The Great Depression

Bloodline Anthem

DMX

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

34

End

176

Internal

49

Multi

143

Slant

12

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Verse 2: DMX]
I don't play with you cats like I used✦ to
Cause well I ain't your father✦ (Uh-huh)
This time it's gon' be a little harder✦
Told niggas✦ to "Do You", courtesy of Flex
Put out '... And Then There Was X' and then there was X
And then there was X again,✦ ain't my next of kin
Just some hardheaded dickridin' grown-ass men (Uhh, uhh)
C'mon with the bullshit (WHAT?!) please, don't touch that
You might, bust yo' gun dog but we bust back (Aight)
And what's that, a lot of dead homies✦
That ain't yours (UHH) leave it alone,✦ you don't know me
Respect the line or catch a wreckless twenty-nine✦ (Ahh)
For every✦ bone in your spine (Ahh) make a nigga✦ recline✦ (Ahh)
This whole rap shit is mine (WHAT?!) and I'm not sharin'✦ (Uhh)
Niggas✦ gettin'✦ popped✦ every✦ day, not carin'✦ (Woo!)
Peep niggas✦ starin',✦ but they don't want NUTTIN✦
Nowadays niggas✦ get it for frontin', motherfucker!
Cocksuckin-ass niggas!✦
[Chorus: Dia]
Believe✦ me! It's our TIIIIME now to let 'em know
(WHAT?!) It's our TIIIIME now to let 'em know
Believe✦ me! It's our TIIIIME now to let 'em know
(WHAT?!) It's our TIIIIME now..
[Verse 3: DMX]
Now there's✦ a lot of -
Bitch niggas✦ that's rich niggas,✦ I stick niggas✦
(Uhh) Pick niggas✦ and hit niggas,✦ I lift niggas✦ (Uhh, uhh)
Wannabe player, stay in the park
Cause the grownups is over✦ here, and we drinkin✦ (WHAT?!)
Fuck is you thinkin?✦ (WHAT?!)
X ain't changed, still with the same shit (Uhh)
Ain't with the game shit (Uhh) bust leave a stain shit (Uhh)
Watch the game change quick (WHAT?!)
Some niggas✦ married✦ to the game
Nigga✦ like me? Married✦ to the same bitch (C'mon!)
I'm a dog from the hood, so I gotta✦ rap from the hood
Put a snake and a cat to the wood
MAN!! if you, only✦ knew
WHAT IT IS!! that I'm, goin through
WHEN IT IS!! that I'm, goin through it
You ain't gon let me get ahold✦ of that thing, cause I'mma✦ do it! (Woo!)
Pop, stop, drop, watch and roll niggas✦ (Uhh)
Hold niggas,✦ dog, I can't control niggas!✦ (C'mon!)
[Chorus: Dia]
Believe✦ me! It's our TIIIIME now to let 'em know
(WHAT?!) It's our TIIIIME now to let 'em know
Believe✦ me! It's our TIIIIME now to let 'em know
(WHAT?!) It's our TIIIIME now
Believe✦ me! It's our TIIIIME now to let 'em know
(WHAT?!) It's our TIIIIME now to let 'em know
Believe✦ me! It's our TIIIIME now to let 'em know
(WHAT?!) It's our TIIIIME now..

Technical Breakdown

8.8
Multisyllabic Rhymes8.5

Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)

Internal Rhymes9.5

Rhymes within a line (data-driven)

Wordplay / Double Entendres6.5

Clever language, metaphors, punchlines

Cadence / Rhythm10.0

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 Score8.77

Production

— Dame Grease

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Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

DMX leverages his signature visceral delivery to transform a relatively straightforward lyrical structure into a commanding, high-tension performance that emphasizes aggressive cadence over dense semantic complexity.

A
8.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
10
Cadence / Flow
6
Vocabulary
6.5
Wordplay
9
Delivery
Aggressive vocal ad-libsInternal rhyme chainsCyclical wordplayDirect addressRhythmic syncopation
Rhyme Architecture: Predominantly AABB or AAAA couplets and quatrains, utilizing long-vowel multisyllabic rhymes at the end of bars, punctuated by aggressive internal rhyming clusters (e.g., 'mine', 'sharin', 'carin', 'starin').
Verified Doubles & Entendres

"Put out '... And Then There Was X' and then there was X / And then there was X again"

① Reference to his album title '... And Then There Was X' as a concrete commercial product.② A recursive threat implying his persistent, recurring presence in the industry and on the streets that cannot be eliminated.

"Respect the line or catch a wreckless twenty-nine"

① The literal demand to respect his personal boundaries or status.② A threat of violence involving a .29 caliber firearm or related street-level retribution.

Unmatched vocal intensity and commanding presence

Effective use of ad-libs to emphasize rhythmic pockets

Consistent thematic coherence

Strong structural pacing through rising tension

Limited vocabulary range beyond street vernacular

Reliance on aggressive posturing over complex metaphors

Occasional simplistic end-rhyme choices

User Scores