Illmatic

Represent

Nas

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

End

182

Internal

100

Multi

277

Slant

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight

[Chorus]

Represent,^✦ represent^✦

[Verse 1]

Straight up, shit is real

And any^✦ day could be your last in the jungle

Get murdered on a humble, guns'll blast, niggas^✦ tumble

The corners is the hot spot, full of mad criminals

Who don't care, guzzling beers

We all stare at the out-of-towners

(Ayo, yo, who that?) They better^✦ break North

Before^✦ we get the four pounders and take their face off

The streets is filled^✦ with undercovers, homicide chasing brothers

The D's on the roof tryin' to watch us and knock us

And killer^✦ coppers even^✦ come through in helicopters

I drink a little vodka,^✦ spark a L and hold a Glock for

The fronters, wannabe ill niggas^✦ and spot runners

Thinking^✦ it can't happen^✦ 'til I trap 'em and clap 'em

And leave 'em done, won't even^✦ run about^✦ gods

I don't believe in none of that shit, your facts are backwards

Nas is a rebel of the street corner^✦

Pulling^✦ a TEC out the dresser; police^✦ got me under^✦ pressure

[Chorus]

Represent,^✦ represent^✦

[Verse 2]

Yo, they call me Nas, I'm not your legal^✦ type of fella^✦

Moët drinking,^✦ marijuana smoking street dweller

Who's always^✦ on the corner,^✦ rolling up bless

When I dress, it's never^✦ nothing less than Guess

Cold be walking with a bop and my hat turned^✦ back

Love committing sins and my friends sell crack

This nigga^✦ raps with a razor, keep it under^✦ my tongue

The school drop-out, never^✦ liked^✦ the shit from day one

‘Cause life ain't shit but stress, fake niggas,^✦ and crab stunts

So I guzzle my Hennessy while pulling^✦ on mad blunts

The brutalizer,^✦ buddha-sizer,^✦ accelerator^✦

The type of nigga^✦ who be pissing in your elevator^✦

Somehow the rap game reminds me of the crack game

Used^✦ to sport Bally's^✦ and Cazals with black frames^✦

Now I'm into^✦ fat chains, sex and TECs

Fly new chicks and new kicks, Heines^✦ and Beck's

[Chorus]

Represent,^✦ represent^✦

[Verse 3]

No doubt, see my stacks are fat, this is what it's about^✦

Before^✦ the BDP conflict with MC Shan

Around the time when Shante dissed^✦ the Real Roxanne

I used^✦ to wake up every^✦ morning, see my crew on the block

Every^✦ day's a different plan that had us running from cops

If it wasn't hanging out in front of cocaine spots

We was at the candy^✦ factory, breaking the locks

Nowadays, I need the green in a flash just like the next man

Fuck a yard, god, let me see a hundred grand

Could use a gun, son, but fuck being the wanted^✦ man

But if I hit rock bottom, then I'ma^✦ be the Son of Sam

Then call the crew to get live too, with Swoop

Barkim, my brother Jungle, Big Bo cooks up the blow

Mike'll^✦ chop it; Mayo, you count the profit^✦

My shit is on the streets, this way the Jakes'll never^✦ stop it

It's your brain on drugs, to all fly bitches and thugs

'Nuff respect to the projects,^✦ I'm ghost, one love

[Chorus]

Represent^✦ y'all, represent^✦

[Outro]

One time for your mothafuckin' mind

This goes out to everybody in New York

That's living^✦ the real fucking life in every^✦ projects,^✦ all over^✦

To my man Big Will, he's still here

The 40 side of Vernon,^✦ my man Big L.E.S

Big Cee-Lo^✦ from the Dime, Shawn Penn, the 40 busters^✦

My crew the shorty^✦ busters,^✦ the 41st side of Vernon^✦ posse

The Goodfellas, my man Cormega, Lakey^✦ the Kid

Can't forget^✦ Drawz, the Hillbillies

My man Slate, Wallethead, Black Jay, Big Oogie

Crazy^✦ barrio^✦ spot, (Big Dove), we rock shit a lot, PHD

And my man Preemo^✦ from Gang Starr

'94 real shit y'all (word up Harry^✦ O)

Fuck y'all crab-ass niggas^✦ though!

Technical Breakdown

8.6

Multisyllabic Rhymes8.0

Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)

Internal Rhymes8.0

Rhymes within a line (data-driven)

Wordplay / Double Entendres9.0

Clever language, metaphors, punchlines

Cadence / Rhythm9.0

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 Score8.60

Production

— DJ Premier

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Critic Analysis

RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

Nas's verse in 'Represent' showcases a powerful command of language and rhythm, supported by high scores in wordplay and delivery. The internal and multisyllabic rhymes contribute to a complex flow that emphasizes the gritty realities of street life while maintaining clarity and intensity.

Multisyllabic

Internal Rhymes

Cadence / Flow

Vocabulary

Wordplay

Delivery

multisyllabic rhymingimagerynarrative storytelling

Rhyme Architecture: The rhyme scheme intricately weaves through the verse with a blend of end rhymes and internal rhymes creating a dynamic flow that mirrors the urgency of the subject matter.

vivid imagery

strong narrative voice

some phrases may feel overused with modern audiences, although they are contextually appropriate for the era

User Scores

Notes

Solid track capturing the essence of urban life's trials and triumphs.