The New Danger

Love

Yasiin Bey (Mos Def)

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

34

End

185

Internal

48

Multi

190

Slant

13

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Chorus]
I start to think, and then I sink
Into✦ the paper,✦ like I was ink
When I'm writing,✦ I'm trapped✦ in between✦ the lines✦
I escape,✦ when I finish✦ the rhyme
[Bridge]
I got love, l-o-v-e and I be
Love, l-o-v-e to emcee
Get love, l-o-v-e and I be
Love, l-o-v-e, I emcee
Get love, l-o-v-e and I be
Love, l-o-v-e to emcee
Get love, l-o-v-e and I be
(Love, Love) The M-O-S D-E-Finitely✦
[Refrain]
Check it out, y'all (Uh), feel me out, y'all (Say what)
Feel me out, y'all (yeah), hear me out, y'all (Get down)
Check me, out, y'all (Uh, get down, get down)
Feel me out, y'all (Down, down), check it out, y'all
Now hear out (Bounce), y'all
Check me out, y'all (Uh), feel me out, y'all (All around✦ the world)
Check me out, y'all, feel me out, y'all
Feel me out, y'all (Hear me bounce, y'all, get down)
Check me out, y'all, check it out, y'all
[Verse 2]
My folks said they was in love when they made me
I take the love they made me with to make rhymes✦ and beats
(Can you feel?) The raw deal is all-wheel driven✦ (right)
Contemplate✦ the essence of beats, rhymes✦ and livin'✦
Speech align with the rhythm (right), designed with the rhythm
Ears and eyes keep in good time with the rhythm
I shine with the rhythm, the Black Star Galactica
You're big number✦ fatin',✦ we ancient like the abacus
After✦ us, I see most proceed to be trees
Sprouting leaves,✦ givin'✦ breeze to the we who believe
I M.C., which means I Must Cultivate✦ the Earth
Straight back, straight facts, heartbeats and hard work
I be the "Funky✦ Drummer" to soften✦ the hard Earth
(Amin)✦ Pray Allah✦ keep my soul and heart clean
(Amin)✦ Pray the same thing again✦ for all my team
From Restoration to Fort Greene, and on out to Queens
Uptown✦ To Boogie-down, yo, just look around✦
Shook up the world like Ali in 6-3 (right)
I'm reaching a height that you said cannot✦ be
I'm bringing a light which you said we can't see
Saw the new day comin',✦ it look just like me
Sun bursts through the clouds, my photo✦ ID
I bring light to your day and raise your degree
The universal magnetic, you must respect it
From end to beginning; bright, true and living✦
Ever-changing but sustaining magnificent
Building✦ the now for the promise✦ of the infinite✦
Building✦ the now for the promise✦ of the infinite✦
Because...
[Chorus]
I start to think, and then I sink
Into✦ the paper,✦ like I was ink
When I'm writing,✦ I'm trapped✦ in between✦ the lines✦
I escape,✦ when I finish✦ the rhyme
[Bridge]
I got love, l-o-v-e and I be
Love, l-o-v-e to emcee
Get love, l-o-v-e and I be
Love, l-o-v-e, to emcee
Get love, l-o-v-e and I be
Love, l-o-v-e to emcee
Get love, l-o-v-e and I be
(Love, Love) The M-O-S D-E-Finitely✦
[Outro]
Check it out, y'all

Technical Breakdown

8.2
Multisyllabic Rhymes7.5

Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)

Internal Rhymes9.5

Rhymes within a line (data-driven)

Wordplay / Double Entendres6.0

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 Control7.5

Performance and control

Computed Score8.15

Production

— 88-Keys

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Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

The verse relies on rhythmic simplicity and repetitive mantras rather than dense lyrical complexity, utilizing Mos Def's signature rhythmic bounce to carry the listener through a minimalist, experimental structure.

A
7.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
10
Cadence / Flow
5
Vocabulary
6
Wordplay
7.5
Delivery
Metaphorical self-insertionSpelling-based wordplayRhythmic chantingCall-and-response cadence
Rhyme Architecture: The rhyme scheme is defined by AABB couplets in the chorus and highly repetitive, vowel-heavy internal rhyming throughout the refrain and bridge.
Verified Doubles & Entendres

"I start to think, and then I sink / Into the paper, like I was ink"

① Physical act of writing with ink on paper.② Metaphorical immersion where the artist's consciousness becomes the medium itself, losing identity in the process of creation.

"The M-O-S D-E-Finitely"

① Stating his artistic handle, Mos Def.② A linguistic play on 'definitely,' asserting his absolute presence or certainty through his moniker.

Excellent rhythmic pocket and cadence

Effective use of vocal dynamics to maintain interest during repetitive sections

Strong conceptual foundation regarding the act of creation

Limited vocabulary breadth

Over-reliance on repetitive refrain-style lyrical content

Lack of complex metaphors compared to the artist's more technical work

User Scores