It Was Written
The Message
Nas
Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis
27
End
148
Internal
70
Multi
182
Slant
6
Chain
Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Refrain]
I never✦ sleep, 'cause sleep is the cousin✦ of death
I ain't the type of brother✦ made for you to start testin'✦
I never✦ sleep, 'cause sleep is the cousin✦ of death
I ain't the type of brother✦ made for you to start testin'✦
I never✦ sleep, 'cause sleep is the cousin✦ of death
I ain't the type of brother✦ made for you to start testin'✦
I never✦ sleep, 'cause sleep is the cousin✦ of death
I ain't the type of brother✦ made for you to start testin'✦
[Verse 2]
I peeped✦ you frontin'
I was in the Jeep, sunk in the seat, tinted,✦ with heat, beats bumpin'✦
Across the street, you was wildin',✦ talkin'✦ about how you ran the Island in '89
Layin' up, playin' the yard with crazy✦ shine
I cocked✦ the baby✦ 9, that nigga✦ gravy✦ mine, clanked him
What was he thinkin' on my corner✦ when it's pay-me time?
Dug 'em, you owe me, cousin,✦ somethin' told me "Plug him!"
So dumb, felt my leg burn, then it got numb
Spun around and shot one, heard shots and dropped, son
Caught a hot one, somebody take this biscuit 'fore the cops come
Then they came, askin'✦ me my name, what the fuck?
I got stitched up, it went through, left the hospital that same night, what
Got my gat back, time to backtrack
I had the drop, so how the fuck I get clapped?
Black was in the Jeep watchin', all he seen speed by was a brown Datsun✦
And yo, nobody✦ in my hood got one
That clown nigga's✦ through, blazin'✦ at his crew daily✦
The 'Bridge touched me up severely,✦ hear me?
So when I rhyme, it's sincerely✦ yours
Be lightin' L's, sippin'✦ Coors on all floors in project halls
Contemplatin' war, niggas✦ I was cool with before✦
We used✦ to score together Uptown,✦ coppin'✦ the raw
But, uh—a✦ thug changes,✦ and love changes✦
And best friends become✦ strangers (Word up)
[Refrain 2]
Y'a–Y'all know my steelo✦
Ther–Ther–Ther–Ther–There✦ ain't an army✦ that could strike back
Y'a–Y'all know my steelo✦
Ther–Ther–Ther–Ther–There✦ ain't an army✦ that could strike back
Y'a–Y'all know my steelo✦
Ther–Ther–Ther–There✦ ain't an army✦ that could strike back
Y'a–Y'all know my steelo✦
There ain't an army✦ that could strike back
[Outro: Nas & (AZ)]
Thug niggas✦
Yo, to them thug niggas✦ gettin'✦ it on in the world, you know?
To them niggas✦ that's locked✦ down
Doin' they thing, survivin', ya know'm sayin'?
To my thorough✦ niggas,✦ New York and worldwide
Yo, to the Queensbridge Militia
'9-6 shit, The Firm clique
Illmatic, nigga,✦ It Was Written though
It's been a long time comin'✦
Y'all fake niggas,✦ tryin' to copy✦
Better✦ come with the real though, fake-ass niggas,✦ yo
(They throw us slugs, we throwin' them back, what)
Bring the shit, man! Live, man!
(Fuck that, son, word up) '9-6 shit
Technical Breakdown
8.4
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 / Rhythm8.0
Flow variation and timing (data-driven)
Vocabulary Complexity7.0
Range and depth of words used (data-driven)
Delivery / Breath Control9.0
Performance and control
Computed Score8.40
Production
Be the first to rate the production
Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™
Nas demonstrates masterful narrative pacing and rhythm, using internal rhyme schemes to create a claustrophobic, high-stakes cinematic experience.
A
9.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
8
Cadence / Flow
7
Vocabulary
7.5
Wordplay
9
Delivery
Internal Rhyme densityCinematic narrative progressionMultisyllabic street slangEnjambment for rhythmic tension
Rhyme Architecture: A complex, dense scheme utilizing mono-rhymes and multi-syllabic clusters (e.g., 'sunk in', 'bumpin', 'frontin') that build tension before resolving in sharp, percussive imagery.
Verified Doubles & Entendres
"sleep is the cousin of death"
① Literal sleep as a state of unconsciousness similar to death.② A metaphor for the danger of complacency in a violent environment where being off-guard leads to mortality.
"that nigga gravy mine"
① Slang implying the opponent is easy prey or 'gravy'.② Financial metaphor implying that the individual's assets or status are now the property of the speaker due to the confrontation.
"I had the drop"
① I had the advantage of surprise or superior position in the fight.② A play on words regarding having possession of the firearm or the 'drop' on the opponent's movements.
Exceptional rhythmic placement of internal rhymes
High level of narrative immersion and tension
Authentic use of street vernacular to enhance the imagery
Strong structural arc moving from observation to confrontation to aftermath
Relies heavily on genre tropes of 90s street rap
Narrative pace slows slightly at the hospital transition
Occasional dependency on slang that may obscure meaning for non-native listeners