Stillmatic
Smokin'
Nas
Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis
30
End
251
Internal
104
Multi
292
Slant
10
Chain
Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
(To the gods, uh, uh, to the earths)
Pass that shit homey✦
Now tell me, what y'all smoking?✦
What kinda✦ heat y'all holdin'?✦
Well is your creep move potent✦
I got a bunch of bullets✦ and a bag of guns, I pass 'em to my niggas✦ c'mon
We bi-coastin',✦ keeping✦ our pockets✦ bulging✦
We got the plan in motion✦
I got a bunch of bullets✦ and a bag of guns, I pass 'em to my niggas✦ c'mon
Zoom, from outer✦ space he comes✦
Blunt in his mouth with his hand on his gun
Bitches flapping✦ they gums, do he be clapping✦ and shooting guys
Actor✦ or a movie star, rapper✦ revolutionized
What is his race, nation✦ or creed?
Is he Arabic, black, Latin,✦ Asian✦ they read
Magazines say, "I walked✦ on water,✦ talked✦ to the heavens
Spit at judges,✦ stepped on peasants"
But in reality, I just entered your galaxy✦
September '73, up in these wild streets
Fuckin'✦ these wild freaks, a harem of hoes (God damn)
And my mystique got 'em tearing my clothes
Now tell me, what y'all smoking?✦
What kinda✦ heat y'all holdin'?✦
Well is your creep move potent✦
I got a bunch of bullets✦ and a bag of guns, I pass 'em to my niggas✦ c'mon
We bi-coastin',✦ keeping✦ our pockets✦ bulging✦
We got the plan in motion✦
I got a bunch of bullets✦ and a bag of guns, I pass 'em to my niggas✦ c'mon
My nigga✦ smoke with one lung
If he cough he might die, passing me trees
The liquor✦ bottle's almost empty✦
We about✦ to collide, with the enemy✦
Only✦ way you die, if it's meant to be
You fucking with a general
No discussion✦ is the principle, we busting, it's the end of you
Now, we knocking on your mama✦ door
Like we cam to fix the sink, my kind of war
Death, angels coming for you
Spirit✦ horse running from your body✦ like, "Young Guns one and two"
Paramedics fighting for you, who's gon' win?
The hands of time, or the hands of medicine
Don't cry, witness your fate, this is your wake
Walk by your casket,✦ spit in your face
Enter✦ the fog dog, the light is your guide
And when you're gone all your niggas✦ gon' light it with Nas
Now tell me, what y'all smoking?✦
What kinda✦ heat y'all holdin'?✦
Well is your creep move potent✦
I got a bunch of bullets✦ and a bag of guns, I pass 'em to my niggas✦ c'mon
We bi-coastin',✦ keeping✦ our pockets✦ bulging✦
We got the plan in motion✦
I got a bunch of bullets✦ and a bag of guns, I pass 'em to my niggas✦ c'mon
Pardon,✦ but I gotta✦ question✦ of life now
Look at the nigga✦ next to you right now
Is he real, fake or scared?✦
Do it like this niggas✦ right hands in the air
Ball it to a fist and put it over✦ your heart
Now let's say it all together, let the ceremony start
I shall, stay real stay true stay holding figures
Never✦ put a bitch over✦ my niggas✦
I shall never,✦ cooperate with the law
Never✦ snake me, I always✦ hold you down in war
If they take one of mine, I take one of theirs
I never✦ break the oath to the death, I swear
I swear, that's how we pledge allegiance,✦ to the alliance✦
Of underworld's killers and thugs, though the science
Of a nigga✦ still yet to be found
So light up some green, and pass it around✦ (just pass it around)✦
Now tell me, what y'all smoking?✦
What kinda✦ heat y'all holdin'?✦
Well is your creep move potent✦
I got a bunch of bullets✦ and a bag of guns, I pass 'em to my niggas✦ c'mon
We bi-coastin',✦ keeping✦ our pockets✦ bulging✦
We got the plan in motion✦
I got a bunch of bullets✦ and a bag of guns, I pass 'em to my niggas✦ c'mon
Want to get high, come smoke with me
Smoke with me, light it up (hey nigga,✦ take this weed, I'm 'bout to go with my bitch house)
Want to get high, (get my fuck on nigga)✦ come smoke with me
Smoke with me, (y'all nigga✦ stay up) light it up
Want to get high, come smoke with me
Smoke with me, light it up
Want to get high, (yea-yeah) come smoke with me (uhh)
Smoke with me, (yea-yeah) light it up (get fucked✦ up)
Yeah, (yea-yeah) come here bitch, come smoke with big men
Technical Breakdown
8.3
Multisyllabic Rhymes9.5
Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)
Internal Rhymes9.5
Rhymes within a line (data-driven)
Wordplay / Double Entendres7.5
Clever language, metaphors, punchlines
Cadence / Rhythm8.5
Flow variation and timing (data-driven)
Vocabulary Complexity7.0
Range and depth of words used (data-driven)
Delivery / Breath Control8.0
Performance and control
Computed Score8.33
Production
— Nas, PrecisionBe the first to rate the production
Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™
Nas utilizes a highly cinematic and self-mythologizing narrative arc that balances street-level aggression with abstract, cosmic imagery, effectively creating a 'god-body' persona that anchors the verse's thematic depth.
A
9.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
8.5
Cadence / Flow
7
Vocabulary
7.5
Wordplay
8
Delivery
Internal multi-syllabic rhymingCinematic narrative progressionIdentity-based wordplayMetaphorical juxtaposition
Rhyme Architecture: The verse employs a consistent AAAA/BBBB terminal rhyme structure that is heavily supplemented by aggressive, dense internal rhyming patterns (e.g., smoking/holding/potent/motion).
Verified Doubles & Entendres
"I walked on water, talked to the heavens"
① A reference to messianic, god-like powers often attributed to Five-Percenters.② A critique of how the media sensationalizes his persona, treating him as a supernatural figure rather than a human.
"What is his race, nation or creed? Is he Arabic, black, Latin, Asian they read"
① A direct query into the specific demographics and origins of the rapper.② An acknowledgement of Nas's universal appeal and his ability to transcend racial and national lines through his art.
Exceptional rhythmic consistency that maintains high energy
Strong command of narrative and character perspective
Effective use of multi-syllabic internal rhymes to drive the flow
Compelling transition from specific street threats to cosmic self-mythology
Some imagery leans slightly into established 90s hip-hop tropes
The repetitive nature of the 'bag of guns' hook slightly dilutes the lyrical density of the verses