Nastradamus

Life We Chose

Nas

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

27

End

219

Internal

63

Multi

151

Slant

9

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Chorus]
It's the life we chose, where friends become✦ foes
And the dough'll get you killed✦ quicker✦ than you know
This is the life we chose; bring fake snakes✦ and hoes
And the only✦ way out is death or going broke
This the life we chose, ain't too many✦ happy✦ endings✦
That's why there ain't too many✦ happy✦ niggas✦ in it
And I'll admit✦ it; this life is fucked✦ up, but yo
This life is the only✦ life I know (I know, I know, I know) (Uh)
[Verse 2]
What's love? When you don't give your man enough✦ dough, he wanna✦ stick you
What's love? You got beef, nobody✦ rolling with you?
What's love? You locked✦ up and your family✦ don't care?
Is love a four-letter word that deceives the ear?
What's real? When you know your man's girl is a ho
And you don't even✦ let him know 'cause you fucked✦ her before?✦
What's real? When you talk behind a man's back
Then you see him and give him dap? Now, explain that
What's trust? When they separate✦ your case
When you at your court date, your co-de' can't look in your face?
What's trust? When you keep your wife away✦ from your man
And he never✦ crossed you, but you claiming he's fam'?
What's trust? When you get bust, your niggas✦ don't retaliate✦
They blaze purple haze with 'em the next day?
God forbid✦ one of my niggas✦ get hit. I'mma✦ go haywire
Won't hesitate.✦ I'mma✦ spray fire
But everybody's different, you won't know how you react
'Til you in that position, and that's an actual✦ fact
The hearts of men change as time goes on. Who's wrong?
You was hungry✦ when you stuck Duke, he came back to buck you
Who's wrong? Foul all your life, now, you ninety✦
On your deathbed, you regret✦ being grimy✦
What's lust? A bust nut? What's a thug?
A ghetto✦ child raised✦ around drugs 'til he's old enough✦ to bust slugs?
Then what's jail? To rehabilitate,✦ or to make a nigga✦ worse
When he come home to catch another case?
Life's✦ about✦ decisions, you choose it, you gotta✦ live it
You did it, Heaven,✦ or Hell or prison
Who knows when your clock'll stop ticking, get your weight up
Save up before✦ it's over,✦ neighbor, I told ya
You getting older,✦ player, look at those who gave up
[Chorus]
It's the life we chose, where friends become✦ foes
And the dough'll get you killed✦ quicker✦ than you know
This is the life we chose; bring fake snakes✦ and hoes
And the only✦ way out is death or going broke
This the life we chose, ain't too many✦ happy✦ endings✦
That's why there ain't too many✦ happy✦ niggas✦ in it
And I'll admit✦ it; this life is fucked✦ up, but yo
This life is the only✦ life I know (I know, I know, I know)
[Produced by L.E.S.]

Technical Breakdown

8.6
Multisyllabic Rhymes9.5

Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)

Internal Rhymes9.5

Rhymes within a line (data-driven)

Wordplay / Double Entendres7.5

Clever language, metaphors, punchlines

Cadence / Rhythm9.0

Flow variation and timing (data-driven)

Vocabulary Complexity6.0

Range and depth of words used (data-driven)

Delivery / Breath Control9.0

Performance and control

Computed Score8.64

Production

— L.E.S.

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Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

Nas uses a rhetorical 'Socratic' questioning structure to deconstruct street honor codes, effectively using the simplicity of his inquiries to highlight the profound hypocrisy of his environment.

A
9.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
9
Cadence / Flow
6
Vocabulary
7.5
Wordplay
9
Delivery
AnaphoraSocratic MethodMultisyllabic internal rhyme chainsEnjambmentColloquial realism
Rhyme Architecture: The verse relies on a high-density, multi-syllabic internal rhyme scheme paired with a repetitive interrogative setup (What's love/real/trust), allowing Nas to anchor the listener before unleashing complex internal rhyme patterns.
Verified Doubles & Entendres

"Is love a four-letter word that deceives the ear?"

① Literal reference to the word 'love' having four letters in English.② A cynical subversion of the word, implying that the concept itself is a deception or a 'curse' word in the environment described.

"When they separate your case / When you at your court date, your co-de' can't look in your face?"

① Literal description of legal proceedings where co-defendants are separated or distanced during trial.② Metaphorical representation of the breakdown of loyalty (trust), where the inability to make eye contact signals betrayal or a plea deal.

Masterful use of rhetorical questions to build narrative tension

Exceptional rhythmic consistency that reinforces the feeling of entrapment

Linguistic economy that prioritizes clarity of message over unnecessary embellishment

Dynamic shift from the chaotic hook to a controlled, investigative flow

Relies on established street tropes which limits the breadth of vocabulary

The heavy reliance on the 'What's [X]?' structure can become repetitive to a casual listener

Limited metaphorical variance beyond the gritty realism of street code betrayal

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