Hip Hop Is Dead

Not Going Back

Nas

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

30

End

168

Internal

41

Multi

180

Slant

14

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Chorus: Kelis and Nas]
The streets keep tryin' to say
Come back around✦ this way
I've already✦ gone that way
I won't come back again✦
I'm not going back!
Streets keep tryin' to say
Come back around✦ this way
I've already✦ gone that way
I won't come back again✦
I'm not going back!
[Verse 2: Nas]
First thing that happen✦ when you make a little paper✦
You think the Marriott is livin'✦ in a skyscraper
Till you come across some even✦ more flyer paper✦
Realize that five-star tellies are even✦ greater
Terry-cloth robes,✦ elegance, movie shit
Heated-up marble floors with jacuzzis in it
First-class flights, diamonds in your crucifixes
All those things, you still ain't really✦ doing shit, kid
'Cause in reality, I'll earn my salary✦
The way I flaunted it then would now embarrass me
It kinda✦ make me wanna✦ hate bling
It's a race thing how they sell blacks to bootleg shit
In fact, real millionaires spend 60 mil on paintings
Whores✦ charge niggas with raping✦
'Cause we come out doors of Maybach cars
Watch us make bets on race tracks, smokin'✦ cigars✦
So they counter the laws to take what's ours
'Bout 500K on a lawyer✦ to beat the charge
So you can't stop us from making✦ a billion dollars
Instead of going back, I'm buying the projects
But I'm not going back
The hood's in me forever✦ y'all, but I'm not going back
[Chorus: Kelis and Nas]
The streets keep tryin' to say
Come back around✦ this way
I've already✦ gone that way
I won't come back again✦
I'm not going back!
Streets keep tryin' to say
Come back around✦ this way
I've already✦ gone that way
I won't come back again✦
I'm not going back!
[Bridge: Nas]
And of course y'all know what I'm not going back to
Those no friends of mine… (And I'm not going back to)
Ten carat✦ gold, no shine… (And I'm never✦ going back to)
Sony,✦ if they don't have dough to resign…
(Not going back to)
Y'all know that I'm not going back to
Those liars who would… (Not going back to)
Not help you if they could… (Not going back to)
Coke on the stove in the hood…
Y'all should know that I'm not going back
The hood's in me forever✦ y'all, but I'm not going back
[Chorus: Kelis and Nas]
The streets keep tryin' to say (Ugh)
Come back around✦ this way
I've already✦ gone that way (That's right)
I won't come back again✦
I'm not going back!
Streets keep tryin' to say (Get off me!)
Come back around✦ this way (Don't try to pull me down man)
I've already✦ gone that way (I already✦ did it)
I won't come back again✦
I'm not going back!

Technical Breakdown

8.2
Multisyllabic Rhymes7.5

Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)

Internal Rhymes9.5

Rhymes within a line (data-driven)

Wordplay / Double Entendres6.5

Clever language, metaphors, punchlines

Cadence / Rhythm10.0

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 Score8.18

Production

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Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

Nas provides a grounded, reflective critique on the transition from aspirational materialism to genuine self-actualization, utilizing a consistent 'AABB' rhyme structure to emphasize his narrative evolution.

A
7.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
10
Cadence / Flow
6
Vocabulary
6.5
Wordplay
7
Delivery
Internal rhyme chainsSocio-economic commentarySelf-reflective juxtapositionMonosyllabic rhythmic punch
Rhyme Architecture: Predominantly end-rhymed AABB couplets with dense internal multi-syllabic rhyming structures that link the aspirational imagery (paper/skyscraper/flyer) to the reflective realization.
Verified Doubles & Entendres

"make a little paper"

① The literal acquisition of currency/money.② The ephemeral nature of success, framing money as something as thin and fragile as paper.

"It's a race thing how they sell blacks to bootleg shit"

① A commentary on the systemic targeting of Black consumers with inferior, counterfeit products.② A broader critique of the commodification of Black culture and the systematic devaluation of Black aspiration.

Clear, authoritative narrative arc

High-level flow consistency in the pocket

Effective juxtaposition between past and present values

Vocabulary range is standard for Nas's mid-career period

Lacks the complex, multi-layered density of his peak lyrical phases

Occasional reliance on conventional imagery

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