Year of the Dog... Again

Give 'Em What They Want

DMX

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

15

End

78

Internal

17

Multi

57

Slant

8

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Hook]
{2X}
Give 'em what they want [c'mon]
Give 'em what they want [c'mon]
Give 'em what they want
They all can't get it
Give 'em what they want [c'mon]
Give 'em what they want [c'mon]
[give it to 'em!!]
[owwwww!]
[Verse 2]
I make moves,✦ I break rules✦
Pistol whip Niggas✦ if they got fake jewels
I take tools [get money✦ with 'em]
I make pools [get bloody✦ in 'em]
Fuckin'✦ with that nigga✦ Earl Simmons
Will have you in the middle a The ocean...swimming
Up to creek with no paddle, y'all niggas✦ fuck
Right when u should of bucked,✦ y'all niggas✦ ducked✦
Stuck 'em down that's your muther fuckin'✦ luck [what!?]
Clown! what now!? keep fuckin'✦ playin'
I'm gonna✦ keep a nigga✦ 6 feet deep layin'
Shit keeps sprayin' what y'all sayin?
Don't want nothing'...[c'mon]
Y'all niggas✦ known for frontin'
Stop.. black! we don't take the kindly✦ to them acts
Please don't remind me a That
[Hook]
{2X}
Give 'em what they want [c'mon]
Give 'em what they want [c'mon]
Give 'em what they want
They all can't get it
Give 'em what they want [c'mon]
Give 'em what they want [c'mon]
[give it to 'em!!]
[owwwww!]

Technical Breakdown

8.3
Multisyllabic Rhymes6.5

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 Complexity6.0

Range and depth of words used (data-driven)

Delivery / Breath Control9.5

Performance and control

Computed Score8.29

Production

— Scott Storch

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Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

DMX utilizes a visceral, rhythmic cadence that prioritizes raw emotional projection and aggressive internal rhyme chains over intricate metaphorical wordplay, defining the aggressive aesthetic of late-90s hardcore hip-hop.

A
6.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
9
Cadence / Flow
6
Vocabulary
6
Wordplay
9.5
Delivery
Internal rhyme chainsStaccato deliveryDynamic ad-lib integrationAggressive monostich structures
Rhyme Architecture: Predominantly AABB or AAAA couplet-based structures with dense, repetitive internal rhyme strings focusing on 'ools' and 'ayin' vowel sounds.
Verified Doubles & Entendres

"I take tools [get money with 'em] / I make pools [get bloody in 'em]"

① Refers to the act of using firearms ('tools') to commit robbery or illicit gain.② Refers to the consequence of using those 'tools' on victims, resulting in pools of blood.

"Up to creek with no paddle"

① A common idiom referencing a state of helpless difficulty.② A literal subversion where the speaker places the target in the middle of the ocean, implying an inescapable, lethal situation.

Unmatched vocal intensity and presence

Strong rhythmic pocket maintenance

Effective use of call-and-response ad-libs to heighten tension

Limited metaphorical complexity

Repetitive thematic content

Lack of multi-layered entendres

User Scores