Stillmatic
Every Ghetto
Nas
Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis
13
End
96
Internal
81
Multi
181
Slant
6
Chain
Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Verse 2: Blitz]
It's Blitz, nigga,✦ the streets glory,✦ many✦ die for me
Got knocked, refused 3 to 9's, went to trial for me
Basically I'm just reality, loaded✦ with foul stories of lust
Greed and contempt, no street is exempt
Extended clip shots, hoods barricaded for six blocks
I sip shots, watchin'✦ 'em hustlers pitch rocks
Oil paintin' pictures of my pain, illustrate the city✦ in vain
Fallin'✦ deep into✦ the pits of the game
This is for the sickest state of mind, in these fatal✦ times✦
Vest crimes,✦ nickel-plated nines✦ and niggas for the dime
Hear the sounds of them babies✦ cry, still I'm sayin' why do we reside✦
In the ghetto✦ with a million✦ ways to die?
Stayin' high to relieve✦ the pain, breathin' in the game
Exhalin' guilt, sin and shame, misery✦ and strain
What the fuck will tomorrow✦ bring, luck or anthrax?
I stand back, hopin'✦ I'll make it through tomorrow✦
[Verse 3: Nas]
My skin is a art gallery, right, with paintings of crucifixes
Hopin'✦ to save me from all the dangers in the music business
Was once a young gangsta hangin'✦ with youth offenders
But since I tasted✦ paper✦ it started losin'✦ the friendships
Watchin'✦ kids freeze in winters, they still poor
How could I tease them with Benzes✦ and feel no remorse?
Drivin'✦ past them in the lively✦ fashion,✦ diamond colors clashin'
Red stones,✦ blue stones,✦ red bones✦ and black ones✦
Fuck did I expect with bucket✦ seats in a Lex
And spendin' time in Chuckie Cheese with Little Des?
Got guns when I'm with my daughter
Hate to bring a violent aura✦ in her presence
She know what daddy✦ taught her, it's lessons
Black princess, it's a ugly✦ world
I put my life up for yours, see I love that girl
Could you believe✦ even✦ my shadow's jealous?
My skin is mad at my flesh, my flesh hates✦ my own bones✦
My brain hates✦ my heart, my heart makes✦ the songs
Though my songs come from the Father✦
I'm lonely,✦ hold me, it's gettin'✦ darker✦
[Chorus: Blitz]
For every✦ struggle, every✦ strip, and every✦ ghetto✦
For every✦ nigga✦ totin'✦ inner✦ pain and heavy✦ metal✦
For every✦ child that's born, and every✦ nigga✦ gone
And for every✦ breath I breathe and live to see another✦ morning✦
For every✦ struggle, every✦ strip, and every✦ ghetto✦
For every✦ nigga✦ totin'✦ inner✦ pain and heavy✦ metal✦
For every✦ child that's born, and every✦ nigga✦ gone
And for every✦ breath I breathe and live to see another✦ morning✦
Technical Breakdown
7.9
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 / Rhythm7.5
Flow variation and timing (data-driven)
Vocabulary Complexity8.0
Range and depth of words used (data-driven)
Delivery / Breath Control7.5
Performance and control
Computed Score7.91
Production
Be the first to rate the production
Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™
Nas employs vivid, self-reflective imagery that shifts the focus from external 'ghetto' tropes to the internal moral conflict of his own success, grounded in a refined, conversational flow.
B+
9.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
7.5
Cadence / Flow
8
Vocabulary
7
Wordplay
7.5
Delivery
Extended metaphorInternal rhyme chainsEnjambmentSelf-referential imagery
Rhyme Architecture: A complex mix of AABB and ABCB rhyming structures with heavy use of multi-syllabic internal slant rhymes ('gallery' / 'crucifixes' / 'dangers' / 'business').
Verified Doubles & Entendres
"skin is a art gallery, right, with paintings of crucifixes"
① Physical tattoos represent his life story and struggles.② His body and life are public displays of trauma and spiritual burden (crucifixes) for others to observe.
"tasted paper"
① Literal ingestion or handling of currency (money).② Experiencing the lifestyle and influence that comes with wealth, which acts as a catalyst for social estrangement.
Strong use of visual metaphor ('skin is a art gallery')
Effective emotional vulnerability regarding success versus communal struggle
Cohesive narrative arc within a short bar count
Punchline impact is lower compared to the narrative depth
Slightly predictable rhyme endings for the era