The Blueprint

Takeover

Jay-Z

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

End

382

Internal

126

Multi

343

Slant

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight

Come on! Woo!

R.O.C., we runnin'^✦ this rap shit

Memphis Bleek, we runnin'^✦ this rap shit

B. Mac, we runnin'^✦ this rap shit

Freeway,^✦ we run this rap shit

O and Sparks, we runnin'^✦ this rap shit

Chris and Neef, we runnin'^✦ this rap shit

The takeover, the break's over^✦ nigga^✦

God MC, me, Jay-Hova

Hey lil' soldier you ain't ready^✦ for war, R.O.C. too strong for y'all

It's like bringin'^✦ a knife to a gunfight, pen to a test

Your chest in the line of fire with your thin-ass vest

You bringin'^✦ them Boyz II Men, how them boys gon' win?

This is grown man B.I., get you rolled^✦ into^✦ triage biatch, your reach ain't long enough,^✦ dunny^✦

Your peeps ain't strong enough,^✦ fucker^✦

Roc-A-Fella^✦ is the army,^✦ better^✦ yet the navy^✦

Niggas'll kidnap^✦ your babies,^✦ spit at your lady^✦

We bring knife to fistfight, kill your drama^✦

Uh, we kill you motherfuckin' ants with a sledgehammer

Don't let me do it to you dunny^✦ 'cause I overdo^✦ it

So you won't confuse^✦ it with just rap music

R.O.C., we runnin'^✦ this rap shit

M-Easy,^✦ we runnin'^✦ this rap shit

The Broad Street Bully,^✦ we runnin'^✦ this rap shit

Get zipped^✦ up in plastic^✦ when it happens^✦ that's it

Freeway,^✦ we runnin'^✦ this rap shit

O and Sparks, we runnin'^✦ this rap shit

Chris and Neef, we runnin'^✦ this rap shit

(Watch out! We run New York)

I don't care if you Mobb Deep, I hold triggers to crews

You little fuck, I got money^✦ stacks bigger^✦ than you

When I was pushin'^✦ weight, back in '88

You was a ballerina I got your pictures I seen ya

Then you dropped "Shook Ones"^✦ switch your demeanor

Well, we don't believe you, you need more people

Roc-A-Fella,^✦ students of the game, we passed^✦ the classes

Nobody^✦ can read you dudes^✦ like we do

Don't let 'em gas you like Jigga^✦ is ass and won't clap you

Trust me on this one, I'll detach^✦ you

Mind from spirit,^✦ body^✦ from soul

They'll have to hold a mass, put your body^✦ in a hole

No, you're not on my level^✦ get your brakes^✦ tweaked

I sold what your whole album^✦ sold in my first week

You guys don't want it with Hov'

Ask Nas, he don't want it with Hov', no!

R.O.C., we runnin'^✦ this rap shit

B. Sigel,^✦ we runnin'^✦ this rap shit

M-Easy,^✦ we runnin'^✦ this rap shit

Get zipped^✦ up in plastic^✦ when it happens^✦ that's it

O and Sparks, we runnin'^✦ this rap shit

Freeway,^✦ we run this rap shit

Chris and Neef, we runnin'^✦ this rap shit

(Watch out! We run New York)

I know you missin'^✦ all the (fame!)

But along^✦ with celebrity comes^✦ 'bout 70 shots to your frame

Nigga,^✦ you a (lame!)

You's the fag model^✦ for Karl Kani, Esco^✦ ads

Went from, Nasty^✦ Nas to Esco's trash

Had a spark when you started, but now you're just garbage^✦

Fell from top ten to not mentioned at all

To your bodyguard's Oochie Wally^✦ verse better^✦ than yours

Matter^✦ fact you had the worst flow on the whole fuckin'^✦ song

But I know the sun don't shine, then son don't shine

That's why you're (lame!) Career^✦ come to a end

There's^✦ only^✦ so long fake thugs can pretend

Nigga,^✦ you ain't live it you witnessed it from your folks pad

You scribbled in your notepad and created your life

I showed^✦ you your first tec on tour with Large Professor (me, that's who!)

Then I heard your album^✦ 'bout your tec on the dresser

So yeah, I sampled your voice, you was usin'^✦ it wrong

You made it a hot line, I made it a hot song

And you ain't get a coin nigga^✦ you was gettin'^✦ fucked^✦ and

I know who I paid God, Serchlite Publishing

Use your (brain!) You said you been in this ten

I've been in it five, smarten up Nas

Four albums in ten years nigga?^✦ I can divide^✦

That's one every^✦ let's say two, two of them shits was due

One was nah, the other^✦ was "Illmatic"

That's a one hot album^✦ every^✦ ten-year average^✦

And that's so (lame!) Nigga^✦ switch up your flow

Your shit is garbage,^✦ but you try and kick knowledge?

(Get the fuck outta^✦ here!) You niggaz^✦ gon' learn to respect the king

Don't be the next contestant on that Summer^✦ Jam screen

Because^✦ you know who (who) did you know what (what)

With you know who (yeah) but just keep that between me and you for now

R.O.C., we runnin'^✦ this rap shit

M-Easy,^✦ we runnin'^✦ this rap shit

The Broad Street Bully,^✦ we runnin'^✦ this rap shit

Get zipped^✦ up in plastic^✦ when it happens^✦ that's it

Freeway,^✦ we run this rap shit

O and Sparks, we runnin'^✦ this rap shit

Chris and Neef, we runnin'^✦ this rap shit

(Watch out! We run New York)

A wise man told me don't argue with fools

'Cause people from a distance can't tell who is who

So stop with that childish shit, nigga^✦ I'm grown

Please leave it alone,^✦ don't throw rocks at the throne

Do not bark up that tree, that tree will fall on you

I don't know why your advisors ain't forewarn you

Please, not Jay, he's, not for play

I don't slack a minute,^✦ all that thug rappin'^✦ and gimmicks

I will end it, all that yappin'^✦ be finished

You are not deep, you made your bed now sleep

Don't make me expose^✦ you to them folks that don't know you

Nigga^✦ I know you well, all the stolen^✦ jewels

Twinkletoes you breakin' my heart

You can't fuck with me go play somewhere, I'm busy^✦

And all you other^✦ cats throwin' shots at Jigga^✦

You only^✦ get half a bar, fuck y'all niggaz^✦ (come on!)

Technical Breakdown

7.6

Multisyllabic Rhymes8.5

Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)

Internal Rhymes9.5

Rhymes within a line (data-driven)

Wordplay / Double Entendres6.0

Clever language, metaphors, punchlines

Cadence / Rhythm9.5

Flow variation and timing (data-driven)

Vocabulary Complexity4.0

Range and depth of words used (data-driven)

Delivery / Breath Control8.0

Performance and control

Computed Score7.58

Production

— Kanye West

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Critic Analysis

RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

The verse showcases strong aggression and confidence, leveraging vivid imagery and metaphors to convey dominance in the rap game.

B+

8.5

Multisyllabic

9.5

Internal Rhymes

9.5

Cadence / Flow

Vocabulary

Wordplay

Delivery

Multisyllabic rhymesInternal rhymesMetaphorical languageDirect confrontationMultivocality (shoutouts to artists)

Rhyme Architecture: Complex multisyllabic and internal rhymes creating a dense and engaging flow.

Aggressive delivery creates a commanding presence

Strong use of internal rhymes and multisyllabic structures

Effective metaphors that emphasize competition

Wordplay lacks multiple layers of meaning

Some phrases feel clichéd by modern standards

User Scores

Notes

An iconic diss track with sharp wordplay and clever internal rhymes.