Section.80
Kush & Corinthians (His Pain)
Kendrick Lamar
Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis
32
End
286
Internal
95
Multi
383
Slant
7
Chain
Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Kendrick Lamar:]
Check, check, check, check, check
It go ride to it, ride to it, 'cause you never✦ know
When a bullet✦ might hit and you die to it, die to it
Die to it, die to it, live your life, live it right
Be different,✦ do different✦ things
Don't do it like he did, 'cause he ain't what you is
But we can win, wait, let's get straight to the point
To the meaning of life, what's my purpose?
Maybe this Earth is ain't a good place to be
How far is heaven?✦ Let's see
Is it in the clouds like they said it would be?
I wonder✦ when I die will he give me receipts?
I wonder✦ will the eyes of the Lord look at me?
Look at me, look at me, I'm a loser,✦ I'm a winner✦
I'm good, I'm bad, I'm a Christian, I'm a sinner✦
I'm humble, I'm loud, I'm righteous, I'm a killer✦
What I'm doing? I'm saying that I'm human,✦ now people just
Ride to it, ride to it, 'cause you never✦ know
When a bullet✦ might hit and you die to it, die to it
Die to it, die to it, live your life, live it right
Be different,✦ do different✦ things
Don't do it like he did, 'cause he ain't what you is
But we can win, wait, let's get straight to the point
It go one (One), two (Two), three (Three)
Two in the front, one in the back seat (Seat)
Seat (Seat), seat (Seat), seat (Seat)
Looking✦ for a victim of a AK-47, hundred-round each, each, each
But why must we retaliate? Is it human✦ nature?✦
I don't know, I look for the answers later✦
"Make a right, there they go" (There they go)
Sometimes gotta✦
Ride to it, ride to it, 'cause you never✦ know
When a bullet✦ might hit and you die to it, die to it
Die to it, die to it, live your life, live it right
Be different,✦ do different✦ things
Don't do it like he did, 'cause he ain't what you is
But we can win-win,✦ wait, let's get straight to the point
As I open✦ this book and then burn up some of this reefer✦
My plan is to figure✦ out the world and escape✦ all my demons
I'm dying inside,✦ I wonder✦ if Zion inside✦ the heavens
A condom,✦ a Rollie, pain, a fat blunt and a MAC-11
That's all I see in my life and they tell me to make it right
But I'm right on the edge of Everest and I might jump tonight
Have you ever✦ had known a saint that was taking✦ sinner's advice?✦
Well it's probably you, am I right? If I'm wrong, you a fucking liar
When I lie on my back and look at the ceiling, it's so appealing✦ to pray
I wonder✦ if I'm just a villain, dealing✦ my morals away✦
Some people look at my face then tell me don't worry✦ 'bout it
I give 'em back their deposit, no money,✦ just total silence✦
I'm running, they say I'm wildin',✦ a youngin' with lack of guidance
That's hundreds of us with problems
Mo' money,✦ mo' drugs and violence✦
Look at the soul of an out-of-control artist
That's dealing✦ with life the hardest, that's on my life
But regardless I'ma—✦
[Kendrick Lamar (BJ the Chicago Kid):]
Ride to it, ride to it, 'cause I never✦ know
When a bullet✦ might hit me and I die to it, die to it
Die to it, die to it, live my life, live it right
Be different,✦ do different✦ things
Don't do it like he did, 'cause he ain't what I is
But we can win, wait, let's get straight to the point
(Oh-oh,✦ oh-oh)✦
Hmm
[BJ the Chicago Kid:]
Yeah, life can please ya, but death can tease ya
On the day Niko✦ had that seizure✦
I lost one of my biggest believers, aw
Close deaths make you think about✦ your life
Like if I had that same chance twice, what would I do different?✦
I'd tell her I loved her more, do more
But tease her 'bout crying on that picture✦
Now when I'm done recording✦
Swear, I let the beat bang in her name
Make her shake her head in heaven,✦ saying, "They're at it again"✦
Make them clouds turn to speakers
Don't take too much smoke from the reefer✦
Love being in the room with her peoples
Now my love life murking it, family✦ having✦ surgeries
Hate it that the truth that chose for their life to be under✦ me
Lord, what kind of life is this?
Mamma,✦ I just wanna✦ sing
Mamma✦ said, "According✦ to get everything"✦ (Uh)
"You gotta✦ risk everything"✦
So I'm smoking✦ my kush, reading✦ Corinthians✦
Smoking✦ my kush, reading✦ Corinthians✦
Smoking✦ my kush, reading✦ Corinthians✦ (Corinthians)✦
(Oh-oh,✦ oh-oh)✦
Smoking✦ my kush, reading✦ Corinthians✦ (Corinthians,✦ Corinthians,✦ Corinthians)✦
Mm, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh-oh,✦ oh
Da, da, da, da, da, da
Da, da, da, da, da, da
Oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh-oh,✦ oh
Da, da, da, da, da, da
Da, da, da, da, da, da, da-da-da✦
Technical Breakdown
8.0
Multisyllabic Rhymes8.5
Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)
Internal Rhymes9.5
Rhymes within a line (data-driven)
Wordplay / Double Entendres7.5
Clever language, metaphors, punchlines
Cadence / Rhythm7.5
Flow variation and timing (data-driven)
Vocabulary Complexity7.0
Range and depth of words used (data-driven)
Delivery / Breath Control8.5
Performance and control
Computed Score8.00
Production
— WyldfyerBe the first to rate the production
Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™
Kendrick utilizes cyclical rhythmic repetition and internal contradiction to mirror the psychological instability of his existential questioning.
A
8.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
7.5
Cadence / Flow
7
Vocabulary
7.5
Wordplay
8.5
Delivery
AnadiplosisAntimetaboleStichomythia-like internal dialogueCyclical refrain
Rhyme Architecture: Kendrick employs a heavy reliance on repetitive end-rhymes (die to it/ride to it) acting as a rhythmic anchor, contrasted with rapid-fire internal contradictions characterized by AABB-like couplets regarding identity.
Verified Doubles & Entendres
"I wonder when I die will he give me receipts?"
① The literal consumer-grade proof of purchase provided after a transaction.② A theological metaphor for 'proof' of one's deeds or the 'debt' of sin presented to God at the moment of judgment.
"I'm good, I'm bad, I'm a Christian, I'm a sinner"
① A series of polar opposite traits defining his personal moral instability.② The inherent, paradoxical nature of the human experience where one identity does not preclude the other.
Exceptional rhythmic consistency that reinforces the theme of inevitable mortality
Strong use of contrast to convey the duality of the human condition
Effective use of the 'receipts' metaphor to bridge commercial and spiritual accountability
Some repetitive phrasing borders on filler to maintain the cadence
Existential themes occasionally sacrifice concrete imagery for broad philosophical inquiry