... And Then There Was X
More 2 a Song
DMX
Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis
40
End
258
Internal
67
Multi
195
Slant
14
Chain
Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Chorus]
(Dog) It's more to a song than, jewelry✦ and clothes✦
More to a niggas✦ life than, money✦ and hoes
The game is a lot bigger✦ than you, think you know
And if you think you know, then I don't think you know
(Dog) It's more to a song than, jewelry✦ and clothes✦
More to a niggas✦ life than, money✦ and hoes
The game is a lot bigger✦ than you, think you know
And if you think you know, then I don't think you know
[Verse 2]
Born and raised✦ in the projects and can't forget✦ it
And all that grimy✦ shit niggas✦ do, I done did it (uhh)
And I'm still with it, nigga✦ I stay in the hood
But when the cats is out, bet the dog, play in the hood
You keep bringin' them fake bitches✦ through
You gon' fuck around and make bitches✦ do (WHAT?), we take bitches✦ too (aight?)
And if you comin✦ through my block, it's gon' be the last stop
We blast tops, faggot✦ couldn't make it to the stash box (c'mon!)
Big ass rocks, I want that! Fuck the blood
All that shit washes✦ off, the next day I'm like, "What?"
Flossin' yo' shit, what I want for yo' shit? (uhh, uhh)
Give a nigga✦ like three bricks to feed the dogs with
Cause I ain't really✦ gots to shine (Why?) When they do, I do
For me, them niggas'll hide you, where nobody'll find you
If you eatin'✦ motherfucker,✦ then your dogs should be eatin✦ too
Not just four or five niggas,✦ 'cause you know what the streets'll do
[Chorus]
(Dog) It's more to a song than, jewelry✦ and clothes✦
More to a niggas✦ life than, money✦ and hoes
The game is a lot bigger✦ than you, think you know
And if you think you know, then I don't think you know
(Dog) It's more to a song than, jewelry✦ and clothes✦
More to a niggas✦ life than, money✦ and hoes
The game is a lot bigger✦ than you, think you know
And if you think you know, then I don't think you know
[Verse 3]
I will be the voice of the street till I die (die)
Cause I know if I keep my heart real, I'm gon' fly (fly)
Either✦ let me fly or give me death; if you didn't catch it then
Get it now, cause it's all that's left
And this will be the last breath (uh) provokin' my niggas✦ (uh)
To start choking y'all niggas✦ (WHAT?) and smokin'✦ y'all niggas✦
A nigga✦ would never✦ have to say, "X feed me!"
You'll never✦ hear a nigga✦ say, "X is greedy!"✦
Only,✦ "X believe me! I didn't know it was a setup!"
Get up, cocksuckin' motherfucker,✦ shut up
Shut up {*"pop pop"*} Fuck you nigga✦
From the hood to the wood, fuck you nigga✦
This for my dogs, til death do us part
I'm still here, cause I been here from the start (aight?)
If I'm ever✦ anywhere, anytime it gets ugly✦ (WHAT?)
The dog is aight, cause I know the streets love me (grrrrrrrrr)
[Chorus]
(Dog) It's more to a song than jewelry✦ and clothes✦
More to a niggas✦ life than money✦ and hoes
The game is a lot bigger✦ than you think you know
And if you think you know, then I don't think you know
(Dog) It's more to a song than, jewelry✦ and clothes✦
More to a niggas✦ life than, money✦ and hoes
The game is a lot bigger✦ than you, think you know
And if you think you know, then I don't think you know
[Outro]
*speaking softly*✦
Dog..
Jewelry✦ and clothes..✦
Money✦ and hoes..
Think you know?
I don't think you know..
Technical Breakdown
8.5
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 / Rhythm10.0
Flow variation and timing (data-driven)
Vocabulary Complexity5.0
Range and depth of words used (data-driven)
Delivery / Breath Control9.0
Performance and control
Computed Score8.51
Production
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Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™
DMX leverages his signature aggressive, bark-anchored vocal persona to elevate relatively straightforward lyrical content, prioritizing cadence and intimidation over complex wordplay.
A
8.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
10
Cadence / Flow
5
Vocabulary
5
Wordplay
9
Delivery
Vocal ad-lib interactionInternal rhyme densityRhythmic syncopationPersona-driven cadence
Rhyme Architecture: Uses heavy AABB patterns with strong internal rhyme clusters, prioritizing the percussive landing of end-rhymes (e.g., 'did it', 'with it', 'hit it') to maintain momentum.
Verified Doubles & Entendres
"But when the cats is out, bet the dog, play in the hood"
① A literal reference to the urban environment and playing outside.② A canine metaphor where DMX (the 'Dog') asserts dominance over his adversaries ('cats').
"We blast tops, faggot couldn't make it to the stash box"
① Firing weapons ('blast tops') at a vehicle or person.② The inability of an opponent to reach their hidden resources ('stash box') due to the speed and intensity of the violence.
Commanding vocal presence that adds tension to simple lyrics
Excellent internal rhyme placement that drives the beat forward
Effective use of ad-libs as rhythmic anchors
Relatable thematic focus executed with high intensity
Limited vocabulary breadth
Metaphorical depth is largely surface-level
Reliance on aggressive posturing over lyrical complexity