Distant Relatives
Strong Will Continue
Nas
Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis
32
End
240
Internal
110
Multi
344
Slant
11
Chain
Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Chorus: Damian Marley & Nas]
When the Armageddon's✦ dark and dread (Uh, I get up and make it happen)✦
A lot a weak heart a weep and moan (Uh, uh, I get up and we get it cracking)✦
Only✦ the strong will continue,✦ do you have it in you?
Cah, we've got a journey✦ to go
And when the battle get sour and dread (I get up and I get it going)
A lot a weak heart a wither✦ and moan (We get up and we keep it flowing)✦
Only✦ the strong will continue✦ (Yeah), I know you have it in you (Yeah, yeah)
I know you have it in you
[Verse 2: Nas]
Uh, as I walk through the valley✦ of the shadow✦ of death
New York to Cali,✦ for the money,✦ power,✦ respect
It's a journey,✦ some'll✦ get left behind✦
'Cause in life, you cannot✦ press rewind✦
Get it right, you only✦ have one first chance
To make one first impression✦ that lasts a lifetime
Reputation✦ supersedes itself
Do you believe✦ in Hell? Babylon greed for wealth
Do you deceive✦ yourself and let your ego✦ swell?
And disregard those who most need your help
Thick skin, the dark won't take my soul
Survive✦ spiritual wars, see my welts
And the evil's felt, but the faith is stronger
I saw grown men fall when I was a youngster
But I clench my fists, ready✦ to go against whoever✦
Tie my Timbs and rise in the end
[Chorus: Damian Marley & Nas]
When the Armageddon's✦ dark and dread (Uh, I get up and make it happen)✦
A lot a weak heart a weep and moan (Uh, uh, I get up and we get it cracking)✦
Only✦ the strong will continue,✦ do you have it in you?
Cah, we've got a journey✦ to go
And when the battle get sour and dread (I get up and I get it going)
A lot a weak heart a wither✦ and moan (We get up and we keep it flowing)✦
Only✦ the strong will continue✦ (Yeah), I know you have it in you (Yeah, yeah)
I know you have it in you
[Verse 3: Damian Marley]
Huh, no man live forever,✦ but never✦ say never✦
Every✦ good, he wan' better,✦ just be a go-getter
And always✦ be clever✦ in every✦ endeavor
'Cuh drastic✦ time call for drastic✦ measure✦
Yuh birthright to pleasure✦ from yuh navel string sever✦
The land and the treasure,✦ work for whatever✦
Jah said don't be a beggar, the Alpha✦ Omega✦
Wi' bless every✦ soul no matter✦ which name you prefer✦
The immortal stepper
Believe✦ in every✦ skin no matter✦ which color they are
We never✦ let we don't know here which kind of weather
You're destined to rise like the Son of Rebecca, don't stop for a second
Every✦ man reckon,✦ it sure would be good to be there
Whether Zion or Mecca✦
When the gates✦ are finally closed✦
And the saints go marching in
[Chorus: Damian Marley & Nas]
When the Armageddon's✦ dark and dread (Uh, I get up and make it happen)✦
A lot a weak heart a weep and moan (Uh, uh, I get up and we get it cracking)✦
Only✦ the strong will continue,✦ do you have it in you?
Cah, we've got a journey✦ to go
And when the battle get sour and dread(I✦ get up and I get it going)
A lot a weak heart a wither✦ and moan (We get up and we keep it flowing)✦
Only✦ the strong will continue✦ (Only✦ the strong will continue),✦ I know you have it in you (Have it in you)
I know you have it in you
[Verse 4: Nas]
I'm a street lifer,✦ always✦ harrassed by the cee ciphers
Chief like Geronimo with his peace pipe
I emerged from the street life
This for the homies✦ who relate,✦ know what it be like
My QB life takin'✦ a turn to the Louis XIII life
Twisted and mangled sort of like Bruce Lee life
Cursed✦ with his son Brandon
If that's you and me, Knight, I pray our fates✦ greater
I speak life, I still matter✦ as a rapper,✦ not doubtin'
Even✦ Toni✦ Braxton signed✦ a deal with Craig Kallman
How in, the hell am I supposed stay comfy✦
When I pay child support, alimony monthly?
Got Maseratis and Ferraris
Only✦ like a woman✦ who's a rider,✦ but only✦ ho's want me
Single life crazy,✦ niggas✦ wives✦ on me
I say "Stay faithful," they say their man corny✦
So I'm, stuck with some married woman,✦ so fine
Cheatin while they husband rushing on the 40-yard line
Wonder✦ if this is what my ex did the whole time
Good niggas✦ seem to always✦ end up with some hard times,✦ hope not
If a pimp slippin and a ho plot
Ain't nothin✦ to a G in a two-tone drop, kid
And it don't stop, see a nigga✦ dissapearin'
With the baddest honeys✦ in the whole spot, yeah
Technical Breakdown
8.2
Multisyllabic Rhymes9.5
Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)
Internal Rhymes9.5
Rhymes within a line (data-driven)
Wordplay / Double Entendres6.5
Clever language, metaphors, punchlines
Cadence / Rhythm9.0
Flow variation and timing (data-driven)
Vocabulary Complexity6.0
Range and depth of words used (data-driven)
Delivery / Breath Control7.5
Performance and control
Computed Score8.17
Production
— Damian MarleyBe the first to rate the production
Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™
Nas balances classic street-narrative wisdom with rhythmic precision, utilizing a direct, sermon-like delivery that matches the track's thematic focus on resilience and morality.
A
9.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
9
Cadence / Flow
6
Vocabulary
6.5
Wordplay
7.5
Delivery
AlliterationMultisyllabic internal rhymingAphoristic deliveryBiblical allusion
Rhyme Architecture: A mix of AABB and AAAA end-rhyme structures with heavy internal vowel stacking (e.g., 'swell/Hell/wealth/help/felt').
Verified Doubles & Entendres
"Reputation supersedes itself"
① A person's public image becomes more significant than their actual character.② The concept of reputation exists as a meta-entity that grows independently of the individual's actions.
"Babylon greed for wealth"
① A literal critique of material accumulation and capitalist excess.② A Rastafarian/Biblical allusion to 'Babylon' as the corrupt, oppressive system that prioritizes money over the human spirit.
Authoritative, sermon-like vocal performance
Strong rhythmic pocket maintained throughout
Coherent thematic narrative regarding moral fortitude
Vocabulary usage is relatively standard for the genre
Lack of complex metaphors beyond established idioms
Occasional reliance on common tropes (valley of death)