Magic 2

Earvin Magic Johnson

Nas

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

7

End

87

Internal

38

Multi

133

Slant

3

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Verse 2]
Family✦ ties, squad ties, money✦ ties
Suit and ties, shoes tied, ready✦ to ride, choose a side
Thought I told you on "The Tide" that we was surfin'✦
And you know I'm down for my niggas,✦ free C-Murder
Fuck the chat, you know that I'm 'bout my mathematics✦
When you run up mad numbers, yeah, that's when they get the maddest✦
Acrobatics✦ with the alphabets, I gave out Pateks
And I gave out Rollies and new Ranges✦ to the baddest✦
Plus I wear the scars from the streets, ducking the mark of the beast
I know some brothers doin' life, they say, "Nas talkin'✦ for me"
My brother Will for real, he used✦ to thug the thugs
I'm throwin' George Washingtons 'cause we them ones,✦ uh
Word to Heav', word to Dilla✦
Rest up, half a million on a island all alone,✦ I still ball
Me and Wilson✦ put up forty✦ on the board
At The Forum like I'm Magic✦ and Kareem✦ on the floor
Pat Riley✦ on the bench callin'✦ plays, I just score (I just score, I just score)
Callin'✦ plays, we just score (I just score, yeah)
Word to Heav', word to Dilla✦
Milk Dee, I'm top billin',✦ cooked✦ in soul, grandma's skillet, get it?
[Chorus]
On my Earvin✦ Magic✦ Johnson, I'm enterprising
I keep it ghetto like the hood before✦ they gentrified it
I might burn this bitch down, Left Eye, Andre Rison✦
I can't trust you built for Cuban✦ links unless✦ we tied in
(Only✦ built for Cuban✦ links)
I can't trust you built for Cuban✦ links unless✦ we tied in
(Only✦ built for Cuban✦ links)
I can't trust you built for none of this unless✦ we tied in

Technical Breakdown

7.1
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 / Rhythm5.5

Flow variation and timing (data-driven)

Vocabulary Complexity7.0

Range and depth of words used (data-driven)

Delivery / Breath Control7.5

Performance and control

Computed Score7.13

Production

— Hit-Boy

Be the first to rate the production

Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

Nas balances high-level thematic consistency by blending luxury rap tropes with street-level loyalty, anchored by the recurring Magic Johnson/Lakers basketball metaphor which serves as the structural backbone of the verse.

B
9.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
5.5
Cadence / Flow
7
Vocabulary
7
Wordplay
7.5
Delivery
Multisyllabic internal rhyme chainsThematic extended metaphorCultural allusionAnaphora
Rhyme Architecture: The verse utilizes complex internal multisyllabic rhyming, particularly the '-ies' and '-ide' suffix chains, transitioning into a consistent AAAA/AABB structure for the basketball-themed climax.
Verified Doubles & Entendres

"I'm 'bout my mathematics / When you run up mad numbers, yeah, that's when they get the maddest"

① Focusing on financial accumulation and counting money.② The jealousy that arises from peers ('they') when someone's success ('mad numbers') creates friction.

"Me and Wilson put up forty on the board / At The Forum like I'm Magic and Kareem on the floor"

① A direct basketball reference to the LA Lakers winning in the 80s.② A financial reference to 'Wilson' (money/contracts) creating massive profit margins ('forty') in the rap industry.

Excellent integration of the central sports metaphor into personal success

Strong rhythmic consistency that highlights Nas's legendary pocket

Sophisticated internal rhyme density that avoids feeling forced

Some metaphors rely on established tropes rather than subverting them

The ending of the verse relies on repetition that serves delivery more than lyrical depth

User Scores