The Cookbook
Joy
Missy Elliott
Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis
35
End
252
Internal
83
Multi
199
Slant
8
Chain
Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Intro: Missy Elliott]
Joy
Oh-oh,✦ oh-oh-oh,✦ oh-oh-oh✦
Joy
[*Speak'n'Spell vowel sounds*]
Joy
Oh-oh,✦ oh-oh-oh,✦ oh-oh-oh✦ - so sick!
Joy
Oh-oh,✦ oh-oh-oh,✦ oh-oh-oh✦
[*Speak'n'Spell vowel sounds*]
[Verse 1: Missy Elliott]
Timbo,✦ what they do
They try to be like Missy✦ but they have no clue
On how I'm spittin over✦ beats the way I move
I move so smooth in my shell toe shoes
Now put the needle on the record, show'n'prove
Since ninety-two I came to win and never✦ lose
They try to stop a chubby✦ chick from comin✦ through
My belly✦ out and sellin✦ out these venues✦
My skills, will fulfill, those who drink booze
My attitude is super✦ cool like I'm subdued
And those who fake I take on you and your dudes✦
I rule the streets I break 'em down with no tools
And Misdemeanor✦ give the finger✦ to y'all fools (HOLLA!)✦
Whoever✦ doubted that I'm 'bout it check the news
And if you snooze on me this year your ass will lose
Cause I will bruise, my loose screws is like ooh
When I come out, get your release dates✦ moved✦
[Hook: Missy Elliott]
This year y'all gon' all lose sleep
I break 'em off somethin,✦ break 'em off somethin✦
[Scratched] This year y'all gon' all lose sleep
This year y'all gon' all lose sleep, when I
Break 'em off somethin,✦ break 'em off somethin✦
(Big shout out to Timbaland!)
This year you hear a real MC, when I
Break break b-b-break break break...
[Verse 2: Missy Elliott]
I flow over✦ a beat that make a chick weave blow
And those who try to compete to the wall I throw
So, I drop it low, 808 kick low
Like oh oh-oh✦ oh, oh oh-oh-oh,✦ oh-oh-oh✦
Mr. Mos', this beat he compose
While I kill the track, leave your ears decomposed✦
Fake rappers,✦ this year, your lies will be exposed✦
Like oh oh-oh✦ oh, oh Missy,✦ steal the show-ow-ow✦ (Holla!)✦
Spit on breakbeats, make rappers✦ lose sleep
Make labels unable✦ drop they artists on leak
I keep 'em knee deep, need me, be me
Hardly,✦ and basically, I do it nice and slow-ow-ow✦
I'm slowin,✦ the track down, so you don't miss the shit
That Misdemeanor✦ talkin✦ like that chronic get you super✦ high
[Hook: Missy Elliott, Mike Jones]
This year y'all gon' all lose sleep
I break 'em off somethin,✦ break 'em off somethin✦
This year you hear a real MC
[Scratch] Oh-oh,✦ oh-oh-oh,✦ oh-oh-oh✦
This year y'all gon' all lose sleep, when I (Mike Jones!✦ Who?)
Break 'em off somethin,✦ break 'em off somethin✦ (Mike Jones!✦ Who? Mike Jones!)✦
This year you hear a real MC (Geyeah!)
Break 'em off somethin,✦ break 'em off somethin✦
[Verse 3: Mike Jones, Missy Elliott & both]
See I'm a pimp that's on my grind, I hustle like all the time
I speak what's on my mind, my teeth'll make you blind
My heat'll lay you down, whenever✦ you come around✦
Forsaken out there mistreated your life'll✦ be deleted
Cause I don't play dat, you know I don't play dat
Wherever✦ you talkin✦ noise is where you gon' lay at
I'm supa✦ dupa✦ fly like Missy✦ Missy✦
Before✦ the fame came majors used✦ to diss me
But now I'm on top, I'm hot I can't stop (Stop)
Before✦ my deal came my shows was sold out
House been on the hill, diamonds been in my grill
I'm trill like U.G.K., you know I keep it real
I'm who? Mike Jones,✦ WHO? Mike Jones✦
WHO? Mike Jones✦ and I can't be cloned✦
2-8-1, 3-3-oh, 8-zero-zero-fo'
That's my cell phone number,✦ hit me on the low
I got (Holla!✦ Yes)
[Outro: Missy Elliott]
Hold up, I see a lot of folks in here sittin✦ 'round like your shoes too tight
If you wear a size 10, don't cram yo' shit up in a size 6 ladies✦
Be proud of yo' big-ass✦ feet
We came to party✦ up in this bitch
Technical Breakdown
8.0
Multisyllabic Rhymes8.5
Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)
Internal Rhymes9.5
Rhymes within a line (data-driven)
Wordplay / Double Entendres5.5
Clever language, metaphors, punchlines
Cadence / Rhythm9.0
Flow variation and timing (data-driven)
Vocabulary Complexity6.0
Range and depth of words used (data-driven)
Delivery / Breath Control7.5
Performance and control
Computed Score7.96
Production
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Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™
The verse relies heavily on rhythmic cadence and internal rhyme density to compensate for a relatively straightforward, assertive lyrical content.
B+
8.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
9
Cadence / Flow
6
Vocabulary
5.5
Wordplay
7.5
Delivery
AABB rhyme scheme variationsSyncopated flowVowel manipulationAuditory experimentation
Rhyme Architecture: A highly consistent AAAA-style rhyme scheme utilizing '-oo' and '-ew' phonemes throughout the verse, creating a hypnotic, repetitive rhythmic loop.
Verified Doubles & Entendres
"My belly out and sellin out these venues"
① A defiant embrace of her physical appearance (chubby chick) while performing.② A play on 'selling out' as both a commercial success (filling seats) and a rejection of the 'sell-out' label often applied to artists.
"I rule the streets I break 'em down with no tools"
① Physical dominance or street credibility.② A metaphor for musical production where she requires no traditional instrumentation or 'tools' because her flow and Timbaland's production suffice.
High-level internal rhythm and cadence control
Signature vocal charisma
Consistent thematic focus on self-assertion
Effective use of the 'Speak'n'Spell' aesthetic to define the sonic landscape
Lyrical content remains on a superficial, boast-oriented level
Limited metaphorical depth or complex double entendres
Predictability in rhyme structure after the initial 4 bars