The Ecstatic

Workers Comp

Yasiin Bey (Mos Def)

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

7

End

51

Internal

18

Multi

70

Slant

4

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Verse 2]
Work is scarce, skilled working is rare
Fonzie fronting at the job site, primping up they hair
Word? Well, tell them only✦ staff can drink they coffee
Walking papers at the office,✦ sleep late tomorrow morning
Tell the tough guys we tougher✦ than tough times✦
And nerves✦ don't snap when the clock touch crunch time
That's right – we tougher✦ than tough times✦
From been narrowing, to the clock just unwind✦
For sure, we tougher✦ than tough times✦
My proof don't need to lie, my tighten-up don't unwind✦
Sunshine, lifting up the light in your eyes
You're gazing✦ at your perfect one
Broken✦ down from 'never✦ at all' to 'better✦ than you could ever✦ want'
Great day, I know that you had to come, oh me, oh my
[Chorus]
I'll give you all the diamonds and money✦
But you can't break my heart
'Cause that'll just get you fired✦
And you're doing such a beautiful job

Technical Breakdown

7.6
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 / Rhythm6.5

Flow variation and timing (data-driven)

Vocabulary Complexity8.0

Range and depth of words used (data-driven)

Delivery / Breath Control8.0

Performance and control

Computed Score7.64

Production

Be the first to rate the production

Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

Yasiin Bey utilizes socio-economic subtext and shifting cadence to transform the mundane setting of workplace instability into a resilient, empowering mantra.

B+
8.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
6.5
Cadence / Flow
8
Vocabulary
7.5
Wordplay
8
Delivery
Assonant chain linkingRhythmic subversion of colloquial phrasingInternal multi-syllabic linkageThematic pivot from economic critique to personal agency
Rhyme Architecture: Predominantly AABB/CCDD structure utilizing internal multi-syllabic clusters (scarce/rare/hair/there) that bridges the divide between the stanza lines.
Verified Doubles & Entendres

"Walking papers at the office, sleep late tomorrow morning"

① The literal act of being fired or receiving termination notice.② A sarcastic implication that once you are fired, you are no longer burdened by the office schedule and can sleep in.

"My proof don't need to lie, my tighten-up don't unwind"

① A reference to the 'tighten up' as a rhythmic/musical precision in his flow.② An allusion to the discipline of the working class versus the anxiety ('unwinding') of the 'tough guys' mentioned earlier.

Exceptional rhythmic integration of internal rhymes

Thematically tight focus on the intersection of labor and identity

Dynamic vocal projection that elevates the emotional stakes

Occasional filler phrases to accommodate the rhyme scheme

Conceptual abstractness in the latter half of the verse

User Scores