Distant Relatives
My Generation
Nas
Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis
15
End
107
Internal
60
Multi
153
Slant
5
Chain
Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Verse 2: Nas]
Can you blame my generation?✦ Subjected gentrification✦
Depicting their frustrations✦ over✦ ill instrumentation✦
'Cause music is the way to convey✦ to you what I'm facing✦
Placing my life in front of your eyes for your observation✦
Now if you can't relate,✦ then maybe you are too complacent
Athletes today✦ are scared✦ to make Muhammad Ali statements
What's up with tomorrow? Will you lead? Will you follow?✦
Improve your values,✦ education✦ is real power✦
I reach 'em like Bono,✦ so get rid of your self sorrow✦
Add some bravado, get wealthy like Wells Fargo✦
It's truth that I am you and I am proof
Surviving through, we do what we gotta✦ do
Yo, we could break the cycle, let nobody✦ lie to you
Then maybe put our sons and our daughters in private school
'Cause there's✦ a mission,✦ we gotta✦ finish✦ before✦ we leave
This generation✦ is destined to do historic deeds
[Chorus: Joss Stone]
My generation✦ will make a change (Ooh, ooh, ooh)
This generation✦ will make a change (My generation,✦ this generation,✦ yeah)
My generation✦ will make a change (We'll make a change, we'll make a change, we'll make a change, yeah)
This generation✦ will make a change (This generation✦ now, hey!)
[Verse 3: Lil Wayne]
If you weather that storm, then that rain bring sun
Been a long time coming,✦ I know change gon' come (We're makin'✦ a change)
Man, I gotta✦ keep it moving✦ to the beat of my drum
Last night, I set the future✦ at the feet of my son
But they thinking that my generation✦ gotta✦ die young
If we all come together, then they can't divide✦ one
Don't worry✦ 'bout it, just be about✦ it
Got a message from God: "Heaven✦ too crowded"
But I say, "Hey, young world, you never✦ looked✦ better✦
And I heard change start with the man in the mirror," uh
This generation,✦ I'mma✦ represent
A generation✦ led by a black president
Now how's that for change? Who knew that can change?
I don’t even✦ look at the flag the same, heck
Uh, so when you finish✦ reading Revelations✦ (Revelations)✦
Thank God for my generation✦
[Chorus: Joss Stone]
My generation✦ will make a change, yes
This generation✦ will make a change, yeah
My generation✦ will make a change for good, for better✦
This generation✦ will make a change, yeah
Technical Breakdown
7.1
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 / Rhythm6.5
Flow variation and timing (data-driven)
Vocabulary Complexity7.5
Range and depth of words used (data-driven)
Delivery / Breath Control6.0
Performance and control
Computed Score7.10
Production
— Damian MarleyBe the first to rate the production
Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™
Nas provides a socially conscious, didactic performance that leans heavily on multi-syllabic end-rhyme chains to maintain rhythmic momentum at the expense of dense, multi-layered metaphor.
B
9.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
6.5
Cadence / Flow
7.5
Vocabulary
6.5
Wordplay
6
Delivery
Polysyllabic rhymingInternal rhyme chainsDidactic thematic consistencyAssonant vowel repetition
Rhyme Architecture: The verse relies on extended AAAA rhyming schemes focusing on the -ation sound, transitioning into -o/-ow vowel chains, maintaining a consistent forward-driving cadence.
Verified Doubles & Entendres
"I reach 'em like Bono"
① Reference to the lead singer of U2 who is known for global philanthropic outreach.② A play on 'reach' as in the physical act of extending a hand or message to a demographic, comparing his influence to that of a global rock star.
"get wealthy like Wells Fargo"
① A simile referencing the bank's massive financial status as an aspirational marker for personal wealth.② A call for fiscal empowerment, using a recognizable institution to represent the scale of capital the speaker encourages his listeners to accumulate.
High technical proficiency in multi-syllabic construction
Clear, focused thematic delivery
Consistent rhythmic pocket throughout the verse
Thematic delivery is straightforward, lacking cryptic subtext
Vocabulary choices are functional rather than evocative
Limited dynamic shifts in vocal performance