The 18th Letter

It's Been a Long Time

Rakim

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

24

End

127

Internal

42

Multi

157

Slant

21

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Verse 2]
When I'm out proppin',✦ either✦ hangin'✦ or shoppin'✦
People see me, stop and ask me when the album droppin'✦
The wait is over,✦ in formation like a soldier
Like I told ya: greater, stronger, now that I'm older✦
I broke the code of silence✦ with overloads of talents
My only✦ challenge is not to explode in violence✦
I'm Asiatic✦ and blazin'✦ microphones a habit✦
At least once durin'✦ the course of a day, it's automatic✦
In ghetto✦ apparel, mind of a Egyptian pharaoh
Far from shallow, thoughts travel like an arrow✦
Allah's monotony, so far, they can't stop me
You know Ra' want property like Muammar Gaddafi
More thoughts than bibles, recitals taught disciples
A sawed-off mic, so words scatter like a rifle
Thoughts that's trifle, I'm bustin'✦ these for you
Ayo, technical difficulties is through
[Chorus]
''It's been a long time'' (Long time)
''Rakim,✦ the microphone✦ soloist''✦
''It's been a long time'' (Long time)
''Rakim,✦ the microphone✦ soloist''✦
''It's been a long time'' (Long time)
''Rakim,✦ the microphone✦ soloist''✦
''It's been a long time'' (Long time)
''It's been a long time'' (Long time)
[Verse 3]
When I flow tonight, I'll show 'em new heights I go to write
They know I strike with new prototypes to blow the mic
Critics and biters don't know where my source of light is
Still leave authors and writers with arthritis
Cursed kids like the pyramids when they found the style
First to ever✦ let a rhyme flow down the Nile
The rebirth of hip-hop'll be dropped now
'Cause the crowd didn't hear the original in a while
So be alarmed, what you 'bout to see is the bomb
Like 3D in 'Nam, vivid✦ like CD-ROM
Info✦ kept like internet.com, my notebook's my bond like the Holy✦ Qur'an✦
Since I came in the door, said it before✦
But, no, I ain't down with Eric✦ B. no more
At night, the open✦ mic be invitin' me to rhyme
So, yo, I'm online,✦ it's been a long time
[Chorus]
''It's been a long time'' (Long time)
''It's been a long time'' (Long time)
''Rakim,✦ the microphone✦ soloist''✦
''It's been a long time'' (Long time)
''Rakim,✦ the microphone✦ soloist''✦
''It's been a long time'' (Long time)
''It's been a long time'' (Long time)
[Outro]
''It's been a long time'' (Long time)
''It's been a long time'' (Long time)
''It's been a long time'' (Long time)

Technical Breakdown

9.1
Multisyllabic Rhymes7.5

Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)

Internal Rhymes9.5

Rhymes within a line (data-driven)

Wordplay / Double Entendres8.5

Clever language, metaphors, punchlines

Cadence / Rhythm10.0

Flow variation and timing (data-driven)

Vocabulary Complexity7.0

Range and depth of words used (data-driven)

Delivery / Breath Control9.5

Performance and control

Computed Score9.10

Production

— DJ Premier

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Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

Rakim elevates standard street-narrative tropes into high-level philosophical and historical abstraction through unparalleled internal rhyme density and rhythmic displacement.

A+
7.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
10
Cadence / Flow
7
Vocabulary
8.5
Wordplay
9.5
Delivery
Internal rhyme chainingMultisyllabic enjambmentCultural/Historical allusionSyncopated cadenceAssonance-heavy multis
Rhyme Architecture: Highly advanced AAAA internal-heavy structure; utilizes long-string multisyllabic rhyming (e.g., 'proppin/hangin/shoppin/droppin') that anchors the rhythm while allowing for fluid movement across the bar lines.
Verified Doubles & Entendres

"I broke the code of silence with overloads of talents"

① A reference to the 'code of silence' in street culture regarding criminal activity.② A meta-commentary on his industry absence; breaking his own silence (hiatus) through the release of new, overwhelming musical output.

"A sawed-off mic, so words scatter like a rifle"

① A literal visualization of the microphone as a weapon of mass lyrical dissemination.② A subversion of violent imagery, replacing the 'shotgun' of gangsta rap with the 'scatter' of lyrical content, positioning the microphone as a tool for intellectual destruction.

"In ghetto apparel, mind of a Egyptian pharaoh"

① A literal description of wearing street fashion.② A juxtaposition of Five-Percent Nation ideology, asserting a regal, ancient, and divine consciousness within an impoverished physical setting.

Exceptional rhythmic control that redefined flow standards for the mid-90s era

Coherent thematic trajectory moving from street observation to metaphysical proclamation

Masterful use of internal rhyme as a percussive tool rather than just a lyrical flourish

High-level cultural signifiers that add depth beyond surface-level braggadocio

Occasional density of internal rhyme slightly obscures the clarity of narrative progression for casual listeners

The concluding lines feel more functional as a structural transition than a thematic peak

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