Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood
Keep Your Shit the Hardest
DMX
Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis
12
End
194
Internal
94
Multi
185
Slant
4
Chain
Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Chorus]
Now what y'all want me to do—Keep✦ your shit the hardest✦
It's about✦ to go down—Niggas✦ is ready✦ to start this
War that's for sure—Nigga✦ come and get it
We Ryde or Die, why?—'Cause✦ our niggas✦ is with it
Now what y'all want me to do—Keep✦ your shit the hardest✦
It's about✦ to go down—Niggas✦ is ready✦ to start this
War that's for sure—Nigga✦ come and get it
We Ryde or Die, why?—'Cause✦ our niggas✦ is with it
[Verse 2]
Try to show niggas✦ but I can only✦ hope they see
You's a little nigga✦ fit right up in a six by three
Layin' up like this, lips sewn shut eyes closed✦
Niggas✦ walk past the casket,✦ damn shorty✦ nice pose
You was ballin'✦ nigga✦ 'til your ass got balled✦ out, called✦ out
By some disrespectful ass niggas✦ that go all out
I bet you thought it was real funny,✦ until✦ it had to get cruddy✦
Me walkin'✦ off leavin'✦ you with all this bloody✦
What he gonna✦ do when it's all over✦ for real
And the last thing you seein' is that steel?
A blast of light, that's what he seein' if you blast him right
Hit him in his face and leave the whole casket✦ tight
'Cause it's like it ain't nothin'✦ but endin'✦ it to a nigga✦
Street sweeper like ahhhh, sendin'✦ it to a nigga✦
When you in the house you'll play by house rules✦
Two words you'll never✦ hear again✦ are house lose
Unless house choose it ain't gonna✦ be that, 'cause I can't see that
Ready✦ to get up in this nigga's✦ ass real good, so where the weed at?
Believe that, you ain't gon' see nothin'✦ gettin'✦ too familiar
And I would tell you what I do but then I'd have to kill you
And it ain't even✦ worth it, I ain't gon' build nothin'✦
So I just let you go be that same nigga,✦ still frontin'
Laughin' and shit, like you see somethin'✦ funny✦
What you sayin' sounds good, but let me see somethin'✦ money✦
For real
(Dog nigga,✦ dog nigga,✦ dog nigga,✦ dog nigga✦ nigga)✦
[Chorus]
Now what y'all want me to do—Keep✦ your shit the hardest✦
It's about✦ to go down—Niggas✦ is ready✦ to start this
War that's for sure—Nigga✦ come and get it
We Ryde or Die, why?—'Cause✦ our niggas✦ is with it
Now what y'all want me to do—Keep✦ your shit the hardest✦
It's about✦ to go down—Niggas✦ is ready✦ to start this
War that's for sure—Nigga✦ come and get it
We Ryde or Die, why?—'Cause✦ our niggas✦ is with it
Now what y'all want me to do—Keep✦ your shit the hardest✦
It's about✦ to go down—Niggas✦ is ready✦ to start this
War that's for sure—Nigga✦ come and get it
We Ryde or Die, why?—'Cause✦ our niggas✦ is with it
Now what y'all want me to do—Keep✦ your shit the hardest✦
It's about✦ to go down—Niggas✦ is ready✦ to start this
War that's for sure—Nigga✦ come and get it
We Ryde or Die, why?—'Cause✦ our niggas✦ is with it
Technical Breakdown
7.5
Multisyllabic Rhymes9.5
Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)
Internal Rhymes9.5
Rhymes within a line (data-driven)
Wordplay / Double Entendres6.0
Clever language, metaphors, punchlines
Cadence / Rhythm6.5
Flow variation and timing (data-driven)
Vocabulary Complexity6.0
Range and depth of words used (data-driven)
Delivery / Breath Control8.5
Performance and control
Computed Score7.51
Production
— Dame GreaseBe the first to rate the production
Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™
DMX prioritizes aggressive kinetic energy and visceral imagery over complex linguistic gymnastics, utilizing his signature gravelly timbre and relentless rhythmic pressure to elevate standard street narratives.
B+
9.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
6.5
Cadence / Flow
6
Vocabulary
6
Wordplay
8.5
Delivery
Visceral imageryInternal rhyme densityAggressive delivery cadenceKinetic storytelling
Rhyme Architecture: Predominantly AABB or AAAA couplets characterized by heavy multisyllabic end-rhymes (e.g., 'balled out/called out/all out') and dense internal assonance that propels the listener forward.
Verified Doubles & Entendres
"You was ballin' nigga 'til your ass got balled out"
① Living a high-profile, wealthy lifestyle② Being forcibly ended or 'balled up' (dealt with) by an adversary
"A blast of light, that's what he seein' if you blast him right"
① The literal muzzle flash of a firearm② A metaphorical transition into the afterlife or the 'light' associated with death
Exceptional rhythmic urgency
Compelling and vivid visualization of street violence
High-energy performance that dictates the mood
Limited metaphorical depth
Formulaic lyrical structures
Relies heavily on aggression rather than conceptual breadth