The 18th Letter

Show Me Love

Rakim

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

14

End

165

Internal

61

Multi

195

Slant

6

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Verse 2]
I'm in effect mode, I keep the Ep. sewed✦
When you express your finesse to your dress code
Every✦ step's a pose, you've been blessed and it shows
My interest grows, the effervesce explodes
Because this chick's characteristic's mystic
Hips are thick, just a little bit of lipstick, can't resist✦ it
Description:✦ Egyptian smile, queen of the Nile
That means she dipped✦ in style, she remind✦ me of Nefertiti,✦ yes, indeed-y
But it's hard to get it like hieroglyphic graffiti✦
Studied her exhibits and checked✦ her colorful curves✦
Intellect wit' swerves, I coulda✦ wrecked✦ my nerves,✦ that's my word
Diggin'✦ her enigma✦ that exist✦ in a sister,✦ carefully wrapped in her figure✦
We connect like a collision✦ and hug, just to knowledge her wisdom
Speed up my metabolism, show me love (Show me love)
[Chorus]
Promise✦ you won't do me wrong if I turn you on (Uh, yeah)
Promise✦ you'll stay all night long, makin'✦ love 'til dawn (Check it out)
Promise✦ you won't do me wrong if I turn you on (Yeah, yeah)
Promise✦ you'll stay all night long, so we can get it on
[Verse 3]
Your M.O. is hard not to notice,✦ so my motives is to stay focused
Body✦ moves✦ like aerobics
Attractions,✦ vibes✦ I caught came from your ways and actions✦
But mind-frame, hard to explain, no actin'✦ or mind games✦
But thinkin' of what can happen✦ is migraines, the X-rated✦ thought remains
We relaxin' and you naggin'✦ me fo' the agony✦ to yo' anatomy by the fractions✦
Your measurements, the pleasure's✦ in every✦ inch of your temple
I travel twenty-three million✦ miles✦ of your mental
Chemistry between you and me, in harmony
Causin'✦ angles✦ to meet like trigonometry
Or pyramids, that's where your deepest treasures✦ are hidden✦
Then it gets odiferous 'cause I know where it is
I mastered that 'cause it's easy✦ when you react
The all-natural aphrodisiac, show me love (Show me love)
[Chorus]
Promise✦ you won't do me wrong if I turn you on (Yeah)
Promise✦ you'll stay all night long, makin'✦ love 'til dawn (Uh)
Promise✦ you won't do me wrong if I turn you on (Go ahead, uh)
Promise✦ you'll stay all night long, so we can get it on (Show me love)
Promise✦ you won't do me wrong if I turn you on
Promise✦ you'll stay all night long, makin'✦ love 'til dawn (Mm-mm-mm)
Promise✦ you won't do me wrong if I turn you on (Yeah, check it out)
Promise✦ you'll stay all night long, so we can get it on (Uh)
Promise✦ you won't do me wrong if I turn you on
Promise✦ you'll stay all night long, makin'✦ love 'til dawn
Promise✦ you won't do me wrong if I turn you on
Promise✦ you'll stay all night long–

Technical Breakdown

8.1
Multisyllabic Rhymes9.5

Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)

Internal Rhymes9.5

Rhymes within a line (data-driven)

Wordplay / Double Entendres7.5

Clever language, metaphors, punchlines

Cadence / Rhythm7.5

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 Score8.11

Production

— Nick Loizides, Jack Knight

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Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

Rakim elevates the romantic narrative through a masterful deployment of multisyllabic internal rhyme structures and precise rhythmic placement, treating the lyrical flow as a physical manifestation of his attraction.

A
9.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
7.5
Cadence / Flow
7
Vocabulary
7.5
Wordplay
8.5
Delivery
Multisyllabic internal rhymingAssonant chain linkingVowel-heavy phoneticsPolysyllabic cadence shifting
Rhyme Architecture: Rakim utilizes an AAAA/BBBB internal rhyme saturation that bleeds across line breaks, relying on complex vowel clusters (e.g., 'effect/Ep./express/finesse/dress/step/blessed') to maintain a hypnotic, driving pulse.
Verified Doubles & Entendres

"dipped in style"

① The literal act of being immersed in high fashion or elegance.② A clever linguistic play on 'Egyptian' (phonetically linked to the prior 'Egyptian smile' setup).

"hieroglyphic graffiti"

① A literal reference to ancient Egyptian writing systems.② A metaphor for the complexity and 'coded' nature of the woman's personality or attractiveness.

"connect like a collision"

① The physical act of two bodies coming together.② An ironic metaphor where a 'collision' usually denotes damage, but here signifies a powerful, transformative romantic encounter.

Exceptional rhythmic consistency that defines the 'God MC' pocket

Dense internal rhyme schemes that provide constant sonic reinforcement

Sophisticated use of multisyllabic strings to maintain momentum

Thematic integration of 'Egyptian' imagery with rhythmic complexity

The narrative focus on physical attraction results in less conceptual depth compared to his more philosophical work

Some multi-rhyme chains feel slightly forced to fit the rigid internal rhyme requirement

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