Tha Carter
Only Way
Lil Wayne
Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis
24
End
232
Internal
82
Multi
252
Slant
6
Chain
Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Chorus: Birdman & Lil Wayne]
The only✦ way we get it, only✦ way we know to get it
Off the block, off the clip, off the 'caine, nigga✦ (The base)
The only✦ way we live it, only✦ way we know to live it
On the grind, tote a 9, do your thang, nigga✦ (I'ma✦ do my thing, pops)
The only✦ way we get it, only✦ way we know to get it (I ain't holdin'✦ my nuts this time)
Off the block, off the clip, off the 'caine, nigga✦ (I'm droppin' thirty✦ pounds of nuts on one of these face of these niggas,✦ swear)
The way we live it is the only✦ way we know to live it (Step up, it's fuck you)
On the grind, tote a 9, do your thang, nigga✦
[Verse 2: Lil Wayne]
Weezy✦ F. Baby,✦ hand cocked,✦ demand✦ my cheese
Fuck you, pay me, and I can't stop, please
What you crazy?✦ Man, I'ma✦ get it
Like the man on the chorus, got my hands on a fortune
Blam at your porches, bang at your window✦
Kidnap your neighbor, torture✦ your kinfolks
And tell the cops I murder✦ the info✦
And leave him on the precinct steps in a pillow✦
Niggas✦ wanna✦ keep they breath, then tell 'em get low
I got ten left in the TEC, so what it hit for?
Nigga,✦ you ain't scarin'✦ nothin'✦
Weezy✦ been a tiger✦ in the jungle since a cub with my paws in the mud
Yeah, me and my paw in the mud
Interior Maybach like what? Bitch nigga✦
It's the Birdman✦ and Birdman✦ Jr.
Ain't even✦ got to, his son'll shoot you, bah
[Chorus: Birdman & Lil Wayne]
The only✦ way we get it, only✦ way we know to get it
Off the block, off the clip, off the 'caine, nigga✦ (The base)
The only✦ way we live it, only✦ way we know to live it (Yeah)
On the grind, tote a 9, do your thang, nigga✦ (Oh, I'ma✦ do my thing, pops)
The only✦ way we get it, only✦ way we know to get it (You chill, man, I ain't gon' hold my nuts, though, man)
Off the block, off the clip, off the 'caine, nigga✦ (I'ma✦ drop my nuts on these bitch-ass niggas)✦
The way we live it is the only✦ way we know to live it (My back off the wall, fucker)✦
On the grind, tote a 9, do your thang, nigga✦ (What you gon' do now, boy?)
[Verse 3: Lil Wayne]
Homeboy, you gotta✦ know that avenue✦
To get off a bag or two or you just passin'✦ through
True, true, and we just passed✦ the truth
Passin'✦ through the streets of the murder✦ capital
Where you think your own brothers after✦ you
So you ain't got no other✦ brother after✦ you
Don't let the boys in blue capture✦ you
'Cause they got vigilante attitudes, it's all fucked✦ up
Bossman Weezy✦ get y'all touched up
Dead match your face like you run into✦ a wall or somethin'
It's Cash Money,✦ all or nothing
It's Lil Wayne the reverend, call me Sunday✦
The congregation know I come with nothin'✦
But leave with everything, I ain't come for nothin'✦
And the choir know I come with money✦
And y'all know I'm Stunna's youngin, like that, bitch
[Chorus: Birdman & Lil Wayne]
The only✦ way we get it, only✦ way we know to get it
Off the block, off the clip, off the 'caine, nigga✦ (The base, amen)✦
The only✦ way we live it, only✦ way we know to live it
On the grind, tote a 9, do your thang, nigga✦ (Uh)
The only✦ way we get it, only✦ way we know to get it (Yeah)
Off the block, off the clip, off the 'caine, nigga✦ (The base)
The way we live it is the only✦ way we know to live it
On the grind, tote a 9, do your thang, nigga✦
Technical Breakdown
7.7
Multisyllabic Rhymes9.5
Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)
Internal Rhymes9.5
Rhymes within a line (data-driven)
Wordplay / Double Entendres6.5
Clever language, metaphors, punchlines
Cadence / Rhythm8.0
Flow variation and timing (data-driven)
Vocabulary Complexity5.0
Range and depth of words used (data-driven)
Delivery / Breath Control7.5
Performance and control
Computed Score7.72
Production
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Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™
The verse relies on Wayne's signature internal rhyme density and aggressive, nonchalant flow, prioritizing rhythmic swagger over complex metaphorical layering.
B+
9.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
8
Cadence / Flow
5
Vocabulary
6.5
Wordplay
7.5
Delivery
Multisyllabic rhyme stringsInternal rhyme chainsPhonetic wordplayAggressive tonal shift
Rhyme Architecture: Wayne employs a relentless AABB/AAAA rhyme scheme built on tight, multi-syllabic vowel clusters (e.g., 'cheese/please/these', 'porches/torches/kinfolks'), punctuated by aggressive, staccato enjambment.
Verified Doubles & Entendres
"murder the info"
① Destroying the credibility or existence of witnesses/evidence (informants)② Killing the person who provided the intelligence
"me and my paw in the mud"
① A reference to being in the 'trenches' (street life) with his actual father figure (Birdman)② A play on 'tiger in the jungle' (paws) established in the previous line
High internal rhyme density creates an infectious rhythmic groove
Commanding, erratic vocal presence
Effective use of assonance to link disparate imagery
Lacks deep lyrical complexity or thematic evolution
Reliance on standard trap-era violent imagery
Minimal metaphorical depth beyond surface-level bravado