God's Son

The Cross

Nas

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

End

104

Internal

Multi

165

Slant

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight

[Chorus]

I carry^✦ the cross, if Virgin^✦ Mary^✦ would've an abortion^✦

I'd still be carried^✦ in the chariot^✦ by stampedin'^✦ horses^✦

Had to bring it back to New York

I'm happy^✦ that the streets is back in New York

For you rappers,^✦ I carry^✦ the cross

I carry^✦ the cross, if Virgin^✦ Mary^✦ had an abortion^✦

I'd still be carried^✦ in the chariot^✦ by stampedin'^✦ horses^✦

Had to bring it back to New York

I'm happy^✦ that the streets is back in New York

For you rappers,^✦ I carry^✦ the cross

[Verse 2]

I can't keep a bitch, 'cause none of them come before^✦ little Des

I can't be too rich, too many^✦ hoes lined^✦ up for sex

I can't rest until^✦ my niggas^✦ in houses^✦ with pretty^✦ maids, watering flowers in 'em

While my niggas^✦ walk around in they trousers grinnin'

Gotta^✦ keep a lot of heat; .30 cals, 10 millimeters

.40 cals, plus the Heckler to set y'all straight

You too light? I shoot your freckles out

You too dark? The infrared show you what the TEC about^✦

Huh? I'm stressin' out, need more offices for bosses^✦

Secretaries and meetings with big sharks who mad greedy^✦

We can sell mo' boats on the coast

Give coats to the po', and give hope to the broke, then live low

But that ain't reality; I look happy,^✦ but under the smile, you see a nigga^✦ who know –

Out of three women,^✦ two out of three

Will love you but lead you to they own hidden^✦ evil^✦

Bitch! You the reason niggas^✦ be beefin'^✦ – ho, get on

'Posed^✦ to be Earth, ain't worth the pussy^✦ that you sit on

From here on, it's a new day

Million^✦ dollars ain't what it was yesterday

Many^✦ problems, many^✦ niggas,^✦ most involved, but they fake

Hope y'all relate^✦

[Chorus]

I carry^✦ the cross, if Virgin^✦ Mary^✦ had an abortion^✦

I'd still be carried^✦ in the chariot^✦ by stampedin'^✦ horses^✦

Had to bring it back to New York

I'm happy^✦ that the streets is back in New York

For you rappers,^✦ I carry^✦ the cross

I carry^✦ the cross, if Virgin^✦ Mary^✦ had an abortion^✦

I'd still be carried^✦ in the chariot^✦ by stampedin'^✦ horses^✦

Had to bring it back to New York

I'm happy^✦ that the streets is back in New York

For you rappers,^✦ I carry^✦ the cross

I carry^✦ the cross

Technical Breakdown

8.8

Multisyllabic Rhymes9.5

Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)

Internal Rhymes9.5

Rhymes within a line (data-driven)

Wordplay / Double Entendres8.0

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 Control9.0

Performance and control

Computed Score8.79

Production

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Critic Analysis

RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

Nas balances high-level rhythmic density with thematic consistency, pivoting between personal responsibility, street survivalism, and the structural requirements of hip-hop stardom.

9.5

Multisyllabic

9.5

Internal Rhymes

Cadence / Flow

Vocabulary

Wordplay

Delivery

Multisyllabic internal rhyme chainsDynamic flow switchingPhonetic mirroringMetaphorical juxtaposition

Rhyme Architecture: Complex AABB/ABCC patterns utilizing dense multisyllabic clusters (e.g., 'pretty maids/watering flowers' into 'trousers grinnin') coupled with heavy slant-rhyme utilization for percussive impact.

Verified Doubles & Entendres

"I carry the cross"

① A literal reference to the weight of his legacy and status as a 'savior' or pillar of New York hip-hop.② A religious allusion to Christ's sacrifice, framing the emcee as a martyr for the culture.

"The infrared show you what the TEC about"

① The literal laser sight on a firearm targeting an opponent.② A play on 'technique,' implying the bullet/force demonstrates his superior lyrical and physical proficiency.

"We can sell mo' boats on the coast"

① Expanding a criminal enterprise through maritime logistics.② A transition to legitimate, high-level business expansion and the scale of his post-street career ambitions.

Exceptional command of internal cadence

Strong narrative coherence despite the dense technical delivery

Seamless blending of street imagery with corporate/ambitious metaphors

Vocabulary breadth occasionally sacrificed for rhythmic fit

Some metaphors rely on hyperbole that borders on dated shock-value tropes

The Cross

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

Technical Breakdown

Production

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