Get A Hold by A Tribe Called Quest Lyrics Meaning – Unraveling the Threads of Conscious Hip-Hop
Lyrics
Drifting back (just) suddenly
Drifting back (just) suddenly
The deadly venom, let me start from the beginning
We always hitting, so yo, there’ll be no extra innings
As I send the mic out the park like Reggie Jackson
You be the minor leaguer who sees no action
The coming attraction, what, the main feature
And I’mma greet ya, like a rhyming ass creature
Lurking all up in the dark, unknown parts
The brother well prepared is the brother who will start
And that’s me Akki, as long as the ladies move they bodies
We’ll have a forum to stand
Cause that happens to be the nature of man
Sexuality, it is the format baby
Ain’t no ifs, no buts, no ands, or maybes
But I praise the Lord of the worlds that’s unseen
Respect me for that and let me do my thing
I said, respect me for that and let me do my thing
You know we gotta get a hold
Over the illest drum rolls
Yo, how you doing? Let me give you an intro
My name’s the Abstract, now let me give you some info
Got the diamond in the back and the sunroof shit
That makes the hardcore MC’s resort to being bitch
And I don’t give a shit about being wild rich
Just make me comfortable and I’ll deal with it
Your lust for the riches make a nigga feel sick
Down to his zealots, upchuck and then spit
Denouncing my beliefs, well then your wig get split
Lay your egos on the ground so that you’ll benefit
You can take these words and relay it to your clique
Take some time for your mind and get off them head trips
Don’t try to play me, see my name’s not Dick
The Tribe is the crew that makes the mics get lit
Like the Fourth of July on some firework shit
My record company be on some true jerk shit
But that’s aight, now, I’m on some true work shit
And I’mma make it happen for my whole outfit
You know we gotta get a hold
Over the illest drum rolls
A-yo, we just getting started, got to redirect this vision
Got the beauty of a flower plus dimensions like a prism
Your minds are locked down like prison
Y’all really need to go lay down cause positivity has risen
We hitting, yo bust how we too strong to be broken
Occasional malfunction pressure time, we ain’t joking
For security, yo we on this run like Logan
Kamaal’s doing the hustle and you backstage vogueing
We all got faults, don’t ever try to think that you perfect
We all are human beings, there’s bullshit at the surface
Sometimes, I mean we rhyme, damn, we ain’t prophets
And if you think so, you need to stop it
So jump back inside your shell
Let your million dollar thoughts propel but next man don’t get jel
Playa hate that all carries weight that we don’t need
We slim with disabilities and thick with possibilities
Cause then you can’t move with agility
Navigating with good visibility
We put these tunes out in record shop facilities
And strive to get this constant money activity
We try to stay on the scene like Fidel
So if you get enraged with these names it still ring bells
There ain’t no plan B’s, yo watch, we moving through with plan A
Money market doing things the right way
You know we gotta get a hold
Over the illest drum rolls
Yo bust it out section, section
Section Linden Boulevard
Section on Merrick
Section the whole Jamaica
Section on Flushing
Section in Bed-Stiduy
A Tribe Called Quest’s seminal track ‘Get A Hold’ is more than just another hip-hop song; it’s a cultural artifact that captures the essence of the genre’s golden era. This piece isn’t merely a lyrical exercise but a meditation on the role of the artist, the seduction of materialism, and the quest for authenticity in a world full of distraction.
The track, nestled within the group’s 1996 album ‘Beats, Rhymes and Life,’ serves as a reminder of the power of introspection and consciousness in hip-hop. It embodies the socio-political stance of the group and their unwavering commitment to promoting positivity, despite the industry’s push towards materialistic and sensational themes.
Venomous Beginnings and Mic Mastery
The opening lines of ‘Get A Hold’ immediately throw us into the deep end with ‘The deadly venom, let me start from the beginning.’ This line isn’t just about a strong start to a verse; it’s a declaration of the potency of the group’s message – as dangerous and transformative as venom. Here’s where the initial insight is unveiled, signaling their return with a potency as if to ensure we’re alert and ready.
The verse continues the metaphor with the prowess of ‘hitting’ the mic and sending it ‘out the park like Reggie Jackson,’ drawing parallels between their lyrical skill and the athleticism of the famed baseball player, denoting prowess, strength, and dominance in their craft.
The Nature of Man and the Celebration of Sexuality
Amidst the verses, Q-Tip reflects on the fundamental aspects of human nature, bringing sex into the conversation with lines like, ‘And that’s me Akki, as long as the ladies move they bodies.’ Here, he navigates the natural human condition, framing sexuality as neither a taboo subject nor the sole focus.
However, it’s not simply about human desires. The recognition of God in his verse implies a balance between worldly and spiritual matters, commanding respect for his conscious outlook that underpins his artistic expression.
Diamonds, Sunroofs and the Pursuit of Authentic Wealth
Referencing ‘diamond in the back and the sunroof shit,’ Q-Tip criticizes those who fixate on materialism as a marker of success, a critique of hip-hop culture’s often one-dimensional portrayal of wealth. The Abstract’s disregard for ‘being wild rich’ favors a comfortable life over an excessive one, grounded in authenticity and mindfulness.
Material riches, to Q-Tip, are symptomatic of a deeper sickness: a ‘lust for the riches’ that leads to spiritual malaise. This thematic focus pushes against the mainstream narrative, insisting on the value of integrity and purpose over monetary gain.
Unlocking Minds: The Hidden Prism of ‘Get A Hold’
Phife Dawg steps in to augment the societal critique, challenging listeners to ‘redirect this vision’ from the superficial to the multifaceted—an appeal to recognize life’s complexities like the many sides of a prism. Moreover, his words serve as a guide, a map to mental liberation, urging us to shrug off the mental chains that hinder our thought process.
Through the lines ‘Your minds are locked down like prison / Y’all really need to go lay down cause positivity has risen,’ he advocates for a positive uprising, an intellectual awakening that surpasses the incessant negativity fed by the media and other outlets in daily life.
Memorable Lines and Their Enduring Resonance
One cannot delve into ‘Get A Hold’ without highlighting some of its most poignant lines. The song manages to weave memorable mantras such as, ‘We all got faults, don’t ever try to think that you perfect’ and ‘We slim with disabilities and thick with possibilities,’ lines that echo the group’s commitment to authenticity and growth.
These verses not only captivate but impart wisdom—inviting audiences to admit their imperfections, and to view limitations as starting points for boundless opportunities. the Tribe’s verses and the ‘illest drum rolls’ underscore their narratives, creating a sonic backdrop that hammers home the track’s enduring relevance.
