Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers

Rich Spirit

Kendrick Lamar

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

17

End

110

Internal

50

Multi

107

Slant

6

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Chorus: Kendrick Lamar & Sam Dew]
Rich nigga,✦ broke phone (Ah)
Tryna✦ keep the balance,✦ I'm stayin' strong (Ooh)
Stop playin' with me 'fore I turn you to a song (Yeah)
Stop playin' with me 'fore I turn you to a song (Ooh)
Ayy, bitch, I'm attractive✦ (Ah)
Can't fuck with you no more, I'm fastin',✦ ugh (Ooh)
Bitch, I'm attractive✦ (Ah, ah, ah, ah)
Can't fuck with you no more, I'm fastin',✦ ugh
[Interlude: Sam Dew]
Dun-duh,✦ dun-duh,✦ dun-duh,✦ duh, dum
Dun-duh-duh,✦ duh, duh
Dun-duh,✦ dun-duh,✦ dun-duh,✦ dun-duh,✦ dun
[Verse 3: Kendrick Lamar]
Frat brother,✦ real nigga,✦ that brother✦
We just upped✦ the score, give me dap, brother✦
Spirit medium,✦ I don't rap, brother✦
We headed✦ there now, are you strapped, brother?✦
Ayy, peacemaker, but I'm not naive, brother✦
Ayy, gotta✦ watch your homies✦ and police,✦ brother✦
Ayy, clout chasing hell of a disease, brother✦
I'm fasting four days out the week, brother✦
I pray to God that you realize the entourage is dead
I pray to God that you not lackin'✦ when you off the meds
I pray to God she know them Cabo trips don't last forever
Bet she argue with her momma,✦ go and get them kids
I pray to God you actually pray when somebody dies
Thoughts and prayers, way better✦ off timelines
False claimin' not cute, I'm mortified
The New Earth in hot pursuit, two-hundred lives✦
[Chorus: Kendrick Lamar & Sam Dew]
Rich nigga,✦ broke phone (Ah)
Tryna✦ keep the balance,✦ I'm stayin' strong (Ooh)
Stop playin' with me 'fore I turn you to a song (Yeah)
Stop playin' with me 'fore I turn you to a song (Ooh)
Ayy, bitch, I'm attractive✦ (Ah)
Can't fuck with you no more, I'm fastin',✦ ugh (Ooh)
Bitch, I'm attractive✦ (Ah, ah, ah, ah)
Can't fuck with you no more, I'm fastin',✦ ugh
[Outro: Sam Dew]
Dun-duh,✦ dun-duh,✦ dun-duh,✦ duh, dum
Dun-duh-duh,✦ duh, duh
Dun-duh,✦ dun-duh,✦ dun-duh,✦ dun-duh,✦ dun

Technical Breakdown

8.1
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 / Rhythm8.0

Flow variation and timing (data-driven)

Vocabulary Complexity5.0

Range and depth of words used (data-driven)

Delivery / Breath Control8.5

Performance and control

Computed Score8.07

Production

— Sounwave, DJ Dahi, Frano, Mustard

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Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

Kendrick utilizes repetitive end-rhymes (brother) as a structural anchor to build tension, layering spiritual asceticism against street-level paranoia to create a high-stakes, claustrophobic atmosphere.

A
9.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
8
Cadence / Flow
5
Vocabulary
7.5
Wordplay
8.5
Delivery
monorhyme structurerhythmic syncopationthematic juxtapositioninternal rhyme density
Rhyme Architecture: The verse relies heavily on a relentless 'brother' monorhyme scheme that functions as an auditory hypnotic loop, providing a stable foundation for varied rhythmic syncopations and internal slant rhymes (upped/score/dap/strapped).
Verified Doubles & Entendres

"Spirit medium, I don't rap, brother"

① He is a conduit for a higher energy/spiritual force, transcending the act of technical rapping.② He is a 'medium' in terms of status—not a small rapper, but someone existing in a middle ground between mortal struggle and higher spirit.

"I'm fasting four days out the week, brother"

① Literal dietary/spiritual practice to maintain self-control.② Metaphorical 'fasting' from the industry, ego, and the toxicity of the 'entourage' he dismisses in the subsequent line.

Masterful use of repetition to build hypnotic intensity

Effective juxtaposition of spiritual discipline (fasting) and external threats (clout chasing/police)

Exceptional rhythmic control and cadence variation

The heavy reliance on the 'brother' end-rhyme can feel restrictive to some listeners

Vocabulary is intentionally simplified for rhythmic flow, limiting the complexity of word choice

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