Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers

Die Hard

Kendrick Lamar

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

33

End

142

Internal

33

Multi

128

Slant

12

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Verse 1: Kendrick Lamar]
Do you love me? Do you trust me?
Can I trust you? Don't judge me
I'ma✦ die hard, it gets ugly✦
Too passionate, it gets ugly✦
Mmm, ah-ah✦
I wonder✦ where I lost my way?
Mmm, ah-ah✦
Been waiting on your call all day
Tell me you in my corner✦ right now
When I fall short, I'm leanin'✦ on you to cry out
We all got enough to lie about✦
My truth too complicated to hide now
Can I open✦ up? Is it safe or not?
I'm afraid a little, you relate✦ or not?
Have faith a little, I might take my time
Ain't no savin'✦ face this time
[Chorus: Blxst]
I hope I'm not too late
To set my demons✦ straight
I know I made you wait
But how much can you take?
I hope you see the God in me
I hope you can see
And if it's up, stay down for me
Yeah
[Post-Chorus: Amanda Reifer]
Shimmy,✦ shimmy,✦ cocoa✦ puff
Serafina, flame in us
Where I'd be without✦ your love
Rest your wings and trust, I feel you
Deep, I feel, deep, I feel (I know we're feelin'✦ deep)
Deep, I feel, deep, too (I know we're feelin'✦ too deep)
Deep, I feel, deep, I feel (I know we're feelin'✦ deep)
Deep, I feel, deep, you (I know we're feelin')✦
[Verse 2: Kendrick Lamar]
I got some regrets
I-I-I-I-I-I-I
But my past won't keep me from my best
I-I-I-I-I-I-I
Subtle mistakes felt like life or death
I-I-I-I-I-I-I
I wanna✦ see the family✦ stronger
I wanna✦ see the money✦ longer✦
You know that I'd die for you
I get emotional about✦ life
The lost ones keepin'✦ me up at night
The world be reminding me it's danger✦
I'll still risk it all for a stranger
If I told you who I am, would you use it against me?
Right or wrong, no stone, just love to send me
[Chorus: Blxst]
I hope I'm not too late
To set my demons✦ straight
I know I made you wait
But how much can you take?
I hope you see the God in me
I hope you can see
And if it's up, stay down for me
Yeah
[Outro: Blxst]
Baby,✦ you make me
Pray for London✦
Yeah
'Cause if I won it all without✦ you involved
(Fucking love you)
I guess it's all for nothing

Technical Breakdown

8.3
Multisyllabic Rhymes6.5

Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)

Internal Rhymes9.5

Rhymes within a line (data-driven)

Wordplay / Double Entendres5.0

Clever language, metaphors, punchlines

Cadence / Rhythm10.0

Flow variation and timing (data-driven)

Vocabulary Complexity6.0

Range and depth of words used (data-driven)

Delivery / Breath Control8.5

Performance and control

Computed Score8.29

Production

— Sounwave, DJ Dahi, Baby Keem, J. Lbs, FnZ

Be the first to rate the production

Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

Kendrick focuses on emotional vulnerability and rhythmic cadence over dense wordplay, using a conversational yet syncopated flow to ground the lyrical themes of instability and trust.

A
6.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
10
Cadence / Flow
6
Vocabulary
5
Wordplay
8.5
Delivery
Staccato phrasingConversational cadenceInternal rhyme chainsMelodic integrationRhythmic syncopation
Rhyme Architecture: The verse relies on a foundational AABB/ABCB pattern with heavy internal syncopation, frequently utilizing slant rhymes to maintain momentum and allow for conversational inflection.
Verified Doubles & Entendres

"I'ma die hard"

① A reference to the Bruce Willis action franchise implying toughness/resilience.② A literal statement regarding the speaker's intensity and emotional commitment to the relationship, which often leads to 'ugly' outcomes.

"We all got enough to lie about"

① A commentary on the human tendency to be dishonest or hide secrets.② A critique of the social performance required in relationships, where the weight of 'lying' about one's state becomes exhausting.

Exceptional rhythmic placement of rhymes

High level of emotional transparency

Strong integration with the melodic delivery

Effective use of pauses to heighten tension

Lack of complex multisyllabic wordplay

Limited usage of double entendres

Reliance on straightforward emotional expression over lyrical abstraction

User Scores