Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z...
Keep Ya Head Up
2Pac
Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis
16
End
213
Internal
78
Multi
223
Slant
4
Chain
Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Chorus: Dave Hollister]
(Keep ya head up)
Ooh, child, things are gonna✦ get easier✦
(Keep-keep✦ ya head up)
Ooh, child, things'll get brighter✦
(Oh-oh,✦ keep ya head up)
Ooh, child, things are gonna✦ get easier✦
(Keep-keep✦ ya head up)
Ooh, child, things'll get brighter✦
[Verse 2: 2Pac & Dave Hollister]
Ayo, I remember Marvin✦ Gaye used✦ to sing to me
He had me feelin'✦ like black was the thing to be
And suddenly the ghetto✦ didn't seem so tough
And though we had it rough, we always✦ had enough✦
I huffed✦ and puffed✦ about✦ my curfew✦ and broke the rules✦
Ran with the local✦ crew and had a smoke or two
I realize Mama✦ really✦ paid the price
She nearly✦ gave her life to raise me right (Oh, yeah-yeah)
And all I had to give her was my pipe dream
Of how I'd rock the mic and make it to the bright screen
I'm tryin' to make a dollar out of fifteen cents
It's hard to be legit and still pay your rent
And in the end, it seems I'm headin'✦ for the pen'
I try to find my friends, but they're blowin'✦ in the wind
Last night, my buddy✦ lost his whole family✦
It's gonna✦ take the man in me to conquer this insanity (Oh, no, no, no)
It seems the rain'll never✦ let up
I try to keep my head up and still keep from gettin'✦ wet up, huh
You know, it's funny,✦ when it rains it pours
They got money✦ for wars, but can't feed the poor
Said it ain't no hope for the youth
And the truth is it ain't no hope for the future✦
And then they wonder✦ why we crazy,✦ huh
I blame my mother✦ for turnin'✦ my brother into✦ a crack baby✦
We ain't meant to survive 'cause it's a set-up
And even✦ though you're fed up, huh, you got to keep ya head up
[Chorus: Dave Hollister]
(Keep ya head up)
Ooh, child, things are gonna✦ get easier✦
(Keep-keep✦ ya head up)
Ooh, child, things'll get brighter✦
(Oh-oh,✦ keep ya head up)
Ooh, child, things are gonna✦ get easier✦
(Keep-keep✦ ya head up)
Ooh, child, things'll get brighter✦
[Verse 3: 2Pac & Dave Hollister]
And, uh, to all the ladies✦ havin'✦ babies✦ on they own
I know it's kinda✦ rough and you're feelin'✦ all alone✦
Daddy's✦ long gone and he left you by your lonesome
Thank the Lord for my kids even✦ if nobody✦ else want 'em
'Cause I think we can make it, in fact, I'm sure
And if you fall, stand tall and come back for more (Oh-oh)✦
'Cause ain't nothin'✦ worse than when your son
Wants to know why his daddy✦ don't love him no mo'
You can't complain, you was dealt this hell of a hand
Without a man, feelin'✦ helpless (I know you were)
Because there's✦ too many✦ things for you to deal with
Dyin' inside,✦ but outside you're lookin'✦ fearless
While the tears is rollin'✦ down your cheeks
You're steady✦ hopin'✦ things don't all fall this week (Yeah)
'Cause if it did, you couldn't take it (Yeah)
And don't blame me, I was given✦ this world, I didn't make it (Oh, yeah)
And now my son's gettin'✦ older✦ and older✦
And cold from havin'✦ the world on his shoulders
While the rich kids is drivin'✦ Benz
I'm still tryin' to hold on to survivin' friends (Oh, yeah)
And it's crazy,✦ it seems it'll never✦ let up
But, huh, please, you got to keep your head up
Technical Breakdown
7.6
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 / Rhythm6.5
Flow variation and timing (data-driven)
Vocabulary Complexity6.0
Range and depth of words used (data-driven)
Delivery / Breath Control8.5
Performance and control
Computed Score7.56
Production
— DJ DarylBe the first to rate the production
Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™
2Pac uses a masterful blend of accessible, emotionally charged storytelling and intricate internal rhyme schemes that elevate standard rap tropes of the early 90s into a poignant, multi-generational social commentary.
B+
9.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
6.5
Cadence / Flow
6
Vocabulary
6.5
Wordplay
8.5
Delivery
Multisyllabic enjambmentInternal slant rhymingNarrative arc progressionConversational cadence
Rhyme Architecture: The verse utilizes a sophisticated AABB-style couplet structure that is heavily supplemented by high-density internal rhyme chains (e.g., tough/rough/enough/stuff-implied) and multis that connect disparate lines, creating a fluid, conversational delivery.
Verified Doubles & Entendres
"make a dollar out of fifteen cents"
① The literal, financial struggle of surviving on very limited resources.② The metaphorical pursuit of fame and success despite having an extremely low statistical probability of achieving it.
"blowin' in the wind"
① An idiomatic reference to friends disappearing or being scattered by the chaos of street life.② A possible allusion to Bob Dylan's 'Blowin' in the Wind,' suggesting that the answers to the social decay causing these losses remain elusive.
Emotional resonance
Exceptional rhythmic placement of multis
Authentic, grounded vernacular
Limited usage of complex figurative language
Relies heavily on genre-standard tropes