2Pacalypse Now

Trapped

2Pac

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

26

End

191

Internal

63

Multi

182

Slant

10

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Verse 2: 2Pac]
They got me trapped,✦ can barely✦ walk the city✦ streets
Without a cop harasskin' me, searching me, then askin'✦ my identity✦
Hands up, throw me up against the wall, didn't do a thing at all
Telling you one day these suckers gotta✦ fall
Cuffed✦ up, throw me on the concrete
Coppers try to kill me, but they didn't know this was the wrong street
Bang-bang, count another casualty
But it's a cop who's shot for his brutality✦
Who do you blame? It's a shame because the man's slain
He got caught in the chains of his own game
How can I feel guilty✦ after✦ all the things they did to me?
Sweated me, hunted✦ me, trapped✦ in my own community✦
One day I'm gonna✦ bust, blow up on this society
Why did you lie to me? I couldn't find a trace of equality✦
Worked✦ me like a slave while they laid back
Homie don't play that, it's time I let 'em suffer✦ the payback
I'm tryin' to avoid✦ physical contact
I can't hold back, it's time to attack,✦ Jack
[Chorus: 2Pac & Shock G]
They got me trapped✦
Uh-uh,✦ they can't keep the Black man down
You know they got me trapped✦
Nah, they can't keep the Black man down
Trapped✦
Uh-uh,✦ they can't keep the Black man down
They got me trapped✦
Nah, they can't keep the Black man down
[Verse 3: 2Pac]
Now I'm trapped✦ and walkin'✦ for my getaway✦
All I need is a G and somewhere safe to stay
Can't use the phone 'cause I'm sure someone's tapping in
Did it before,✦ ain't scared✦ to use my gat again✦
I look back in hindsight, the fight was irrelevant
But now he's the Devil's friend, too late to be tellin'✦ him
He shot first and I'll be damned✦ if I run away✦
Homie is done away,✦ I should've put my gun away✦
I wasn't thinkin', all I heard was the ridicule
Girlies was laughin', Tup saying, "Damn, homie's✦ dissin'✦ you"
Fired✦ my weapon,✦ started steppin' in the hurricane
I got shot, so I dropped feelin'✦ a burst of pain
Got to my feet, couldn't see nothin'✦ but bloody✦ blood
Now I'm a fugitive to be hunted✦ like a murderer
Ran through an alley,✦ still lookin'✦ for my getaway✦
Copper✦ say, "Freeze, or you'll be dead today"✦
Trapped✦ in a corner,✦ dark and I couldn't see the light
Thoughts in my mind was the nine and a better✦ life
What do I do? Live my life in a prison✦ cell?
I'd rather✦ die than be trapped✦ in a living✦ Hell
[Chorus: 2Pac & Shock G]
They got me trapped✦
Uh-uh,✦ they can't keep the Black man down
They got me trapped✦
Nah, they can't keep the Black man down
Trapped✦
Uh-uh,✦ they can't keep the Black man down
You know they got me trapped✦
Nah, they can't keep the Black man down
[Outro]
Trapped✦
Yo, y'all seen 2Pac, man? Y'all seen 2Pac, man?
There he go, ayy, Pac, ayy, rollers out here, Pac, we gon' bail
Let's go, man
Ayy, Pac, let's go, man, let's go
Let's go, man

Technical Breakdown

8.4
Multisyllabic Rhymes8.5

Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)

Internal Rhymes9.5

Rhymes within a line (data-driven)

Wordplay / Double Entendres6.5

Clever language, metaphors, punchlines

Cadence / Rhythm9.0

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 Score8.43

Production

— Pee-Wee

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Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

Pac utilizes raw, visceral narrative delivery to elevate a straightforward sociopolitical critique into a high-stakes dramatic performance, effectively bridging the gap between street-level storytelling and systemic observation.

A
8.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
9
Cadence / Flow
6
Vocabulary
6.5
Wordplay
9
Delivery
Narrative progressionInternal rhyme densityStaccato rhythmic emphasisCall-and-response structural tension
Rhyme Architecture: Predominantly AABB/AABB linear narrative rhyming with high-frequency multisyllabic internal rhyming that anchors the flow, allowing for rhythmic pivots during the violent descriptions.
Verified Doubles & Entendres

"He got caught in the chains of his own game"

① The literal entrapment of the police officer through the consequences of his own violent actions.② A metaphorical reference to the systemic 'chains' of the criminal justice system that the officer perpetuates and is eventually consumed by.

"Worked me like a slave while they laid back"

① A historical reference to the economic exploitation of Black labor.② A critique of the passive, superior stance taken by the police while enforcing an oppressive status quo.

Exceptional emotional resonance and authoritative vocal delivery

Effective use of narrative arc to build tension

Strong integration of multi-syllabic internal rhymes that serve the flow rather than impeding it

Limited metaphorical complexity beyond immediate sociopolitical themes

Vocabulary choices are functional and accessible rather than overtly poetic or inventive

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