The 18th Letter

The Saga Begins

Rakim

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

21

End

86

Internal

105

Multi

192

Slant

12

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Chorus]
"The saga✦ begins"✦
"The soul controller,✦ Rakim''✦
"Set it off''
''Yo, the saga✦ begins"✦
"Still say a rhyme after✦ the next one"
"Yo, the saga✦ begins"✦
"The soul controller,✦ Rakim"✦
"Set it off''
''Yo, the saga✦ begins"✦
''You know that I'm the soloist''✦
[Verse 2]
Yo, my never-endin' epic,✦ got the world spinnin' hectic✦
I quickly spread it 'til the whole city's infected
Suspense that I supply✦ intensify, then commence✦ as my daily✦ events go by
You get involved in this, paragraphologist
Narratin'✦ novelist, market✦ this, sound marvelous
I'm the star in this, which means the author's authentic
Most definite, every✦ episode's a epidemic
So when you research, check it, here go the evidence✦
They represent with lyrical negligence✦ for presidents
My science existed, without the fiction✦
Every✦ inscription✦ is a special edition✦
[Pre-Chorus]
So all hail the honorable,✦ microphone✦ phenomenal✦
Persona✦ is invulnerable,✦ trust me son
I continue✦ like a saga✦ do, bringin'✦ you the drama✦ to
Allow✦ you that the chronicle✦ has just begun✦
[Chorus]
"The saga✦ begins"✦
"The soul controller,✦ Rakim''✦
"Set it off''
''Yo, the saga✦ begins"✦
"Still say a rhyme after✦ the next one"
"Yo, the saga✦ begins"✦
"The soul controller,✦ Rakim"✦
"Set it off''
''Yo, the saga✦ begins"✦
''You know that I'm the soloist''✦ (Yo)
[Verse 3]
Yo, the legacy✦ lives,✦ let em see what the pedigree is
Mega-thesis,✦ blessin' these kids with extra✦ features✦
The depth's deep as, the deepest sea is
Telepathy increases melody✦ gets speakers, telekinesis✦
Ideas appear✦ as clear as, pictures✦ in movie theaters
Lyrics you hear it, devastatin'✦ the way you ear it
So stay tuned for sequels, part two's and more
So soon you and your peoples can bumrush the store
The names✦ have changed, the game remain✦ the same
How one came to reign on his claim to fame
No stoppin'✦ this, I'm droppin'✦ this with hip-hop in this
And when the topic✦ is topicless, then I'm writin'✦ the apocalypse
[Pre-Chorus]
So all hail the honorable,✦ microphone✦ phenomenal✦
Persona✦ is invulnerable,✦ trust me son
I continue✦ like a saga✦ do, bringin'✦ you the drama✦ to
Allow✦ you that the chronicle✦ has just begun✦
[Chorus]
"The saga✦ begins"✦
"The soul controller,✦ Rakim''✦
"Set it off''
''Yo, the saga✦ begins"✦
"Still say a rhyme after✦ the next one"
"Yo, the saga✦ begins"✦
"The soul controller,✦ Rakim"✦
"Set it off''
''Yo, the saga✦ begins"✦
''You know that I'm the soloist''✦
[Outro]
"Rakim,✦ set it off''
"Rakim,✦ set it off''
"Rakim,✦ set it off''
''And you know that I'm the soloist''✦ (Yo)
"Rakim,✦ set it off''
"Rakim,✦ set it off''
"Rakim,✦ set it off''
''And you know that I'm the soloist''✦
"Rakim''✦ (Yo)
(Yo)

Technical Breakdown

8.9
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 / Rhythm10.0

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 Score8.93

Production

— Pete Rock

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Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

Rakim utilizes internal vowel density and multisyllabic clusters to elevate simple narrative flows into high-art technical demonstrations, effectively bridging the gap between street-level braggadocio and abstract wordplay.

A+
9.5
Multisyllabic
7.5
Internal Rhymes
10
Cadence / Flow
7
Vocabulary
8
Wordplay
9
Delivery
Multisyllabic internal rhymingVowel-heavy assonancePolysyllabic noun stackingDynamic cadence shifts
Rhyme Architecture: Predominantly AAAA, BBBB, CCCC with consistent multisyllabic endings (-ectic, -olicist, -entic) creating a heavy, percussive cadence.
Verified Doubles & Entendres

"paragraphologist / Narratin' novelist"

① A high-level student or master of writing paragraphs② A play on the academic suffix '-ologist' that positions Rakim as a scientific researcher of the written word

"every episode's a epidemic"

① Each verse is a narrative installment of his life story② The lyrical content is infectious, suggesting the reach of his influence is uncontrollable and rapidly spreading

Masterful control over internal rhyme density

Innovative use of polysyllabic terminology

Exceptional rhythmic stability that forces the listener to lock into the pocket

The density of rhymes occasionally sacrifices narrative clarity for phonetic appeal

Some metaphors serve as rhyme-facilitators rather than deep thematic exploration

User Scores