Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood
Slippin'
DMX
Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis
9
End
225
Internal
95
Multi
250
Slant
2
Chain
Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Chorus]
Ayo, I'm slippin',✦ I'm fallin',✦ I can't get up
Ayo, I'm slippin',✦ I'm fallin',✦ I can't get up
Ayo, I'm slippin',✦ I'm fallin',✦ I gots to get up
Get me back on my feet so I can tear shit up
Ayo, I'm slippin',✦ I'm fallin',✦ I can't get up
Ayo, I'm slippin',✦ I'm fallin',✦ I can't get up
Ayo, I'm slippin',✦ I'm fallin',✦ I gots to get up
Get me back on my feet so I can tear shit up
[Verse 2]
That ain't the half (Uh), shit gets worse as I get older✦ (Uh-huh)✦
Actions become✦ bolder,✦ heart got colder✦ (Uh-huh)✦
Chip on my shoulder that I dared✦ a nigga✦ to touch
Didn't need a clique 'cause I scared✦ a nigga✦ that much (Come on)
One deep with the pit startin' shit for kicks
Catchin' vics, throwin' bricks (Uh), gettin'✦ by bein' slick (Uh)
Used✦ to get high, just to get by (What)
Used✦ to have to puff my L in the mornin'✦ before✦ I could fly (What)
Ate somethin',✦ a couple of forties made me hate somethin'✦ (Uh-huh)✦
I did some coke, now I'm ready✦ to take somethin'✦ (Uh)
Three years later✦ showin'✦ signs of stress
Didn't keep my hair cut or give a fuck how I dressed✦ (Ayy)
I'm possessed✦ by the darker✦ side, livin'✦ the cruddy✦ life
Shit like this kept a nigga✦ with a bloody✦ knife (Come on)
Wanna✦ make records but I'm fuckin'✦ it up (Why?)
I'm slippin',✦ I'm fallin',✦ I can't get up (Uh-uh)✦
[Chorus]
Ayo, I'm slippin',✦ I'm fallin',✦ I can't get up
Ayo, I'm slippin',✦ I'm fallin',✦ I can't get up
Ayo, I'm slippin',✦ I'm fallin',✦ I gots to get up
Get me back on my feet so I can tear shit up
Ayo, I'm slippin',✦ I'm fallin',✦ I can't get up
Ayo, I'm slippin',✦ I'm fallin',✦ I can't get up
Ayo, I'm slippin',✦ I'm fallin',✦ I gots to get up
Get me back on my feet so I can tear shit up
[Verse 3]
Wasn't long before✦ I hit rock bottom (Uh)
Niggas✦ talkin'✦ shit, like, "Damn, look how that rock got him" (Uh)
Open like a window,✦ no more indo✦ (Uh, uh)
Look at a video,✦ sayin' to myself: "That coulda✦ been yo' (Uh)
Ass on the TV," believe me, it could be done
Somethin's got to give, gots to change 'cause now I've got a son (Yes)
I gots to do the right thing for shorty✦
And that means no more gettin'✦ high, drinkin' 40s (Come on)
So I get back lookin'✦ type slick again✦ (Uh)
Fake niggas✦ jump back on my dick again✦ (Uh-huh)✦
Nothin'✦ but love for those that know (Yeah), how it feel
And much respect to all my niggas✦ that kept it real
Kept a nigga✦ strong (Uh), kept a nigga✦ from doin' wrong (Uh)
Niggas✦ know who they is and this is your fuckin'✦ song (Uh)
And to my boo who stuck with a nigga✦ through
All the bullshit, you'll get yours because it's due (Come on, come on)
[Chorus]
Ayo, I'm slippin',✦ I'm fallin',✦ I can't get up
Ayo, I'm slippin',✦ I'm fallin',✦ I can't get up
Ayo, I'm slippin',✦ I'm fallin',✦ I gots to get up
Get me back on my feet so I can tear shit up
Ayo, I'm slippin',✦ I'm fallin',✦ I can't get up
Ayo, I'm slippin',✦ I'm fallin',✦ I can't get up
Ayo, I'm slippin',✦ I'm fallin',✦ I gots to get up
Get me back on my feet so I can tear shit up
[Outro]
See (I can't get up), this is that shit (Huh, I can't get up)
This is that shit (Huh, but I gots to get up), that all real niggas✦ can relate✦ to
(Get me back on my feet so I can tear shit up)
(I can't get up)
This is from the heart, baby✦ (I can't get up)
Don't get it twisted (But I gots to get up, get me back on my feet so I can tear shit up)
X, baby✦
Technical Breakdown
7.2
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 / Rhythm5.5
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 Score7.18
Production
— DJ SHOKBe the first to rate the production
Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™
DMX utilizes raw, confession-style narrative flow that prioritizes emotional resonance and rhythmic intensity over complex lyrical wordplay, successfully using internal rhyme density to heighten the listener's sense of urgency.
B
9.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
5.5
Cadence / Flow
5
Vocabulary
6
Wordplay
9
Delivery
Aggressive prosodyInternal monorhymeAutobiographical narrative arcSyncopated rhythmic breaks
Rhyme Architecture: Predominantly AABB or AAAA couplets relying on intense internal rhyme chains (e.g., 'slick/bricks/kicks' and 'stress/dressed/possessed/life/knife') to maintain momentum within the verse.
Verified Doubles & Entendres
"One deep with the pit"
① Traveling alone accompanied by his pitbull dog② Being a solitary person in a dangerous 'pit' or environment
"Used to get high, just to get by"
① The literal act of drug use as a means to survive daily struggle② Using substance-induced escapism to maintain psychological equilibrium
Unmatched vocal delivery and character immersion
Effective use of rhythmic urgency to convey psychological distress
Cohesive narrative progression from youth to adulthood
Lack of complex metaphors or multi-layered linguistic puzzles
Reliance on established tropes of the era regarding street life
Limited vocabulary breadth