The Master

The Master

Rakim

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

26

End

149

Internal

69

Multi

177

Slant

10

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Verse 2]
Here we come now, turntable✦ spin like a merry-go-round✦
Never✦ slow down, depending on how good your stereo✦ sounds
Set it, up in the hood where we go surround✦
Tearin'✦ through towns, turn 'em into✦ burial✦ grounds
This is the track that made Theodore wanna✦ scratch
The track that caused✦ the first kid to spin on his back
And then we saw, kids spray-painting the wall
While some of y'all was waitin'✦ for war breakin' the law
It's no antidote it's what you can't provoke
So just relax with your girls or your mans and smoke
And take a real hit, soon as it bang you feel quick
It's real thick, this is that ol' real shit
This is the description of designs for you to listen✦ to
Reminiscin' the times✦ and nothin'✦ in particular
Keep you goin' just like a whole pot of coffee
Have you and your shorty✦ doin' eighty✦ in a forty✦
[Chorus]
Explain✦ the feeling✦ you get when you hear a smash hit
When the track hit, it's classic,✦ yeah, that's it
For the ladies✦ this is the hatrick,✦ with the back lit
For men that get pornographic✦ with that chick
Life'strap✦ click, stack tips with a fat whip
Illest✦ one of Ra's tactics,✦ now that's sick
Similar✦ to the rush casket✦ with the with a gas bin
In other✦ words, ayo, this is that shit
[Verse 3]
You know what this is, yeah, kid, give up your riches✦
Vicious, visions✦ is not for motion✦ pictures
Unstoppable,✦ rollin'✦ with ya sickest clique of niggas✦
Or witcha✦ missus, gettin✦ tropical kisses✦
Makin'✦ faces,✦ anticipatin' places✦ her tongue hits
Suck her neck or just peck, better✦ to funk it
The EP is in effect from dusk to sunset✦
She want a rim shot all over✦ her drum set
Jump the bed rubbin'✦ your head- it's rough sex
Fifty✦ ways to keep a love wet
Down and up the steps with crazy✦ positions✦ left till she upset✦
"Damn, baby,✦ you ain't cum yet?"
Hell, no- doomstick big as a elbow✦
Gel soft, well blow, give him a minute,✦ he'll grow
And all you gotta✦ do is play the track again✦
I'm ready✦ and revived, baby,✦ back again✦
[Chorus]
Explain✦ the feeling✦ you get when you hear a smash hit
When the track hit, it's classic,✦ yeah, that's it
For the ladies✦ this is the hatrick,✦ with the back lit
For men that get pornographic✦ with that chick
Life'strap✦ click, stack tips with a fat whip
Illest✦ one of Ra's tactics,✦ now that's sick
Similar✦ to the rush casket✦ with the with a gas bin
In other✦ words, ayo, this is that shit

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 Complexity7.0

Range and depth of words used (data-driven)

Delivery / Breath Control8.5

Performance and control

Computed Score8.62

Production

— Rakim, The 45 King, Amen-Ra, DJ Clark Kent, DJ Premier, Jaz-O, Naughty Shorts, Nick Wiz, Punch, TR Love, V.I.C.

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Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

Rakim masterfully transitions from historical documentation of hip-hop's foundational aesthetics to a visceral description of his own sonic impact, utilizing rhythmic syncopation that prioritizes pocket-percussion over dense, multi-syllabic trickery.

A
9.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
9
Cadence / Flow
7
Vocabulary
7.5
Wordplay
8.5
Delivery
Assonant internal rhymingHistorical allusionDynamic cadence shiftsEnjambment for rhythmic tension
Rhyme Architecture: Rakim employs an AAAA, BBBB, CCCC, DDDD pattern with highly saturated internal rhymes (e.g., 'spin/ground/down/sound/surround/town/grounds'), favoring 'long-o' and 'ih' vowel chains that anchor the listener to the beat's pulse.
Verified Doubles & Entendres

"Turn 'em into burial grounds"

① Physical destruction/battle rap dominance② A play on the 'turntable' and 'ground' homophones, linking the DJ's physical movement of records to the resulting 'crushing' impact on competitors

"For the ladies this is the hatrick"

① A sports term indicating three successful actions or goals② A triple-layered success referencing the song's musical quality, Rakim's lyrical precision, and his status as a legendary figure

Unrivaled command of the 'pocket' regarding beat placement

Seamless integration of hip-hop history with modern sonic description

Exceptional use of multi-syllabic end-rhyme chains

Occasional filler phrases to maintain the strict AAAA scheme

Theological and abstract complexity is lower compared to earlier 'The 18th Letter' era compositions

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