It Was Written
The Set Up
Nas
Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis
22
End
163
Internal
80
Multi
167
Slant
7
Chain
Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Chorus: Havoc]
Spark the lye, Q.B.C. yo, it's do or die
In this business✦ of trifeness✦
I finesse✦ this (Finesse✦ this), Boyardee, we chef shit
Perfect✦ shit, Albert✦ Einstein✦ minds connect✦ wit'
Dangerous✦ sons, step back, let the TEC lift
Lift you up, bless you with a shorty✦ then we set you up!
Spark the lye, Q.B.C. yo, it's do or die
In this business✦ of trifeness✦
We finesse✦ this (Finesse✦ this), Boyardee, we chef shit
Perfect✦ shit, Albert✦ Einstein✦ minds connect✦ wit'
Dangerous✦ sons, step back, let the TEC lift
Lift you up, bless you with a shorty✦ then we set you up!
[Verse 2: Nas]
"Hold it right there, pull over!"✦ That nigga✦ right there inside✦ the Rover✦ (Right there)
I knew he'd be right here, I told ya
Let's get him now, look at him smile, Ice Bulova✦
Polo✦ pullover, big links and rockin'✦ boulders
He's stuntin' after✦ he left my man like that
Without a fair chance to fight back, but I'll be right back!
He never✦ seen us, Sos' gave the MAC to Venus✦ and Vicious✦
Lookin'✦ delicious,✦ handle your bidness
And step to him, shake your ass, try to screw him
Do what you gotta✦ do to get to him
A tight Parasuco with young faces✦
Can turn niggas✦ Buttafuoco of all ages✦ (Yeah)
They was amused✦ by the way they walked,✦ way they talked✦
Only✦ if they knew these girls'll spray New York
If they've had to, heard him ask Venus,✦ "Could I have you?"
He jumped✦ out a Jeep, heard her tell him, "Don't grab, boo!" (What up, boo? What up? What up?)
They started✦ chattin', was only✦ 'bout a minute✦ flat when
They jumped✦ in the back of the Jeep laughin'
We followed 'em, pollyin', he thought the hoes were Somalian
Probably when they hit the Holiday Inn
I grabbed the phone and called✦ the Mobb and 'em
We laid low about✦ a hour or so, these bitches movin'✦ too slow
We both holdin',✦ what if them wild hoes started✦ foldin'?✦
Sosa✦ said, "Say no more", we started✦ rollin'✦
Before✦ we got in, they must've shot him
Security wildin',✦ there the girls go, hurry✦ up, we out in
The 940, me, Sosa✦ and two shorties
The punk niggas✦ got murdered in the orgy!✦
[Chorus: Havoc & Female]
Spark the lye, Q.B.C. yo, it's do or die
In this business✦ of trifeness✦
We finesse✦ this, Boyardee, we chef shit
Perfect✦ shit, Albert✦ Einstein✦ minds connect✦ wit'
Dangerous✦ sons, step back, let the TEC lift
Lift you up, bless you with a shorty✦ then we set you up
Outro:✦ [Female]✦
(All day, baby,✦ all day)
Q.B.C., Queensbridge, motherfucker
Ropin'✦ niggas✦ up, 'cause our clique is thick
Another✦ day, another✦ dollar
More money,✦ more murder✦
Fuck this shit! Q.B. up in the house
Technical Breakdown
8.1
Multisyllabic Rhymes9.5
Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)
Internal Rhymes9.5
Rhymes within a line (data-driven)
Wordplay / Double Entendres6.5
Clever language, metaphors, punchlines
Cadence / Rhythm8.0
Flow variation and timing (data-driven)
Vocabulary Complexity7.0
Range and depth of words used (data-driven)
Delivery / Breath Control8.0
Performance and control
Computed Score8.05
Production
— HavocBe the first to rate the production
Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™
Nas demonstrates high-level structural discipline by utilizing a repetitive 'right there/here' phonetic anchor to ground a narrative-heavy verse, balancing technical internal rhyme density with clear, cinematic storytelling.
A
9.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
8
Cadence / Flow
7
Vocabulary
6.5
Wordplay
8
Delivery
Phonetic anchoringCinematic narrative pacingMultisyllabic enjambmentConsonant clustersInternal rhyme stacking
Rhyme Architecture: The verse relies on a robust AAAA/BBBB terminal rhyme structure centered on the 'o-er' sound (Rover, told ya, Bulova, pullover, boulders), punctuated by internal assonance and clever rhythmic repetition.
Verified Doubles & Entendres
"Ice Bulova"
① A high-end brand of luxury timepiece (Bulova) covered in diamonds (Ice).② A signifier of the target's excessive wealth and status, used here to frame him as a prime target for a heist.
"Polo pullover"
① A specific luxury fashion item (Ralph Lauren sweater).② A phonetic continuation of the 'o-er' rhyme scheme that doubles as an identifying descriptor of the victim's attire.
Exceptional rhythmic consistency within a dense narrative
High-level integration of slang and brand imagery into the rhyme scheme
Masterful use of internal cadence to maintain tension
Narrative clarity despite the high technical complexity
Wordplay is functional and narrative-driven rather than abstract or metaphorical
Relies heavily on standard street-rap tropes of the era