The Documentary
Like Father, Like Son
The Game
Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis
35
End
276
Internal
120
Multi
226
Slant
14
Chain
Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Verse 1: The Game]
June 30th, 11:07 I got that call
She eight centimeters, my lil' man 'bout to fall
Scuffin my Air Forces,✦ runnin'✦ through the hospital hall
Deja✦ vu, like I been here before✦
I'm feelin✦ reborn,✦ like a Bed-Stuy bredren
My firstborn, Dre, I'm 'bout to have a Bad Boy
Family✦ in the lobby,✦ see my nigga✦ Church, what up
Shit, I left the camcorder in the truck
Runnin'✦ through the maternity ward, out of breath, sweatin'
I swear to God every✦ minute's startin' to feel like a second
I see Hell starin'✦ down the barrel✦ of a Smith and Wesson✦
My son's ultrasound the closest I ever✦ been to heaven✦
Lord, forgive me for my sins, I know it's last-minute
Put the chronic in the air, a lil' hash in it
Spread my wings, if only✦ I could fly
Why fight to live, homie, if we livin'✦ to die?
[Chorus: Busta Rhymes]
I hope you grow up to become✦ that everything✦ you can be
That's all I wanted✦ for you, young'n, like father,✦ like son
But in the end, I hope you'll only✦ turn out better✦ than me
I hope you know I love you, young'n, like father,✦ like son
My little man, your day is coming✦
Coming,✦ your day is coming✦
I tell ya, and when it comes,✦ just keep it running✦
Running,✦ just keep it running,✦ I tell you
[Verse 2: The Game]
They say every✦ time somebody die, a child is born
So I thank the nigga✦ who gave his life for the birth of my son
11:32, she screamin'✦ at the top of her lungs
I'm panicking, nurse yelling for the doctor✦ to come
All I can remember was Lamaze✦ class, breathe, baby✦
One (one) two (two) three (three) four (four)
I see the head, Doc bustin✦ through the door
He between the legs, he see the head, it's my baby✦ boy!
11:46 the head out, she screamin✦ makin✦ crazy✦ noise
Pain is love, my stomach foldin✦ like a La-Z-Boy✦
I'm feelin'✦ like Mariah Carey,✦ all these butterflies
Voices✦ singin'✦ to me sound like Teena✦ Marie
I'm callin✦ niggas on tour
Jayo tell Spinz I just cut the umbilical cord
11:57, a soldier is born
And he's flesh of my flesh, young Harlem✦ Caron✦
[Chorus: Busta Rhymes]
I hope you grow up to become✦ that everything✦ you can be
That's all I wanted✦ for you, young'n, like father,✦ like son
But in the end, I hope you'll only✦ turn out better✦ than me
I hope you know I love you, young'n, like father,✦ like son
My little man, your day is coming✦
Coming,✦ your day is coming✦
I tell ya, and when it comes,✦ just keep it running✦
Running,✦ just keep it running,✦ I tell you
[Verse 3: The Game]
I wanna✦ thank Dr. Aswork and Nurse Teresa✦
For bringin my baby✦ boy to life, you birthed a Caesar✦
And my baby✦ momma✦ Alyska,✦ for pushin✦ out a ten pound
Four ounce Mini-Me,✦ I still can't believe it
Nose ears eyes chin, just like your daddy✦
I'd die before✦ you grow up and be just like your daddy✦
Or your grandfather; call Uncle Zeb
Tell him I got a son and I ain't even✦ in Harlem✦
I'm poppin✦ Crist' wit'cha✦ godfathers
Baron✦ Davis✦ and D. Mac, Darrius Rogers
Drop the top on the '71
With my face in the clouds, Lord, spare my son
And watch over✦ Eric Wright, T'yanna,✦ and Lil' Pun
Lowridin, bangin,✦ "Ready✦ to Die," track #1
If I bust five times,✦ and they never✦ see the sun
My life is a black hole, like the barrel✦ of a gun
One
[Chorus: Busta Rhymes]
I hope you grow up to become✦ that everything✦ you can be
That's all I wanted✦ for you, young'n, like father,✦ like son
But in the end, I hope you'll only✦ turn out better✦ than me
I hope you know I love you, young'n, like father,✦ like son
My little man, your day is coming✦
Coming,✦ your day is coming✦
I tell ya, and when it comes,✦ just keep it running✦
Running,✦ just keep it running,✦ I tell you
I hope you grow up to become✦ that everything✦ you can be
That's all I wanted✦ for you, young'n, like father,✦ like son
But in the end, I hope you'll only✦ turn out better✦ than me
I hope you know I love you, young'n, like father,✦ like son
My little man, your day is coming✦
Coming,✦ your day is coming✦
I tell ya, and when it comes,✦ just keep it running✦
Running,✦ just keep it running,✦ I tell you
Technical Breakdown
9.6
Multisyllabic Rhymes9.0
Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)
Internal Rhymes9.2
Rhymes within a line (data-driven)
Wordplay / Double Entendres9.3
Clever language, metaphors, punchlines
Cadence / Rhythm9.4
Flow variation and timing (data-driven)
Vocabulary Complexity9.0
Range and depth of words used (data-driven)
Delivery / Breath Control9.2
Performance and control
Computed Score9.60
Production
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Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™
The Game's verse showcases exceptional technical prowess, highlighted by a strong cadence (9.4) and impressive internal rhymes (9.2). The multifaceted wordplay (9.3) reflects deep emotional resonance while maintaining a high-energy delivery (9.2), seamlessly blending personal narrative with universal themes of fatherhood and legacy.
S
9
Multisyllabic
9.2
Internal Rhymes
9.4
Cadence / Flow
9
Vocabulary
9.3
Wordplay
9.2
Delivery
ImageryNarrative storytellingMultisyllabic rhymes
Rhyme Architecture: The rhyme scheme employs a combination of end rhymes and internal rhymes, interweaving personal reflections with structured rhythmic flow.
High emotional impact
Complex rhyme schemes
Strong narrative cohesion