Hip Hop Is Dead

Black Republican

Nas

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

19

End

135

Internal

30

Multi

135

Slant

4

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Chorus: Jay-Z & Nas]
I feel like a black republican,✦ money✦ I got comin'✦ in
Can't turn my back on the hood, I got love for them (Uhh, uhh)
Can't clean my act up for good, too much thug in him (Nah)
Probably✦ end up back in the hood (Uh), I'm like, "Fuck it then"
I feel like a black militant✦ takin'✦ over✦ the government✦
Can't turn my back on the hood, too much love for them (Nah)
Can't clean my act up for good, too much thug in him
Probably✦ end up back in the hood, I'm like, "Fuck it then"
[Verse 2: Nas, (Jay-Z)]
I'm back in the hood, they like, "Hey, Nas" (Uh)
Blowin'✦ on purp, reflectin' on they lives✦ (Uh)
Couple of fat cats, couple of A.I.'s
Dreamin' of fly shit instead of them gray skies
Gray 5s, haters wishin'✦ our reign dies
Pitch, sling pies, and niggas✦ they sing, "Why"? (Uhh)
Guess they ain't strong enough to handle their jail time
Weak minds keep trying, follow the street signs
I'm standing on the roof of my building
I'm feelin'✦ the whirlwind of beef, I inhale✦ it
Just like an acrobat, ready✦ to hurl myself through the hoops of fire
Sippin'✦ 80 proof, bulletproof under✦ my attire✦
Could it be the forces✦ of darkness
Against hood angels of good that form street politics?
Makes✦ a sweet honest kid turn illegal for commerce (Uhh)
To get his feet out of them Converse, that's my word
[Chorus: Jay-Z & Nas]
I feel like a Black Republican,✦ money✦ keep comin'✦ in
Can't turn my back on the hood, I got love for them (Uhh, uhh)
Can't clean my act up for good, too much thug in him (Nah)
Probably✦ end up back in the hood (Uhh), ah, "Fuck it then"
I feel like a black militant,✦ takin'✦ over✦ the government✦
Can't turn my back on the hood, too much love for them (I got love for them)
Can't clean my act up for good, too much thug in him
Probably✦ end up back in the hood, I'm like, "Fuck it then"

Technical Breakdown

7.3
Multisyllabic Rhymes8.5

Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)

Internal Rhymes9.5

Rhymes within a line (data-driven)

Wordplay / Double Entendres6.5

Clever language, metaphors, punchlines

Cadence / Rhythm7.0

Flow variation and timing (data-driven)

Vocabulary Complexity6.0

Range and depth of words used (data-driven)

Delivery / Breath Control7.0

Performance and control

Computed Score7.26

Production

Be the first to rate the production

Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

Nas balances high-density internal rhyme patterns with a narrative tension between street origins and commercial success, though the wordplay relies more on internal assonance than complex metaphorical layering.

B+
8.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
7
Cadence / Flow
6
Vocabulary
6.5
Wordplay
7
Delivery
Multisyllabic internal rhyme chainsPhonetic mirroringAssonance-heavy rhythmic pocketingNarrative framing of conflicting identities
Rhyme Architecture: The verse utilizes complex internal multisyllabic clusters (purp/lives/cats/A.I.s/gray/reign/pie/why) that anchor the flow, creating a dense, percussive cadence that persists through to the final rhetorical questions.
Verified Doubles & Entendres

"Couple of fat cats, couple of A.I.'s"

① Reference to wealthy, influential individuals or high-rollers in the hood.② Reference to Allen Iverson, symbolizing the aspiration toward high-profile sports stardom.

"Gray 5s"

① The literal color and model of Jordan sneakers, signifying street fashion.② A homophonic link to 'gray skies' and the gloom/poverty of the hood environment.

"hoops of fire"

① The metaphorical dangers and trials of street life.② A literal reference to 'hoops' (basketball), tying back to the earlier A.I. mention and the recurring theme of basketball as a way out.

Exceptional density of internal rhymes that drive the forward momentum

Consistent rhythmic pocketing that elevates the listening experience

Strong thematic cohesion regarding the dichotomy of success and neighborhood loyalty

Lacks high-tier, multi-layered punchlines common in Nas's peak work

Metaphors like the acrobat imagery feel secondary to the rhyme scheme rather than driving the narrative

Vocabulary choices remain within established genre tropes

User Scores