2Pacalypse Now

If My Homie Calls

2Pac

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

36

End

149

Internal

75

Multi

183

Slant

11

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Verse 2]
It's a shame, you chose the dope game
Now you slang 'caine on the streets with no name
It was plain that your aim was more 'caine
You got fame, now you reign with no shame
I chose rap tracks to make stacks
In fact, I travel the map with raps that spray cats
But now I don't wanna✦ down my homie
No matter✦ how low you go, you're not lonely✦
And I hear that you made a few enemies
But when you need a friend, you can depend✦ on me
Call if you need my assistance,✦ there'll be no resistance✦
I'll be there in an instant
Who am I to judge another✦ brother,✦ only✦ on his cover?✦
I'd be no different than the others
H-to-the-O-to-the-M-to-the-I-to-the-E
I'm down to the E-N-D
'Cause it's a fall in no time at all
I'm down for y'all, when my homies✦ call
Word, if my homies✦ call
[Chorus]
But if you ever✦ need a place to stay
Well, alright,✦ y'all (Brothers✦ and sisters)✦
But if you ever✦ need a place to stay
Well, alright,✦ y'all (Brothers✦ and sisters),✦ if my homies✦ call
But if you ever✦ need a place to stay
Well, alright,✦ y'all (Brothers✦ and sisters)✦
But if you ever✦ need a place to stay
Well, alright,✦ y'all (Brothers✦ and sisters)✦
[Verse 3]
Well, it's '91 and I'm living✦ kinda✦ swell now
But I hear that you're going through some hell, pal
But life making✦ records ain't easy✦
It ain't what I expected, it's hectic, it's sleazy✦
But I guess that the streets is harder✦
Trying to survive✦ in the life of a young godfather
My homie is making✦ it elsewhere
Striving, working nine-to-five✦ with no health care
We both had dreams of being great
But his deferred and blurred and changed in shape
It's fate, it wasn't my choice to make
To be great, I'm giving✦ it all it takes✦
Trying to shake the crates✦ and fakes✦ and snakes✦
I gotta✦ take my place or fall from grace
The bullet's late, the pace is quick and great
Smiling face to hide the trace of hate
But my homie would never✦ do me wrong
That's why I wrote this song, if you ever✦ need me, it's on
No matter✦ who the foe, they must fall
Us against 'em all, I'm down to brawl if my homies✦ call
[Chorus]
But if you ever✦ need a place to stay
Well, alright,✦ y'all (Brothers✦ and sisters)✦
But if you ever✦ need a place to stay
Well, alright,✦ y'all (Brothers✦ and sisters),✦ if my homies✦ call
But if you ever✦ need a place to stay
Well, alright,✦ y'all (Brothers✦ and sisters)✦
But if you ever✦ need a place to stay
Well, alright,✦ y'all (Brothers✦ and sisters),✦ if my homies✦ call
But if you ever✦ need a place to stay
Well, alright,✦ y'all (Brothers✦ and sisters)✦
But if you ever✦ need a place to stay
Well, alright,✦ y'all (Brothers✦ and sisters),✦ if my homies✦ call

Technical Breakdown

8.4
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 / Rhythm9.0

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 Score8.41

Production

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Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

The verse functions as a masterclass in narrative grounding, utilizing a consistent AAAA monorhyme scheme to emphasize the dichotomy between the artist's path and his friend's descent, reinforced by a conversational, empathetic vocal presence.

A
9.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
9
Cadence / Flow
6
Vocabulary
6.5
Wordplay
8.5
Delivery
monorhyme chainspelling mnemonicsanaphoric repetitionconversational cadence
Rhyme Architecture: Predominantly monorhymic with sustained 'aine' and 'ame' sounds, transitioning into a multi-syllabic breakdown that concludes with a call-and-response rhythmic motif.
Verified Doubles & Entendres

"I'd be no different than the others"

① The speaker avoids hypocrisy by refusing to judge someone based on social status or criminal activity.② A direct reference to the 'book cover' idiom, implying one should not judge a person's character solely by their superficial 'cover' or current circumstances.

"H-to-the-O-to-the-M-to-the-I-to-the-E"

① An acrostic spelling of the word 'homie' used to solidify the thematic commitment to loyalty.② A rhythmic percussive device used to break the monorhyme monotony and build tension leading to the refrain.

High emotional resonance and authenticity

Exceptional rhythmic consistency that locks into the beat

Innovative use of spelling out the word 'homie' as a rhythmic device

Effective juxtaposition of diverging life paths

Vocabulary remains standard for 1993, lacking complex lexical variety

The rhyme scheme occasionally forces simple syntax

Lack of dense multi-layered wordplay compared to later era standards

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