Better Dayz
My Only Fear of Death
2Pac
Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis
64
End
259
Internal
110
Multi
248
Slant
25
Chain
Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Chorus: 2Pac]
Only✦ God can judge me
Only✦ God can judge me, only✦ God
Only✦ God can judge me
Only✦ God can judge me
Only✦ God can judge me, only✦ God
Only✦ God can judge me now
Only✦ God can judge me, only✦ God
Only✦ God can judge me
Only✦ God can judge me, only✦ God
Only✦ God can judge me
[Verse 2: 2Pac]
Flatline
I hear the doctor standin' over✦ me, screamin' I can make it
Got a body✦ full of bullet✦ holes,✦ layin' here naked✦
Still I can't breathe, something's evil in my IV
'Cause everytime✦ I breathe I think they killin'✦ me
I'm havin'✦ nightmares, homicidal✦ fantasies
I wake up stranglin',✦ danglin'✦ my bed sheets
I call the nurse 'cause it hurts to reminisce
How did it come to this? I wish they didn't miss
Somebody✦ help me, tell me where to go from here
'Cause even✦ thugs cry, but do the Lord care?
Try to remember✦ but it hurts
I'm walkin'✦ through the cemetery, talkin'✦ to the dirt
I'd rather✦ die like a man than live like a coward
There's✦ a ghetto✦ up in Heaven✦ and it's ours
"Black Power"✦ is what we scream
As we dream in a paranoid state
And our fate is a lifetime✦ of hate
Dear Mama,✦ can you save me? And fuck peace
'Cause the streets got our babies,✦ we gotta✦ eat
No more hesitation,✦ each and every✦ black male's✦ trapped✦
And they wonder✦ why we suicidal✦ running 'round strapped✦
Mr. Police,✦ please try to see
That there's✦ a million✦ motherfuckers✦ stressin' just like me
[Chorus: 2Pac]
Only✦ God can judge me
Only✦ God can judge me, only✦ God
Only✦ God can judge me
Only✦ God can judge me now
Only✦ God can judge me, only✦ God
Only✦ God can judge me now
Only✦ God can judge me, only✦ God
Only✦ God can judge me
Only✦ God can judge me, only✦ God
Only✦ God can judge me
[Interlude: 2Pac]
That which does not kill me can only✦ make me stronger
That's for real
And I don't see why everybody✦ feel as though
That they gotta✦ tell me how to live my life
You know?
Let me live, baby,✦ let me live
[Verse 3: Rappin' 4-Tay]
Pac, I feel ya, keep servin'✦ it on the realer✦
For instance, say a playa-hatin' mark is out to kill ya
Would you be wrong for buckin'✦ a nigga✦ to the pavement?
He gon' get me first, if I don't get him, fool, start prayin'
Ain't no such thing as self-defense in the court of law
So judge us when we get to where we're goin, wearin'✦ a cross
That's real, got him, lurked✦ him, crept the fuck up on him
Sold a half a million✦ tapes,✦ now everybody✦ want him
After✦ talkin'✦ behind my back, like a bitch would
Tellin'✦ them niggas, "You can fade him"
Punk, I wish you would
It be them same motherfuckers✦ in your face
That'll rush up in your place to get your safe
Knowin'✦ you on that paper✦ chase
Grass, glass, big screen and leather couch
My new shit is so fetti, already sold a ki or ounce
Bitch, remember✦ 2Pac and 4-Tay
Them same two brothers dodgin'✦ bullets, representin' the Bay
Pac, when you was locked✦ down, that's when "I'll Be Around"✦
Start climbin' up the charts, so sick, but they tried to clown
That's why they ride the bandwagon
Still be draggin', sellin'✦ lies
Don't think I don't see you haters, I know y'all in disguise
[Verse 4: 2Pac]
Guess you figure✦ you know me, 'cause I'm a thug
That love to hit the late night clubs, drink them Buds
Been livin'✦ lavish✦ like a player all day
Now I'm 'bout to floss some boss player shit with 4-Tay
[Chorus: 2Pac]
Only✦ God can judge me
Only✦ God can judge me, only✦ God
Only✦ God can judge me
Only✦ God can judge me
Only✦ God can judge me, only✦ God
Only✦ God can judge me now
Only✦ God can judge me, only✦ God
Only✦ God can judge me
Only✦ God can judge me, only✦ God
Only✦ God can judge me
[Outro: 2Pac & Rappin 4-Tay]
Only✦ God man
That right?
That's real
Hahahahahaha
Fuck everybody✦ else, you know what I'm sayin'?
Man, look here, man
My only✦ fear of death is comin'✦ back to this bitch reincarnated, man
That's for the homie Mental✦
Hehehehe
We up out
Technical Breakdown
8.9
Multisyllabic Rhymes8.5
Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)
Internal Rhymes9.5
Rhymes within a line (data-driven)
Wordplay / Double Entendres7.5
Clever language, metaphors, punchlines
Cadence / Rhythm10.0
Flow variation and timing (data-driven)
Vocabulary Complexity5.0
Range and depth of words used (data-driven)
Delivery / Breath Control9.5
Performance and control
Computed Score8.89
Production
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Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™
The verse functions as a visceral, hyper-realistic narrative where 2Pac prioritizes raw emotional projection and rhythmic urgency over complex lyrical gymnastics, effectively placing the listener inside the trauma of the hospital setting.
A+
8.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
10
Cadence / Flow
5
Vocabulary
7.5
Wordplay
9.5
Delivery
Assonance-heavy internal rhymingCinematic narrative pacingVisceral imageryStaccato rhythm variation
Rhyme Architecture: Predominantly AABB/CC rhyming structures built on long, open vowel sounds (make it/naked, IV/me, fantasies/sheets) that emphasize the gasping, labored breathing of the speaker.
Verified Doubles & Entendres
"something's evil in my IV"
① The physical medical infusion (IV) is causing discomfort or poisoning the speaker.② A metaphor for betrayal or paranoia permeating the very lifeline/survival mechanism the speaker is relying on.
"I wish they didn't miss"
① A lament that the bullets did not kill him, suggesting a desire for release from pain.② A cynical reflection on the permanence of the damage done and the reality of his mortality.
Exceptional emotional authenticity and intensity
Strong cinematic sequencing of the narrative arc
Masterful use of rhythmic tension to mirror physical trauma
High level of vulnerability that resonates across eras
Limited usage of dense, multisyllabic wordplay
Linear narrative style lacks abstract complexity