Can I Kick It?

A Tribe Called Quest

About Can I Kick It?

"Can I Kick It?" is the third single from A Tribe Called Quest's debut album People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm. The song, which has a call and response chorus, was recorded in 1989, when the band members were aged 19. It contains samples of "Walk on the Wild Side" by Lou Reed, "What a Waste" by Ian Dury and the Blockheads, "Spinning Wheel" by Dr. Lonnie Smith, "Dance of the Knights" by Sergei Prokofiev and "Sunshower" by Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band. Band rapper Phife Dawg has stated that, because of the use of the "Walk on the Wild Side" sample, the group didn't receive any money from the single, with Lou Reed instead claiming the profits."Can I Kick It?" appears on the band's 1999 compilation album The Anthology, where the outro of "Bonita Applebum" is added to the beginning of the song. 


Year:
2004
3:32
69 
#1

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Can I kick it? (yes, you can)
Can I kick it? (yes, you can)
Can I kick it? (yes, you can)
Can I kick it? (yes, you can)
Can I kick it? (yes, you can)
Can I kick it? (yes, you can)
Can I kick it? (yes, you can)
Well, I'm gone (go on then)

Can I kick it? To all the people who can Quest like A Tribe does
Before this, did you really know what live was?
Comprehend to the track, for it's why, cuz
Getting measures on the tip of the vibers
Rock and roll to the beat of the funk fuzz
Wipe your feet really good on the rhythm rug
If you feel the urge to freak, do the jitterbug
Come and spread your arms if you really need a hug
Afrocentric living is a big shrug
A life filled with (fun) that's what I love
A lower plateau is what we're above
If you diss us, we won't even think of
Will Nipper the doggy give a big shove?
This rhythm really fits like a snug glove
Like a box of positives is a plus, love
As the Tribe flies high like a dove

(Can I kick it?)
(Can I kick it?)

Can I kick it? (yes, you can)
Can I kick it? (yes, you can)
Can I kick it? (yes, you can)
Can I kick it? (yes, you can)
Can I kick it? (yes, you can)
Can I kick it? (yes, you can)
Can I kick it? (yes, you can)
Well, I'm gone (go on then)

Can I kick it? To my Tribe that flows in layers
Right now, Phife is a poem sayer
At times, I'm a studio conveyor
Mr. Dinkins, would you please be my mayor?
You'll be doing us a really big favor
Boy, this track really has a lot of flavor
When it comes to rhythms, Quest is your savior
Follow us for the funky behavior
Make a note on the rhythm we gave ya
Feel free, drop your pants, check your hair
Do you like the garments that we wear?
I instruct you to be the obeyer
A rhythm recipe that you'll savor
Doesn't matter if you're minor or major
Yes, the Tribe of the game, rhythm player
As you inhale like a breath of fresh air

(Can I kick it?)
(Can I kick it?)

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A Tribe Called Quest

A Tribe Called Quest is an American hip hop group, formed in 1985, and is composed of MC/producer Q-Tip, MC Phife Dawg aka Phife Diggy (Malik Taylor), and DJ/producer Ali Shaheed Muhammad. A fourth member, rapper Jarobi White, left the group after their first album but rejoined in 1991. Along with De La Soul, the group was a central part of the Native Tongues Posse, and enjoyed the most commercial success out of all the groups to emerge from that collective. Many of their songs, such as "Bonita Applebum", "Can I Kick It?", "I Left My Wallet in El Segundo", "Scenario", "Check the Rhime", "Jazz (We've Got)", "Award Tour" and "Electric Relaxation" are regarded as classics by the hip hop community. more »

1 fan

Written by: Lou Reed

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Artist Background
"Can I Kick It?" was released by A Tribe Called Quest, an American hip-hop group formed in 1985. The group consisted of Q-Tip, Phife Dawg, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, and Jarobi White.
Album Release
The song is from the group's debut album, "People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm", which was released in April 1990.
Music Style
The track is characterized by its jazz-influenced, alternative hip-hop style that became synonymous with the group's music.
Sampling
"Can I Kick It?" features samples from "Walk on the Wild Side" by Lou Reed, and "What a Waste" by Ian Dury and the Blockheads.
Commercial Success
Despite not charting highly in the US on its initial release, the song has gained significant popularity over time. It eventually went gold in 2015, 25 years after its original release.
Impact
"Can I Kick It?" is considered a hip-hop classic and continues to be utilized in popular culture, featuring on movie soundtracks and in commercials.
Lou Reed's Approval
Lou Reed, whose song "Walk on the Wild Side" was sampled in "Can I Kick It?", was reportedly a big fan of A Tribe Called Quest's track.
Future Performances
During performances after Phife Dawg's death in 2016, A Tribe Called Quest would leave an open mic in his honor during their rendition of "Can I Kick It?"
Rhetorical Question
The song's title "Can I Kick It?" is a rhetorical question, epitomizing the self-assurance and resourcefulness of the hip-hop culture.
25th Anniversary
In 2015, to commemorate the 25th anniversary of "People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm," A Tribe Called Quest reissued the album with a remix of "Can I Kick It?" by Grammy Award-winning producer J. Cole.

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