The Seventh Seal

Won't Be Long

Rakim

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

19

End

98

Internal

57

Multi

185

Slant

7

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Hook: Tracey✦ Horton]✦ (with Rakim✦ ad-libs)✦
[Verse 2: Rakim]
So when they ask where I go from here (go 'head)
The road and the goal is clear (uh) but it's so severe✦ (uh)
Sometimes I feel like lettin✦ go, I swear
I had setbacks my whole career✦ (straight y'all)
Messin✦ with my grind's like messin✦ with my mind
But yo, I'm still breathin, so I guess it's just a sign (uh huh)
But it's meaning to the message✦ in the lines✦ (word up)
Some things happen✦ for a reason✦ like a blessing✦ in disguise
But success was in my eyes, the shine was blindin me
The fame, a little bit of change, it took some time to see
The lesson✦ for the wise, profit✦ more
Time to be a record✦ and the prize was poppin✦ off
Finally I made a couple of moves,✦ got my own label✦ (got to get it)
Me and a couple of dudes,✦ we at the dope table (let's get that money)✦
Took a oath to stay true, now it's an empire✦
Put out the new Rakim✦ album and it's fire
[Hook: Tracey✦ Horton]✦ (with Rakim✦ ad-libs)✦
[Verse 3: Rakim]
Feel like I'm back where I belong✦ when I'm in the booth (uh)
Produce and perform at my pinnacle (uh huh)
Speak the truth in my songs and my interviews (the truth)
For the youth and my dons and my women✦ too (uh huh)
Guap insisted, watch your business with a drama✦ dunn (get that money)✦
Hustlers is where we get persona from
Gotta✦ get it, not just wish a dollar✦ come
We optimistic since Obama✦ won
But these days of recession✦
We ain't safe yet (uh huh), pray, a paycheck away✦ from the Great Depression✦ (uh)
Major stressin but we wait for blessings
Long as the Federal Reserve still paper✦ pressing✦
I wrote the plot for gettin✦ this cabbage✦ in the hood
Where the average✦ cat can triple his status in the hood
Don't stop, 'til we livin✦ lavish✦ in the hood
I'm like Barack✦ with The Stimulus Package✦ in the hood
[Hook: Tracey✦ Horton]✦ (with Rakim✦ ad-libs)✦
[Outro:✦ Tracey✦ Horton]✦ (with Rakim✦ ad-libs✦ until✦ fade)
It won't be long, 'til the trouble and the struggle is gone
The hustle make the struggle get gone
It won't be long, 'til the world sings the words to our song
That way we forever live on

Technical Breakdown

8.2
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 / 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 Score8.16

Production

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Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

Rakim leverages his signature internal rhyme density and mid-tempo cadence to transition from introspective struggle to industry empowerment, utilizing wordplay to bridge personal experience with professional status.

A
9.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
8
Cadence / Flow
7
Vocabulary
7.5
Wordplay
8
Delivery
Internal rhyme stackingMultisyllabic chainingPhonetic mirroringAphoristic delivery
Rhyme Architecture: Rakim utilizes a dense AABB to AAAA structure heavily saturated with internal slant rhymes, particularly clustering around long 'i' and 'o' vowels to maintain a smooth, authoritative flow.
Verified Doubles & Entendres

"success was in my eyes, the shine was blindin me"

① The literal brightness or glitter of gold and celebrity fame physically impeding vision.② The metaphorical hubris or obsession with success causing a lack of clarity regarding personal growth or priorities.

"time to be a record and the prize was poppin off"

① The chronological moment to produce a musical project and achieve commercial success.② A subtle pun on 'record' as both a musical disc and the act of setting a historical standard or personal achievement.

Exceptional technical mastery of internal rhyme placement

Authoritative, measured delivery that reinforces his status as a veteran

Cohesive narrative arc moving from hardship to ownership

Occasional reliance on standard rap tropes

Less experimental flow compared to his 'Paid in Full' era output

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