The Seventh Seal

Dedicated

Rakim

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

17

End

84

Internal

38

Multi

142

Slant

6

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Hook]
[Verse 2]
I watched the lady✦ shine and stay on the grind
While the world weighed heavy✦ on a ladies✦ mind
It was a crazy✦ time
It's like the world stopped fast when pops passed✦ in '89
Harder✦ we cried the harder✦ you cried too
My father✦ kept your blue skies blue
It's hard to keep going, the harder✦ you try too
At January 18th part of you died too
You tried to be stronger✦ keep the fam together✦
You said we had to keep on and plan for better✦
While you smile with your open✦ arms
It took awhile✦ to die-tect your broken✦ heart
You said it takes✦ some time take it slow
But time will take it's toll and the stakes✦ is high 'til the day you die
But I refused to accept✦ eventually that I would have to say goodbye
[Hook]
You and me, We used✦ to be together✦
Everyday together,✦ Always
I really✦ feel, that I'm losing✦ my best friend
I can't believe this could be, the end
[Verse 3]
I'm starting to see how short life is
Every✦ second it get shorter but your heart get warmer✦
And you get stronger✦ even✦ when they said you need a transplant
And dialysis to live longer✦
It put us in fear, put us in tears
You still managed to live life to the fullest for years
Then things got complicated,✦ they found a donor✦ so they operated✦
A gift and a curse, it's a risk, will it work
And concerned, then things took a turn for the worse
And even✦ if I'd seen the signs I doubt the actions
Nothing could prepare me for what was 'bout to happen✦
In the hospital, the 18th floor, vivid✦
July✦ 18th, 2005, I can't forget✦ it
Since that day, I'm forever numb
The end, the day I hoped✦ would never✦ come
[Hook]

Technical Breakdown

7.8
Multisyllabic Rhymes8.5

Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)

Internal Rhymes9.5

Rhymes within a line (data-driven)

Wordplay / Double Entendres6.5

Clever language, metaphors, punchlines

Cadence / Rhythm8.0

Flow variation and timing (data-driven)

Vocabulary Complexity6.0

Range and depth of words used (data-driven)

Delivery / Breath Control8.0

Performance and control

Computed Score7.84

Production

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Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

Rakim shifts from his signature internal rhyme-heavy persona to a grounded, narrative-driven delivery, utilizing emotional vulnerability as a rhythmic anchor to elevate a deeply personal tribute.

B+
8.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
8
Cadence / Flow
6
Vocabulary
6.5
Wordplay
8
Delivery
Assonance-driven internal rhymeEmotional cadence modulationNarrative arc structureRepetitive stress patterns
Rhyme Architecture: Primarily composed of AAAA and AABB clusters with long-vowel heavy internal assonance that maintains a conversational yet mournful flow.
Verified Doubles & Entendres

"die-tect your broken heart"

① Detecting the physical or psychological presence of the heart's damage.② A grim play on 'die' within 'detect,' highlighting how the process of detection reveals the mother's proximity to giving up/dying.

"the stakes is high 'til the day you die"

① Life's pressures and challenges remain constant and intense until the end of one's life.② A literal acknowledgement of the proximity of death, framing the high stakes not just as life's struggle, but as the finality of existence itself.

Exceptional emotional resonance that informs the rhythmic choice

Strong narrative cohesion and arc

Sophisticated handling of complex grief through simple, evocative language

Lower lexical complexity compared to Rakim’s peak 80s/early 90s output

Lack of dense wordplay typical of his more technical, battle-oriented verses

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