The New Danger

Zimzallabim

Yasiin Bey (Mos Def)

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

28

End

166

Internal

46

Multi

185

Slant

8

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Chorus]
I'm live wit' it, low, middle, to high with it
And that's how I'mma✦ live and die with it, I shine with it
Rhyme with it, revered✦ and recognized with it
The ghetto✦ know what time is it, when I spit it
Me 9-semi, an iron✦ lion strike with it
See Dr. Know string a knot and make 'em ride with it
[Refrain]
Yo, and look alive✦
Ghetto✦ rock with me
Look alive✦
Ghetto✦ rock with me
Aha,✦ yeah
Throw it up
Ghetto✦ rock with me
Show it up
Ghetto✦ rock with me
Look alive✦
Ghetto✦ rock with me
Look alive✦
Ghetto✦ rock with me
Aha✦ yeah
Throw it high
Ghetto✦ rock with me
Throw it high
Ghetto✦ rock with me
[Verse 2]
Yo, born to rock, serve my portion hot
Rock the booze water✦ on any✦ bully✦ on your block
My flow tighter than a big titty✦ halter✦ top
Doper✦ than a floyd flake that they bought they pops
Since I bright a con duke of course I'm not
My sharp mind join the dots and boil they pots
A lot of cats talk noise a lot, but then the noise is stopped
When the heavy✦ sound voice in charge
And this is no limp bizkit✦ this is jack's fat cock
Loaded✦ up slide it back, ghetto✦ black rock
Brooklyn got the bumrush that you can't stop
These the hungry✦ hands that gon snatch your cash box
I never✦ gave a second thought to fucking with y'all
Cuz my first thought covered✦ it all: YOU WHACK!!!
And I don't care what you sound since not mumblin y'all
Cause you can't do me nothing at all
Which means, you can't shine my shoes, wash my drawers
Clean my car, walk my dog, mow my lawn
In other✦ words duke, I don't need SHIT from them
All I got is hard rhymes✦ and hot spit for them
And yeah, I got the country mule (raaatttttt) for them
See how dark it can get for them? Tell they mommas that's it for them
Get the flower✦ vase sent for them
A sad story✦ how it went for them
That's what you get for not listenin' FIRE!!
And a long verse of kumbayah, You stand strong you can't move higher✦
You move in "how we all can move higher?"✦
Ready✦ to roll like new tire
Well I can show you who the true lion
True power✦ move quiet, through the understandin' of the science
[Chorus]
We live with it, low, middle to high with it
And that's how we gon' live and die with it, now ride with it!
[Refrain]
Yeah, ghetto✦ rock with me, yeah
Ghetto✦ rock with me, yeah
Ghetto✦ rock with me, yeah
Ghetto✦ rock!! Ghetto...✦
[Outro]
MOTHERFUCKERS!
Freaky✦ radio!✦

Technical Breakdown

8.1
Multisyllabic Rhymes7.5

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 Control8.0

Performance and control

Computed Score8.08

Production

— Kanye West, 88-Keys, Easy Mo Bee

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Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

Yasiin Bey leverages a percussive, syncopated flow that prioritizes phonetic cohesion over dense metaphorical narrative, effectively turning his voice into a rhythmic instrument within the 'Ghetto rock' aesthetic.

A
7.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
9
Cadence / Flow
6
Vocabulary
6.5
Wordplay
8
Delivery
Assonance-heavy internal rhymingSyncopated cadencesRepetitive mantra-style structuringRhythmic enjambment
Rhyme Architecture: A high-density AAAA-style rhyme scheme dominated by the '-it' terminal sound, utilizing internal multisyllabic clusters to maintain momentum across the refrain.
Verified Doubles & Entendres

"Me 9-semi, an iron lion strike with it"

① Reference to a 9mm firearm, emphasizing the aggressive 'street' nature of his delivery.② A cultural nod to Bob Marley's 'Iron Lion Zion,' blending hip-hop bravado with reggae-tinged musical legacy.

"See Dr. Know string a knot and make 'em ride with it"

① Literal description of guitarist Dr. Know adjusting instrument strings to create a musical groove.② Metaphor for orchestrating a street-level movement ('string a knot') that forces listeners to follow ('make 'em ride').

Exceptional rhythmic placement of the terminal rhymes

Strong vocal presence and character

Effective use of repetition to build a hypnotic, anthemic atmosphere

Limited metaphorical depth compared to his more lyrical output

Over-reliance on the same rhyme sound can lead to plateauing engagement

Vocabulary choices lean toward functional rather than evocative

User Scores