Grand Champ

On Top (featuring Big Stan)

DMX

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

26

End

172

Internal

37

Multi

133

Slant

7

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Hook] X2
We gon' make these cats (WHAT!) STOP!
Why they waitin✦ to (WHAT!) GO!
We gon' keep it (ON TOP!) ON TOP!
Why these cats is like (YO!) AIYYO!
[Big Stan] + (DMX)
Off the chain I'mma✦ run through, walk through, gun do haunt you
A gun puts a spark through, no tellin✦ what the hawk do (WHAT!)
Only✦ speak for me, no tellin✦ what the Dog do
(Dog do what the fuck Dog do, shit!)
Yo' crew leave it alone✦ (uh-uh!)✦
You got your eyes on the bone? (uh-uh!)✦
Can't keep your eyes of the throne? (Go on now)
With that shit you did (man, c'mon now!)
I'm gettin✦ sick of niggas✦ fuckin✦ with D
You fuckin✦ with D? You fuckin✦ with me
You fuckin✦ with me? You fuckin✦ with X
Fuckin✦ with X? You fuckin✦ with a softball-sized hole up in your vest
And the rest? (WHAT!) Ain't nothin✦ to rap about✦
Ain't no ("I ain't mean it!") when the strap is out
Ain't no ("Yo, sorry!")✦ when the rats is out
Cause the rats don't know shit but POINT MONEY✦ OUT! (UHH!)
[Hook] X2
We gon' make these cats (WHAT!) STOP!
Why they waitin✦ to (WHAT!) GO!
We gon' keep it (ON TOP!) ON TOP!
Why these cats is like (YO!) AIYYO!
[DMX]
School Street, Moulfred, Whitney Young
Been there, lived✦ there, now it's become✦
A place where the face I'm not familiar with
These new cats done got me on some "I'MA✦ KILL YOU SHIT!"
[Big Stan]
And I remember when you came through flyin, a 1-2-9
Scooped ya man up and he signed✦ to the 'Line
I got a deal, shit I'm still in the grind (WHAT!)
Got the steal, cause shit is still on my mind
[DMX]
You gots to watch niggas✦ that you talk to
Cause sometimes they talk to you funny,✦ whassup wit'chu✦ money?✦
Oh you think it's sweet? My name must be Honey✦
Funny,✦ 'til you leave with your head bloody✦
[Big Stan]
And what he gon' do when a 6-foot-3
430-pound motherfucker come through? (WHAT?)
NOTHIN!✦ (C'MON!) Breathe easy!✦
When cats talk slick dogs get GREASY!✦
[Hook] X2
We gon' make these cats (WHAT!) STOP!
Why they waitin✦ to (WHAT!) GO!
We gon' keep it (ON TOP!) ON TOP!
Why these cats is like (YO!) AIYYO!
[Big Stan] WHAT!
[DMX]
Why these cats is like (YO!) AIYYO!
Why these cats is like (YO!) AIYYO!

Technical Breakdown

7.8
Multisyllabic Rhymes7.5

Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)

Internal Rhymes9.5

Rhymes within a line (data-driven)

Wordplay / Double Entendres5.0

Clever language, metaphors, punchlines

Cadence / Rhythm8.0

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 Score7.83

Production

— Mac G

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Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

The verse relies on DMX's iconic, high-intensity performance style to elevate aggressive, straightforward lyricism into a commanding sonic experience that transcends the relative simplicity of its wordplay.

B+
7.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
8
Cadence / Flow
6
Vocabulary
5
Wordplay
9
Delivery
Aggressive Call-and-ResponseStaccato CadenceInternal Rhyme ChainsPhonetic Repetition
Rhyme Architecture: The verse utilizes a rigid, percussive AAAA/BBBB scheme structure, heavily reliant on terminal repetition and tight, multi-syllabic internal rhymes that serve as rhythmic anchors for DMX's gravelly vocal delivery.
Verified Doubles & Entendres

"You got your eyes on the bone?"

① A literal reference to a dog's desire for a bone.② A metaphor for coveting territory, status, or respect (the 'bone' of the situation).

"rats don't know shit but POINT MONEY OUT"

① Snitches or backstabbers identify where the money is located to authorities or enemies.② Criminal informers provide evidence that leads to financial loss or 'pointing out' the flow of illegal funds.

Exceptional command of performance-based tension and release

Highly effective use of crowd-hyping call-and-response tags

Internal rhyme density creates a propulsive, energetic drive

Consistent thematic coherence regarding street dominance

Wordplay is largely functional and lacks layered abstraction

Metaphor usage is standard for the hardcore rap era

Vocabulary breadth is limited, prioritizing rhythm over nuance

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