The 18th Letter

Guess Who's Back

Rakim

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

End

159

Internal

103

Multi

220

Slant

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight

[Verse 2]

It's on! So you can swerve when it's heard in clubs

Thought patterns displayed on Persian rugs

Equations are drawn up in paisley form

Mic, it stay warm, my flow is Evian^✦

Deep as a Nautilus, you stay dipped^✦ in Ra's style

From the shores^✦ of Long Island to Panama^✦ Canal^✦

Intellect pitches new trends like a clothes designer

I'm in effect, quicker than medicines^✦ in China^✦

Split the mic open,^✦ fill it with somethin'^✦ potent to go in

And take a toke then mental^✦ planes^✦ start floatin'

Hot science is smokin',^✦ altitudes cause chokin'^✦

Product is hypnotic, you're soakin'^✦ and still smokin'^✦

Showin'^✦ better scenes^✦ than grams of amphetamines^✦

Plans to scheme, means I'll forever fiend

Long as the mic is loud and the volume's pumpin'^✦

I'mma^✦ move crowds to two-thousand and somethin'^✦

[Chorus]

I control^✦ the crowd, you know Ra hold it down

When it drop, you know it's jiggy^✦ when you hear the sound

From town to town, until^✦ it's world-renowned^✦

And I rock New York City^✦ all year around^✦

[Verse 3]

My rhymes^✦ and lyrics find spirits like a seance

Since fat crayons, I write and display chaos

My plan is damage,^✦ the diagram to where the jam is

I take advantage until^✦ the crowd go bananas

What a rush! I hear cuts and I lust to touch

Microphones be clutched by the illustrious

Word spread, I inherited many^✦ ways to say the unsaid

Born with three 7's in my head

In time, no one can seem to blow your mind as far as this

To find, you'll need philosophers and anthropologists^✦

Astrologists,^✦ professors from your smartest colleges

With knowledge of scholarships, when Ra be droppin' this

Some of the things that I know will be in your next bible

When I die, go bury^✦ me and my notebook in Cairo

With the great God from Egypt, manifest, was writin'^✦ rhymes^✦

Align with the stars, I come back to bless the mic

[Chorus]

I control^✦ the crowd, you know Ra hold it down

When it drop, you know it's jiggy^✦ when you hear the sound

From town to town, until^✦ it's world-renowned^✦

And I rock New York City^✦ all year around^✦

I control^✦ the crowd, you know Ra hold it down

When it drop, you know it's jiggy^✦ when you hear the sound

From town to town, until^✦ it's world-renowned^✦

And I rock New York City^✦ all year around^✦

[Outro]

Once again,^✦ back is the incredible^✦

Word up, Rakim^✦ Allah^✦ the Microphone Fiend is back, yanahmean? (Rakim^✦ Allah!)^✦

Til' death do us 'part, it's on

Once again,^✦ back is the incredible^✦ (Rakim^✦ Allah!)^✦

Once again^✦ back is the incredible^✦

The incredible,^✦ the incredible,^✦ the incredible^✦

Once again,^✦ back is the incredible^✦

Rhyme animal,^✦ the incredible^✦

Technical Breakdown

7.6

Multisyllabic Rhymes9.5

Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)

Internal Rhymes9.5

Rhymes within a line (data-driven)

Wordplay / Double Entendres8.0

Clever language, metaphors, punchlines

Cadence / Rhythm5.5

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 Score7.60

Production

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Critic Analysis

RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

Rakim's lyrical dexterity and complex rhyme schemes create an immersive, almost hypnotic experience, showcasing his mastery of the era's sophisticated hip-hop artistry.

B+

9.5

Multisyllabic

9.5

Internal Rhymes

5.5

Cadence / Flow

Vocabulary

Wordplay

Delivery

Multisyllabic RhymesInternal RhymesComplex ImageryMetaphorical LayeringAllusion

Rhyme Architecture: The verse features a dense and intricate rhyme scheme, predominantly employing multisyllabic and internal rhymes to create a fluid, consistent flow. The scheme is not rigidly adhered to across entire sections, allowing for strategic breaks that emphasize certain points and maintain listener engagement.

Verified Doubles & Entendres

"Thought patterns displayed on Persian rugs"

① The complex and intricate nature of thoughts, comparing them to the detailed patterns found on Persian rugs.② A more literal interpretation could suggest that the thought processes are 'laid out' or visible, akin to a tapestry or map, possibly implying a cultural or exotic influence on the thinking.

"Mic, it stay warm, my flow is Evian"

① Rakim's mic is always active ('stay warm') and his flow is pure and refreshing like Evian water.② This also plays on the idea of purity and high quality, associating his 'flow' with a premium, well-known brand, implying a superior and uncontaminated lyrical delivery.

"Intellect pitches new trends like a clothes designer"

① Rakim's intelligence and creativity are so advanced that he originates new ideas and styles, much like a fashion designer introduces new clothing lines.② This metaphor highlights the trendsetting nature of his intellect, suggesting he is not just following but dictating the direction of lyrical content and style.

"I'm in effect, quicker than medicines in China"

① His influence and impact ('in effect') are potent and rapidly spreading, as fast as potent medicines are known to work in China.② This also implies a deep, almost traditional efficacy, suggesting his rap is powerful and has a profound, fast-acting effect on the listener, referencing a cultural association with potent remedies.

"Split the mic open, fill it with somethin' potent to go in / And take a toke then mental planes start floatin'"

① This is a vivid metaphor for deeply engaging with his lyrics. 'Splitting the mic open' implies dissecting or intensely consuming his words. 'Filling it with something potent' suggests the power of his rap, and 'taking a toke'/'mental planes start floatin'' compares the psychedelic, mind-altering effect of his music to smoking a potent substance.② It also frames his lyrical content as a form of drug, offering an escape or altered state of consciousness through the power of his rhymes and delivery.

Exceptional multisyllabic and internal rhyme density.

Rich, layered imagery that appeals to multiple senses.

Consistent, commanding vocal presence implied by the lyrical complexity.

Sophisticated vocabulary and thematic depth.

Era-defining innovation in lyrical construction.

Cadence/flow score is moderate, suggesting some lines might be denser than easily rideable.

Some rhymes, while technically proficient, might occasionally feel slightly forced to maintain the scheme.

Guess Who's Back

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

Technical Breakdown

Production

User Scores