True Magic

Crime & Medicine

Yasiin Bey (Mos Def)

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

7

End

25

Internal

20

Multi

50

Slant

5

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Hook]
When the MC came, fill out the name
And to perform
Some had to snort cocaine✦ just to act insane✦
Just before✦ they rocked the don
Now on to the mental pains, spark the brains
The building to be born
Ghetto people on the floor
[Refrain]
Crime and medicine✦
Dead wrong and live in America
Off the block and right in your area✦
Fresh apples✦ and peaches✦ for the president✦
Ha ha
Crime and medicine✦
Dead wrong and live in your area✦
From the street corner, right in your residence
Fresh apples✦ and peaches✦ for the president✦
(Crime)
Fresh peaches✦ and apples✦ for the president✦
(Crime)
Fresh chocolates and apples✦ for the president✦
(Crime)
Fresh linens and apples✦ to the president✦
(Crime)
Fresh! (Fresh)

Technical Breakdown

6.8
Multisyllabic Rhymes7.5

Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)

Internal Rhymes7.5

Rhymes within a line (data-driven)

Wordplay / Double Entendres6.5

Clever language, metaphors, punchlines

Cadence / Rhythm6.5

Flow variation and timing (data-driven)

Vocabulary Complexity6.0

Range and depth of words used (data-driven)

Delivery / Breath Control7.0

Performance and control

Computed Score6.78

Production

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Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

Yasiin Bey utilizes socio-political juxtaposition as a rhythmic device, pairing the domestic decay of urban environments with the absurdity of state-level comfort to critique the disconnect between the ghetto and the executive branch.

B
7.5
Multisyllabic
7.5
Internal Rhymes
6.5
Cadence / Flow
6
Vocabulary
6.5
Wordplay
7
Delivery
Anaphoric repetitionJuxtapositionSociopolitical imageryInternal slant rhymes
Rhyme Architecture: The verse employs a repetitive AABB/CC-style structure in the hook and refrain, relying on consistent assonance across 'president', 'residence', and 'area' to create a hypnotic, cyclical flow that reinforces the theme of systemic repetition.
Verified Doubles & Entendres

"Crime and medicine"

① The literal intersection of illegal activity and healthcare access in marginalized communities.② A metaphorical diagnosis of the systemic ailments of American society where crime is treated as a social pathology.

"Fresh apples and peaches for the president"

① A reference to the 'fresh' produce and luxury access afforded to the elite.② A symbolic contrast between the rotting conditions of the 'ghetto' and the sanitized, curated lifestyle of the executive branch.

Strong rhythmic cadence that mirrors the 'medicine' theme

Effective use of repetition as a structural tool

Clear, biting sociopolitical commentary

Limited lexical variety in the hook sections

Over-reliance on repetitive motifs at the expense of complex narrative development

Punchline impact is diminished by the abstract nature of the imagery

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