The 18th Letter
The Mystery (Who Is God?)
Rakim
Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis
34
End
168
Internal
141
Multi
289
Slant
13
Chain
Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Chorus]
If you can, see if you can solve the mystery✦
The answer✦ revolves✦ around✦ your history✦
So carefully,✦ I drop this degree
Scientifically✦ and realistically✦
If you can see, if you can solve the mystery✦
The answer✦ revolves✦ around✦ your history✦
So carefully,✦ I drop this degree
Scientifically✦ and realistically✦ (Who is God?)
[Verse 2]
He began✦ to explain✦ his craft, the master✦ in the attic✦
He dealt with measurements his language, was mathematics
His theoretical✦ wisdom✦ of the numerical✦ system
The complete number✦ nine which means born or existed✦
He gave birth to all planets,✦ inorganic,✦ and organic✦
So you wouldn't take it for granted
They rotated they own distance✦ around✦ the sun
And fully✦ submit✦ to the existance✦ of one
And each one was promised everlasting✦ perfection✦
If each one keeps spinnin✦ in the same direction✦
To the East, and each speak the motion✦ of peace
And harmony, and each show devotion✦ to teach
The universe✦ is to come, the whole world must go according✦
Know your galaxies and mirages stars start fallin✦
So stay in your orbit✦ maintain✦ safe and sound
Like the planets✦ each cipher✦ remains perfectly round
[Chorus]
If you can, see if you can solve the mystery✦
The answer✦ revolves✦ around✦ your history✦
So carefully,✦ I drop this degree
Scientifically✦ and realistically✦
If you can see, if you can solve the mystery✦
The answer✦ revolves✦ around✦ your history✦
So carefully,✦ I drop this degree
Scientifically✦ and realistically✦ (Who is God?)
[Verse 3]
From unconciousness,✦ to conciousness✦
By knowledging his wisdom✦ his response is this
A understanding,✦ which is the best part
He picked✦ the third planet✦ where new forms of life would start
He pursued show and prove every✦ move in order✦
Back to the source he let off his resources in the water✦
Climb his climax, where the climate is at, high degrees
See he start to breathe deep in the darkest seas
And the plan is, to lay in the clays to form land
And expand,✦ usin✦ the same clays to born man
In his own image✦ our origin✦ begins in the East
Culture rise to breed, with the powers of peace
Deal in equality✦ nature's policy✦ is to be God
Build or destroy positively born life like Allah✦
And each one was given✦ everlasting✦ perfection✦
If each one keep living✦ in the same direction✦
And life was life, and love was love
We went according✦ by the laws of the world above✦
They showed✦ us physically,✦ we could reach infinity✦
But mentally,✦ through the century we lost our identity✦
Life start and ending,✦ we got trife and started sinning✦
Lost touch with the beginning✦ now ciphers stop spinnin✦
And what was once easy✦ became✦ confused and hard
Which brings us back, to the mystic✦ question,✦ who is God?
Sixty-six trillion✦ years since his face was shown
When the seventh angel appears, the mystery✦ will be known
Check Revelations and Genesis, St. Luke and John
It even✦ tells us we are Gods in the Holy✦ Qu'ran✦
Wisdom✦ Strength and Beauty,✦ one of the meanings of God
G.O.D. you and me Gomar✦ Oz Dubar✦
Knowledge Wisdom✦ Understanding✦ Sun Moon and Star
Man Woman✦ and Child, and so is Allah✦
[Chorus]
If you can, see if you can solve the mystery✦
The answer✦ revolves✦ around✦ your history✦
So carefully,✦ I drop this degree
Scientifically✦ and realistically✦
If you can see, if you can solve the mystery✦
The answer✦ revolves✦ around✦ your history✦
So carefully,✦ I drop this degree
Scientifically✦ and realistically✦ (Who is God?)
[Outro]
Bear witness to Allah,✦ gave birth to all
For Allah✦ was all, and therefore, life itself
And the universe✦ gave birth to man
The universe✦ was man, and man was the universe✦
And the universe✦ has always✦ existed✦
And existance✦ was life
And life is Allah✦
And Allah✦ had no beginning✦ because he is, what always✦ was
Rakim Allah,✦ peace
Now who is God?
Technical Breakdown
9.1
Multisyllabic Rhymes9.5
Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)
Internal Rhymes9.5
Rhymes within a line (data-driven)
Wordplay / Double Entendres9.0
Clever language, metaphors, punchlines
Cadence / Rhythm10.0
Flow variation and timing (data-driven)
Vocabulary Complexity7.5
Range and depth of words used (data-driven)
Delivery / Breath Control8.0
Performance and control
Computed Score9.05
Production
— DJ Sond, Bill Blass, Kid Nyce, Naughty ShortsBe the first to rate the production
Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™
Rakim masterfully blends complex scientific and mathematical concepts with theological ideas, creating a dense, intellectual narrative that showcases his era-defining lyrical prowess.
A+
9.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
10
Cadence / Flow
7.5
Vocabulary
9
Wordplay
8
Delivery
Multisyllabic Rhyme SchemesInternal RhymesTheological and Scientific AllusionComplex Metaphorical MappingConceptual Narrative Building
Rhyme Architecture: The verse employs a consistent multisyllabic rhyme scheme, often with internal rhymes, creating a dense and intricate sonic texture. The chorus uses a simpler AABB scheme, providing a thematic anchor before the complex verse.
Verified Doubles & Entendres
"master in the attic"
① Literally, a master craftsman residing in an attic.② Metaphorically refers to a hidden, superior intellect or creator (God) residing in a high, perhaps unseen, place of power or knowledge.
"His theoretical wisdom of the numerical system / The complete number nine which means born or existed"
① Explaining the 'numerical system' used by the master, referencing the concept of the number nine.② Connecting the number nine to its numerical value and its symbolic meaning of 'completion' or 'birth/existence', directly attributing this to the creator's wisdom and role in bringing things into being.
"So you wouldn't take it for granted / They rotated they own distance around the sun"
① The celestial bodies move in their defined orbits around the sun.② The creator established order and predictable patterns in the universe ('they rotated') so that humanity would recognize the divine design and not take creation for granted.
"And fully submit to the existance of one / And each one was promised everlasting perfection"
① Each celestial body (or perhaps each created being) submits to the existence of the singular creator.② This submission is linked to a promise of eternal perfection, implying a covenant or divine order where obedience leads to everlasting peace/order, mirroring theological concepts.
"Know your galaxies and mirages stars start fallin"
① Be aware of the vastness of the universe ('galaxies') and deceptive appearances ('mirages').② A warning that the current cosmic order is not eternal; stars will eventually fall, implying a coming cosmic event or judgment, urging listeners to understand their place and the nature of existence.
Exceptional lyrical density and complexity.
Groundbreaking fusion of science, mathematics, and theology.
Flawless execution of multisyllabic and internal rhymes.
Strong narrative arc establishing a complex concept of creation.
Era-defining vocabulary and conceptual depth.
The dense intellectual content may require multiple listens for full comprehension.
While strong, the delivery score is slightly lower than the lyrical complexity, suggesting a gap between the written word and potential vocal interpretation.