mix of AABB and ABCB patterns utilizing frequent internal multisyllabic clusters that bridge line ends, common in Tip's late-career flow.
Verified Doubles & Entendres

"The rarity is in the rear, but never today"

① The positive examples of leadership/wisdom are now relegated to the past (the rear-view mirror).② A play on 'rear' implying the 'back' or 'rare' commodity, suggesting that truth is no longer found in the present moment.

"On the strength of what it is, not the finesse of your biz"

① Radio play should be determined by the objective quality of the music.② A critique of the music industry where business maneuvering and 'finesse' (payola/marketing) outweigh artistic merit.

"And your lady calls you dirty, her dirts under rugs"

① Literally cleaning a home or addressing personal hygiene.② The metaphor of 'sweeping dirt under the rug' referring to hidden secrets or hypocrisy in a relationship.

Authentic, conversational tone that enhances lyrical sincerity

Strong thematic cohesion regarding socio-political disillusionment

Sophisticated use of rhythm to mask internal line breaks

Some metaphors feel underdeveloped in favor of abstract philosophy

Lack of sharp, high-impact punchline resolution

Delivery remains relatively flat in dynamic range compared to earlier Tribe records

User Scores