Untitled
Black President
Nas
Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis
23
End
124
Internal
101
Multi
213
Slant
9
Chain
Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Chorus: Johnny Polygon (2Pac sample)]
("Although✦ it seems heaven-sent✦
We ain't ready,✦ to have a black president")✦
("Although✦ it seems heaven-sent✦
We ain't ready,✦ to have a black president")✦
Yes we can, change the world
{CHANGE THE WORLD...} they say
("Although✦ it seems heaven-sent✦
We ain't ready,✦ to have a black president")✦
("Although✦ it seems heaven-sent✦
We ain't ready,✦ to have a black president")✦
Yes we can, change the world
The world, the world, the WORLD...
[Verse 2: Nas]
What's the black pres' thinking✦ on election night?
Is it, "How can I protect✦ my life?
Protect✦ my wife? Protect✦ my rights?"
Every✦ other✦ president✦ was nothing✦ less than white
Except Thomas✦ Jefferson had mixed✦ Indian✦ blood.. and Calvin✦ Coolidge
KKK is like, "What the fuck?!", loading✦ their guns up
Loading✦ up mine too, ready✦ to ride
'Cause I'm riding✦ with my crew - he dies, we die too
Yeah, but on the positive side
I think Obama✦ provides hope and challenges minds
Of all races✦ and colors to erase✦ the hate
And try to love one another,✦ so many✦ political snakes✦
We in need of a break, I'm thinking✦ I can trust this brother✦
...but will he keep it way real?
Every✦ innocent nigga✦ in jail gets out on appeal✦
When he wins, will he really✦ care still?
I feel
[Chorus: Johnny Polygon (2Pac sample)]
("Although✦ it seems heaven-sent✦
We ain't ready,✦ to have a black president")✦
("Although✦ it seems heaven-sent✦
We ain't ready,✦ to have a black president")✦
Yes we can, change the world
{CHANGE THE WORLD...} they say
("Although✦ it seems heaven-sent✦
We ain't ready,✦ to have a black president")✦
("Although✦ it seems heaven-sent✦
We ain't ready,✦ to have a black president")✦
Yes we can, change the world
The world, the world, the WORLD...
[Verse 3: Nas]
Say a prayer for "Do we have to?"
You ain't right, Jeremiah Wrong pastor✦ in love with a slave master✦
Sincerely yours, USA's✦ most brave rapper✦
Jesse carjacker, Uncle Tom kidnapper
Ask around: Bentley coupe off the Richter
Bitch called✦ "Life": I pimped✦ her, what
Politics, politricks, Klan-shooter
Deacon for defense, progress-producer
Nothing✦ on the stove, a survival-booster
Gotta✦ do what we gotta✦ do, we ain't got no governors coming✦ through to help
Anything we need done, gotta✦ do for self
New, improved JFK on the way
It ain't the '60s again,✦ niggas✦ ain't hippies✦ again✦
We ain't falling for the same traps
Standing on the balconies✦ where they shot the King at
McCain got apologies✦
Ain't nobody✦ hearing that, people need honesty
[Chorus: Johnny Polygon (2Pac sample)]
("Although✦ it seems heaven-sent✦
We ain't ready,✦ to have a black president")✦
("Although✦ it seems heaven-sent✦
We ain't ready,✦ to have a black president")✦
Yes we can, change the world
{CHANGE THE WORLD...} they say
("Although✦ it seems heaven-sent✦
We ain't ready,✦ to have a black president")✦
("Although✦ it seems heaven-sent✦
We ain't ready,✦ to have a black president")✦
Yes we can, change the world
The world, the world, the WORLD...
[Outro: Governor Bill Richardson]
It is my distinct honor,✦ and privilege to introduce to you
The next President✦ of the United✦ States✦ - Barack✦ Obama✦
{*crowd cheers LOUDLY*}✦
Technical Breakdown
7.8
Multisyllabic Rhymes9.5
Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)
Internal Rhymes8.5
Rhymes within a line (data-driven)
Wordplay / Double Entendres6.0
Clever language, metaphors, punchlines
Cadence / Rhythm8.5
Flow variation and timing (data-driven)
Vocabulary Complexity7.0
Range and depth of words used (data-driven)
Delivery / Breath Control7.0
Performance and control
Computed Score7.82
Production
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Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™
Nas uses a conversational, speculative cadence to ground high-stakes political analysis in personal security concerns, effectively humanizing the abstraction of the presidency.
B+
9.5
Multisyllabic
8.5
Internal Rhymes
8.5
Cadence / Flow
7
Vocabulary
6
Wordplay
7
Delivery
Staccato questioningHistorical allusionConversational cadenceInternalized rhyme chains
Rhyme Architecture: Predominantly AAAA, AAAA, BBBB structure utilizing masculine end rhymes centered on 'night', 'life', 'wife', 'rights', 'white', and 'side'.
Verified Doubles & Entendres
"Every other president was nothing less than white"
① A literal observation regarding the skin color of US presidents.② A play on 'nothing less than' suggesting whiteness was a qualification or standard barrier.
"I'm riding with my crew - he dies, we die too"
① A protective stance regarding the security of the prospective president.② A statement on the shared fate of the Black community and the success or failure of the first Black president.
Effective integration of historical facts with contemporary social commentary
Naturalistic flow that mimics a stream of consciousness
Strong rhythmic anchor on the 'ite' sound
Some phrasing feels slightly expositional rather than poetic
Limited use of complex figurative language compared to his peak lyrical output