Distant Relatives

As We Enter

Nas

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

10

End

153

Internal

44

Multi

119

Slant

7

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Chorus: Nas]
Word is out, hysteria✦ you heard about✦ (Hey!)
Nas and Jr. Gong here to turn it out (Hey!)
Body✦ the verses✦ 'til they scream "Murder!"✦ out
The kings is back, time to return✦ the crown (Hey, hey, hey, hey!)
Who want it? Tuck your chain when dude comin'✦
Renegades✦ that'll peel you back like new hundreds✦
Bet your jewels✦ on it, you don't want to lose on it
Either✦ move on, or move on it
[Verse 2: Damian Marley & Nas]
(Bum!) Queens to Kingston
Gunshot we use and govern the kingdom
Rise of the Winston
I can see the fear up in your eyes, realize you can die any✦ instant
And I can hear the sound of your voice when you must lose your life like mice in the kitchen
Snitchin'✦
I can see him pissin'✦ on hisself and he's wettin'✦ up his thighs and he tryin' to resist✦ it
Switchin'✦
I can smell him diggin'✦ up shit like a fly come around✦ and be persistent
That's how you end up in a hit list in a badman✦ business
No evidence, crime scene fingerprint-less
Flow effortless, casual like the weekends
No pressure when we're comfy✦ and decent
We set this off beastin', huntin'✦ season
And, frankly speakin'
[Chorus: Nas]
Word is out, hysteria✦ you heard about✦
Nas and Jr. Gong came to turn it out
Body✦ the verses✦ 'til they scream "Murder!"✦ out
The kings is back, time to return✦ the crown
Who want it? Tuck your chain when dude comin'✦
Renegades✦ that'll peel you back like new hundreds✦
Bet your jewels✦ on it, you don't want to lose on it
Either✦ move on, or move on it
[Chorus: Nas]
Word is out, hysteria✦ you heard about✦
Nas and Jr. Gong came to turn it out
Body✦ the verses✦ 'til they scream "Murder!"✦ out
The kings is back, time to return✦ the crown
Who want it? Tuck your chain when dude comin'✦
Renegades✦ that'll peel you back like new hundreds✦
Bet your jewels✦ on it, you don't want to lose on it
Either✦ move on, or move on!

Technical Breakdown

8.0
Multisyllabic Rhymes8.5

Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)

Internal Rhymes9.5

Rhymes within a line (data-driven)

Wordplay / Double Entendres7.0

Clever language, metaphors, punchlines

Cadence / Rhythm7.5

Flow variation and timing (data-driven)

Vocabulary Complexity7.0

Range and depth of words used (data-driven)

Delivery / Breath Control8.5

Performance and control

Computed Score7.95

Production

— Damian Marley

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Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

The verse excels in rhythmic cadence and aggressive phonetic layering, utilizing Damian Marley's patois-infused flow to create a high-tension atmosphere that complements Nas's stoic precision.

B+
8.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
7.5
Cadence / Flow
7
Vocabulary
7
Wordplay
8.5
Delivery
Patois/AAVE synthesisConsonance-heavy chain rhymesAssonance-driven internal patternsAggressive percussive delivery
Rhyme Architecture: A dense, high-frequency internal rhyme scheme utilizing multisyllabic end-rhymes (Kingston/kingdom/Winston/instant/kitchen/resistant/persistent/list/business). The structure pivots from geographical juxtaposition to visceral imagery.
Verified Doubles & Entendres

"peel you back like new hundreds"

① Physical violence resulting in skin/flesh being stripped away.② The act of peeling the paper seal off a fresh stack of $100 bills, denoting both wealth and the 'cost' of the victim.

"diggin' up shit like a fly"

① Unearthing incriminating secrets or 'dirt' about an opponent.② The literal behavior of a fly hovering over filth/feces, characterizing the opponent as both parasitic and repulsive.

"lose your life like mice in the kitchen"

① Being caught in a lethal trap unexpectedly.② A reference to the vulnerability of vermin in a domestic space, implying the victim has no power or agency against the predator.

Dynamic rhythmic variation between the two artists

Superior breath control managing dense multis

Evocative, high-contrast imagery

Some internal segments prioritize phonetic density over narrative progression

Occasional reliance on standard crime-rap tropes

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