The Seventh Seal

Holy Are You

Rakim

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

17

End

50

Internal

50

Multi

166

Slant

7

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Chorus]
Holy✦ are you
Holy✦ are you
There is no God but you (I am the alpha✦ and omega)✦
There is no God but you (You are not what you...)
Praised✦ be the Lord (You don't even✦ know what you went through)
[Verse 2]
We were children of the Most High, so we fell
From paradise✦ to holy✦ Hell
Probably descendants of the Holy✦ Grail
Another part of history they won't reveal,✦ times'll only✦ tell
You waiting for Judgment? It came
In the form of a thug in the game
To create a strong position, there's✦ blood in my vein
The chemical✦ is identical,✦ we one and the same
With seven✦ letters in all three of my government names✦
Walked✦ on water? Nah, neither did Jesus✦
It's a parable to make followers and readers believers
From Egypt to Budapest, Rakim✦ is the truest left
Understand the Scriptures like the Minister Louis F.
I told you who godly,✦ you ignored me like most the prophets
Jesus,✦ Solomon, Abraham, Moses,✦ and Muhammad
I showed✦ the scholars, we'll fulfill the broken✦ promise✦
I spit this truth to predict the future✦ like Nostradamus
Like Revelations, I'm hoping my quotes✦ reveal✦
The seven✦ spirits of God when I open✦ the seal
Interpret the holy✦ Qur'an, these flows will guide you
Translate the Torah✦ and decode✦ the Bible
Warn the elders✦ in the mosques,✦ Masons and the law
The seven✦ churches, the synagogues,✦ it's the Renaissance
Skin is bronze like the Messiah
Rakim✦ Allah's 'bout to reveal✦ the biggest secret in time: Men are God
[Chorus]
Holy✦ are you
Holy✦ are you
There is no God but you (I wanna✦ challenge✦ you)
There is no God but you (And soon I will challenge✦ the powers✦ of the world)
Praised✦ be the Lord (I am the alpha✦ and omega)✦
[Outro]
Rakim✦ Allah✦
The God MC

Technical Breakdown

8.1
Multisyllabic Rhymes9.5

Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)

Internal Rhymes7.5

Rhymes within a line (data-driven)

Wordplay / Double Entendres8.0

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 Control8.5

Performance and control

Computed Score8.12

Production

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Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

Rakim leverages high-concept theological and historical abstraction to bridge the gap between street-level struggle and divine identity, utilizing sophisticated internal rhyme clusters that reinforce his status as a lyrical prophet.

A
9.5
Multisyllabic
7.5
Internal Rhymes
8
Cadence / Flow
7
Vocabulary
8
Wordplay
8.5
Delivery
multisyllabic internal rhymingtheological allusionhistorical subversionrhythmic syncopationcanonical deconstruction
Rhyme Architecture: Complex multisyllabic internal rhyme scheme (e.g., 'fell'/'Hell'/'Grail'/'reveal'/'tell'/'well') paired with strong end-rhyme chains that anchor the philosophical narrative.
Verified Doubles & Entendres

"You waiting for Judgment? It came / In the form of a thug in the game"

① A reference to the theological concept of the Final Judgment.② A assertion that the street life (the thug) is the true, inescapable reality that judges and tests the individual in the present.

"With seven letters in all three of my government names"

① A factual count of the letters in his legal name (Rakim Allah = 10? No, his birth name William Michael Griffin = 17? The line implies a metaphysical or numerological code common in Five-Percent Nation rhetoric).② A stylistic boast regarding his lyrical precision, equating his identity with a sacred or hidden code.

"The chemical is identical, we one and the same"

① A literal reference to human biology and shared DNA.② A spiritual assertion of the 'God within' philosophy, arguing there is no separation between the individual and the divine.

Masterful integration of religious scripture with hip-hop socio-political critique

Exceptional rhythmic control and pocket placement

Bold, intellectual deconstruction of established dogma

High density of multisyllabic rhyming that maintains narrative clarity

The density of internal rhyme occasionally obscures the primary punchline impact for a casual listener

The pivot from theological critique to personal identity can feel jarring without multiple listens

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