Illmatic

N.Y. State of Mind

Nas

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

End

248

Internal

114

Multi

370

Slant

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight

Yeah, yeah

Ayo, Black—it's time, word (Word, it's time, man)

It's time, man (Aight, man, begin)^✦

Yeah—straight out the fuckin'^✦ dungeons of rap

Where fake niggas^✦ don't make it back

I don't know how to start this shit, yo—now^✦

Rappers;^✦ I monkey^✦ flip 'em with the funky^✦ rhythm

I be kickin',^✦ musician inflictin' composition^✦

Of pain, I'm like Scarface sniffin' cocaine

Holdin'^✦ an M16, see, with the pen I'm extreme

Now, bullet^✦ holes^✦ left in my peepholes

I'm suited^✦ up with street clothes, hand me a 9 and I'll defeat^✦ foes

Y'all know my steelo,^✦ with or without^✦ the airplay^✦

I keep some E&J, sittin'^✦ bent up in the stairway^✦

Or either^✦ on the corner^✦ bettin'^✦ Grants with the Cee-Lo^✦ champs

Laughin' at base-heads, tryna^✦ sell some broken^✦ amps

G-packs get off quick, forever^✦ niggas^✦ talk shit

Reminiscin' about^✦ the last time the task force flipped

Niggas^✦ be runnin'^✦ through the block shootin'

Time to start the revolution,^✦ catch a body,^✦ head for Houston

Once they caught us off-guard, the MAC-10 was in the grass, and

I ran like a cheetah, with thoughts of an assassin

Picked^✦ the MAC up, told brothers "Back up!" — the MAC spit

Lead was hittin'^✦ niggas,^✦ one ran, I made him back-flip

Heard a few chicks scream, my arm shook, couldn't look

Gave another^✦ squeeze, heard it click, "Yo, my shit is stuck!"

Tried to cock it, it wouldn't shoot, now I'm in danger^✦

Finally pulled^✦ it back and saw three bullets^✦ caught up in the chamber

So, now I'm jettin'^✦ to the buildin' lobby^✦

And it was full of children, prob'ly^✦ couldn't see as high as I be

(So, what you sayin'?) It's like the game ain't the same

Got younger niggas^✦ pullin'^✦ the triggers, bringin' fame to their name

And claim some corners, crews without^✦ guns are goners

In broad daylight, stick-up kids, they run up on us

.45's and gauges,^✦ MACs in fact

Same niggas^✦ will catch you back-to-back, snatchin' your cracks

In black, there was a snitch on the block gettin'^✦ niggas^✦ knocked

So hold your stash 'til the coke price drop

I know this crackhead who said she gotta^✦ smoke nice rock

And if it's good, she'll bring you customers and measuring pots

But yo, you gotta^✦ slide on a vacation^✦

Inside^✦ information^✦ keeps large niggas^✦ erasin'^✦ and their wives^✦ basin'^✦

It drops deep as it does in my breath

I never^✦ sleep, 'cause sleep is the cousin^✦ of death

Beyond the walls of intelligence, life is defined

I think of crime when I'm in a New York State of Mind

New York state of mind

Be havin'^✦ dreams that I'm a gangsta, drinkin'^✦ Moëts, holdin'^✦ TECs

Makin'^✦ sure the cash came correct, then I stepped

Investments in stocks, sewin'^✦ up the blocks to sell rocks

Winnin'^✦ gunfights with mega-cops

But just a nigga^✦ walkin'^✦ with his finger^✦ on the trigger

Make enough^✦ figures until^✦ my pockets get bigger^✦

I ain't the type of brother^✦ made for you to start testin'^✦

Give me a Smith & Wesson, I'll have niggas^✦ undressin'

Thinkin'^✦ of cash flow, Buddha^✦ and shelter

Whenever^✦ frustrated, I'ma^✦ hijack^✦ Delta^✦

In the PJ's, my blend tape plays, bullets^✦ are strays

Young bitches^✦ is grazed,^✦ each block is like a maze

Full of black rats trapped, plus the Island^✦ is packed^✦

From what I hear in all the stories when my peoples come back

Black, I'm livin'^✦ where the nights is jet-black

The fiends fight to get crack, I just max, I dream I can sit back

And lamp like Capone,^✦ with drug scripts sewn

Or the legal luxury^✦ life, rings flooded with stones,^✦ homes^✦

I got so many^✦ rhymes,^✦ I don't think I'm too sane

Life is parallel to Hell, but I must maintain

And be prosperous,^✦ though we live dangerous^✦

Cops could just arrest me, blamin'^✦ us; we're held like hostages

It's only^✦ right that I was born to use mics

And the stuff that I write is even^✦ tougher than dykes^✦

I'm takin'^✦ rappers^✦ to a new plateau, through rap slow

My rhymin'^✦ is a vitamin held without^✦ a capsule

The smooth criminal on beat breaks

Never^✦ put me in your box if your shit eats tapes^✦

The city^✦ never^✦ sleeps, full of villains and creeps

That's where I learned to do my hustle, had to scuffle with freaks

I'm a addict for sneakers, 20s of Buddha^✦ and bitches^✦ with beepers

In the streets I can greet ya, about^✦ blunts I teach ya

Inhale^✦ deep like the words of my breath

I never^✦ sleep, 'cause sleep is the cousin^✦ of death

I lay puzzled as I backtrack to earlier times^✦

Nothing's equivalent to the New York state of mind

New York state of mind

Technical Breakdown

9.5

Multisyllabic Rhymes9.0

Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)

Internal Rhymes9.0

Rhymes within a line (data-driven)

Wordplay / Double Entendres9.0

Clever language, metaphors, punchlines

Cadence / Rhythm8.0

Flow variation and timing (data-driven)

Vocabulary Complexity9.0

Range and depth of words used (data-driven)

Delivery / Breath Control9.0

Performance and control

Computed Score9.50

Production

— DJ Premier

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Critic Analysis

RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

Nas's opening verse in 'N.Y. State of Mind' showcases his mastery of vivid storytelling, street authenticity, and complex rhyme schemes. The combination of aggressive imagery and personal reflection creates a powerful narrative that resonates with the struggles of urban life.

Multisyllabic

Internal Rhymes

Cadence / Flow

Vocabulary

Wordplay

Delivery

internal rhymealliterationimagerymetaphor

Rhyme Architecture: The rhyme scheme is complex and layered, often using internal rhymes and multisyllabic patterns to create a dense, engaging flow that keeps the listener captivated.

lyrical dexterity

strong imagery

cultural relevance

some lines may be too complex for casual listeners

User Scores

Notes

A classic track showcasing Nas's intricate rhymes and deep storytelling.