Hip Hop Is Dead

Can't Forget About You

Nas

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

27

End

146

Internal

69

Multi

178

Slant

8

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Verse 2: Nas]
Can't forget✦ about✦ the old school, Bam, Caz, Melle Mel, Flash
Rock Steady✦ spinnin' on they back
Can't forget✦ when the first rap Grammy✦ went to Jazzy,✦ Fresh Prince
Fat Boys broke up, rap hasn't been the same since
So irregular, how it messed✦ you up
When Mr. T became✦ a wrestler
Can't forget✦ about✦ Jordan's retirement
The shot Robert Horry✦ hit to win the game in the Finals, kid
Some things are forever, some things are not
It's the things we remember that gave the world shock
They stay in a place in your mind, so snug
Like who the person✦ was with whom you first made love
[Pre-Chorus: Nas]
When was the last time you heard a real anthem?✦
Nas, the millionaire,✦ the mansion✦
When was the last time you heard your boy Nas rhyme?
Never✦ on schedule,✦ but always✦ on time
[Chorus: Chrisette Michele]
These streets hold my deepest✦ days
This hood taught me golden✦ ways
Made me (Truly,✦ this is what made me)
Break me (Not a thing's gonna✦ break me)
These streets hold my deepest✦ days
This hood taught me golden✦ ways
Made me (Truly,✦ this is what made me)
Break me (Not a thing's gonna✦ break me)
Oh, I'm that history, I'm that block
I'm that lifestyle, I'm that spot
I'm that kid by the number✦ spot
That's my past that made me hot
Here's✦ my lifelong anthem✦
Can't forget✦ about✦ you (Forget✦ about✦ you, forget✦ about✦ you)
[Verse 3: Nas & Chrisette Michele]
Unforgettable,✦ unsubmittable✦
I go by N now, just one syllable,✦
It's the end 'cause the game's✦ tired✦
It's the same vibe Good Times✦ had right after✦ James✦ died
That's why the gangsta rhymers ain't inspired
Heinous crimes✦ help record sales✦ more than creative✦ lines✦ (Creative✦ lines)✦
And I don't wanna✦ keep bringing up the greater times✦
But I'm a dreamer, nostalgic with the state of mind
"The past, the past, enough of it," aight, then
But nothing gives✦ me chills like Douglas and Tyson✦
Or Mike, when his talk was live
Or when he first did the Moon Walk on Motown 25 (25)
[Pre-Chorus: Nas]
When was the last time you heard a real anthem?✦
Nas, the millionaire,✦ the mansion✦
When was the last time you heard your boy Nas rhyme?
Never✦ on schedule,✦ but always✦ on time
[Chorus: Chrisette Michele]
These streets hold my deepest✦ days
This hood taught me golden✦ ways
Made me (Truly,✦ this is what made me)
Break me (Not a thing's gonna✦ break me)
These streets hold my deepest✦ days
This hood taught me golden✦ ways
Made me (Truly,✦ this is what made me)
Break me (Not a thing's gonna✦ break me)
[Outro: Nat King Cole]
That's why, darling, it's incredible
That someone, so unforgettable✦
Thinks that I am unforgettable✦ too

Technical Breakdown

8.1
Multisyllabic Rhymes9.5

Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)

Internal Rhymes9.5

Rhymes within a line (data-driven)

Wordplay / Double Entendres6.0

Clever language, metaphors, punchlines

Cadence / Rhythm9.0

Flow variation and timing (data-driven)

Vocabulary Complexity7.0

Range and depth of words used (data-driven)

Delivery / Breath Control7.0

Performance and control

Computed Score8.10

Production

— will.i.am

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Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

Nas functions as a cultural archivist, using a conversational yet rhythmic flow to anchor abstract nostalgia in specific, historically verifiable pop-culture touchstones.

A
9.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
9
Cadence / Flow
7
Vocabulary
6
Wordplay
7
Delivery
Cultural catalogingInternal rhyme clustersNostalgic narrative framingConversational cadence
Rhyme Architecture: Predominantly AABB or AAAA-variant end-rhyme structures reinforced by high-density internal rhyme strings that maintain a steady 4/4 pocket.
Verified Doubles & Entendres

"Never on schedule, but always on time"

① Refers to the artist's reputation for being chronically late to studio sessions or business appointments.② Refers to his ability to deliver a classic performance or 'moment' exactly when it is needed or culturally relevant.

Excellent use of rhythmic internal rhyme to propel the narrative

Strong structural cohesion between the cultural list-making and the emotional payoff

Masterful use of conversational tone to ground complex references

Reliance on list-based nostalgia limits the complexity of metaphor

The pre-chorus shift in tone slightly disrupts the established rhythmic momentum

Punchline density is lower than his peak technical displays

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