Taste of Chocolate

Who Am I

Big Daddy Kane

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

End

102

Internal

Multi

160

Slant

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight

"I was born.."

[Verse 2: Big Daddy Kane]

A native^✦ New Yorker^✦ on the streets

Known for rockin^✦ rhymes^✦ to real rough beats

That I found in the attic,^✦ noisy^✦ with static^✦

A sound that made me a Hip-Hop^✦ fanatic

I made a few songs that sold OK

Never^✦ top 20 or plenty^✦ airplay

I came out hardcore,^✦ flexin^✦ cock diesel^✦

Saw a little cash and pop goes the weasel^✦

I had to make that change and rearrange^✦

My whole rap format,^✦ no hardcore^✦ rap

So now all the pop charts I rule

Over^✦ New Kids on the Block and Paula Abdul, huh

I thought I made it, then my song faded^✦

And none of the black stations ever^✦ have played it

I tried to blame it on MTV

And say, "Damn, they cold played me for Young MC"

But when you get down to it, I'm the real blame

Because I wanted^✦ the fame

Money^✦ is not only^✦ the root of all evil

It's also^✦ the destruction^✦ of black people, so

Conjunction^✦ junction,^✦ what's your function?^✦

Being a scout or sellin^✦ out?

Look in the mirror^✦ at yourself,^✦ eye to eye

And say: who am I?

[Verse 3: Gamilah Shabazz]

A solid change, have to rearrange^✦ this strange

Feelin^✦ I'm feelin,^✦ so appealin'

I am having^✦ to deal with

Time to forget^✦ the myth of bein black and a woman^✦

Can't get ahead,^✦ walkin^✦ on a thread, a tightrope

Can't cope, don't be a dope, have a little bit of hope

Runnin'^✦ your scope on affairs

You have to be aware,^✦ don't flare up

Let your cup runneth over^✦

I'm not Irish,^✦ don't need a donut^✦ to fill up my dish

Nor two mango^✦ wish to wish on a star, they're so far

Anyway^✦ I'm thinkin about^✦ today,^✦ not tomorrow

I'm not a follower of anyone^✦

My time has come, it's already here

My message^✦ is clear

Like the women^✦ of long ago,^✦ I am also^✦ here

Also^✦ to show, I have the courage^✦

Have the strength, I'm for equal^✦ opportunity^✦

No matter^✦ the life, length of time

Show me a sign, should I rely^✦ on a

Subliminal message,^✦ should I question^✦

What would seem to be, life's^✦ told me?

Yes indeed,^✦ so let me speak

[Big Daddy Kane]

And that's comin^✦ from the daughter of Malcolm X

So black women^✦ put it in your texts

So you can never^✦ let, opportunity^✦ pass you by

Or even^✦ ask yourself,^✦ who am I?

Technical Breakdown

8.3

Multisyllabic Rhymes9.5

Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)

Internal Rhymes8.5

Rhymes within a line (data-driven)

Wordplay / Double Entendres7.0

Clever language, metaphors, punchlines

Cadence / Rhythm8.5

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 Score8.27

Production

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Critic Analysis

RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

Kane demonstrates remarkable narrative transparency for his era, shifting from technical braggadocio to introspective social commentary, utilizing a deceptively simple AABB-style rhyme structure that masks a sophisticated structural pivot.

9.5

Multisyllabic

8.5

Internal Rhymes

8.5

Cadence / Flow

Vocabulary

Wordplay

Delivery

Narrative arc shiftingMultisyllabic internal rhymingMeta-commentary on industry normsCultural referencing

Rhyme Architecture: Primarily consistent AABB couplets with dense internal multisyllabic anchors, maintaining a steady, driving rhythmic pulse characteristic of the late 80s/early 90s Golden Age flow.

Verified Doubles & Entendres

"Conjunction junction, what's your function? / Being a scout or sellin out?"

① A direct reference to the Schoolhouse Rock educational television segment.② A rhetorical challenge forcing the audience to identify the artist's motive: talent scouting for growth versus sacrificing integrity for commercial success.

"flexin cock diesel"

① Physical demonstration of strength, using 'diesel' as a slang term for muscularity.② An aggressive display of persona common in late-80s hip-hop posturing.

Exceptional rhythmic consistency

Honest industry self-critique

Dynamic shift from performance to personal introspection

Commanding vocal presence

Occasional reliance on simpler rhyme pairings

Dated cultural references limit modern relatability

Punchlines rely heavily on context rather than linguistic complexity

Who Am I

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

Technical Breakdown

Production

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