A Tribe Called Quest

fascinate; attract; cause to be enamored

Just like Ringling Brothers, I'll daze and astound

Captivate the mass, 'cause the prose is profound

Do it for the strong, we do it for the meek

end; an external body part that projects from the body

See, I'm far from a bully and I ain't a punk

Extremity in rhythm, yeah that's what you heard

So just clean out your ears and just check the word

story; a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events

The fog and the smog of news media that logs

False narratives of Gods that came up against the odds

We're not just nigga rappers with the bars

stimulate; restore strength

We be the real MC's and you dead, bring a shovel

Revitalize, the vital Tribe nigga, WHAT?

The ladies sweat the style like the squirrel sweat the nuts

goods; articles of commerce

They are extensions of instinctual soul

It's the highest in commodity grade, and you could get it today

Dis generation, dis generation, dis generation

teach; impart skills or knowledge to

Do you like the garments that we wear?

I instruct you to be the obeyer

A rhythm recipe that you'll savor

add detail; mark by complexity and richness of detail

I like to tell ya things some brothers don't

If only you could see through your elaborate eyes

Only you and me, hun, the love never dies

calm; a disposition free from stress or emotion

Spirit-wise, musically, you gotta be it

Serenity and silence of the sounds and emotions

In the concrete jungle when the sun don't bungle

obvious; clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment

So smooth and debonair, especially for the ear

Gotta keep my thing in gear 'cause it's evident and clear

That I will rock (gonna rock)

useful; promoting or enhancing well-being

I will be enhancing your cassettes and CDs

With certain facts that you may find beneficial

The average bounce meter for your Midnight Marauder program

obvious; provide evidence for

Fumigate our economy, 'lluminate broken dreams

And manifest all insanity, look around

Sayonara tomorrow, it's just blood on the ground

frighten; make timid or fearful

Do it to the music that's the raw butt groove

Intimidate the boy

Cupid, that's his name

decorate; add details to

Move oceans wit' your mental

Think it, do it, be it, embellish

Here's another point for everyone to relish

award; a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction

Movin throught every town off the fumes of...

And accolades of the crowd with our chests out proud

Yo, we bout to pack these joints so that these... sound loud

slope; have a tendency or disposition to do or be something; be inclined

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

condemn; speak out against

Rhythm on your toes, yes it's the funk again

Appreciate the flow, denounce the circuit breakers

Do it with the best, the movers and the shakers

productive; intellectually productive

Don't worry about a thing, I won't get specific

This is a song that is long and prolific

Think of the stuff that I said if you can

traditional; adhering to what is commonly accepted

Who wanna spar? ha ha, well, here I are

Unorthodox spitter orbing on the southpaw

No doubt, I'mma set it, dudes best be ready

combination; the process of producing a chemical compound

Verse one: q-tip

We in a world that places heavy emphasis on money synthesis

Y'all can be my witnesses

settle; act between parties with a view to reconciling differences

Some cats go about it with too much passion

We got to mediate our greedy levels

Cuz the lust of currency can have us sleepin with the devil

wealth; an economic state of growth with rising profits and full employment

All we want in this life

Is peace, prosperity and a little paper

Objects that seem greater

snobbish; someone who believes in rule by an elite group

Kappo Masa with a G to my waiter

You can't define us, XY us, or Z us, you generational elitists

Have your chi in virtual think pieces

disrespectful; showing lack of due respect or veneration

A Tribe Called Quest represent, represent-sent

No taming of the style 'cause it gets irreverent

A Tribe Called Quest represent, represent-sent

ten years; a period of 10 years

Yes, my man Ron Carter is on the bass

And check it out, going into the '91 decade

Up in until the 2000 decade

organized; a soldier who serves as an attendant to a superior officer

Gotta motivate ourselves to go and grab it

We got to get it yall, in an orderly fashion

Some cats go about it with too much passion