Magic

Hollywood Gangsta

Nas

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

10

End

63

Internal

46

Multi

140

Slant

3

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Verse 2]
Velour✦ fashions, world tour jackets
I turned✦ to a hoarder, I don't need more baggage
Everybody lyin' telling stories✦ backwards
Like my song "Rewind," in store autographin'
To take it back in time to today,✦ I'm smashin'
Flick out ashes, flip girls on a mattress
We get it crackin' without the attachments
Her and my heart is cold as Aspen,✦ both of us laughin'
I put the "New" in "New York," I'm home
All of the watches stay on the Eastern time zone
Throwin' parties✦ whenever✦ I'm feeling godly✦
White linen✦ parties✦ for whenever✦ we make a million dollars
"Nas think he too good to pull up on us"
See me at a baby✦ shower✦ with some OGs from Corona✦
Sippin'✦ liquor, takin'✦ photos then I slid with a cougar✦
Coulda✦ pulled✦ a young love but I took who was choosin'
Esco✦ relaxed in the hood, I ain't come with a shooter
They asked✦ what I'm doin', they said I was already proven✦
Who said I'm too comfortable around on my regular shit?
You know I'm a rare nigga✦ but ghetto✦ as shit
[Chorus]
Guess they used✦ to the ego✦ havin'✦ head in the air
Hollywood✦ Gangsta,✦ goons with 'em everywhere
I'm the opposite,✦ smooth, not spreadin' fear
Silver✦ spoons never✦ fed Nasir,✦ I'm on top and I surprise✦ 'em
And I surprise✦ 'em
[Outro]
I ain't sayin' don't have your goons with you
Uh, yeah, I'm on top, it's not surprising
And when you get a lil' older,✦ you move different
Yeah, I'm on top and I keep rising✦ (Rising)✦
Uh-huh (Early✦ morning)
I'm on top (To the dawn and, I'm on top)
Yeah (I can't be stopped, why even✦ try?)
Hollywood✦ gangsta✦ (Gangsta,✦ gangsta,✦ gangsta)✦
I'm the opposite✦ of that, tah!

Technical Breakdown

7.0
Multisyllabic Rhymes9.5

Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)

Internal Rhymes8.5

Rhymes within a line (data-driven)

Wordplay / Double Entendres6.5

Clever language, metaphors, punchlines

Cadence / Rhythm5.5

Flow variation and timing (data-driven)

Vocabulary Complexity8.0

Range and depth of words used (data-driven)

Delivery / Breath Control7.0

Performance and control

Computed Score6.95

Production

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Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

Nas balances high-status imagery with grounded, conversational delivery, using meta-textual references to his own catalog to solidify his legendary status while maintaining accessibility.

B
9.5
Multisyllabic
8.5
Internal Rhymes
5.5
Cadence / Flow
8
Vocabulary
6.5
Wordplay
7
Delivery
Meta-referenceMultisyllabic internal rhyme chainsConversational flowAssonance-heavy end rhymes
Rhyme Architecture: The verse relies on complex multisyllabic end-rhyme strings, often carrying the same vowel sounds across multiple bars (e.g., the '-ashin' / '-atchin' / '-assin' sequence), creating a dense, percussive feel that anchors the flow.
Verified Doubles & Entendres

"I turned to a hoarder, I don't need more baggage"

① The literal act of keeping too many material possessions (fashions/jackets).② The psychological weight or emotional trauma (baggage) that often accompanies fame.

"Like my song 'Rewind,' in store autographin'"

① A direct reference to his storytelling track 'Rewind' which plays in reverse.② A clever play on the nature of being an established artist: people want to revisit his past hits even while he is currently present.

"I put the 'New' in 'New York'"

① A claim of innovation and ownership of the city's identity.② The literal placement of the adjective 'New' in the city's title, signifying his role as the definitive representative of the city's legacy.

Expert integration of self-referential lore (the 'Rewind' mention)

Strong command of multisyllabic flow consistency

Effective juxtaposition of luxury lifestyle and local authenticity

Occasional reliance on standard hip-hop tropes regarding status

Some metaphors lack the dense, multi-layered complexity of Nas's career-best work

User Scores