A Tribe Called Quest
A Tribe Called Quest
A Tribe Called Quest
A Tribe Called Quest
A Tribe Called Quest
A Tribe Called Quest
A Tribe Called Quest
A Tribe Called Quest
A Tribe Called Quest
A Tribe Called Quest
A Tribe Called Quest
A Tribe Called Quest
A Tribe Called Quest
A Tribe Called Quest
“Bonita Applebum” is the second single off A Tribe Called Quest’s debut album People’s Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm (1990). It was a popular song in its time and has since become a hip-hop classic. The song, which is rumored to be based on an actual girl from ATCQ’s high school, is a...
[Intro: Q-Tip]
Do I love you?
Do I lust for you?
Am I a sinner because I do the two?
Can you let me know?
Right now, please
Bonita Applebum
[Chorus: Q-Tip]
Bonita Applebum, you gotta put me on
Bonita Applebum, I said, "You gotta put me on"
Bonita Applebum, you gotta put me on
Bonita Applebum, I said, "You gotta put me on"
Bonita Applebum, you gotta put me on
Bonita Applebum, I said, "You gotta put me on"
Bonita Applebum, you gotta put me on
Bonita, Bonita, Bonita
[Verse 1: Q-Tip]
Hey, Bonita, glad to meet ya (Heh)
For the cunning, stunning you, miss, I must beseech ya (Mmh)
Hey, being with you is a top priority
Ain't no need to question the authority (Mhm)
Chairman of the board, the chief of affections (Hm)
You got mine's to swing in your direction
Hey, you're like a hip hop song, you know? (Heh-heh)
Bonita Applebum, you gotta put me on
[Chorus: Q-Tip]
Bonita Applebum, you gotta put me on
Bonita Applebum, I said, "You gotta put me on"
Bonita Applebum, you gotta put me on
Bonita Applebum, I said, "You gotta put me on"
Bonita Applebum, you gotta put me on
Bonita Applebum, I said, "You gotta put me on"
Bonita Applebum, you gotta put me on
Bonita, Bonita, Bonita
[Verse 2: Q-Tip]
38-24-37 (Mmm, mmm, mmm)
You and me, hun, we're a match made in heaven (*kissing*)
I like to kiss ya where some brothers won't (Listen up)
I like to tell ya things some brothers don't (Mhm)
If only you could see through your elaborate eyes
Only you and me, hun, the love never dies
Satisfaction, I have the right tactics
And if you need 'em, I got crazy prophylactics
So far, I hope you like rap songs
Bonita Applebum, you gotta put me on
[Chorus: Q-Tip]
Bonita Applebum, you gotta put me on
Bonita Applebum, I said, "You gotta put me on"
Bonita Applebum, you gotta put me on
Bonita Applebum, I said, "You gotta put me on"
Bonita Applebum, you gotta put me on
Bonita Applebum, I said, "You gotta put me on"
Bonita Applebum, you gotta put me on
Bonita, Bonita, Bonita
[Interlude into "Can I Kick It?"]
Ayo, who's having a ball?
And you know, they ask me to get on the mic
And they ask me
Can I kick it? Word (Yes you can!)
Can I kick it? (Yes, you—)
Bonita Applebum was written by Q-Tip & Ali Shaheed Muhammad & Roy Ayers & Edwin Birdsong & Charles Stepney & Walter Booker & William Allen.
Bonita Applebum was produced by A Tribe Called Quest.
A Tribe Called Quest released Bonita Applebum on Mon Feb 19 1990.
When we recorded the original version of “Bonita Applebum,” it was a little more provocative. This was before we got our record deal. It wasn’t like the record company told us to tone it down. When we got our record deal—maybe it was because we were two or three years older—but Q-Tip decided to tone...
Yes, a video of ATCQ’s performance of this song was posted to their YouTube channel: