King Push – Darkest Before Dawn: The Prelude

Keep Dealing

Pusha T

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

13

End

103

Internal

63

Multi

205

Slant

5

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Verse 2: Pusha T]
The Robb Report✦ of the snort
Kings hold court
Lawyers get bought
Palms get greased when them cases✦ get fought
No felony✦ what the fuck is you tellin’✦ me
Reduced to simple assault
It cost to keep it hush-hush
It was just us
Ended✦ up sellin’✦ my Bat Mobile✦
The crash don’t kill
It’s how you survives it
Rebound on niggas,✦ I nine live’d✦ it
Couldn’t miss a Super✦ Bowl or a Cancun
Bitches ain’t respecting niggas✦ not in full bloom
So the neck is full moon
I’m living✦ a lie, she live for this life
And loving✦ the Alaia✦ pumps
Loving✦ the rush, I’m living✦ “The Wire” Uh
Drugs and this rap is really✦ “Empire”✦
Rich nigga✦ shit, how I lost my second million✦
Luckily✦ was somethin’✦ in the ceiling,✦ keep dealin✦ ya
[Chorus]
Talk numbers, but never✦ talk ‘em to me though
When you’re the link to what fits in the keyhole
The realest nigga✦ to marathon on the RICO✦
The last cocaine superhero
I got the cape on, to cover✦ kilos
The villain wins, the evolution✦ of Nino✦
Goddamn Batman✦ holy✦ toledo✦
Nah, you ain’t talkin’✦ to me though
[Verse 3: Beanie Sigel]
Ten toes deep in the trap, nigga✦ I’m good here
Feelin’✦ like Tony✦ reading words on the Goodyear
Big said, “Only✦ the FEDs I should fear”
So no threat, be on your steps with the whole hood there
Yeah, shoot up shit then we blow the scene
Kerosene in a 20 ounce Poland✦ Spring
Nothing to lose attitude like Ron from Arizona
It’s homicide when I slide up on ya
Reporting live from the project benches
Hella✦ 'caine, dope in cellophane, dirty✦ syringes
Heron✦ zombies street-walking on three-week binges✦
Clientele look like the “Thriller” vid in 3D lenses✦
COD, niggas✦ never✦ had to front me jawns
I’m weighing bricks on the scale they put the lunch meat on
I’m Nino✦ Brown in the projects
Yes, Curtis✦ Jackson in his pyrex
Get rich or die tryin’ is my mindset
And spend it all until I’m swallowing dirt
'Cause I ain’t never✦ see a Brinks truck follow✦ a hearse
I ain’t never✦ see a dead man taking✦ the stand
I ain’t never✦ see a nigga✦ swallow a bullet✦
And live to talk about✦ it
'Bout that bread, I drop a coffin✦ 'bout it
You watched me go through hell, now watch me walk up out it
Nigga✦ shit, that’s how I lost three million✦
Luckily✦ was somethin’✦ in the ceiling,✦ keep dealin✦ ya

Technical Breakdown

7.3
Multisyllabic Rhymes8.5

Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)

Internal Rhymes8.5

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 Control7.0

Performance and control

Computed Score7.30

Production

— Diddy, Donald Davidson, Nashiem Myrick

Be the first to rate the production

Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

Pusha T maintains a consistent, minimalist aesthetic that prioritizes atmospheric tension over explosive complexity, leveraging his signature 'cocaine-noir' lexicon to elevate standard street narratives.

B+
8.5
Multisyllabic
8.5
Internal Rhymes
6.5
Cadence / Flow
8
Vocabulary
7.5
Wordplay
7
Delivery
AABB rhyme scheme adaptationAssonance-heavy internal rhymingCinematic allusion layeringMinimalist punchline delivery
Rhyme Architecture: The verse employs a tight AABB(C) structure with frequent internal rhyme clusters (e.g., 'snort/court/bought/fought') that ground the listener in a steady, percussive cadence.
Verified Doubles & Entendres

"The Robb Report of the snort"

① Reference to the luxury magazine focused on high-end consumer goods.② A metaphorical 'catalog' or measurement of the high-grade cocaine he traffics.

"So the neck is full moon"

① A reference to the excessive diamond jewelry (full-moon-like shine) worn around the neck.② A visual indicator of wealth that 'blooms' or reflects light fully when the wearer is successful.

"Luckily was somethin’ in the ceiling, keep dealin ya"

① Literal cache of money or drugs hidden in the ceiling for emergencies.② A thematic seal on his identity as a career criminal who is always prepared to return to the trade.

Consistent thematic coherence

Sophisticated use of luxury lifestyle signifiers

Strong rhythmic pocket control

Effective integration of cultural references

Lack of significant dynamic range in vocal delivery

Some punchlines rely heavily on cultural shorthand rather than structural wit

Cadence remains fairly static throughout the duration

User Scores