King's Disease III
Reminisce
Nas
Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis
17
End
151
Internal
83
Multi
192
Slant
7
Chain
Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Refrain]
My comfort✦ give you discomfort✦ (discomfort)✦
Just know that in the hood, they gon' bump this (they gon' bump this)
And I'm only✦ strong as my circle (my circle)
The things that shaped✦ me would've murked✦ you (would've murked✦ you)
[Chorus]
(The things that shaped✦ me)
And I don't like to reminisce✦
(The things that shaped✦ me)
'Cause what we doin' right now is really✦ lit
(The things that shaped✦ me would've murked✦ you)
[Verse 2]
When you high as me, you get highly✦ critiqued
Hopped✦ on a beat, purposefully soundin' like '9-3
None quite like me, so haters can S-M-D
When they bitter✦ like black liquorice, my life still sweet
I went for the cash grab, crack cash was my math class
Fresh white tee, two diamond crosses look like a hashtag
News is fake, never✦ knew I'd soon relate✦
To Tom Brady✦ goin' for seven✦ in Tampa✦ Bay
It's that crazy,✦ I ain't never✦ been bothered,✦ that bothered✦ you
You ain't born for this shit, being great is too hard for you
That's a hater✦ problem, they try to say it first what you might say about✦ 'em
While you stuck in the past, I stay vibin'✦
Can't just reminisce✦ only,✦ gotta✦ live in the moment✦
Talked✦ my shit at the MOMA✦ with The Weeknd performin'
I'm chosen,✦ got off the big Boeing in Rick Owens
Rick owe us, peep how different it look on us
[Refrain]
My comfort✦ give you discomfort✦ (discomfort)✦
Just know that in the hood, they gon' bump this (they gon' bump this)
And I'm only✦ strong as my circle (my circle)
The things that shaped✦ me would've murked✦ you (would've murked✦ you)
[Chorus]
(The things that shaped✦ me)
The streets, the beef, the beats (the beats)
(The things that shaped✦ me)
The creeps, the thieves, defeat✦ (defeat)✦
The things that shaped✦ me would've murked✦ you
[Bridge]
And I don't like to reminisce✦ (Shout to Mary✦ J. Blige, Y-O, QB)
'Cause what we doin' right now is really✦ lit
Those things were great, man, but today,✦ what we doin' is next level
And I don't like to reminisce✦ (Reminisce,✦ for what? That was then, this is now)
'Cause what we doin' right now is really✦ lit (It's about✦ right now)
The things that shaped✦ me would've murked✦ you
[Verse 3]
Trippin'✦ on 'em (trippin'✦ on 'em), spinnin'✦ corners✦ (spinnin'✦ corners)✦
Distant✦ times✦ (distant✦ times),✦ I reminisce✦ on 'em (on 'em)
Reminisce✦ (reminisce),✦ and my past ain't the prettiest✦ (prettiest)✦
There was a time they wasn't feelin'✦ us (feelin'✦ us)
Mass Appeal, now we really✦ up (we up, yeah, we up)
Reminisce,✦ relationships ain't the prettiest✦
I was stuck on the silliness, was it love that I was really✦ in? (Really✦ in)
We don't know until it really✦ end, but then it's too late, reminisce✦
Reminisce✦
Technical Breakdown
7.8
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 / Rhythm7.5
Flow variation and timing (data-driven)
Vocabulary Complexity7.0
Range and depth of words used (data-driven)
Delivery / Breath Control7.5
Performance and control
Computed Score7.76
Production
— Dr. Jesse BlumBe the first to rate the production
Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™
Nas balances retrospective self-awareness with technical precision, effectively using '90s nostalgia as both a stylistic homage and a litmus test for current relevance.
B+
9.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
7.5
Cadence / Flow
7
Vocabulary
6.5
Wordplay
7.5
Delivery
multisyllabic internal rhymehistorical allusionenjambmentrhythmic syncopation
Rhyme Architecture: A complex, dense scheme utilizing end-rhymes (critiqued/9-3/me/D/sweet) interspersed with tight internal multi-syllabic anchors (math class/hash tag).
Verified Doubles & Entendres
"two diamond crosses look like a hashtag"
① The physical visual of two intersecting cross necklaces resembling the social media symbol.② A commentary on modern trends and online relevance where status is quantified by virtual metrics or 'trending' topics.
"bitter like black liquorice, my life still sweet"
① A literal comparison to the flavor of the candy.② A metaphor for the resentment of haters (bitter) versus the success and prosperity of the narrator (sweet).
high technical density in rhyme construction
confident, commanding delivery
effective use of cultural touchstones for modern relevance
some wordplay leans toward standard industry tropes
occasional reliance on filler structures to maintain flow