The Diary

Mind Playin' Tricks '94

Scarface

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

15

End

106

Internal

26

Multi

157

Slant

5

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Verse 2]
Dear diary✦ I'm havin'✦ a little problem with my mind state
How many✦ bullets would it take to change my mind? Wait
Sometimes I want to end it but I don't though
They tell me see my pastor but I don't go
'Cause they all be on this one street
So I take it on myself to thank him one deep
And give my money✦ to the most needy,✦ uh
And never✦ put it in the hands of the most greedy✦
'Cause their puttin'✦ a price tag on a man's word
And it's a fashion show, so the men flirt
The world is endin'✦ so they try to make us switch fast
And they openin'✦ up these churches for some quick cash
And usin'✦ the money✦ for they new cribs
While Brother Johnson just got kicked✦ out where he lived✦
I follow✦ no man, 'cause man be phoney✦
[Chorus]
My mind was playin' tricks on me
Uh
My mind was playin' tricks on me
Yeah
[Verse 3]
Day by day it's more impossible to cope
I feel like I'm the one that's doin' dope
Can't seem to keep my mind on a steady✦ track
I'm all about✦ gettin'✦ mine, so I study✦ that
But it seems they want to get me
So I try to keep my 9mm with me
Just in case they want to see a homies✦ head blown
But I gotta stay around✦ to see my kids grown
I finally found a woman✦ who could deal with me
Back then I had a girl who wasn't real with me
And now she's back with her old lady✦
And now I got it goin' on and they sure hate me
Now I'm a goner✦ and she's a loner✦
Ha ha ha, yeah, her mind was playin' tricks on her
[Outro]
One time for your motherfuckin' mind
Uh
Bringin' it back like this here
1-9-9-1 all the way to the 1-9-9-4 when they call me 'Face
Yeah
My mind was playin' tricks on me

Technical Breakdown

7.7
Multisyllabic Rhymes7.5

Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)

Internal Rhymes9.5

Rhymes within a line (data-driven)

Wordplay / Double Entendres7.5

Clever language, metaphors, punchlines

Cadence / Rhythm6.5

Flow variation and timing (data-driven)

Vocabulary Complexity7.0

Range and depth of words used (data-driven)

Delivery / Breath Control9.0

Performance and control

Computed Score7.68

Production

— Mike Dean, N.O. Joe

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Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

Scarface utilizes a confession-booth cadence to bridge the gap between internal paranoia and external social critique, achieving a rare level of psychological realism in 1994 hip-hop.

B+
7.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
6.5
Cadence / Flow
7
Vocabulary
7.5
Wordplay
9
Delivery
Epistolary narrative structureInternal rhyme chainsParanoia-driven character studyConversational cadence
Rhyme Architecture: Predominantly AABB or AAAA couplet-based structures with dense internal rhyme placements that anchor the listener, punctuated by the refrain of the chorus.
Verified Doubles & Entendres

"How many bullets would it take to change my mind?"

① The physical act of suicide, implying a self-destructive impulse.② A rhetorical question about the potential for external violence to forcibly alter his perspective or state of consciousness.

"They all be on this one street / So I take it on myself to thank him one deep"

① Referring to churches being located on a single street or street corner.② A critique of the performative nature of religion, equating the institution with the 'streets' and implying he bypasses organized religion to communicate directly with God.

Exceptional emotional vulnerability and authenticity

Seamless blending of personal mental health struggles with systemic social critique

Commanding, weathered vocal performance that enhances the narrative stakes

Exceptional use of narrative progression from diary entry to sociopolitical observation

Occasional simplification of syntax to maintain the conversational flow

Rhyme schemes are functional rather than overtly complex or acrobatic

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