The Pressure
The Pressure

A Tribe Called Quest - The Pressure Lyrics

Hip-Hop/Rap
Jul 15, 1996
132
The Pressure Music Video

The Pressure Lyrics

In this American metropolis filled with MC's
A Tribe Called Quest came to drop jewels wit' ease
Plus make you party, we do this music thing for everybody
Black, White, Latino and Asian, we cold raisin'
The stakes of hip-hop to a new plateau
To bridge gaps in generations for future plantations
A god-fearin' folk 'cause we all from the yolk
Of one breed, one seed, to good goals we proceed
Nowadays I strive to be a very good influence
Even though not too long ago I was a truant
Now I'm droppin' it on this and many broad topics
From man's obsession with money to holy prophets
Like Mohamed, yo, you know the scene is so freaky
Enemies they denounce me and my own try to sweep me
Now I got hip-hop acts posin' like fat cats
Lex and a Rolex, Moet and a top hat
But what about your contract, slick? Is you proper?
It's time we turned the tables of this hip-hop fable
I be striving yo', tryna bang these joints out my skillet
And fulfill it, think about these kids, we can't kill it

Now every dog has his day, but eff that, it's my year
All you gat pullin' MC's could never come near
All that bogus type chatter, please put it to rest
It's the Phifer from Quest leavin' venues a mess
So I even start to (Rap) when you know you have no (Haps)
Wit' your simpleton (Lyrics), your light-hearted (Act)
Step back, me no have no time for that
I'm blowin' up the spot for all you ras clot idi-ots
In a world where you have like a zillion MC's
Ninety percent of all you suckers have filthy LPs
Bitch this, trick that, come on, act like you know
I be that up north MC who never chose to play the down-low
(His name is Phife Dawg) I label myself as The Boss (True that)
Same height as Little Vicious, yet I'm shorter than Kriss Kross
Queens representation, son, you know how we do
While Light' and Sha, they represent BK to the fullest
I be the sidekick to The Abstract, so get ready for combat
Yo, what about about them biters? Me not like that
My motto is to wreck shop, I do it on the non-stop
Come on party people, you must give me my props
Cause y'all know good and damn well that the style has been mastered
So head for the border you peasy-haired bastards
Before I start to put it on ya, come on now, must I warn ya?
Queens is in the house so all MC's go hold their corner

We feelin' pressures in here
You know we feelin' pressures
Feelin' pressures in here
You know we feelin' pressures
We gotta stand clear
Jus' gotta stand clear
Gotta gotta stand clear of the pressure
The what?

Writer(s): ALI SHAHEED JONES-MUHAMMAD, GEORGE JR. CLINTON, KAMAAL IBN JOHN FAREED, MALIK IZAAK TAYLOR
Copyright(s): Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Word Collections Publishing
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Who are the members of A Tribe Called Quest featured in 'The Pressure'?

    'The Pressure' features the vocals of Q-Tip and Phife Dawg, the main rappers of A Tribe Called Quest, with production contributions from Ali Shaheed Muhammad. Jarobi White was an early member but left before many of the later albums.

  2. What themes are explored in 'The Pressure' by A Tribe Called Quest?

    In 'The Pressure,' A Tribe Called Quest addresses themes of social responsibility, authenticity in the hip hop industry, and personal growth. The lyrics discuss the challenges and pressures faced by artists in the music scene and encourage authenticity and positive influence.

  3. How did A Tribe Called Quest influence hip hop with songs like 'The Pressure'?

    A Tribe Called Quest is known for merging jazz with hip hop and addressing socially conscious topics. With songs like 'The Pressure,' they set a standard for artists to create music that is both innovative and thematically rich, helping to shape alternative hip hop in the 1990s.

  4. What makes 'The Pressure' stand out in A Tribe Called Quest's discography?

    'The Pressure' stands out for its lyrical critique of the hip hop industry and societal norms. The track emphasizes integrity and creativity while encouraging listeners to rise above mainstream pressures, showcasing Phife Dawg's witty and incisive style alongside Q-Tip's philosophical approach.

  5. What musical influences are reflected in 'The Pressure'?

    A Tribe Called Quest often incorporated jazz elements into their music, and 'The Pressure' continues this tradition with a laid-back yet rhythmic production. The minimalist approach favored by the group strips down instruments to emphasize vocals, borrowing from bebop and hard bop influences.

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