Jazz (We've Got)
A Tribe Called Quest
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Rough, rough, rugged Tough like a nugget Listen to the Abstract Poetic, dont snub it The Midnight Marauder is the hype beat arranger Dont front on the lyrics or the two cuz its danger Hook you like a junkie, youll flip like a monkey To the openness of the rhythm, so proceed because Im funky I get down, down like a fly hookers panties Make you catch a spirit and motivate a fanny I be the fly poet, rappers, they get jelly Upset when I rock, cuz yo, they beats is smelly See, I got it goin on like a Forbes tax return Listenin to these lyrics when its hot will make it burn Baby burn, baby burn, up into the heavens The skies up above, the one you think of Is the highly regarded, hell of the people Your mic and my mic? Come on, yo, no equal So if ya wanna do it to yourself That is to mess around with the jazz, then just blame yourself Cuz you made your bed, so now you lay in it Thats your (shit) on the floor, then go and play in it I refuse to catch a L in a battle Cuz yo, I got the jazz and Ill whup a rappers (ass) Into little next to nuthin Test me if Im frontin Im passin flyin colors cuz yo Who got the jazz? (We've got the jazz) We've got the jazz Come on Come on, Phife No need for introductions cuz you know who I be (the Phife Dawg) Yep, the one who loves to slaugher MCs I got style, grace and razamatazz Im like my girl Patrice Rushen, yo I add pizazz, now Most people remember Phife from the Phife like smoothness But now its time to hit you with roughneck rudeness Im still vexed, fuming, gots to come raw The first punk that tries to flex, Ill be cracking your jaw Ill mold you, fold you, roll you up like a spliff Dont ever try to test or else that (ass) will get whipped Im forever poppin junk, its like a fat invite To any MC who wants to flex, yo, we can do this tonight Gel up my posse up on Linden and 1-9-2 Pull up my brothas from Sayers Ave., the Brooklyn Zoo All my crew up in Strong Island, so yo, dont sleep Cuz it only takes a peek to watch that (ass) get beat Brothas wanna play rough, but they can all get some Wanna be hero, but youre a zero, that means you gets none Dont ever try to step to a kid you cant get with Why mess with a brotha that your girl once slept with? Im a negro, hes a negro, wanna be a negro too? But beatin on a woman, is somethin that a puss would do I love jazz, but that doesnt mean that Im timid Not really a gangsta rapper but I can swing it for a minute Who got the jazz? (We've got the jazz) Come on Who got the jazz? (We've got the jazz) Come on
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Written by: KAMAAL IBN JOHN FAREED, MALIK IZAAK TAYLOR, ALI SHAHEED JONES-MUHAMMAD
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
21 facts about this song
Album Snapshot"Jazz (We've Got)" is a hip-hop track by "A Tribe Called Quest" which appears on the group's second studio album, 'The Low End Theory' released in 1991.
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Innovative ReleaseThis song stands out as it was released as a double single along with another of their track "Buggin’ Out."
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Song AppealThe song is celebrated for its merging of jazz and hip-hop elements, reflecting the group's experimental approach to the genre.
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Message and LyricsThe lyrics of "Jazz (We've Got)" aim to communicate the group's passion for jazz music and its relevance to their style of hip-hop.
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Style and CompositionA defining feature of the song is its fusion of bebop jazz elements, soft drum beats, and complex rhyming schemes. This makes it stand out in the hip-hop scene.
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Music VideoThe music video for "Jazz (We've Got)" was directed by Jim Swaffield. It starts with the voice of an elderly man, intended to depict a jazz radio station DJ, and then continues with the group performing their song.
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Sample UsedThe song samples the jazz track "Green Dolphin Street" by famous jazz pianist Jimmy Smith.
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Tribute to JazzThe song is a demonstration of the group's objective to align themselves with the jazz world. It pays homage to jazz greats like Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie.
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Chart PerformanceWhen released, the song performed well on charts, reaching number 15 on the Hot Rap Singles chart in the U.S.
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ImpactThe crossover of Jazz and Hip-Hop in the song "Jazz (We've Got)" has continued to influence many hip-hop artists and groups in subsequent years, helping to shape what is now termed as Jazz Rap.
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Album Release"Jazz (We Got)" is a song from A Tribe Called Quest's second studio album, "The Low End Theory," which was released in 1991.
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Fusion genreThe song is noted for its fusion of jazz and hip-hop, a style that the group is well-known for. It samples distinguished jazz tracks, hence the title.
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Sampled Tracks"Jazz (We've Got)" samples "Green Dolphin Street" by Lucky Thompson; "Red Clay," "Suitcase," and "Introducing the Players" by Freddie Hubbard; and "Down Here on the Ground" by Grant Green.
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Chart PerformanceThe song reached number 15 on the Billboard Hot Rap Singles and number 48 on the Billboard Hot R&B, Hip-Hop Songs chart.
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Lyrical ThemeLyrics of the song focus on the cultural elevation and expression of the Afro-American community and is a critique of the more violent tendencies of early 90's rap music.
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B-Side Track"Buggin' Out" is the B-side track of "Jazz (We've Got)". Over time, "Buggin' Out" gained significant recognition and often overshadowed “Jazz (We’ve Got)".
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Music videoThe music video for the song is elaborate, covering the group's passion for jazz and the use of jazz samples in their works.
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Vocal PerformanceThe primary vocal performances in the song are delivered by Q-Tip and Phife Dawg, the core members of A Tribe Called Quest.
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InfluenceThe incorporation of jazz elements into hip-hop by A Tribe Called Quest in songs like "Jazz (We've Got)" has inspired and influenced many modern artists, making it a ground-breaking trend in the rap music industry.
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Re-ReleaseIn 1992, the song was released as a 12-inch single, with longer versions of both "Jazz (We've Got)" and "Buggin' Out".
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Album ReceptionWhile the album "The Low End Theory" wasn't an instant commercial success, it received uniformly enthusiastic reviews for its innovative fusion of jazz and hip-hop and is now considered one of the greatest hip-hop albums of all time.
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Citation
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