Steve Biko (Stir it Up) Lyrics

[Refrain: Phife Dawg]
Linden Boulevard, represent, represent-sent
Tribe Called Quest, represent, represent-sent

When the mic is in my hand, I'm never hesitant
My favorite jam back in the day was "Eric B. for President"

[Verse 1: Phife Dawg]
Rude boy composer, step to me, you're over
Brothers wanna flex, you're not Mad Cobra
MC short and Black, there ain't no other
Trini-born lad like Nia Long's grandmother
Tip and Sha, they all that, Phife Dawg, ditto
Honey, tell your man to chill or else you'll be a widow
Did not you know that my styles are top-dollar?
The Five-Foot Assassin knocking fleas off his collar
Hip-hop scholar since being knee high to a duck
The height of Muggsy Bogues, complexion of a hockey puck
You better ask somebody on how we flip the script
Come to a Tribe show and watch the three kids rip

[Refrain: Q-Tip]
Queens is in the house, represent, represent-sent
A Tribe Called Quest, represent, represent-sent
No taming of the style 'cause it gets irreverent
A Tribe Called Quest, represent, represent-sent
[Verse 2: Q-Tip]
Huh-huh, here we go, you know that I'm the rebel
Throwing out the wicked like God did the Devil
Funky like your grandpa's drawers, don't test me
We in like that, you're dead like Presley
When we coming through, get tickets to see me
We work for the paper, so there'll never be a freebie
Lyrics are abundant 'cause we got it by the mass (Mass)
Egos are at idle 'cause the music is the task (Task)
Valenzuela on the pitch, curveball, catch it
I think I got it locked, just smooth while I latch it
Right (Right), now I must move with the quickness
Here comes Shaheed, so we must bear the witness

[Bridge: Q-Tip]
Stir it up
Stir it up
Stir it up

Steve Biko
Stir it up
Stir it up
Stir it up

Steve Biko

[Refrain: Phife Dawg]
New York City, represent, represent
A Tribe Called Quest, represent, represent-sent
The Dawg is scientific with the styles I invent
A Tribe Called Quest, represent, represent-sent
[Verse 3: Phife Dawg & Q-Tip]
MCs like to meddle, but here's my proposition
I let my lyrics flow, and juxt' your whole position
I'm radical with this like the man this song is after (Hahaha)
Yo, Tip, settle down, what's the reason for the laughter?
I really can't say, I guess I laugh to keep from crying (Crying)
So much going on, people killing, people dying (Dying)
But I won't dwell on that, I think I'll elevate my mental
Thanks for these bars on the Biko instrumental

Yo, I'll take it back, I'm the Indian giver
MCs take notes as I stand and deliver (Word)
Percussion isn't less (Uh), Ds wear the vest (What?)
Why they dodging bullets? (What?) You should be dodging Quest (Uh, uh)
Don't get me wrong, violence is not our forté
I just like to rhyme, kick the lyric skills like Pelé
Tip, educate 'em, my rhymes are strictly taboo
Fill 'em with some fantasies and I'll look out like Tattoo (Okay)

[Verse 4: Q-Tip]
I am recognizing that the voice inside my head
Is urging me to be myself, but never follow someone else
Because opinions are like voices, we all have a different kind
So just clean out all of your ears, these are my views and you will find
That we revolutionize over the kick and the snare
The ghetto vocalist is on a statewide tear (Tear)
Soon to be the continent and then the freaking globe
There's room for it all (All) as we mingle at the ball (Ball)
We welcome competition 'cause it doesn't make one lazy or worn
We gotta work hard, you know the damn card (Card)
Try to be the phattest is the level that we strive
Try to be the phattest, also to stay alive

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About

Genius Annotation

The first track off of Tribe’s critically acclaimed Midnight Marauders, where the group introduces themselves and their uplifting lyrics.
Also, the song is named after revolutionary anti-apartheid activist, Steve Biko, notable in the anti-colonialism and anti-oppression community worldwide.

Q&A

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning

What did A Tribe Called Quest say about "Steve Biko (Stir it Up)"?
Genius Answer

We named the first song on Midnight Marauders ‘Steve Biko’ because we wanted people to ask who he was? Who was Steven Biko and what did he do? Then they would look him up and find out that he was an amazing freedom fighter in South Africa. He basically gave everything for the liberation of his people. We wanted the fans to find out about his story. There’s no better way to bring attention to something than through music.

— Q-Tip, Vibe, 2011

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