Illmatic

Life's a Bitch

Nas

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

End

215

Internal

Multi

230

Slant

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight

Ayo, what's up, what's up?

Let's keep it real, son, count this money^✦

You know what I'm sayin'? Yeah yeah

Ayo, put the Grants over^✦ there in the safe

You know what I'm sayin'?

'Cause we spendin' these Jacksons

The Washingtons go to wifey,^✦ you know how that go

I'm sayin' that's what this is all about^✦ right

Clothes, bankrolls, and hoes

You know what I'm sayin'?

Yo, then what man, what?!

Visualizin' the realism of life in actuality^✦

Fuck who's the baddest, a person's status^✦ depends on salary^✦

And my mentality^✦ is money-orientated^✦

I'm destined to live the dream for all my peeps who never^✦ made it

'Cause yeah, we were beginners^✦ in the hood as Five Percenters

But somethin' must've got in us, 'cause all of us turned^✦ to sinners^✦

Now some restin'^✦ in peace and some are sittin'^✦ in San Quentin

Others,^✦ such as myself, are tryin' to carry^✦ on tradition

Keepin'^✦ this Schweppervescent street ghetto^✦ essence^✦ inside^✦ us

'Cause it provides us with the proper^✦ insight to guide us

Even^✦ though we know, somehow we all gotta^✦ go

But as long as we leavin'^✦ thievin'

We'll be leavin'^✦ with some kind of dough

So, until that day we expire^✦ and turn to vapors

Me and my capers^✦ will be somewhere stackin' plenty^✦ papers^✦

Keepin'^✦ it real, packin'^✦ steel, gettin'^✦ high

'Cause life's^✦ a bitch and then you die

Life's^✦ a bitch and then you die

That's why we get high

'Cause you never^✦ know when you're gonna^✦ go

Life's^✦ a bitch and then you die

That's why we puff lye

'Cause you never^✦ know when you're gonna^✦ go

Life's^✦ a bitch and then you die

That's why we get high

'Cause you never^✦ know when you're gonna^✦ go

Life's^✦ a bitch and then you die

That's why we puff lye

'Cause you never^✦ know when you're gonna^✦ go

I woke up early^✦ on my born day; I'm, it's a blessin'

The essence^✦ of adolescence^✦ leaves^✦ my body,^✦ now I'm fresh and

My physical frame is celebrated^✦ 'cause I made it

One quarter through life, some godly-like thing created^✦

Got rhymes^✦ days annual,^✦ plus some

Load up the mic and bust one, cuss while I pus from

My skull, 'cause it's pain in my brain vein, money^✦ maintain

Don't go against the grain, simple and plain

When I was young at this I used^✦ to do my thing hard

Robbin'^✦ foreigners, take they wallets, they jewels and rip they green cards

Dipped^✦ to the projects, flashin' my quick cash

And got my first piece of ass, smokin'^✦ blunts with hash

Now it's all about^✦ cash in abundance

Niggas I used^✦ to run with is rich or doin' years in the hundreds

I switched my motto;^✦ instead of sayin', "Fuck tomorrow!"

That buck that bought a bottle could've struck the lotto^✦

Once I stood on the block, loose cracks produce stacks

I cooked^✦ up and cut small pieces^✦ to get my loot back

Time is illmatic, keep static^✦ like wool fabric^✦

Pack a -matic^✦ to crack your whole cabbage

Life's^✦ a bitch and then you die

That's why we get high

'Cause you never^✦ know when you're gonna^✦ go

Life's^✦ a bitch and then you die

That's why we puff lye

'Cause you never^✦ know when you're gonna^✦ go

Life's^✦ a bitch and then you die

That's why we get high

'Cause you never^✦ know when you're gonna^✦ go

Life's^✦ a bitch and then you die

That's why we puff lye

'Cause you never^✦ know when you're gonna^✦ go

Life's^✦ a bitch and then you die

Technical Breakdown

9.2

Multisyllabic Rhymes8.0

Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)

Internal Rhymes7.0

Rhymes within a line (data-driven)

Wordplay / Double Entendres8.0

Clever language, metaphors, punchlines

Cadence / Rhythm10.0

Flow variation and timing (data-driven)

Vocabulary Complexity10.0

Range and depth of words used (data-driven)

Delivery / Breath Control9.0

Performance and control

Computed Score9.20

Production

— L.E.S., Nas

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Critic Analysis

RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

Nas skillfully navigates themes of socioeconomic struggles and aspirations in these bars, combining street wisdom with personal narrative. The verse reflects the harsh reality of life in the hood while emphasizing the pursuit of financial success as a means of legacy and survival.

A+

Multisyllabic

Internal Rhymes

Cadence / Flow

Vocabulary

Wordplay

Delivery

internal rhymemulti-syllabic rhymeurban vernacular

Rhyme Architecture: Complex end rhymes with internal rhymes creating a fluid, conversational, yet rhythmically intricate flow.

deep thematic content

smooth flow and delivery

some phrases feel slightly clichéd

User Scores

Notes

Features a notable collaboration that reflects on life's challenges.