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Check the Rhime
Check the Rhime
Check the Rhime
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"Check the Rhime"
Single by A Tribe Called Quest
from the album The Low End Theory
B-side"Skypager"
ReleasedSeptember 9, 1991
GenreAlternative hip-hop
Length3:36
LabelJive
Songwriters
ProducerA Tribe Called Quest
A Tribe Called Quest singles chronology
"Can I Kick It?"
(1990) 		"Check the Rhime"
(1991) 		"Jazz (We've Got)"
(1991)
Audio sample
Check the Rhime
Music video
"Check the Rhime" on YouTube

"Check the Rhime" is a song by American hip-hop group A Tribe Called Quest, released in September 1991 by Jive Records as the first single from their second album, The Low End Theory (1991).[1] The song was written by group members Phife Dawg, Q-Tip, and Ali Shaheed Muhammad. It was recorded at the legendary Greene St. Recording studio in New York City. The song peaked at number 59 on the US Billboard Hot 100 on November 16, 1991.[2] Rolling Stone listed "Check the Rhime" as one of the group's 20 essential songs, noting that Phife Dawg "quickly proves himself Q-Tip's lyrical equal."[3]

Composition

[edit]

The song samples "Love Your Life" by Average White Band; this is why the band members are credited.

Music video

[edit]

The music video for "Check the Rhime", directed by American director Jim Swaffield, starts out in front of houses and moves to a dry cleaning business in St. Albans, Queens, New York City, where the group performs on the roof in front of a large crowd. The dry cleaners shop featured in the video is still at the corner of 192nd St. & Linden Blvd. in St. Albans. In 2016, a mural was commissioned on the wall of the business after the death of the group's founding member, Phife Dawg.[4][5]

Charts

[edit]
Chart (1991) Peak
position
UK Dance (Music Week)[6] 22
US Dance Singles Sales (Billboard)[7] 28
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[8] 59
US Hot Rap Songs (Billboard)[9] 1

Certifications

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[10] Gold 500,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Check the Rhime

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
"Check the Rhime" is a hip hop song by the American group A Tribe Called Quest, released in September 1991 as the lead single from their second studio album, . The track features rapid-fire, alternating verses between rappers Q-Tip and , showcasing their lyrical interplay and middle-class suburban roots in a playful call-and-response style that became a hallmark of the group's sound. Produced by Q-Tip and group member , it incorporates jazz and funk samples, including Minnie Riperton's "Baby, This Love I Have" for the bassline, Average White Band's "Love Your Life," and 's "Hydra," blending smooth instrumentation with conscious hip hop themes. Upon release, "Check the Rhime" peaked at number 59 on the Billboard chart and contributed to 's platinum certification by the RIAA, solidifying A Tribe Called Quest's influence in alternative hip hop during the early 1990s. The song's innovative structure and cultural references have led to its recognition as one of hip hop's greatest singles, ranking number 30 on VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of Hip Hop list.

Background and recording

Development

"Check the Rhime" was written by Q-Tip and in Q-Tip's apartment in as a showcase for their chemistry as longtime friends. These sessions were part of A Tribe Called Quest's broader effort to evolve from the jazz-infused, experimental sound of their 1990 debut album People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm, shifting toward a more stripped-down, raw hip-hop aesthetic centered on bass-heavy production and direct lyrical interplay. The song's call-and-response structure draws from the group's real-life experiences, as referenced in the about freestyling on in . Q-Tip, as the primary creative force, captured the authentic banter that defined their partnership and set the foundation for the song's conversational flow. This aligned with ' push for a quicker follow-up release to the debut, amid ongoing refinements to the album's overall tracklist during intensive studio work.

Recording process

The recording of "Check the Rhime" took place at Battery Studios and Greene Street Recording in during 1990 and 1991, as part of the broader sessions for A Tribe Called Quest's second album , with production by Q-Tip and . Q-Tip oversaw the track's development, collaborating with engineer Bob Power to shape its sound. Phife Dawg's vocals were recorded with an emphasis on energetic delivery to capture the track's lively, back-and-forth dynamic, aligning with the conceptual rhyme exchanges from the development phase. Ali Shaheed Muhammad contributed scratching and beat layering, utilizing the E-mu SP-1200 sampler to build the track's rhythmic foundation from jazz and funk samples, including horns from Grover Washington Jr.'s "Hydra." His work added texture to the sparse, bass-driven arrangement—the prominent bassline sampled from Minnie Riperton's "Baby, This Love I Have"—complementing Q-Tip's sample chopping.

Composition

Lyrics

"Check the Rhime" employs a distinctive call-and-response format between Q-Tip and , where the rappers alternate verses and engage in playful back-and-forth exchanges, such as the repeated questioning of "You on point, Phife?" followed by affirmative responses like "All the time, Tip." This structure highlights their collaborative dynamic and builds rhythmic momentum throughout the track. The lyrics feature boastful rhymes that celebrate their lyrical skills and middle-class upbringing in , New York, with opening lines reminiscing about "kick[ing] routines" on the "boulevard of Linden," evoking their pre-fame days in a suburban setting. Phife Dawg's verse exemplifies this with self-assured declarations like "I'm like an energizer 'cause, you see, I last long / My crew is never ever wack because we stand strong," emphasizing endurance and group loyalty rooted in their shared background. Q-Tip mirrors this in his contributions, asserting intelligence and agility with lines such as "Got the scrawny legs but I move just like ," referencing the player's speed to underscore personal prowess. Key verses incorporate pop culture references and personal anecdotes to add layers of relatability and humor, including Phife's nod to battling "Buddy in El Segundo," alluding to A Tribe Called Quest's earlier track, and his mention of keeping "hoes in check" before ensuring "the Jim must be erect," a lighthearted sexual . While the core track focuses on their rhyme interplay, the accompanying B-side "Skypager" extends personal anecdotes, with Phife rapping about his beeper as a symbol of constant connectivity in daily life. These elements ground the boasts in authentic, everyday experiences. Thematically, the song explores hip-hop camaraderie through shout-outs to "all my pals" and warnings against inauthenticity, promoting a positive aura with lines like "See, my aura's positive, I don't promote no junk." It conveys lighthearted rivalry without aggression, directing middle fingers at "wack MC's" who "despise me," yet framing it as motivation rather than hostility, as in "I love it when you wack MC's despise me / They get vexed, I roll next." This fosters a and self-assurance within the genre. Wordplay techniques shine through internal rhymes and multisyllabic patterns tailored to each artist's style; employs dense internals like "last long / stand strong / dead wrong," creating a punchy, energetic flow, while Q-Tip opts for smoother multis like "optic presentation sizzles the ," blending abstract imagery with precise . These methods enhance the song's replay value and demonstrate their verbal dexterity.

Music and production

"Check the Rhime" features a core beat constructed from carefully layered samples, including the from Riperton's 1975 track "Baby, This I Have," the drum break from Average White Band's 1976 song "Love Your Life," and the from Grover Washington Jr.'s 1978 "Hydra." These elements combine to form the song's foundational loop, drawing from and influences to create a smooth, understated rhythm. The track runs for 3:36, with a structure consisting of an intro built on scratches, alternating verses between Q-Tip and , a refrain-like "check the rhyme" call-and-response, and a brief outro, eschewing a conventional melodic in favor of rhythmic interplay. The song operates at a tempo of 96 beats per minute in the key of , contributing to its relaxed, head-nodding pace. This minimalist vibe is accentuated by prominent upright lines and sparse percussion, which provide a live, organic feel reminiscent of while maintaining hip-hop's percussive drive. Q-Tip, serving as the primary , enhances the groove by layering subtle turntable scratches over the sampled loop, adding texture and a subtle nod to DJ culture without overpowering the instrumental's clarity. This production approach supports the track's lyrical exploration of rhyme battles, allowing the alternating flows to sync seamlessly with the laid-back .

Release and promotion

Single release

"Check the Rhime" was released on September 9, 1991, by Jive Records as the lead single from A Tribe Called Quest's second studio album, The Low End Theory. The single was issued in multiple physical formats to reach diverse audiences in the early 1990s music market, including 12-inch vinyl, cassette, and promotional CD versions. The standard U.S. 12-inch vinyl release (Jive 01241-42010-1) included the LP version of "Check the Rhime," remixes by Mr. Muhammad and Skeff Anselm, an instrumental, and the B-side track "Skypager." Cassette singles included the LP version and Mr. Muhammad's Mix for portable playback, while promotional CD versions targeted radio stations and industry professionals. The artwork typically featured a close-up image of the group members against a simple background, aligning with the album's understated aesthetic to emphasize the music over flashy visuals. Marketing strategies focused on building grassroots buzz within the hip-hop community, leveraging A Tribe Called Quest's affiliation for cross-promotion with artists like . The single received heavy rotation on urban radio outlets, contributing to early momentum ahead of the album's launch, though specific initial sales data from SoundScan for the single remains limited in public records.

Music video

The music video for "Check the Rhime," directed by Jim Swaffield, was released on September 9, 1991. Filmed in color in , , it captures the group——performing in their hometown neighborhood, beginning with scenes in front of residential houses along before shifting to the exterior and rooftop of the Nu-Clear Dry Cleaners. The video emphasizes the group's casual streetwear and laid-back camaraderie as Q-Tip and trade verses in a call-and-response style that mirrors the song's lyrical structure, highlighting their everyday roots and playful dynamic. With a runtime of approximately four minutes, the video features straightforward shots intercut with glimpses of local community elements, underscoring the organic, street-level vibe of early 1990s hip-hop. It aired frequently on , contributing to the single's underground buzz and broader exposure for the group at the time.

Commercial performance

Charts

"Check the Rhime" achieved moderate success on specialized music charts, primarily within the R&B and rap genres. The single peaked at number 59 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart in 1991. It performed stronger on the rap-specific chart, reaching number 1 on the US Hot Rap Songs chart that same year. The song did not enter the , underscoring its niche appeal to hip-hop audiences during an when rap singles often succeeded on charts rather than the mainstream pop ranking.
ChartPeak PositionYear
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs591991
US Hot Rap Songs11991

Certifications

In the United States, "Check the Rhime" received Gold certification from the (RIAA) on September 27, 2021, recognizing 500,000 units sold. Despite notable in regions such as and various European countries, "Check the Rhime" has not received official certifications from bodies like or international equivalents.

Reception and legacy

Critical reception

Upon its release in 1991, "Check the Rhime," the lead single from A Tribe Called Quest's album , was widely praised by critics for exemplifying the duo's seamless interplay and the track's distillation of hip-hop fundamentals. The Source awarded the album a perfect five-mic rating—its highest honor—with reviewer highlighting the synergy between Q-Tip's laid-back delivery and Phife Dawg's energetic b-boy style, which together captured the "pure hip-hop essence" through robust drum patterns and jazz-sampling production that balanced innovation with street authenticity. Critics also commended the song's straightforward structure as a refreshing to the album's broader explorations. In a retrospective analysis, described "Check the Rhime" as a standout where "quickly proves himself Q-Tip's lyrical equal," emphasizing the track's reminiscences of their pre-fame days delivered with unadorned simplicity amid the record's experimental fusion of rap and elements. Later retrospectives reinforced the song's enduring appeal. , in its 2003 ranking of the top 100 albums of the , praised the album's rhymes by Q-Tip and for creating a conversational style that felt like an interview or confessional, crediting their chemistry for the group's power to connect with listeners. The overall reception celebrated their balanced partnership as a high point of the duo's creative synergy.

Cultural impact

"Check the Rhime" achieved iconic status in hip-hop by popularizing the back-and-forth rhyme format, showcasing the seamless lyrical interplay between Q-Tip and that became a blueprint for in the . This call-and-response style, evident in lines like Q-Tip's "Back in the days when I was a teenager," met with Phife's immediate retort, influenced later acts such as , whose dual emcee approach echoed Tribe's conversational flow. The track's emphasis on witty, narrative-driven verses over jazz-infused beats helped solidify A Tribe Called Quest's role in the collective, promoting conscious, alternative hip-hop that prioritized creativity over aggression. The song has permeated popular media, appearing in films like Tag (2018), where it underscores comedic chase sequences, and Pixar's (2020), playing during a pivotal scene to evoke urban energy and jazz-rap heritage. On television, it featured in Entourage season 5, episode 7, enhancing the show's Hollywood satire with its laid-back vibe. These placements highlight the track's enduring cool factor, bridging 1990s nostalgia with contemporary storytelling. A Tribe Called Quest's 2017 reunion performance at the , serving as a tribute following Phife Dawg's death in 2016, highlighted the group's lasting influence in hip-hop, even as they debuted new material amid broader tributes to the genre's pioneers. In 2024, A Tribe Called Quest was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, recognizing their pioneering role in alternative hip-hop. By 2025, "Check the Rhime" had amassed over 118 million streams on , reflecting sustained listener interest. Recent revivals include remixes and challenges in 2023-2024, where users recreate the call-and-response rhymes in viral videos, introducing the track to younger audiences and reigniting discussions on its rhythmic innovation.

References

  1. https://www.musicvf.com/song.php?title=Check%2Bthe%2BRhime%2Bby%2BA%2BTribe%2BCalled%2BQuest&id=573
  2. https://rateyourmusic.com/release/single/a-tribe-called-quest/check-the-rhime-skypager/
  3. https://genius.com/A-tribe-called-quest-check-the-rhime-lyrics
  4. https://www.whosampled.com/A-Tribe-Called-Quest/Check-the-Rhime/
  5. https://www.songfacts.com/facts/a-tribe-called-quest/check-the-rhime
  6. http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news.aspx?id=20080925vh101
  7. https://www.rollingstone.com/feature/a-tribe-called-quests-the-low-end-theory-10-things-you-didnt-know-106475/
  8. https://ambrosiaforheads.com/2016/09/a-tribe-called-quest-low-end-theory-making-the-album-interview/
  9. https://www.discogs.com/release/17152012-A-Tribe-Called-Quest-Check-The-Rhime
  10. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/a-tribe-called-quest-20-essential-songs-78373/
  11. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/05/arts/music/amplifier-newsletter-bad-bunny-baseball.html
  12. https://genius.com/A-tribe-called-quest-skypager-lyrics
  13. https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2017/jun/21/a-tribe-called-quest-10-of-the-best
  14. https://tunebat.com/Info/Check-the-Rhime-A-Tribe-Called-Quest/4HfxDJ0uLHTLe0fZrx0MbQ
  15. https://www.discogs.com/master/45914-A-Tribe-Called-Quest-Check-The-Rhime
  16. https://www.discogs.com/release/120200-A-Tribe-Called-Quest-Check-The-Rhime
  17. https://www.discogs.com/release/3250139-A-Tribe-Called-Quest-Check-The-Rhime
  18. https://www.discogs.com/release/1280003-A-Tribe-Called-Quest-Check-The-Rhime
  19. https://grammy.com/news/tribe-called-quest-low-end-theory-album-anniversary
  20. https://www.hitsongsdeconstructed.com/hsd_wire/penns-picks-tribe-called-quest-check-rhime/
  21. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10051034/
  22. https://ny1.com/nyc/queens/news/2016/06/27/mural-honors--a-tribe-called-quest--in-st--albans
  23. https://www.xxlmag.com/a-tribe-called-quest-documentary-queens-mural/
  24. http://hiphopgoldenage.com/list/top-5-yo-mtv-raps-performances/
  25. https://www.musicvf.com/song.php?title=Check+the+Rhime+by+A+Tribe+Called+Quest&id=573
  26. https://www.vh1.com/news/3kzyiu/a-tribe-called-quest-low-end-theory-at-20
  27. https://blackpast.org/african-american-history/a-tribe-called-quest-1988-2017/
  28. https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=A+Tribe+Called+Quest&ti=Check+the+Rhime#search_section
  29. https://ifihavent.wordpress.com/2011/09/24/classic-review-the-low-end-theory-in-the-source-1991/
  30. https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/5923-top-100-albums-of-the-1990s/
  31. https://www.revolt.tv/article/2023-12-06/344931/15-hip-hop-groups
  32. https://www.thebubble.org.uk/culture/music/low-end-theory-tribe-called-quest/
  33. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2854926/soundtrack/
  34. https://screenrant.com/soul-every-song-guide/
  35. https://www.what-song.com/song/232597/check-the-rhime
  36. https://grammy.com/news/apple-music-watch-classic-grammy-rap-performances
  37. https://rockhall.com/inductees/a-tribe-called-quest/
  38. https://kworb.net/spotify/artist/09hVIj6vWgoCDtT03h8ZCa_songs.html
  39. https://www.tiktok.com/discover/check-the-rhime%25E2%2580%259D-call-and-response-with-%25E2%2580%259C1-2-3-4%25E2%2580%259D
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