It's Dark and Hell Is Hot

I Can Feel It

DMX

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

End

150

Internal

Multi

174

Slant

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight

[Chorus: Nardo]

I can feel it coming^✦ in the air tonight^✦

Hold on

I've been waiting^✦ for this moment^✦ for all my life

Hold on, hold on

[Verse 2: DMX]

I see life through many^✦ shades^✦ of grays and blacks

I could take that and hit 'em with the blazin'^✦ tracks

When I make that you fake cats have violent dreams

It takes^✦ another dog to be able to hear my silent^✦ screams

The Devil got a hold on me, and he won't let go

I can feel the Lord pullin',^✦ but he movin'^✦ dead slow

Let 'em know that amidst all this confusion

Some of us may do the winnin',^✦ but we all do the losin'^✦

It's just who does the choosin', is you goin' up or down?

What have you been provin'?^✦ Just that you a fuckin'^✦ clown

Been seen the bullshit but never^✦ spoke on it

'Cause I know that deep down you really^✦ don't want it

I was traded^✦ the chance of bein' a child with a father^✦

For a talent^✦ and bein' able to survive when it's harder^✦

My balance on the high beams of life, keep my dreams in strife

That's why I hit these motherfuckin' streets at night, come on

[Chorus: Nardo]

I can feel it coming^✦ in the air tonight^✦

Hold on

I've been waiting^✦ for this moment^✦ for all my life

Hold on, hold on

[Verse 3: DMX]

There's^✦ a lot of shit that I let slide 'cause it's outta^✦ my hands

Lot of niggas^✦ I let ride, but it's not in my plans

That a lot of my mans is not seein' through the fog

Families by the truckloads, fleein' to the morgue

Full moon, (Ah-ooh), the howlin'^✦

(Grr), the growlin',^✦ (Shh), the prowlin'^✦

Don't know love, can't show love

That means you gonna^✦ need mo' love than an old thug

But hold up, roll up, talkin'^✦ out the side of your mouth

Is what's gonna^✦ let niggas^✦ know why you died in your house

While they lied to your spouse, told her it was suicide

But you and I both know the truth'll never^✦ die

Listen,^✦ nigga,^✦ if you scared,^✦ get a dog, but be prepared for the morgue

'Cause you dead up in the fog and that's your head by the log

I can smell it in the air, I can tell when it's there

This is hell and we're both here, can you feel it? Tell me yeah

[Chorus: Nardo]

I can feel it coming^✦ in the air tonight^✦

Hold on

I've been waiting^✦ for this moment^✦ for all my life

Hold on, hold on

Technical Breakdown

8.5

Multisyllabic Rhymes8.5

Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)

Internal Rhymes9.5

Rhymes within a line (data-driven)

Wordplay / Double Entendres6.0

Clever language, metaphors, punchlines

Cadence / Rhythm9.0

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 Score8.48

Production

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Critic Analysis

RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

DMX utilizes raw, visceral vocal performance to elevate a structurally straightforward set of lyrics into a compelling emotional narrative of spiritual struggle.

8.5

Multisyllabic

9.5

Internal Rhymes

Cadence / Flow

Vocabulary

Wordplay

Delivery

Internal rhyme stackingDynamic cadence shiftsStaccato deliveryMetaphorical juxtaposition of spiritual themes

Rhyme Architecture: Predominantly AABB or AAAA couplets, featuring dense internal rhyme clusters within the line before resolving on the end-rhyme, typical of DMX's late-90s/early-2000s signature flow.

Verified Doubles & Entendres

"It takes another dog to be able to hear my silent screams"

① A literal dog can hear frequencies humans cannot, representing his unique, animalistic intensity.② Only someone who has endured similar suffering ('another dog' in the streets) can truly understand his internal pain.

"My balance on the high beams of life, keep my dreams in strife"

① Physical balance on a literal high beam (construction metaphor).② Metaphorical balancing act between survival and morality, where the act of balancing itself prevents peace of mind.

Exceptional vocal delivery that conveys authentic psychological distress

Strong emotional resonance and narrative cohesion

Effective use of internal rhyme to sustain intensity

Lyricism relies heavily on direct confession rather than complex wordplay

Lack of multi-layered figurative language beyond basic spiritual dichotomies

I Can Feel It

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

Technical Breakdown

Production

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