Excursions by A Tribe Called Quest Lyrics Meaning – Unraveling the Tapestry of Hip-Hop Legacy
Lyrics
Before I had status and before I had a pager
You could find the Abstract listening to hip hop
My pops used to say, it reminded him of be-bop
I said, well daddy don’t you know that things go in cycles
The way that Bobby Brown is just ampin’ like Michael
Its all expected, things are for the looking
If you got the money, Quest is for the booking
Come on everybody, let’s get with the fly modes
Still got room on the truck, load the back boom
Listen to the rhymes, to get a mental picture
Of this black man, black woman venture
Why do I say that, ’cause I gotta speak the truth man
Doing what we feel for the music is the proof and
Planted on the ground, the act is so together
Bonafied strong, you need leverage to sever
The unit, yes, the unit, yes, the unit called the jazz is
We deliver it each year on the street for the beat ’cause
You can find it on the rack in your record store(store)
If you get the record, then your thoughts are adored and appreciated
Cause we’re ever so glad we made it
We work hard, so we gotta thank God
Dishing out the plastic, do the dance till you spastic
If you dis, it gets drastic
Listen to the rhymes, ’cause its time to make gravy
If it moves your booty, then shake, shake it baby
All the way to Africa a.k.a. The Motherland (uh)
Stick out the left, then I’ll ask for the other hand
That’s the right hand, Black Man (man)
Only if you was noted as my man (man)
If I get the credit, then I’ll think I deserve it
If you fake moves, don’t fix your mouth to word it
Get in the zone of positivity, not negativity
’cause we gotta strive for longevity
If you botch up, what’s in that (ass) (what?)
A pair of Nikes, size ten-and-a-half (come on, come on)
We gotta make moves
Never, ever, ever could we fake moves (come on, come on)
We gotta make moves
Never, ever, ever could we fake moves (come on, come on)
We gotta make moves
Never, ever, ever could we fake moves (come on, come on)
We gotta make moves
Never, ever, ever could we fake moves (come on, come on)
You gotta be a winner all the time
Can’t fall prey to a hip hop crime
With the dope raps and dope tracks for you for blocks
From the fly girlies to the hardest of the rocks
Musically the Quest, is on the rise
We on these Excursions so you must realize
Hip hop continually, about the Zulu
If you don’t like it, get off the Zulu tip
So what could you do in the times which exist
You can’t fake moves on your brother or your sis
But if your sis is a (bitch), brother is a jerk
Leave ’em both alone and continue with your work
Whatever it may be into this society
Everything is fair, at least that how it seems to me
You must be honest and true to the next
Don’t be phony and expect one not to flex
Especially if you rhyme, you have to live by the pen
Your man is your man, then treat him like your friend
All it is, is the code of the streets
So listen to the knowledge being dropped over beats
Beats that are hard, beats that are funky
It could get you hooked like a crackhead junkie
What you gotta do to is know that the Tribe’s in this sphere
The Abstract Poet, prominent like Shakespeare
We gotta make moves
Never, ever, ever could we fake moves (come on, come on)
We gotta make moves
Never, ever, ever could we fake moves (come on, come on)
We gotta make moves
Never, ever, ever could we fake moves (come on, come on)
We gotta make moves
Never, ever, ever could we fake moves (come on, come on)
The quintessential track ‘Excursions’ by A Tribe Called Quest opens their groundbreaking album ‘The Low End Theory’ with a statement of musical purpose. This isn’t just a song; it’s a narrative that dives deep into the roots of hip-hop, jazz, and societal observations, bridging generations and giving gravitas to the artistry within the urban soundscape.
Dissecting the multilayered lyrics of ‘Excursions’ reveals much more than a tribute to the genre’s forebears; it’s a manifesto of artistic integrity, cultural identity, and historical acknowledgment, delivered with the signature flow of Q-Tip, the band’s Abstract Poet. Let’s explore the purposeful wordplay and the enduring messages enshrined in this iconic track.
Echoes of Be-Bop: Hip-Hop’s Intrinsic Connection to Jazz
The rhyme ‘My pops used to say, it reminded him of be-bop’ not only provides a personal anecdote from Q-Tip’s own lineage, but it also encapsulates the song’s primary assertion: hip-hop’s evolution is akin to the jazz era. By mentioning the rhythmic and improvisational counterpart in jazz—be-bop—Q-Tip enlightens listeners on the interconnectedness of black American musical genres that are cyclical and ever-evolving.
This homage to musical ancestors sets the tone for a piece layered with cultural resonance and a deep appreciation for historical art forms. The song positions hip-hop as a contemporary rendition of a timeless struggle for expression and recognition in the African American experience.
The Symmetry of Social Commentary and Song
‘Listen to the rhymes, to get a mental picture of this black man, black woman venture.’ Here, Q-Tip uses his vivid storytelling to illuminate the reality of the black struggle and the unity required to forge a positive path forward. Each bar serves a dual purpose: to entertain and to educate, leaving a breadcrumb trail of empowerment and warning.
Through his lyrics, Q-Tip imparts an almost subliminal call to action for both his peers and fans. He posits hip-hop as a vehicle for change—a means to challenge and alter the established social narratives that surround race, artistry, and success.
The Trailblazing Path of the Lyrical Maestro
When Q-Tip raps ‘If you got the money, Quest is for the booking’ he’s not just speaking to the commercial aspect of music production. He encapsulates the intense determination required to make enduring art in an industry often driven by materialism. It’s a declaration that while they might play the game, they are the authentically skilled players shaping it.
‘The unit called the jazz’—Q-Tip renames his group not as mere performers but as innovators akin to jazz musicians, thus elevating their music to a state of high art. It’s a bold self-awareness that demands respect and acknowledgment for their own artistic ‘Excursions.’
Decoding the Seminal Verses of Authenticity
‘You can’t fake moves on your brother or your sis’ – these lines strike at the heart of the song, amplifying the message of authenticity and loyalty. The song admonishes those who would deceive or posture for personal gain, advocating instead a code of conduct rooted in honesty and solidarity.
Couched within the head-bopping rhythm and infectious beats lies a doctrine of ethics, a manifesto for living within a community. The lyrical prescription is clear: to thrive, both in music and life, one must be genuine and true.
Unearthing the Song’s Hidden Meaning Behind The Beats
Beyond the overt celebration of genre heritage and cultural integrity, ‘Excursions’ poses a covert exploration of self. It beckons listeners to embark on their own journey of introspection—to understand the deeper significance of their contributions to the world.
When Q-Tip delivers ‘Hip hop continually, about the Zulu / If you don’t like it, get off the Zulu tip,’ he invokes the Zulu Nation, a foundational movement of hip-hop culture focused on community upliftment. In doing so, he crisply delineates the line between those who are a genuine part of the culture and those who simply co-opt its style for their benefits.
