Until the End of Time
Still Ballin
2Pac
Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis
16
End
112
Internal
56
Multi
117
Slant
4
Chain
Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Verse 2: Trick Daddy]
Now as I kneel and pray I hope the Lord understand
When these guns involved, I become✦ a dangerous man
Ain't crazy✦ or deranged, I'm sayin' (I'm sayin')
But when these kids go to spray 'em, boy, won't be playin'
With clientele, any✦ rhyme sells
Question is: will you fuck-niggas ride for real, huh?
Bitch nigga,✦ this is G-rated✦
Plus your homeboy won't make it, street game Fugazi
I'm elevated to the top of this shit
Done fucked✦ around✦ and put me and 2Pac on the bitch
And you can tell 'em "Thug Life" was the reason for this
And I ride for any✦ nigga✦ who believe in this shit; still ballin'✦
[Chorus: 2Pac]
'Til the day I die
You can bring your crew, but we remain✦ true, motherfucker✦
Still ballin',✦ niggas✦ wonder✦ why
You can bring your crew, but we remain✦ true, motherfucker✦
Still ballin'✦
[Verse 3: 2Pac]
Now everybody wanna✦ see us dead
Two murdered on the front page
Shot to death, bullets to the head
Niggas✦ holla✦ out my name and it's similar to rain
Motherfuckers know I'm comin',✦ so they runnin'✦ to their graves
Watch! Swoop down with my nigga✦ from the Pound
‘Cause Trick don't give a fuck
Where you coward niggas✦ now?
Blast, keep pumpin',✦ ain't worried about✦ nothin'✦
Busters thought we was frontin'
So reload✦ and keep dumpin';✦ still ballin'✦
[Chorus: 2Pac & (Trick Daddy)]
(I'm still ballin')✦ 'til the day I die ('til I die)
You can bring your crew, but we remain✦ true, motherfucker✦
Still ballin'✦ (I be ballin')✦
Niggas✦ wonder✦ why (They wonder✦ why)
You can bring your crew, but we remain✦ true, motherfucker✦
Still ballin'✦ 'til the day I die (Still ballin')✦
You can bring your crew, but we remain✦ true, motherfucker✦
Still ballin',✦ niggas✦ wonder✦ why (Tell 'em!)
You can bring your crew, but we remain✦ true, motherfucker✦
Still ballin',✦ until✦ the day I die
(Thug life), still ballin'✦
Motherfucker,✦ still ballin'✦
Straight motherfuckin' ballin'✦
Technical Breakdown
7.3
Multisyllabic Rhymes9.5
Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)
Internal Rhymes9.5
Rhymes within a line (data-driven)
Wordplay / Double Entendres5.0
Clever language, metaphors, punchlines
Cadence / Rhythm6.5
Flow variation and timing (data-driven)
Vocabulary Complexity7.0
Range and depth of words used (data-driven)
Delivery / Breath Control7.5
Performance and control
Computed Score7.26
Production
— Nitty, Johnny "JBe the first to rate the production
Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™
2Pac's delivery provides a visceral, high-stakes intensity that compensates for a straightforward lyrical approach, prioritizing cadence and rhythmic presence over dense wordplay.
B+
9.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
6.5
Cadence / Flow
7
Vocabulary
5
Wordplay
7.5
Delivery
Aggressive prosodyInternal rhyme clustersStaccato rhythmic shiftsThematic consistency
Rhyme Architecture: Uses a mixture of AAAA and AABB structures, heavily reliant on internal sonic linkages that maintain momentum despite the stark subject matter.
Verified Doubles & Entendres
"G-rated"
① A play on the film rating system meaning family-friendly or clean.② A gangsta-rated or 'G' (Gangsta) reality that is strictly about the street life.
"Fugazi"
① Slang for something fake, unreliable, or counterfeit.② A direct commentary on the lack of authenticity in the 'street game' of his rivals.
Commanding vocal presence
Rhythmic pocket maintenance
Strong emotional resonance
High density of internal rhyming
Lack of complex metaphorical layers
Predicatable rhyme endings
Reliance on genre tropes