The 18th Letter

It's Been a Long Time (Suave House Mix)

Rakim

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

11

End

80

Internal

28

Multi

142

Slant

9

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Verse 2]
When I'm out propping✦ - either✦ hanging or shopping✦
People see me stop and ask me when the album dropping✦
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 blazing microphones a habit✦
At least once during the course of a day, it's automatic✦
In ghetto✦ apparel, mind of a Egyptian Pharoah
Far from shallow, thoughts travel like an arrow✦
Allah's monotony, so far they can't stop me
You know, Ra want property like Mumar✦ Khadafi
More thoughts than Bibles, recital - taught disciples
A sawed✦ off mic, so words scatter like a rifle
Thoughts that's trifle, I'm busting these for you
Aiyyo, technical difficulties is through
[Chorus]
It's Been A Long Time (Rakim)✦
It's Been A Long Time (Rakim)✦
[Verse 3]
When I flow at night, I show them 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, 3-D in 'Nam, vivid✦ like CD-Rom
Info✦ kept like "internet.com"
My note-book's my bond like the Holy✦ Qu'ran✦
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 inviting me to rhyme
So, yo, I'm online:✦ it's been a long time

Technical Breakdown

8.5
Multisyllabic Rhymes7.5

Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)

Internal Rhymes9.5

Rhymes within a line (data-driven)

Wordplay / Double Entendres8.0

Clever language, metaphors, punchlines

Cadence / Rhythm8.5

Flow variation and timing (data-driven)

Vocabulary Complexity8.0

Range and depth of words used (data-driven)

Delivery / Breath Control9.0

Performance and control

Computed Score8.52

Production

— DJ Premier, Mo-Suave-A

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Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

Rakim utilizes intricate internal rhyme schemes and elevated vocabulary to establish lyrical dominance, moving beyond the era's standard end-rhyme reliance to create a fluid, sophisticated cadence.

A
7.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
8.5
Cadence / Flow
8
Vocabulary
8
Wordplay
9
Delivery
internal multisyllabic rhymingrhythmic syncopationalliterationenjambmentmetaphorical density
Rhyme Architecture: Predominantly AAAA, AABB with high-frequency internal multisyllabic rhymes that connect disparate lines, creating a dense, non-linear rhythmic web.
Verified Doubles & Entendres

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

① The literal disruption of the 'no-snitching' or clandestine code prevalent in street culture.② A meta-commentary on his absence from the scene (the 'silence') and his return with superior lyrical output.

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

① A metaphorical adaptation of street violence (the sawed-off shotgun) applied to lyrical delivery.② The idea that his vocal flow has a wide, inescapable dispersion pattern similar to a weapon's spread.

"Allah's monotony, so far they can't stop me"

① Reference to divine oneness/unity in the context of his Five-Percent Nation beliefs.② An ironic assertion of his own singular, repetitive brilliance that remains unchallenged by contemporaries.

exceptional rhythmic pocket consistency

sophisticated internal rhyme density

elevated, non-cliché thematic focus

authoritative vocal delivery

occasional reliance on esoteric references that may obscure surface-level clarity

some lines feel slightly crowded to accommodate the rhyme density

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