Discover the story of the song > If The Papes Come – A Tribe Called Quest

The lyrics talk about the protagonist being on stage performing for the audience. They mention that people in the audience cheer and shout when they perform. They also talk about not liking the police or selling drugs but still facing trouble from the law. They mention giving their all on stage and not worrying about money or fame. They talk about being on tour and making stops at truck stops, eating snacks and joking around with their friends. They also mention measuring the importance of hip-hop music and being true to themselves. Finally, they mention not getting involved with fake or dishonest people and staying true to their roots.