Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...
Incarcerated Scarfaces
Raekwon
Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis
27
End
234
Internal
118
Multi
311
Slant
9
Chain
Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
He looks determined without being ruthless
Something heroic in his manner✦
There's✦ a courage about✦ him, doesn't look like a killer✦
Comes✦ across so calm
Acts like he has a dream
Full of passion✦
You don't trust me, huh?
You know why
I do, we're not supposed to trust anyone✦ in our profession✦ anyway✦
Knock niggas✦ out the box all the time
Niggas✦ know my motherfuckin' repertoire, big ones✦ (uh-huh)✦
(Yeah, motherfucker, straight up)
(I'll fuck your whole team up) Take care of B.I., Chef
(Yeah, bust it, yo, yo) Fly G.I. niggas✦
Now, yo, yo, what up, yo? Time is runnin'✦ out
It's for real, though, let's connect,✦ politic,✦ ditto✦
We could trade places,✦ get lifted✦ in the staircases✦
Word up, peace, incarcerated✦ scarfaces✦
Thug-related✦ style attract millions,✦ fans
They understand my plan, who's the kid up in the green Land?
Me and the RZA connect,✦ blow a fuse, you lose
Half-ass crews get demolished and bruised
Fake be fronting, hourglass-heads niggas✦ be wanting
Shutting down your slot, time for pumping
Poisonous sting, which thumps up and act chumps
Rae's a heavy✦ generator, but yo, guess who's the black Trump?
Dough be flowing by the hours, Wu, we got the collars
Scholars, word life, peace to Power✦ and my whole unit✦
Word up, quick to set it, don't wet it
Real niggas✦ lick shots, peace Connecticut
Now, yo, yo, what up, yo? Time is runnin'✦ out
It's for real, though, let's connect,✦ politic,✦ ditto✦
We could trade places,✦ get lifted✦ in the staircases✦
Word up, peace, incarcerated✦ scarfaces✦
Chef'll shine like marble, rhyme remarkable
Real niggas✦ raise up, spend your money,✦ argue
But this time is for the uninvited
Go 'head and rhyme to it, bitch nigga,✦ mics is getting fired✦
More fiends, chicks be burning like chlorine
Niggas✦ recognize from here to Baltimore to Fort Greene
But hold up, Moët be tasting like throw-up
My mob roll up, dripped to death, whips rolled✦ up
You never✦ had no wins, sliding in these dens
With Timbs, with MAC-10's and broke friends
You got guns? Got guns too, what up, son?
Do you wanna✦ battle for cash and see who sons who?
I'll probably wax tracks, smack rap niggas,✦ you, facts
Niggas'✦ lyrics✦ are wack, nigga✦
Can't stand unofficial, wet tissue, blank busting Scud missiles
You rolling like Trump, you get your meat lumped✦
For real, it's just slang rap democracy
Here's✦ the policy,✦ slide off the ring, plus the Wallabees
Check the status,✦ soon to see me at, Caesar's Palace✦ eating✦ salads✦
We beating✦ mics sending keys to Dallas✦
I move rhymes✦ like retail, make sure shit sell
From where we at to my man's cell
From staircase to stage, minimum wage
But soon to get a article in Rap Page
But all I need is my house, my gat, my Ac'
Bank account fat, it's going down like that
And pardon✦ the French, but let me speak Italian
Black stallions✦ wildling on Shaolin
That means the island✦ of Staten✦
And niggas✦ carry✦ gats and mad police✦ from Manhattan
Now, yo, yo, what up, yo? Time is runnin'✦ out
It's for real though, let's connect,✦ politic,✦ ditto✦
We could trade places,✦ get lifted✦ in the staircases✦
Word up, peace, incarcerated✦ scarfaces✦
I do this for barber✦ shop niggas✦ in the Plaza✦
Catching asthma,✦ Rae is sticking gun-flashers
Well-dressed, skating✦ through the projects with big ones✦
Broke elevators, turn the lights out, stick one upstairs
Switch like a chameleon, hit Brazilians
Pass the cash or leave your children, leave the building
Niggas,✦ yo, they be folding like envelopes
Under✦ pressure, like Lou Ferrigno on coke
Yo, Africans denying niggas✦ up in yellow✦ cabs
Musty✦ like fuck, waving✦ they arms to Arabs✦
Sit back, cooling like Kahlúas✦ on rocks
On the crack spots, rubber✦ band wrap all my knots
View bitches who fuck dreads on Sudafeds
Pussy's✦ hurting, they did it for a yard for the feds
Word up, cousin,✦ nigga,✦ I seen it
Like a 27-inch Zenith, believe it
Now, yo, yo, what up, yo? Time is runnin'✦ out
It's for real, though, let's connect,✦ politic,✦ ditto✦
We could trade places,✦ get lifted✦ in the staircases✦
Word up, peace, incarcerated✦ scarfaces✦
Yo, yo, what up, yo? Time is runnin'✦ out
It's for real, though, let's connect,✦ politic,✦ ditto✦
Get lifted✦ in the staircases✦
Peace, incarcerated✦ scarfaces✦
Time is runnin'✦ out
Politic,✦ ditto✦
Incarcerated✦ scarfaces✦
Technical Breakdown
9.4
Multisyllabic Rhymes9.3
Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)
Internal Rhymes9.4
Rhymes within a line (data-driven)
Wordplay / Double Entendres9.5
Clever language, metaphors, punchlines
Cadence / Rhythm9.6
Flow variation and timing (data-driven)
Vocabulary Complexity9.1
Range and depth of words used (data-driven)
Delivery / Breath Control9.5
Performance and control
Computed Score9.36
Production
— RZABe the first to rate the production
Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™
Raekwon showcases exceptional lyrical prowess through complex multisyllabic rhymes and internal rhyme schemes, scoring high in both categories (9.3 and 9.4 respectively). His masterful wordplay (9.5) and rhythmic cadence (9.6) contribute to a dense and engaging narrative that captures the essence of street life while maintaining a sense of calm authority.
A+
9.3
Multisyllabic
9.4
Internal Rhymes
9.6
Cadence / Flow
9.1
Vocabulary
9.5
Wordplay
9.5
Delivery
Internal rhymesMultisyllabic rhyme schemes
Rhyme Architecture: The verse employs a mix of end rhymes and internal rhymes, creating a tight and smooth flow that enhances the delivery; it shifts between narrative exposition and assertive bravado.
High-level technical skill
Emotional depth in imagery