Life Is Good

The Don

Nas

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

24

End

150

Internal

53

Multi

158

Slant

12

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Chorus: Super Cat sample (Nas)]
Nas di don Nas di don Nas di don Nas di don
Nas di don Nas di don Nas di don, dance
Inna✦ New York City-city,✦ New York City-city✦
New York City-city,✦ New York City-city✦ (Yeah)
[Verse 2: Nas]
Army✦ jacket✦ swag, army✦ jacket✦ green and black
With the square top pocket✦ that snaps, where the gas at?
Pass that, not you, you hold cracks in your ass crack
I never✦ did that, my sock's where my stash was at
Yo, I used✦ to listen✦ to that Red Alert and Rap Attack✦
I fell in love with all that poetry✦ I mastered that
Cutting school where Preme team and Fat Cat was at
Future✦ not crystal clear yet, Baccarat
Now I'm the one who repping Queens
Way beyond your wildest dreams
Bottles✦ on bottles✦ with sparklers surround my team
That long cash get the baddest bitches out they jeans
Twenty✦ years in this game, looking seventeen
I don't lean: no codeine,✦ promethazine✦
I just blow green, pick which bitch to bless the king
Although he's on to another chapter
Heavy✦ D gave this beat to Salaam✦ for me to rap to, raaaahhh
[Chorus: Super Cat sample]
Nas di don Nas di don Nas di don Nas di don
Nas di don Nas di don Nas di don, dance
Inna✦ New York City-city,✦ New York City-city✦
New York City-city,✦ New York City-city✦
[Verse 3: Nas]
Yeah, yeah
New York is like an Island,✦ a big Rikers Island✦
The cops be out wilding, all I hear is sirens✦
It's all about✦ surviving, same old two-step
Try to stay alive✦ when they be out robbing
I been out rhyming since born knowledge
Like prophet Muhammad said the ink from a scholar
Worth more than the blood of a martyr, so I'ma✦
Keep it on 'til I see a billion dollars
Keep your friends close and your enemies closer✦
Love model chocha,✦ mami✦ pop it like she 'pose to
Eyes red shot like I'm never✦ sober✦
Big time smoker,✦ Indonesian doja✦
Mini✦ me's you can hold up
Before✦ you end up wet up from my soldier
Don shit, under✦ fire I remain on some calm shit
This for every✦ ghetto✦ in the hood
Nas the Don, Super✦ Cat the Don Dada,✦ understood
[Chorus: Super Cat sample]
Nas di don Nas di don Nas di don Nas di don
Nas di don Nas di don Nas di don, dance
Inna✦ New York City-city,✦ New York City-city✦
New York City-city,✦ New York City-city,✦ New York...

Technical Breakdown

8.7
Multisyllabic Rhymes8.5

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 Control8.5

Performance and control

Computed Score8.65

Production

— Da Internz, Heavy D, Salaam Remi

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Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

Nas demonstrates a masterclass in rhythmic pocket maintenance, utilizing a conversational yet precise delivery that leverages internal rhyme density to propel the narrative, while grounding the technical prowess in classic NYC street storytelling.

A
8.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
10
Cadence / Flow
6
Vocabulary
6.5
Wordplay
8.5
Delivery
Multisyllabic internal rhymingStaccato rhythmic punctuationNarrative bridgingAllusive cultural grounding
Rhyme Architecture: The verse relies on a highly consistent 'A-A-A' multi-syllabic end-rhyme structure ('...at') for the first section, which is then dynamically shifted into a more fluid internal scheme as the verse pivots toward personal biography.
Verified Doubles & Entendres

"I don't lean: no codeine, promethazine / I just blow green"

① A refusal to use purple drank (lean/codeine) which was a prominent trend in hip-hop at the time of release.② An affirmation of cannabis ('blow green') as his preferred substance, creating a clear contrast between his habits and the contemporary trends.

"Future not crystal clear yet, Baccarat"

① A reference to the clarity (or lack thereof) of his future prospects while growing up in the streets.② A direct reference to the high-end crystal brand Baccarat, serving as a signifier of the wealth and status he eventually achieved.

Exceptional rhythmic consistency within the 'at' sound-bridge

Evocative, authentic street imagery

Seamless integration of producer shout-outs and historical context

Commanding, confident vocal presence

Vocabulary remains relatively accessible rather than dense or abstract

Limited reliance on complex metaphors, favoring direct storytelling over multi-layered wordplay

User Scores