The Master

Finest Ones

Rakim

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

20

End

151

Internal

118

Multi

226

Slant

9

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Chorus: Clark Kent]
Ladies,✦ nothing✦ but the finest✦ ones✦
The lavish✦ ones,✦ the ain't hard to find us ones✦
From the boldest✦ to the shyest ones✦
Which city✦ got the livest✦ ones?✦
New York, LA, Atlanta, VA
Miami,✦ DC, tell me!
[Verse 2: Rakim]
Bonjour, baby✦ here go my brochure
Give me a phone call, I'll show you the whole store
It's so raw, I'll have your world in awe
You wanna know how much the whole package✦ go for?
My spectacle, like a festival
It's majestical, special guest for you
Ready✦ to party✦ hard, the party's✦ in yards to the mardi✦ gras
Rap seance, please give you a body✦ massage✦
Rock jams, have you hot in your pants and nasty✦
Forbidden dance with me or tickle your fancy?✦
Let Ra take you on a rendezvous
Couple of days will do if it's okay✦ with you
Deserted isle style, middle of winter✦ with no bed
I'll comfort you like you were Jennifer Lopez
You get what you deserve if I said we swerve
I'll hit more than nerve and that's my every✦ word
Baby,✦ bounce
[Chorus: Clark Kent]
Ladies,✦ nothing✦ but the finest✦ ones✦
The lavish✦ ones,✦ the ain't hard to find us ones✦
From the boldest✦ to the shyest ones✦
Which city✦ got the livest✦ ones?✦
Houston, Philly✦
Ladies,✦ nothing✦ but the finest✦ ones✦
The lavish✦ ones,✦ the ain't hard to find us ones✦
From the boldest✦ to the shyest ones✦
Which city✦ got the livest✦ ones?✦
[Verse 3: Rakim]
Baby,✦ you wake up the next day, lingerie negligee✦
Give you a sex X-ray before✦ we catch the rays
Let's blaze, a lot more games✦ left to play
While you still amazed✦ from yesterday's escapades
Steadily show my pedigree✦ so thoroughly
To the B-O-N-E, like chemotherapy
Sex and triple X, you ready✦ to wed next
Relax baby,✦ you need plenty✦ of bed rest
You've been a passenger of a high speed crash with a wild style fashioner
Brown skinned ambassador
Chiropractor with a passion
For smashin' your ass like a cardiovascular massacre
You've be through shock heading at your cu-wop
Body✦ so hot, you need a shot from your new doc
With better✦ cures,✦ where's✦ it sore? I'll wet her more
And let it pour from her to head to her pedicures, baby✦ bounce
[Chorus: Clark Kent]
Ladies,✦ nothing✦ but the finest✦ ones✦
The lavish✦ ones,✦ the ain't hard to find us ones✦
From the boldest✦ to the shyest ones✦
Which city✦ got the livest✦ ones?✦
Detroit, San Fran
Ladies,✦ nothing✦ but the finest✦ ones✦
The lavish✦ ones,✦ the ain't hard to find us ones✦
From the boldest✦ to the shyest ones✦
Which city✦ got the livest✦ ones?✦
Chi-Town, Boston
Ladies,✦ nothing✦ but the finest✦ ones✦
The lavish✦ ones,✦ the ain't hard to find us ones✦
From the boldest✦ to the shyest ones✦
Which city✦ got the livest✦ ones?✦
Cleveland, B-More
Ladies,✦ nothing✦ but the finest✦ ones✦
The lavish✦ ones,✦ the ain't hard to find us one
From the boldest✦ to the shyest ones✦
Which city✦ got the livest✦ ones?✦
Orlando, NO
[Outro: Clark Kent]
What, Brooklyn, Uptown✦
Queens side, Bronx
LI, Stanton Island, NJ, what?
Connecticut, can't forget✦ y'all
Uh-uh,✦ girls e'rywhere, ah ha
Girls, girls, girls, girls, and
Ah, uh-huh,✦ dedicated to the ladies✦
From Rakim the God across the world
You heard?

Technical Breakdown

8.6
Multisyllabic Rhymes9.5

Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)

Internal Rhymes8.5

Rhymes within a line (data-driven)

Wordplay / Double Entendres9.0

Clever language, metaphors, punchlines

Cadence / Rhythm8.5

Flow variation and timing (data-driven)

Vocabulary Complexity7.0

Range and depth of words used (data-driven)

Delivery / Breath Control9.0

Performance and control

Computed Score8.62

Production

— Clark Kent, The 45 King

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Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

Rakim masterfully employs a complex internal and multi-syllabic rhyme scheme, creating an intricate sonic tapestry that elevates the lyrical content. His delivery, implied by the density of rhymes and rhythmic precision, commands attention and showcases a profound understanding of flow.

A
9.5
Multisyllabic
8.5
Internal Rhymes
8.5
Cadence / Flow
7
Vocabulary
9
Wordplay
9
Delivery
Multisyllabic RhymesInternal RhymesComplex Rhyme SchemesFigurative LanguageDouble Entendres
Rhyme Architecture: Rakim utilizes an intricate rhyme scheme characterized by heavy use of multisyllabic and internal rhymes. He often chains rhymes across multiple bars, creating a dense and complex sonic structure. For example, the 'ore' sound in 'brochure,' 'store,' and 'for,' extended with internal rhymes and near rhymes within the lines, demonstrates his mastery.
Verified Doubles & Entendres

"here go my brochure / show you the whole store"

① A literal brochure detailing services or offerings, and a physical store to showcase them.② Figuratively, his 'brochure' is his lyrical prowess and persona, and 'the whole store' represents the entirety of his sexual capabilities and charm.

"My spectacle, like a festival / It's majestical, special guest for you"

① His performance or presence is a grand public display, akin to a festival, and is majestic and intended as a special treat.② The 'spectacle' is his sexual prowess, the 'festival' is the experience he offers, and he is a 'special guest' in the listener's intimate life.

"I'll comfort you like you were Jennifer Lopez"

① He will provide comfort and solace, comparing his ability to that of a comforting figure, perhaps referencing a publicly perceived persona of Jennifer Lopez.② This line plays on the public perception and sensuality associated with Jennifer Lopez, implying he will provide a sensual and intimate form of comfort.

"You get what you deserve if I said we swerve / I'll hit more than nerve"

① If he makes a decision ('swerve'), the listener will receive what is rightfully theirs, and his actions will have a significant impact ('hit more than nerve').② The 'swerve' refers to a sexual encounter, 'what you deserve' implies sexual satisfaction, and 'hit more than nerve' refers to profound physical and emotional impact during intimacy.

Exceptional multisyllabic and internal rhyme schemes, creating a rich sonic texture.

Sophisticated wordplay and double entendres that reward close listening.

Confident and commanding implied delivery that complements the lyrical density.

Excellent era-appropriate originality, pushing the boundaries of hip-hop lyricism in 1993.

Strong narrative arc within the verse, building to moments of lyrical impact.

Some lines, while technically proficient, might require significant listener effort to fully grasp.

The density of rhymes, while a strength, can occasionally overshadow immediate clarity.

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