... And Then There Was X

Fame

DMX

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

35

End

151

Internal

70

Multi

182

Slant

14

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Verse 2]
What is about✦ who I am that makes✦ me unforgettable (HMM)
What it is about✦ what I've done that makes✦ it so incredible (uhh)
"More money,✦ more problems" -- well the fame was worse (uh-huh)✦
I reached out for love and what came back was thirst (WHAT?)
Blessed with the curse (uh) niggas✦ don't hear me
Niggas✦ don't hear me, Y'ALL NIGGAZ, don't hear me (uh)
What'd I just say? "Niggas✦ don't hear you!" See that?
You gots to FEEL ME to catch what I'm sayin, BELIEVE✦ THAT (UHH!)
But leave that, alone✦ (WHAT?)
We gon' make a nigga✦ wanna✦ be at, your home (WHAT?)
Oh you kinda✦ quiet with the heat at, your dome (UHH!)
If the dog got it he's gonna✦ bring back a bone
Cause we got the chrome (C'MON!)
This is what I live for, or die for
I'm the nigga✦ with the high score, you try for
What you niggas✦ wanna✦ lie for? It changes nothin'✦
I'm the truth for cats, it's some strangers bluffin'
[Chorus]
I'm gon' live forever,✦ I'm never✦ gon' die
Only✦ thing I fear is that I'm never✦ gon' fly
Carry✦ my weight but I'm never✦ gon' cry
Shit, I think a nigga's✦ straight 'cause I'm never✦ gon' lie
I'm gon' live forever,✦ I'm never✦ gon' die
Only✦ thing I fear is that I'm never✦ gon' fly
Carry✦ my weight but I'm never✦ gon' cry
Shit, I think a nigga's✦ straight 'cause I'm never✦ gon' lie
[Verse 3]
Now if I take what he gave me and I, use it right (uh-huh)✦
In other✦ words if I listen✦ and, use the light (uh-huh)✦
Then what I say will remain✦ here, after✦ I'm gone
Still here, on the strength of a song, I live on (HMM)
No second-guessin on what I stood for, I was good for
Stoppin niggas✦ from killin✦ each other✦ in the hood war (UHH)
Comin✦ through showin✦ love, throwin✦ up (UHH)
Them cats not throwin✦ love, you know whassup (WHAT?)
Dark Man baby,✦ that's my name
And I gots to be the realest nigga✦ (UHH) up in this game
Cause ain't no shame, they don't make em like, this no more
Real to the core, big heart but built for war
I stand for what I believe✦ in
Even✦ if what I believe✦ in stops me from breathin
Relatives grievin, but I ain't went nowhere
Listen✦ to the song (C'MON) I'm right there
[Chorus]
I'm gon' live forever✦ (Uh), I'm never✦ gon' die
Only✦ thing I fear is that I'm never✦ gon' fly
Carry✦ my weight but I'm never✦ gon' cry
Shit, I think a nigga's✦ straight 'cause I'm never✦ gon' lie
I'm gon' live forever,✦ I'm never✦ gon' die
Only✦ thing I fear is that I'm never✦ gon' fly
Carry✦ my weight but I'm never✦ gon' cry
Shit, I think a nigga's✦ straight 'cause I'm never✦ gon' lie

Technical Breakdown

8.9
Multisyllabic Rhymes9.5

Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)

Internal Rhymes9.5

Rhymes within a line (data-driven)

Wordplay / Double Entendres6.5

Clever language, metaphors, punchlines

Cadence / Rhythm10.0

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 Score8.88

Production

— Dame Grease

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Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

The verse relies on DMX's iconic gravel-textured, visceral delivery to elevate relatively straightforward lyrical themes into a high-stakes dramatic performance, effectively bridging the gap between street-level braggadocio and introspective vulnerability.

A+
9.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
10
Cadence / Flow
6
Vocabulary
6.5
Wordplay
9
Delivery
Call and responseInternal rhyme chainsThematic mirroringAggressive vocal punctuationCyclical rhyme structure
Rhyme Architecture: DMX employs a dense, multisyllabic internal rhyme strategy that anchors end-rhymes (unforgettable/incredible, worse/thirst/curse) while utilizing rapid-fire conversational asides to maintain rhythmic momentum across the bar-line.
Verified Doubles & Entendres

"Blessed with the curse"

① The success and fame DMX achieved is a divine gift.② The byproduct of that fame (the 'curse') leads to isolation, paranoia, and loss of privacy.

"If the dog got it he's gonna bring back a bone"

① A literal reference to the canine behavior of retrieving objects.② A metaphor for the artist (the 'dog') reclaiming his territory or seizing what is rightfully his through aggression.

"I'm the nigga with the high score, you try for"

① A competitive ranking in a game context implying he is at the top of the hierarchy.② A reference to the 'high stakes' of his lifestyle where he has already achieved success while others only aspire to reach it.

Exceptional rhythmic placement and pocket mastery

High-intensity delivery that compensates for simpler lexical choices

Strong structural arc from internal existential questioning to external aggressive posturing

Effective use of the 'dog' persona to provide cohesive imagery

Vocabulary TTR is limited by the repetitive nature of the aggressive persona

Some punchlines lean on classic hip-hop tropes (chrome/home/dome) that were standard for the era

The philosophical introspections are slightly overshadowed by the aggressive delivery style

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