The Fix
Safe
Scarface
Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis
22
End
180
Internal
82
Multi
126
Slant
10
Chain
Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Verse 2]
I'm bout my paper,✦ these other✦ niggas✦ slang for the sport
Like unaware tomorrow ain't promised, the game is too short
I've witnessed niggas✦ get it all and give it away✦
Gettin✦ back was out of the question,✦ they lived✦ for today✦
Then the hunger✦ pains start up, then the murderous plots
To set up, they fuckin✦ homeboy to get what he got
I mean the ones✦ he broke the bread with, the ones✦ you don't want
To be the ones✦ fuckin✦ your girlfriend the moment you out
I know the street game backwards, forwards, sideways✦
It used✦ to be an honest hustle back then but nowadays✦
It's cutthroat, that's fucked✦ up, niggas✦ want they come up
So bad they'll take the .357 and smoke they brother
A damn shame; but, that's the way the game go
A chance niggas✦ is takin✦ especially if they slang dope
I've been in that position,✦ back in the day
In fear of my homie hittin'✦ my head to crack in my safe
And that's when
[Chorus]
When ya hustle ain't evolvin✦
That's when niggas✦ start starvin✦
And when you niggas✦ start starvin✦
That's when you niggas✦ start robbin✦ (when these niggas✦ start robbin)✦
When these niggas✦ got problems✦
That's when niggas✦ start plottin✦
And when you niggas✦ start plottin✦
Us country✦ niggas✦ start mobbin✦ - mobbin✦
[Verse 3]
So listen✦ up my niggas,✦ and I ain't tryin to preach
I'm just tellin✦ it from my side 'cause I'm in the streets
I done been there, done that, seen a whole neighborhood
Destroyed by the government bein tipped✦ off by one rat
He caught a dope case and they threatened him with time
He get his own fuckin✦ people jammed✦ and he take the five
That's the shit there; they ain't even✦ catch him with dope
But they gave him thirty-five years 'cause the nigga✦ done spoke
Snitchin, that's a motherfucker, watch what you say
You don't know no-motherfuckin-body, nigga,✦ you lame
Watch your so-called homeboys, keep to yourself
Stay away✦ from niggas✦ gettin✦ caught that get out of jail
Don't talk about✦ your business, keep yo' thoughts in yo' head
And this game it got a paper✦ trail, watch where ya spend
Don't write down names✦ and numbers, it's a memory✦ thing
Never✦ shit where ya sleep, keep the crib out of range
And plus you never✦ let these niggas✦ know where you stay
'Cause when the push turns to a shove, they hittin✦ your safe
True motherfuckin'✦ game, true motherfuckin'✦ game
[Chorus]
When ya hustle ain't evolvin'✦
That's when niggas✦ start starvin'✦
And when you niggas✦ start starvin'✦
That's when you niggas✦ start robbin'✦
When these niggas✦ got problems'✦
That's when niggas✦ start plottin'✦
And when you niggas✦ start plottin'✦
Us country✦ niggas✦ start mobbin',✦ mobbin'✦
Technical Breakdown
8.8
Multisyllabic Rhymes9.5
Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)
Internal Rhymes9.5
Rhymes within a line (data-driven)
Wordplay / Double Entendres7.5
Clever language, metaphors, punchlines
Cadence / Rhythm9.0
Flow variation and timing (data-driven)
Vocabulary Complexity7.0
Range and depth of words used (data-driven)
Delivery / Breath Control9.2
Performance and control
Computed Score8.79
Production
— Kanye West, Mike DeanBe the first to rate the production
Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™
Scarface utilizes a grounded, narrative-driven flow where the technical rhyme density serves the dark, paranoid realism of his street philosophy rather than mere technical exhibition.
A
9.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
9
Cadence / Flow
7
Vocabulary
7.5
Wordplay
9.2
Delivery
Conversational cadenceMultisyllabic internal rhyme chainsThematic progressionEnjambment for narrative tension
Rhyme Architecture: Predominantly AABB coupled with heavy internal assonance and multisyllabic clusters that bridge line ends, creating a relentless, driving pace.
Verified Doubles & Entendres
"broke the bread with"
① Sharing resources or money with associates as a sign of mutual trust.② A literal reference to the Last Supper dynamic, highlighting the ultimate biblical betrayal of a close companion.
"hittin' my head to crack in my safe"
① Physically attacking him to steal his accumulated wealth.② A clever play on the song title 'Safe', where the mental security of friendship is broken alongside the literal security of his assets.
Exceptional rhythmic integration of complex narratives
Strong emotional gravitas and authentic storytelling
Seamless transitions between observation and introspection
Vocabulary remains functional rather than elevated
Reliance on established tropes of street betrayal