... And Then There Was X
The Professional
DMX
Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis
19
End
191
Internal
46
Multi
191
Slant
5
Chain
Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Verse 2]
I can catch you in the very✦ building that you live in
Wait until✦ you get right at your door then start spittin
Now they got a ribbon✦ tied to the rail at the top of the steps
I was there, you ain't DIE at the top of the steps
I can do that walk behind you shit and follow✦ you home (Shhh)
Make a noise, you turn around✦ and I put one in your dome (BOOM!)
Last thing you saw was chrome and a, flash of light
I blast him right, nigga,✦ that's yo' ass tonight
I could put a bomb in your car and watch it explode (BOOM!)
Then make em call, tell em all they found was a piece of your clothes and a small piece of your nose and, bone from your arm
Which they really✦ couldn't tell apart,✦ because of the bomb
I could be waitin,✦ camped✦ out in yo' car, in the backseat
With some fuckin✦ chickenwire, soon as you hit the backstreet
I jump up like Jack-in-the-Box, strangle the shit out yo' ass
Clean up the mess and, get away✦ from the cops
[Chorus]
Niggas✦ won't creep these streets with me
'Cause you know fuckin✦ what these streets'll be
Make you wanna..✦ then I'm gonna..✦
'Cause I gotta..✦ POP POP, POP POP (Nigga!)✦
Niggas✦ won't creep these streets with me
'Cause you know fuckin✦ what these streets'll be
Make you wanna..✦ then I'm gonna..✦
'Cause I gotta..✦ POP POP, POP POP
[Verse 3]
I could be the UPS delivery boy (Uh-huh) or the man
Workin✦ at Toys'R'Us handin✦ yo' kid a brand new toy
I could be the one servin✦ your food wherever you go to eat at
Or that nigga✦ on the corner that you ask, "Yo, where the weed at?"
I could be the one driving the school bus that yo' kids in
Except that, I don't like to involve, women✦ and children
A nigga✦ got feelings, I just put em aside✦
And when it's time for me to do my job, I just ride
I don't get much sleep (Uh) my soul's tormented
I wish it was a lie but everything I said I meant it
I know I'm doin wrong and everyday I beg the Lord
To forgive me for fuckin✦ with the, double-edged sword
Shit ain't goin too well, BUT THAT'S MY LIFE
I know I'm goin to hell, BUT THAT'S MY LIFE
Sometimes I think what will I do, WITH MY LIFE
Kill nigga✦ kill, this IS MY LIFE
[Chorus]
Niggas✦ won't creep these streets with me
'Cause you know fuckin✦ what these streets'll be
Make you wanna..✦ then I'm gonna..✦
'Cause I gotta..✦ POP POP, POP POP (Nigga!)✦
Niggas✦ won't creep these streets with me
'Cause you know fuckin✦ what these streets'll be
Make you wanna..✦ then I'm gonna..✦
'Cause I gotta..✦ POP POP, POP POP (Nigga!)✦
Niggas✦ won't creep these streets with me
'Cause you know fuckin✦ what these streets'll be
Technical Breakdown
7.4
Multisyllabic Rhymes8.5
Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)
Internal Rhymes9.5
Rhymes within a line (data-driven)
Wordplay / Double Entendres5.0
Clever language, metaphors, punchlines
Cadence / Rhythm6.5
Flow variation and timing (data-driven)
Vocabulary Complexity6.0
Range and depth of words used (data-driven)
Delivery / Breath Control9.0
Performance and control
Computed Score7.42
Production
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Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™
DMX utilizes a visceral, narrative-driven delivery style that prioritizes raw intimidation and kinetic imagery over complex lyrical abstractions, effectively anchoring the verse in a gritty, high-stakes persona.
B+
8.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
6.5
Cadence / Flow
6
Vocabulary
5
Wordplay
9
Delivery
Onomatopoeic ad-libsStaccato rhythmic deliveryCinematic narrative progressionInternal rhyme clusters
Rhyme Architecture: Predominantly AABB or AAAA couplet-based structures with dense internal multi-syllabic rhyming, relying on aggressive end-rhymes to maintain momentum.
Verified Doubles & Entendres
"I blast him right, nigga, that's yo' ass tonight"
① The act of shooting the target ('blast him')② A homophonic play where 'blast him right' phonetically bridges to 'that's your ass tonight', implying both the immediate physical violence and the inevitable consequence of death.
"I jump up like Jack-in-the-Box"
① The literal, sudden motion of ambushing the victim from the backseat② A metaphor comparing the unpredictability and startling nature of a spring-loaded toy to a lethal surprise attack.
Commanding, high-intensity vocal performance
Effective use of cinematic 'jump scare' tactics
High internal rhyme density creates a propulsive, urgent flow
Lack of complex metaphorical layering
Literalistic approach reduces the potential for deeper entendre
Reliance on shock-value imagery over linguistic versatility