... And Then There Was X

Don't You Ever

DMX

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

End

202

Internal

Multi

137

Slant

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight

[Chorus]

Now don't you ever^✦ (fuck around)^✦

Nigga^✦ don't you ever^✦ (fuck around)^✦

Now don't you ever^✦ (fuck around)^✦

Nigga^✦ don't you ever^✦ (fuck around)^✦

Now don't you ever^✦ (fuck around)^✦

[Verse 2]

I get pumped^✦ just like a bodybuilder

And it's been more than a couple of times^✦ my pump shottie spilt a

Nigga's^✦ guts on the door, because he wanted^✦ more

Than he could stand, now him and his man is on the floor (What?)

That's what you get for talkin^✦ shit you shouldn'ta got me started

You motherfuckers never^✦ wanted^✦ nuttin,^✦ but you got it

I shit on niggas^✦ like a toilet^✦ 'cause all it takes^✦

Is a second for it to get hectic so call it (What?)

How you want it? Punk bitch talkin'^✦ junk, bitch

Fuck around^✦ and you'll be found in a trunk, bitch

Niggas^✦ is off-brand like no frills

And I got mo' skills to show my flow kills, I fuckin'^✦ blow grills

Got some cold shit, have you like - "Oh shit!" Don't laugh money^✦

When I'm done with this nigga,^✦ I'm gettin^✦ in yo' shit (Aight)

Break niggas,^✦ especially fake niggas^✦ over^✦ dumb shit

With one hit, watch the dum-dum split this bum's shit (C'mon)

[Chorus]

Now don't you ever^✦ (fuck around)^✦

Nigga^✦ don't you ever^✦ (fuck around)^✦

Now don't you ever^✦ (fuck around)^✦

Nigga^✦ don't you ever^✦ (fuck around)^✦

Now don't you ever^✦ (fuck around)^✦

[Verse 3]

Fuckin'^✦ see some cats thinkin' the worst (Uh)

Dumb cats, slim cats sleep in a hearse

Where yo' guns at? Run that, see a nigga^✦ thirst (What?)

Been there, done that, and did it first

Nigga^✦ can't tell me shit about this

And I keep somethin' that'll hit if I miss

One thing a nigga^✦ stay with is hot shit

Got this, what you cats want? Not this (Woo)

I constantly gots to remind young niggas^✦

Uh-uhh, don't do that, some niggas^✦

Think cause I ain't killed^✦ a nigga^✦ this week (What?)

That shit is sweet, fuck around,^✦ you'll be dead in the street

Red with a sheet, over^✦ the corpse

Shit is deep, so I shed a tear, over^✦ the loss

If you creep, then you niggas'll roll with the force (C'mon)

Shoulda paid that money^✦ that you owed^✦ to the boss (C'mon)

[Chorus]

Now don't you ever^✦ (fuck around)^✦

Nigga^✦ don't you ever^✦ (fuck around)^✦

Now don't you ever^✦ (fuck around)^✦

Nigga^✦ don't you ever^✦ (fuck around)^✦

Now don't you ever^✦ (fuck around)^✦

[Outro]

Uh-huh

Don't do it dog, it's just not worth it

Please heh, for your sake, hehehe^✦

Y'know?^✦ C'mon!

Technical Breakdown

7.8

Multisyllabic Rhymes9.5

Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)

Internal Rhymes9.5

Rhymes within a line (data-driven)

Wordplay / Double Entendres5.0

Clever language, metaphors, punchlines

Cadence / Rhythm7.5

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 Score7.76

Production

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Critic Analysis

RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

The verse relies on DMX's iconic, high-intensity vocal charisma to elevate relatively straightforward lyrical content, transforming aggressive delivery into a percussive instrument that compensates for lower vocabulary complexity.

B+

9.5

Multisyllabic

9.5

Internal Rhymes

7.5

Cadence / Flow

Vocabulary

Wordplay

Delivery

Multisyllabic enjambmentAggressive vocal inflectionCall and responseInternal rhyme density

Rhyme Architecture: Predominantly AAAA mono-rhyme structure focused on end-line long 'a' sounds (bodybuilder/spilt a/floor/more), utilizing internal rhyme anchors to bridge complex multi-syllabic phrases.

Verified Doubles & Entendres

"pump shottie"

① A reference to the physical act of pumping a shotgun action.② A play on the previous line's 'bodybuilder' context, implying the weapon provides the muscular force of the persona.

"off-brand like no frills"

① Referring to generic grocery store items lacking premium quality.② Insulting opponents' lack of reputation, status, or 'brand' value in the streets.

Unmatched vocal delivery and intensity

Exceptional technical rhyme density

Strong rhythmic cadence and pocket control

Effective use of ad-libs as punctuation

Limited vocabulary range

Some metaphors are functionally basic (e.g., 'shit on niggas like a toilet')

Lack of deep subtext or complex narrative layering

Don't You Ever

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

Technical Breakdown

Production

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