Hip Hop Is Dead

Where Are They Now

Nas

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

7

End

58

Internal

22

Multi

90

Slant

4

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Verse 2]
See, I remember them forever
The original Spinderella
Lakim Shabazz, 9-double-M
Fu-Schnickens, Buckshot, Finesse & Synquis
Who was the Rappin'✦ Duke? "Duh-ha!"✦
Silk Tymes✦ Leather was cute
Body✦ & Soul was Dee from Pump It Up!'s group
Oaktown 3-5-7, J.J. Fad too
Had pop hits and gold ropes✦
Where my man Young MC and Tone Loc?
Kris Kross, the BO$$, Divine✦ Styler✦
Def Jef, of course, let's break it down ta
Mic Geronimo, Pharcyde, and Coolio✦
I heard Craig Mack back in the studio✦
Have you seen these lost MCs?
Funky✦ Four Plus One, Force M.D.'s
Ms. Melodie, I hope she packin'✦ a bankroll
As well as Educated Rapper,✦ Ice, and Kangol
Shanté, she from around my way, yo
EPMD, K-Solo✦ – where are they now?
[Hook: Salaami Remi, (Nas)]
Hey! Where y'all at?
Where are they now? Hey!
(Where are they now?)
Hey! Hit me! (Uh) Uh!
Where are they now?
[Outro]
QB!
First off, this ain't no diss record✦
This for some of my homies✦ that were misrepresented
Legends of the game, y'know?✦
What up to Moe Dee, the legend
Rest in peace, Cowboy!✦
Yeah! All the rappers... male, female,✦ DJ's, e'rybody!
Rest in peace Jam Master✦ Jay, the whole crew, word up
Juice Crew All-Stars, MC Shan, Tragedy, Craig G
Yeah nigga,✦ yeah nigga✦
Shan, whaddup, baby?✦
Where are they now?

Technical Breakdown

6.5
Multisyllabic Rhymes6.5

Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)

Internal Rhymes8.5

Rhymes within a line (data-driven)

Wordplay / Double Entendres4.0

Clever language, metaphors, punchlines

Cadence / Rhythm6.5

Flow variation and timing (data-driven)

Vocabulary Complexity7.0

Range and depth of words used (data-driven)

Delivery / Breath Control6.5

Performance and control

Computed Score6.50

Production

— Salaam Remi, Nas

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Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

Nas functions as a hip-hop archivist, utilizing a list-heavy structure that prioritizes cultural cataloging and rhythmic cadence over complex figurative language.

B
6.5
Multisyllabic
8.5
Internal Rhymes
6.5
Cadence / Flow
7
Vocabulary
4
Wordplay
6.5
Delivery
CatalogingList-based flowInternal rhyme clustersAlliterative naming
Rhyme Architecture: The verse relies on a series of AAAA and AABB clusters based on proper nouns and names, utilizing the cadence of the list to dictate the rhythm rather than a strict end-rhyme structure.
Verified Doubles & Entendres

"I hope she packin' a bankroll"

① Refers to the literal financial success/wealth of the artist.② A nod to the slang 'packin' heat' or carrying a weapon, subverted here to imply a need for financial stability.

Excellent rhythmic pocket maintenance

Strong historical grounding and cultural curation

Effortless flow that manages a high density of proper nouns without sounding forced

Lack of complex wordplay or metaphor

Repetitive structural reliance on lists

Little in the way of narrative arc beyond the titular question

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