Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...

Criminology

Raekwon

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

23

End

133

Internal

61

Multi

164

Slant

6

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
"I told you a long time ago,✦ you fuckin'✦ little monkey,✦ not to fuck me"
"Ay ay, who the fuck you think you talkin'✦ to, huh? (You wanna✦ fuck wit-)"
"Who the fuck you think I am, your fuckin'✦ bellboy?"
"You wanna✦ go to war? You wanna✦ go to war, okay?"✦ (Comin'✦ up on half a mil', we build)
For real, y'all
Takin'✦ you on another✦ one, son
Uhh, Julio✦ Iglesias
Makin'✦ C.R.E.A.M. like that nigga✦
Yo, (Blaow!) first of all, son, peep the arson✦
Many✦ brothers I be sparkin' and bustin'✦ mad light inside✦ the dark
Call me dough snatcher, just the brother✦ for the rapture✦
I hang glide, holdin'✦ on strong, hard to capture✦
Extravagant, RZA bake the track and it's militant
Then I react like a convict and start killin'✦ shit
It's manifested, the Gods work like appliances
Dealin'✦ in my cypher✦ I revolve around✦ sciences
The 9th chamber, leave you trapped✦ inside✦ my hallway✦
You try to flee but you got smoked✦ up by the doorway✦ (Blaow! Blaow!)
No question,✦ I send your ass back right to the essence
Your whole frame is smothered in dirt, now how you restin'?✦
While I'll be trapped✦ by sounds, locked✦ behind loops
Throwin' niggas✦ off airplanes 'cause cash rules✦ (Cash rules)✦
Everything around✦ me, black, as you can see
Swallow this murder✦ one verse like God degree
Then analyze my soundtrack for satisfaction✦
You adapt like a flashback chain reaction✦ (Lace them niggas,✦ son)
AK's black, bust back like 70 MACs
I'm all that, street niggas✦ knowin'✦ my steez, black
Ron G, you know he coincide with me, see
Marvelous menace✦ fo' society
But anyway,✦ let's toast, champagne thoughts with Ghost
I max the most shotguns through the nose
Fuck rap, hip-hop✦ put me on top
'Lo wears and Tommy✦ Hil' fly shit with a knot
The witty✦ unpredictable live shit, drive-by shit
Do or die shit, I'll take your lye and shit
And then you know, I'm runnin'✦ through the penal✦
Foul, fall through, child was wild
The old lady✦ snitched, but fuck it, you know what?
One love, kid, no, I'm not doin' a bid
Too much to get for what? 'Cause six niggas✦ got stuck
And the nigga✦ chain was truck?
Yo, fuck that, criminology rap, sneakers stay
Jet black floatin' in the flyest Ac', nigga✦ (Bring it, yeah)
Much love go to New York City✦
All my Tommy✦ Hil', ice rockin'✦ niggas✦

Technical Breakdown

9.7
Multisyllabic Rhymes9.4

Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)

Internal Rhymes9.5

Rhymes within a line (data-driven)

Wordplay / Double Entendres9.4

Clever language, metaphors, punchlines

Cadence / Rhythm9.5

Flow variation and timing (data-driven)

Vocabulary Complexity9.0

Range and depth of words used (data-driven)

Delivery / Breath Control9.5

Performance and control

Computed Score9.70

Production

— RZA

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Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

Raekwon's 'Criminology' displays unparalleled technical mastery characterized by high scores in multisyllabic rhymes (9.4) and internal rhymes (9.5), establishing a rhythmic complexity that enhances the delivery of gritty narratives. The use of intricate wordplay (9.4) and a potent cadence (9.5) results in an impactful presentation that is both lyrically dense and engaging.

S
9.4
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
9.5
Cadence / Flow
9
Vocabulary
9.4
Wordplay
9.5
Delivery
multisyllabic rhymesinternal rhyme schemesmetaphorical narrativescharacterization
Rhyme Architecture: The verse employs a complex interplay of internal and end rhymes with a free-flowing structure that incorporates variations in rhythm, reflecting both aggression and resilience.

exceptional use of multisyllabic and internal rhymes

vivid storytelling and imagery

potential density may overwhelm casual listeners

User Scores

Notes

One of RZA's most cinematic beats. Raekwon and Ghost's drug lord narratives are masterfully constructed