Life After Death
What's Beef
The Notorious B.I.G.
Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis
51
End
337
Internal
83
Multi
284
Slant
10
Chain
Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
The Commission:
Uncle Paulie, P. Diddy✦
Cease-A-Leo DeGenero (yeahhh)
Charli Baltimore, Iceberg Slim
The most shady,✦ Frankie Baby✦
We here (do you know what beef is?)
We ain't goin' nowhere (do you know what beef is?)
Uh-uh✦ (ask yourself,✦ do you know what beef is?)
Uh-uh,✦ uhh
Ha ha ha ha ha, check out this bizarre
Rapper✦ style used✦ by me, the B.I.G
I put my key, you put your key in
Money✦ we'll be seein'
We'll reach the fuckin'✦ ceiling, check-check it
My Calico✦ been cocked,✦ this rap Alfred✦ Hitchcock
Drop-top-notch, playa-hatin' gon' stop
This instant, rappers too persistent
Quick to spit Biggie name on shit
Make my name taste like ass when you speak it
See me in the street, your jewelry? You can keep it
That be our little secret✦
See me, B, that is, I that is, gee-whiz
Motherfuckers still in my biz
Don't they know my nigga✦ Gutter✦ fuckin'✦ kidnap✦ kids?
Fuck 'em in the ass, throw 'em over✦ the bridge
That's how it is, my shit is laid out
Fuck that "beef" shit
That shit is played out
Y'all got the gall
All I make is one phone call
All y'all disappear by tomorrow
All your guns is borrowed, I don't feel sorrow✦
Actually, your man passed✦ the Gat to me, now check this
What's beef?
Beef is when you need two Gats to go to sleep
Beef is when your moms ain't safe up in the streets
Beef is when I see you
Guaranteed✦ to be in I-C-U,✦ one more time
What's beef?
Beef is when you make your enemies✦ start your Jeep
Beef is when you roll no less than thirty✦ deep
Beef is when I see you
Guaranteed✦ to be in I-C-U,✦ check it
I done smoked✦ with the best of 'em (uh-huh)✦
Shot at the rest of 'em (uh-huh)✦
Was about✦ a hundred or more
Maybe less of 'em
Got my rock salt
That nigga✦ from the Brook just be
Wylin'✦ on you, just be stylin'✦ on you
And I, tried to warn you, but your eyes fucked✦ up
Now I cleared them shits with hits
You on the fuckin'✦ bench
Pardon✦ my French, but uh
Sometimes I get kind of
Peeved✦ at these weak MC's with these
Supreme baller✦ like lyrics, I call 'em like I see 'em, G
Y'all niggas sound like me (yeah)
Y'all was grimy✦ in the early✦ 90's, far behind✦ me
It ain't hard to find me
Number✦ one with the booyaka✦ (booyaka)✦
Give me the Remy✦ and the chronic, ain't no tellin'✦ what I do to ya
It's obvious the game's✦ new to ya (new to ya)
Take them ends you make
And spend 'em on a tutor, hah
One shot, I'm through with ya
What's beef?
Beef is when you need two Gats to go to sleep (don't sleep)
Beef is when your moms ain't safe up in the streets (ain't safe)
Beef is when I see you
Guaranteed✦ to be in I-C-U✦ (I see you), one more time
What's beef? (What's beef)
Beef is when you make your enemies✦ start your Jeep (start my Jeep)
Beef is when you roll no less than 30 deep (30 deep)
Beef is when I see you
Guaranteed✦ to be in I-C-U,✦ check it (I see you)
There'll be nothin'✦ but smooth sailin'✦ (sailin')✦
When I spit shots, now your crew's bailin'✦ (bailin')✦
All I got is heat and tough talk for you (uh-huh)✦
Tie you up, cut your balls off just to use (oooh)
Man, listen,✦ straight torture
Look what that slick shit bought ya
A first class ticket✦ to Lucifer, real name Christopher
Watch me Set It Off like Vivica✦
Here lies your demise✦
Close your eyes, think good thoughts
Die while your skin start to glisten
Pale blue hands get cold: your soul's risen✦
It's bad cause I just begun✦
What make the shit real bad, I was havin'✦ fun (ahaha!)✦
What's beef? (What's beef?)
Beef is when you need two Gats to go to sleep (Don't sleep)
Beef is when your moms ain't safe up in the streets (Ain't safe)
Beef is when I see you
Guaranteed✦ to be in I-C-U,✦ one more time (I see you)
What's beef? (What's beef?)
Beef is when you make your enemies✦ start your Jeep (Start my Jeep)
Beef is when you roll no less than thirty✦ deep (thirty✦ deep)
Beef is when I see you (I see you)
Guaranteed✦ to be in I-C-U,✦ and I'm through
Uhhh, uhhh
The life after✦
(Now ask yourself)✦
(Do you really,✦ know what beef is?)
Life after✦
(Then ask yourself)✦
Uhh (Do you really,✦ want beef?)
(Ahahaha!)
(Yeah, I like that)
(Big Nash)
(Hitmen✦ baby)✦
(On and on and on and on)
(Bad Boy)
(Y'all know what it is)
(Shit, I don't want no beef, ahaaa!)✦
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 / Rhythm9.6
Flow variation and timing (data-driven)
Vocabulary Complexity9.2
Range and depth of words used (data-driven)
Delivery / Breath Control9.8
Performance and control
Computed Score9.70
Production
— Carlos "6 July" Broady, Nashiem Myrick, ParagonBe the first to rate the production
Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™
The bars demonstrate exceptional technical proficiency, highlighted by high scores in multisyllabic and internal rhymes. Biggie's rhythmic cadence and vocabulary enhance the storytelling aspect, while his delivery adds immense charisma, reflecting the raw energy of 90s hip-hop.
S
9.4
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
9.6
Cadence / Flow
9.2
Vocabulary
9.4
Wordplay
9.8
Delivery
Internal rhymeWordplayAlliterationPacing
Rhyme Architecture: The rhyme scheme exhibits a complex, interwoven structure where multisyllabic rhymes are complemented by internal rhymes, creating a dynamic flow throughout the verse.
Exceptional delivery and presence
High level of wordplay and multisyllabic rhymes