God's Son

Mastermind

Nas

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

16

End

152

Internal

109

Multi

173

Slant

4

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Chorus]
A mastermind✦ sees it coming✦ before✦ it comes✦
A mastermind,✦ before✦ he go to war, he count his ones✦
A mastermind;✦ everything✦ planned✦ out perfect✦ (Uh)
In case y'all niggas✦ got to get murdered✦
A mastermind✦ sleeps at night real easy✦
A mastermind,✦ 'cause everything✦ he does is by the book
A mastermind✦ never✦ do a thing irrational✦ (Ah)
Lives✦ forever,✦ these tales✦ are classical✦
[Verse 2]
It ain't a game, it's the life
Think it's a game? You lame and I'm nice
On that black stone Merlot✦
Toast to my hero✦ Nat Turner.✦ Weather below✦ zero✦
Gave the keys to Kelis,✦ whispered✦ in her earlobe
"Drive home." 'Cause she the wife and they the freaks
They underneath my girl caliber. They smiled✦ at her
And said "Goodbye" with niggas✦ who thug or die. They wild as us
My bodyguards are my Denali truck (Truck)
Knowing that I'm surrounded by OG's that I don't really✦ get down with
They got a separate table for their freaks, bought them drinks
So we could talk man-to-man, so real niggas✦ could link
I knew. They killed✦ hoes too like Rae Carruth
They used✦ to spray troops, now, they managing groups
The main nigga,✦ Sonny,✦ had big money✦ since '82
Had two of my dawgs whacked. Nothing I could do
That was back when I had no crew. I switched that
Now, I'm strong with niggas✦ who feel Sonny✦ was wrong
My money's✦ long, his money✦ is weak, he's losing✦ sleep
Trying to feel me out to see what it's gon' be. But I'm a—
[Chorus]
A mastermind✦ sees it coming✦ before✦ it comes✦
A mastermind,✦ before✦ he go to war, he count his ones✦
A mastermind;✦ everything✦ planned✦ out perfect✦ (Uh)
In case y'all niggas✦ got to get murdered✦
A mastermind✦ sleeps at night real easy✦
A mastermind,✦ 'cause everything✦ he does is by the book
A mastermind✦ never✦ do a thing irrational✦
Lives✦ forever,✦ these tales✦ are classical✦
[Verse 3]
I live a clean life, I don't even✦ steal cable
I speak for myself, my niggas'll slay you
Lucky✦ us, this rap done worked✦ out fine
Feds: check me out, it's no dirt y'all find
This King of New York shit only✦ last fifteen minutes
Every✦ nigga✦ get burned,✦ but it's what you did with it
Niggas✦ who brilliant came in and killed✦ it
Made millions. Every✦ three months, new jury.✦ I'm low
Smoking Blueberry with a ho that know a few scary✦
Individuals, it's eerie as she get into✦ it
Swears they into✦ voodoo.✦ She says a Hail Mary,✦ then she said she knew who
Would come and try to kill you too
[Chorus]
A mastermind✦ sees it coming✦ before✦ it comes✦
A mastermind,✦ before✦ he go to war, he count his ones✦
A mastermind;✦ everything✦ planned✦ out perfect✦ (Uh)
In case y'all niggas✦ got to get murdered✦
A mastermind✦ sleeps at night real easy✦
A mastermind,✦ 'cause everything✦ he does is by the book
A mastermind✦ never✦ do a thing irrational✦
Lives✦ forever,✦ these tales✦ are classical✦

Technical Breakdown

7.6
Multisyllabic Rhymes9.5

Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)

Internal Rhymes9.5

Rhymes within a line (data-driven)

Wordplay / Double Entendres7.0

Clever language, metaphors, punchlines

Cadence / Rhythm6.5

Flow variation and timing (data-driven)

Vocabulary Complexity8.0

Range and depth of words used (data-driven)

Delivery / Breath Control7.5

Performance and control

Computed Score7.57

Production

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Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

Nas balances high-level narrative cohesion with dense, internal rhyme patterns, effectively using the persona of the 'Mastermind' to juxtapose domestic stability with cold, calculated street morality.

B+
9.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
6.5
Cadence / Flow
8
Vocabulary
7
Wordplay
7.5
Delivery
Assonance-heavy internal rhymingNarrative perspective shiftingEnjambment for rhythmic tensionHistorical allusion
Rhyme Architecture: The verse utilizes complex multisyllabic end-rhyme chains (e.g., 'Merlot/zero/earlobe') interspersed with tight, rapid-fire internal rhymes that maintain momentum against a steady, deliberate cadence.
Verified Doubles & Entendres

"Toast to my hero Nat Turner. Weather below zero"

① A literal toast to the historical figure Nat Turner during cold weather.② A double entendre on the 'cold' nature of the streets (below zero) and the revolutionary intensity of his 'hero'.

"My bodyguards are my Denali truck"

① The literal vehicle providing physical protection.② A metaphorical statement on the luxury and hardened status he maintains as his own primary security.

"They killed hoes too like Rae Carruth"

① A direct comparison to the sports celebrity murder case.② A harsh indictment of his peers' lack of honor, equating their street violence to a notorious crime of betrayal.

Superior technical construction with high multi-syllabic density

Strong narrative control that anchors abstract concepts in grounded scenarios

Effective use of pauses and flow switches to emphasize key lines

Some metaphors rely on specific era-dependent knowledge (Rae Carruth reference)

Occasional filler usage to maintain rhyme scheme continuity

Vocal delivery remains mostly mid-range, missing potential for greater dynamic shifts

User Scores