Illmatic

One Love

Nas

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

End

390

Internal

Multi

315

Slant

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight

What up kid? I know shit is rough doin' your bid

When the cops came, you shoulda slid to my crib

But fuck it black, no time for looking back it's done

Plus congratulations, you know you got a son

I heard he looks like you, why don't your lady^✦ write you?

Told her she should visit,^✦ that's when she got hyper^✦

Flippin', talk about^✦ he acts too rough

He didn't listen,^✦ he be riffin'^✦ while I'm tellin'^✦ him stuff

I was like yeah, shorty^✦ don't care, she a snake too

Fuckin'^✦ with the niggaz^✦ from that fake crew that hate you

But yo, guess who got shot in the dome-piece

Jerome's niece, on her way home from Jones^✦ beach, it's bugged^✦

Plus little Rob is selling drugs all the time

Hangin'^✦ out with young thugs that all carry^✦ 9's

And night time is more trife than ever^✦

What up with Cormega, did you see 'em, are y'all together?^✦

If so then hold the fort down, represent to the fullest

Say whats up to Herb, Ice and Bullet^✦

I left a half a hundred in your commissary

You was my nigga^✦ when push came to shove

One what? One love

One love, one love, one love, one love

Dear Born, you'll be out soon, stay strong

Out in New York, the same shit is goin' on

The crack-heads stalkin', loud-mouths is talkin'^✦

Hold, check out the story^✦ yesterday, when I was walkin'^✦

The nigga^✦ you shot last year

Tried to appear^✦ like he hurtin'^✦ somethin'^✦

Word to mother,^✦ I heard him frontin'

And he be pumpin'^✦ on your block

Your man gave him your glock

And now they run together,^✦ what up son, whatever

Since I'm on the streets, I'm a put it to a cease

But I heard you blew a nigga^✦ with he ask for the phone piece

Whylin'^✦ on the island, but now in Elmira^✦

Better^✦ chill, 'cos them niggaz^✦ will put that ass on fire

Last time you wrote you said, they tried you in the showers

But maintain when you come home, the corner's^✦ ours

On the reals, all these crab niggaz^✦ know the deal

When we start the revolution all they probably do is squeal

But chill, see you on the next V I

I gave your mom dukes^✦ loot for kicks, plus sent ya flicks

Your brother's buck whilin'^✦ and four Maine, he wrote me

He might beat his case, 'til he come home I play it low key

So stay civilised, time flies

Though incarcerated, your mind dies

I hate it when your moms cries

It kinda^✦ wants to make me murder,^✦ for real

I've even^✦ got a mask and gloves^✦ to bust slugs

For one love

One love, one love, one love, one love

Sometimes I sit back with a buddha^✦ sack

Mind's in another world thinkin'

How can we exist through the facts?

Written in school text books, Bibles,^✦ etc

Fuck a school lecture, the lies get me vexed^✦

So I be ghost for my projects

I take my pen and pad for the week

And hittin'^✦ Ls while I'm sleepin'

A two day stay, you may say I need the time alone^✦

To relax my dome, no phone, left the 9 at home

You see the streets have me stressed somethin'^✦ terrible

Fucking with the corners^✦ have a nigga^✦ up in Belle View

Or H D M, hit with numbers from 8 to 10

A future^✦ in a maximum state pen is grim

So I comes^✦ back home, nobody's helpin'^✦ shorty^✦ doowop^✦

I roll two phillies^✦ together,^✦ in the prison^✦ we call them oowops^✦

He said Nas, niggaz^✦ cold be bustin'^✦ off the roof

So I wear a bullet^✦ proof and pack a black tres-deuce

He inhaled so deep, shut his eyes like he was sleep

Started coughin' when I peeked^✦ to watch me speak

I sat back like the mack, my army^✦ suit was black

We was chillin' on these benches

Where he pumped^✦ his loose cracks

I took the L when he passed^✦ it, this little bastard

Keeps me blasted, he starts talkin'^✦ mad shit

I had to school him, told him don't let niggaz^✦ fool him

'Cos when the pistol^✦ blows the one that's murdered, be the cool one

Tough luck when niggaz^✦ are struck, families^✦ fucked^✦ up

Could've caught your man, but didn't look when you bucked^✦ up

Mistakes happen,^✦ so take heed, never^✦ bust up

In a crowd catch him solo,^✦ make the right man bleed

Shorty's laugh was cold blooded as he spoke so foul

Only^✦ twelve trying to tell me that he liked^✦ my style

Then I rose, wipin'^✦ the blunts ash from my clothes

Then froze only^✦ to blow the herb smoke through my nose

And told my little man that I'm a go cyprose

There's^✦ some jewels in the skull that he could sell if he chose

Words of wisdom^✦ from Nas, try to rise up above^✦

Keep a eye out for Jake shorty,^✦ wop

One love

One love, one love, one love, one love

Technical Breakdown

8.6

Multisyllabic Rhymes8.0

Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)

Internal Rhymes7.0

Rhymes within a line (data-driven)

Wordplay / Double Entendres7.0

Clever language, metaphors, punchlines

Cadence / Rhythm8.0

Flow variation and timing (data-driven)

Vocabulary Complexity8.0

Range and depth of words used (data-driven)

Delivery / Breath Control9.0

Performance and control

Computed Score8.60

Production

— Q-Tip, L.E.S.

Be the first to rate the production

Critic Analysis

RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

Nas masterfully blends vivid storytelling with a conversational tone, showcasing his strong delivery and intricate rhyme schemes. The high cadence and effective use of multisyllabic rhymes contribute to a sense of urgency and authenticity in his narrative.

Multisyllabic

Internal Rhymes

Cadence / Flow

Vocabulary

Wordplay

Delivery

multisyllabic rhymingconversational storytelling

Rhyme Architecture: The rhyme scheme is complex, featuring end rhymes and internal rhymes that create a layered effect, enhancing the lyrical delivery and emotional weight of the narrative.

visual storytelling

emotional depth

limited use of metaphor

User Scores

Notes

A heartfelt track addressing loyalty and friendship amidst adversity.