Won’t Trade Lyrics
[Intro: Sample]
Welcome to 'All Sports, All Day.' Today on the program, trade talks continue in New York City, but it doesn't disturb his productivity on the field
[Verse 1: Q-Tip]
(Now that I know what it is, boy)
For your epitaph, niggas laugh
Chicks steady gas your ass, siphoning out your cash
Seein' the door, the flash, while I stay enclosed
Walkin' out in my clothes, she says—
(I wouldn't trade it for nothing)
You motherfuckin' right
Wantin' this shit every night, finish up, I hold her tight
Wearin' feelings on my sleeve even when I had to leave
Cooler than the evening breeze—do you believe? (Gotta believe!)
(I wouldn't trade it for nothing)
The Division I leader in the rebound with numerous shorties
Off the post, goin' coast to coast, she on the hardwood
Sub, I'm out the game, she sayin', "Nah, he good", I mean
(I wouldn't trade it for nothing)
For no amount of dough
Franchise this man, give him all the things you can
Think long-term plans, he be bringin' in the fans
Front-page magazine, listen to this lady scream:
(I wouldn't trade it for nothing, b—)
'Cause she know what's better for her
Toppin' in the peckin' order, fluid like the runnin' water
Nicest nigga? Kinda-sorta
When he scream, it's just a slaughter, no matter the quarter
I get it (I wouldn't trade it for nothing)
The clubhouse king, battin' practice, slug and swing
Gametime's anything, when I'm in, you're 'bout a minute
Holdin' the bat, it's good as fact
She's out the park, ain't comin' back, she sayin'—
(I wouldn't trade it for nothing)
Everywhere you sit, you get a good view of the ballplayer and all
And the Famous Hall inevitably will make a call
Hangin' memorabilia from your walls—this is why you can't trade me
(I wouldn't trade it for nothing)
Welcome to 'All Sports, All Day.' Today on the program, trade talks continue in New York City, but it doesn't disturb his productivity on the field
[Verse 1: Q-Tip]
(Now that I know what it is, boy)
For your epitaph, niggas laugh
Chicks steady gas your ass, siphoning out your cash
Seein' the door, the flash, while I stay enclosed
Walkin' out in my clothes, she says—
(I wouldn't trade it for nothing)
You motherfuckin' right
Wantin' this shit every night, finish up, I hold her tight
Wearin' feelings on my sleeve even when I had to leave
Cooler than the evening breeze—do you believe? (Gotta believe!)
(I wouldn't trade it for nothing)
The Division I leader in the rebound with numerous shorties
Off the post, goin' coast to coast, she on the hardwood
Sub, I'm out the game, she sayin', "Nah, he good", I mean
(I wouldn't trade it for nothing)
For no amount of dough
Franchise this man, give him all the things you can
Think long-term plans, he be bringin' in the fans
Front-page magazine, listen to this lady scream:
(I wouldn't trade it for nothing, b—)
'Cause she know what's better for her
Toppin' in the peckin' order, fluid like the runnin' water
Nicest nigga? Kinda-sorta
When he scream, it's just a slaughter, no matter the quarter
I get it (I wouldn't trade it for nothing)
The clubhouse king, battin' practice, slug and swing
Gametime's anything, when I'm in, you're 'bout a minute
Holdin' the bat, it's good as fact
She's out the park, ain't comin' back, she sayin'—
(I wouldn't trade it for nothing)
Everywhere you sit, you get a good view of the ballplayer and all
And the Famous Hall inevitably will make a call
Hangin' memorabilia from your walls—this is why you can't trade me
(I wouldn't trade it for nothing)
[Press Conference Interlude 2]
When asked about the trade rumors, he simply replied that he's just here to produce, to put forth the best effort for his team
[Verse 2: Q-Tip]
(Now that I know what it is, boy)
You can put your money on a sure thing
Certain profits would it bring
Ceremonies are the ringer in the White House thing
Clear your mantle, the trophies I bring, do you wanna trade?
(I wouldn't trade it for nothing)
'Cause in the end, as a teammate
You're lookin' for a back shoot, and go-to ball
Leaves it all on the floor, always lookin' to score
Pep talks in the locker-room, this is why you sing this tune:
(I wouldn't trade it for nothing)
And injuries can't make me sit out, I ball 'til you get out
Hook-off, no di-doubt, and all like get out
I train for the pressure and come out fresher
Equipped for the game, you know my name, it makes me better
A cheer for the whole team, let's go for the whole thing
The ballad that you're holding, MVP voting
And I represent the sentiment you're emoting, as you say—
(I wouldn't trade it for nothing)
The physical ability with mental capability
Legitimately places me inside of your vicinity
And I ain't really seein' me vacatin' this community
I'm stayin' here (I wouldn't trade it for nothing, b—)
I'm glad that you feel this way, here's where I like to play
I need to hear it everyday, they cheer for me, say, "Olé!"
Wait a minute, "Andale?" I dunno, but anyway
(I wouldn't trade it for nothing)
When asked about the trade rumors, he simply replied that he's just here to produce, to put forth the best effort for his team
[Verse 2: Q-Tip]
(Now that I know what it is, boy)
You can put your money on a sure thing
Certain profits would it bring
Ceremonies are the ringer in the White House thing
Clear your mantle, the trophies I bring, do you wanna trade?
(I wouldn't trade it for nothing)
'Cause in the end, as a teammate
You're lookin' for a back shoot, and go-to ball
Leaves it all on the floor, always lookin' to score
Pep talks in the locker-room, this is why you sing this tune:
(I wouldn't trade it for nothing)
And injuries can't make me sit out, I ball 'til you get out
Hook-off, no di-doubt, and all like get out
I train for the pressure and come out fresher
Equipped for the game, you know my name, it makes me better
A cheer for the whole team, let's go for the whole thing
The ballad that you're holding, MVP voting
And I represent the sentiment you're emoting, as you say—
(I wouldn't trade it for nothing)
The physical ability with mental capability
Legitimately places me inside of your vicinity
And I ain't really seein' me vacatin' this community
I'm stayin' here (I wouldn't trade it for nothing, b—)
I'm glad that you feel this way, here's where I like to play
I need to hear it everyday, they cheer for me, say, "Olé!"
Wait a minute, "Andale?" I dunno, but anyway
(I wouldn't trade it for nothing)
[Outro: Sample]
"There was a lot of talk, there was buzz, and your name came up in the—in the trade rumors. Uh, how seriously did you take that?"
"Uh, uh, not serious at all, really"
"There was a lot of talk, there was buzz, and your name came up in the—in the trade rumors. Uh, how seriously did you take that?"
"Uh, uh, not serious at all, really"
About
Genius Annotation
Q-Tip uses sports as a metaphor for a long term relationship in this track from his comeback album, The Renaissance
The beat comes from the Ruby Andrews song “You Made A Believer Out Of Me” which was used on the De La Soul song “Brain Washed Follower” from 1989. As A Tribe Called Quest and De La Soul were both active members of the Native Tounges, the two groups were pretty close, and their track likely inspired the beat of this track.
Q&A
Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning
- 2.Won’t Trade
- 3.Gettin’ Up
- 4.Official
- 5.You
- 8.Move
- 10.Dance on Glass
- 11.Life Is Better
- 12.Believe
- 13.Shaka
- 14.Good Thang
- 15.Feva
Credits
Producer
Writers
Vocal Samples
Vocals
Mixing Engineer
Label
Recording Engineer
Recorded At
The Abstract Ranch
Released on
November 4, 2008
Won’t Trade Samples
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