Me Against the World

Dear Mama

2Pac

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

17

End

168

Internal

78

Multi

176

Slant

6

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Chorus: Reggie Green & Sweet Franklin, 2Pac]
Lady,✦ don't you know we love ya? (Dear Mama)✦
Sweet lady,✦ place no one above✦ ya (You are appreciated)✦
Sweet lady,✦ don't you know we love ya?
[Verse 2]
Now, ain't nobody✦ tell us it was fair
No love for my daddy,✦ 'cause the coward wasn't there
He passed✦ away✦ and I didn't cry
'Cause my anger✦ wouldn't let me feel for a stranger
They say I'm wrong and I'm heartless, but all along✦
I was lookin'✦ for a father,✦ he was gone
I hung around with the thugs, and even✦ though they sold drugs
They showed✦ a young brother love
I moved✦ out and started✦ really✦ hangin'✦
I needed✦ money✦ of my own, so I started✦ slangin'
I ain't guilty,✦ 'cause even✦ though I sell rocks
It feels good puttin'✦ money✦ in your mailbox
I love payin' rent when the rent is due
I hope you got the diamond necklace that I sent to you
'Cause when I was low you was there for me
You never✦ left me alone,✦ because you cared✦ for me
And I could see you comin'✦ home after✦ work late
You're in the kitchen, tryin' to fix us a hot plate
You just workin'✦ with the scraps you was given✦
And Mama✦ made miracles every✦ Thanksgivin'
But now the road got rough, you're alone✦
You're tryin' to raise two bad kids on your own
And there's✦ no way I can pay you back
But my plan is to show you that I understand✦
You are appreciated✦
[Chorus: Reggie Green & Sweet Franklin, 2Pac]
Lady,✦ don't you know we love ya? (Dear Mama)✦
Sweet lady,✦ place no one above✦ ya (You are appreciated)✦
Sweet lady,✦ don't you know we love ya?
[Verse 3]
Pour out some liquor and I reminisce
'Cause through the drama,✦ I can always✦ depend on my mama✦
And when it seems that I'm hopeless
You say the words that can get me back in focus
When I was sick as a little kid
To keep me happy✦ there's✦ no limit to the things you did
And all my childhood memories
Are full of all the sweet things you did for me
And even✦ though I act crazy✦
I gotta✦ thank the Lord that you made me
There are no words that can express how I feel
You never✦ kept a secret,✦ always✦ stayed real
And I appreciate how you raised✦ me
And all the extra✦ love that you gave me
I wish I could take the pain away✦
If you can make it through the night, there's✦ a brighter day
Everything will be alright if you hold on
It's a struggle every✦ day, gotta✦ roll on
And there's✦ no way I can pay you back
But my plan is to show you that I understand✦
You are appreciated✦
[Chorus: Reggie Green & Sweet Franklin, 2Pac]
Lady,✦ don't you know we love ya? (Dear Mama)✦
Sweet lady,✦ place no one above✦ ya (You are appreciated)✦
Sweet lady,✦ don't you know we love ya? (Dear Mama)✦
Sweet lady,✦ lady✦ (Dear Mama)✦
Lady,✦ lady✦

Technical Breakdown

8.0
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 / Rhythm7.5

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 Score8.02

Production

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Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

The verse functions as a masterclass in narrative vulnerability, leveraging grounded, literal storytelling over abstract wordplay to build profound emotional resonance that defined the 'confessional' sub-genre of 1995.

A
9.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
7.5
Cadence / Flow
6
Vocabulary
6.5
Wordplay
9
Delivery
Conversational cadenceLinear narrative progressionDynamic shift between social commentary and personal intimacyEnjambment for emotional weight
Rhyme Architecture: Predominantly AABB/CCDD couplets featuring high-density internal rhyme strings that emphasize the emotional cadence rather than just terminal perfection.
Verified Doubles & Entendres

"I didn't cry / 'Cause my anger wouldn't let me feel for a stranger"

① The father is a literal stranger because he was absent throughout Tupac's life.② The father is an emotional stranger, rendering him unworthy of the grief usually reserved for family.

"I sell rocks / It feels good puttin' money in your mailbox"

① Selling crack cocaine to survive the economic environment.② The commodification of survival tools turned into an instrument of filial duty and care.

Exceptional emotional authenticity

Fluid transition from socio-economic critique to personal gratitude

Mastery of pacing that allows the narrative to breathe

High level of relatability and cultural insight for the era

Low volume of complex, multi-layered wordplay

Over-reliance on straightforward linear storytelling

Lack of metaphorical density compared to contemporary lyricists

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