The Black Album

99 Problems

Jay-Z

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

End

274

Internal

Multi

265

Slant

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight

If you're having^✦ girl problems,^✦ I feel bad for you, son

I got 99 problems,^✦ but a bitch ain't one

I've got the Rap Patrol^✦ on the gat patrol^✦

Foes that wanna^✦ make sure my casket's closed^✦

Rap critics^✦ that say he's Money,^✦ Cash, Hoes

I'm from the hood, stupid! What type of facts are those?

If you grew up with holes^✦ in your zapatos

You'd celebrate the minute^✦ you was having^✦ dough

I'm like, "Fuck critics,^✦ you can kiss my whole asshole

If you don't like my lyrics, you can press fast forward"

Got beef with radio^✦ if I don't play they show

They don't play my hits, well, I don't give a shit, so

Rap mags try and use my black ass

So advertisers can give 'em more cash for ads

Fuckers, I don't know what you take me as

Or understand the intelligence that Jay Z has

I'm from rags to riches,^✦ niggas, I ain't dumb

I got 99 problems,^✦ but a bitch ain't one – hit me

99 problems,^✦ but a bitch ain't one

If you're having^✦ girl problems,^✦ I feel bad for you, son

I got 99 problems,^✦ but a bitch ain't one – hit me

The year is '94, in my trunk is raw

In my rear-view mirror^✦ is the motherfucking law

Got two choices, y'all: pull over^✦ the car or

Bounce on the devil,^✦ put the pedal^✦ to the floor

And I ain't trying to see no highway chase with Jake

Plus I got a few dollars, I can fight the case

So I pull over^✦ to the side of the road

I heard, "Son, do you know why I'm stopping you for?"

'Cause I'm young and I'm black and my hat's real low?

Do I look like a mind reader,^✦ sir? I don't know

Am I under^✦ arrest or should I guess some more?

"Well, you was doing 55 in a 54

License and registration and step out of the car

Are you carrying a weapon^✦ on you? I know a lot of you are"

I ain't stepping out of shit, all my paper's legit^✦

"Well, do you mind if I look around the car a little bit?"

Well, my glove compartment is locked,^✦ so is the trunk in the back

And I know my rights, so you gon' need a warrant for that

"Aren't you sharp as a tack?

You some type of lawyer^✦ or something?^✦

Somebody important or something?"^✦

Well, I ain't passed^✦ the bar, but I know a little bit

Enough^✦ that you won't illegally search my shit

"Well, we'll see how smart you are when the K9 come!"

I got 99 problems,^✦ but a bitch ain't one – hit me

99 problems,^✦ but a bitch ain't one

If you're having^✦ girl problems,^✦ I feel bad for you, son

I got 99 problems,^✦ but a bitch ain't one – hit me

99 problems,^✦ but a bitch ain't one

If you're having^✦ girl problems,^✦ I feel bad for you, son

I got 99 problems,^✦ but a bitch ain't one

Now once upon^✦ a time not too long ago^✦

A nigga^✦ like myself had to strong-arm a ho

This is not a ho in the sense of having^✦ a pussy^✦

But a pussy^✦ having^✦ no goddamn sense, try and push me

I try to ignore^✦ him, talk to the Lord

Pray for him, but some fools just love to perform

You know the type, loud as a motorbike

But wouldn't bust a grape in a fruit fight

And only^✦ thing that's gon' happen^✦ is I'ma^✦ get to clapping^✦

And he and his boys gonna^✦ be yapping^✦ to the Captain

And there I go, trapped in the Kit-Kat^✦ again^✦

Back through the system^✦ with the riff-raff again^✦

Fiends on the floor, scratching again^✦

Paparazzis with they cameras, snapping^✦ em

D.A. try to give a nigga^✦ shaft again^✦

Half a mil' for bail 'cause I'm African

All because this fool was harassing them

Trying to play the boy like he's saccharine

But ain't nothing sweet 'bout how I hold my gun

I got 99 problems,^✦ being a bitch ain't one – hit me

99 problems,^✦ but a bitch ain't one

If you're having^✦ girl problems,^✦ I feel bad for you, son

I got 99 problems,^✦ but a bitch ain't one – hit me

99 problems,^✦ but a bitch ain't one

If you're having^✦ girl problems,^✦ I feel bad for you, son

I got 99 problems,^✦ but a bitch ain't one – hit me

If you're having^✦ girl problems,^✦ I feel bad for you, son

I got 99 problems,^✦ but a bitch ain't one

You crazy^✦ for this one, Rick

It's your boy

Technical Breakdown

8.9

Multisyllabic Rhymes8.5

Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)

Internal Rhymes9.5

Rhymes within a line (data-driven)

Wordplay / Double Entendres7.5

Clever language, metaphors, punchlines

Cadence / Rhythm10.0

Flow variation and timing (data-driven)

Vocabulary Complexity6.0

Range and depth of words used (data-driven)

Delivery / Breath Control9.0

Performance and control

Computed Score8.88

Production

— Rick Rubin

Be the first to rate the production

Critic Analysis

RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

Jay-Z masterfully utilizes a rhythmic, conversational pivot to bridge high-stakes street narrative with defensive posturing against industry critics, maintaining a singular pocket throughout.

A+

8.5

Multisyllabic

9.5

Internal Rhymes

Cadence / Flow

Vocabulary

7.5

Wordplay

Delivery

Conversational cadenceInternal rhyme couplingRhythmic subversionMetrical repetitionCall-and-response dynamics

Rhyme Architecture: The scheme relies on tight, interlocking couplets with frequent AABB and AAAA structures, punctuated by consistent multisyllabic end-rhymes (patrol/closed/hoes/those/zapatos/dough/forward/show/so/ass/ads/as).

Verified Doubles & Entendres

"99 problems, but a bitch ain't one"

① The literal definition of 'bitch' as a woman or romantic partner.② A specific slang reference to a female police dog used in drug trafficking stops.

"Rap Patrol on the gat patrol"

① Critics who monitor his lyrics.② A play on law enforcement terminology ('patrol') juxtaposed with his street life ('gat').

"If you grew up with holes in your zapatos"

① Literal poverty-stricken childhood.② Cultural signifier of the struggle, utilizing Spanish for rhythm and geographic authenticity.

Exceptional rhythmic placement of rhymes on the beat

Strong structural arc transitioning from personal boasts to social commentary

Commanding vocal presence that feels both aggressive and dismissive

High level of internal rhyme density that keeps the momentum forward-leaning

Vocabulary remains functional rather than ornate, relying on colloquialisms

Some punchlines rely on confrontational intensity rather than complex figurative language

User Scores

Notes

Rick Rubin's rock-rap fusion and Jay's narrative about a traffic stop and race in America. One of rap's finest story songs