Nastradamus
You Owe Me
Nas
Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis
32
End
265
Internal
49
Multi
169
Slant
11
Chain
Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Chorus: Ginuwine & Nas]
Shorty,✦ say what's your price (Uh, huh)
Just to back it up
You can hold my ice
Now let's say you owe me something✦
Yeah, owe me back like you owe your tax
Owe me back like forty✦ acres✦ to Blacks
Pay me back when you shake it like that, girl
Shorty,✦ say what's your price (Uh, huh)
Just to back it up
You can hold my ice (You can hold my ice; Yeah)
Now let's say you owe, owe, owe
Yeah, owe me back like you owe your rent
Owe me back like its money✦ I lent
Pay me back when you shake it again✦
[Verse 2: Nas]
Play to win, girls in the club moving✦
I get 'em real hot, my songs seduce✦ 'em
I flow, I'm so mysterious
Nas, and Nasty's✦ the alias✦
Everything platinum I glow
Cadillac trucks pulling up to the do'
On top out the car, lounge at the bar
We spent a thou', we wild, look how rowdy✦ we are
Feel like a million✦ dollars, feel me holla
To the max with the Benz and chrome wheeled Impalas
Thugs in renta's,✦ to the playas and ballers
Sexy✦ mamas,✦ fly ladies✦ looking proper
Look good enough to be taken✦ shopping✦
Earrings, bracelets, now you rocking
Your body's✦ so nice that I give you this option✦
Let you wear my big chain if we get it popping✦
[Chorus: Ginuwine & Nas]
Shorty✦ (uh huh), say what's your price (uh huh)
Just to back it up
You can hold my ice (yeah)
Now let's say you owe me something✦
Yeah, owe me back like you owe your tax
Owe me back like forty✦ acres✦ to Blacks
Pay me back when you shake it like that girl
Shorty,✦ say what's your price (uh huh)
Just to back it up
You can hold my ice
Now let's say you owe, owe, owe
Yeah, owe me back like you owe your rent
Owe me back like its money✦ I lent
Pay me back when you shake it again✦
[Bridge: Ginuwine]
I put the shackles✦ on your feet (you owe me)
I think you owe me some (you owe me)
The shackles✦ on your feet (you owe Nas)
I think you owe me some (you owe Ginuwine)✦
(You owe Timbaland,✦ you owe me)
[Verse 3: Nas & Ginuwine]
Lock you down baby,✦ you know what you owe me
Mack like Goldie, it's the same story✦
Let you hold something,✦ you spending it right
Know where you gon' be by the end of the night (End of the night, babe)
Make it bounce, shake it, move it around
Wiggle it a little bit, throw it to the south
Fantasizing me inside✦ and you riding✦
Throw it like a stallion,✦ you wearing my medallion✦
[Chorus: Ginuwine]
Shorty,✦ say what's your price
(Say what's your price, baby)✦
Just to back it up
You can hold my ice (You can hold)
Now let's say you owe me something✦ (oh)
(You owe me something,✦ oh yeah)
I said shorty,✦ say what's your price
(You owe Nas)
Just to back it up
(You owe Ginuwine)✦
You can hold my ice
(You owe Timbaland)✦
Now let's say you owe, owe, owe, owe, owe, owe
You owe us something,✦ baby✦
Oh, oh, oh
Technical Breakdown
7.3
Multisyllabic Rhymes7.5
Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)
Internal Rhymes9.5
Rhymes within a line (data-driven)
Wordplay / Double Entendres4.0
Clever language, metaphors, punchlines
Cadence / Rhythm9.0
Flow variation and timing (data-driven)
Vocabulary Complexity5.0
Range and depth of words used (data-driven)
Delivery / Breath Control6.5
Performance and control
Computed Score7.35
Production
— TimbalandBe the first to rate the production
Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™
The verse prioritizes sonic aesthetics and club-friendly cadence over lyrical complexity, functioning as a rhythmic accessory to the beat rather than a dense display of technical penmanship.
B+
7.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
9
Cadence / Flow
5
Vocabulary
4
Wordplay
6.5
Delivery
Internal Rhyme clustersEnd-rhyme repetitionStaccato flowCadence-driven phonetics
Rhyme Architecture: Predominantly AABB or AAAA end-rhyme structure with high-frequency internal rhymes specifically in the 'u' and 'ow' vowel sounds to match the hook's phonetic requirements.
Verified Doubles & Entendres
"Nasty's the alias"
① A reference to his moniker Nasty Nas② A description of the aggressive and explicit nature of the lyrical content he provides
"Everything platinum I glow"
① His music releases have achieved platinum certification status② The literal visual representation of his wealth through jewelry and high-status material goods
Strong pocket placement
High rhythmic consistency
Effective use of assonance to drive the club energy
Lower lyrical density compared to typical Nas standards
Reliance on generic club tropes
Lack of sustained metaphorical depth