ATLiens

Mainstream

Outkast

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

End

281

Internal

Multi

265

Slant

Chain

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[Chorus: Khujo Goodie]

Think it is when it ain't all peaches^✦ and cream

That's why some are found floating^✦ face down in the mainstream^✦

[Verse 2: André 3000]

They swan diving^✦

As if they name be Gretchen Von Ivan^✦

Volkoff, rushin'^✦ to finish^✦ their album, then you find them

Lost, dog-paddling, backstroking,^✦ what done happened?^✦

He rhymed^✦ the catch of the day, when the recipe^✦ called^✦ for "blackened"^✦

Wrong ingredients

Maybe too much herbs and spices^✦

Maybe you got hungry^✦ for the wrong dish of them greens

And it's enticing, how them Jones's sing

"So I'm gonna^✦ sang just like them to get where they at

I'll even^✦ break my back to touch they rim, if I gotta^✦

My alta^✦ mater^✦ be that I follow^✦

I bite whatever that's looking^✦ tasty,^✦ water^✦ it down, and then swallow"

I hope you vomit

Won't call no names,^✦ 'cause that's not my job

It just applies^✦ to whom it may concern, you know who you are

But if you don't, you never^✦ will, you'll just proceed to steal

But then it might get ugly,^✦ 'cause, trust me, niggas^✦ do feel

The way that I felt when I wrote this

But we must stay in focus

Be kings and queens up in this thing, get rid of all them jokers

Face down, face down, face down

[Chorus: Khujo Goodie]

Think it is when it ain't all peaches^✦ and cream

That's why some are found floating^✦ face down in the mainstream^✦

[Verse 3: Khujo Goodie]

I let you stay in my crib

Now you know where I live

When you was hungry,^✦ fed you a hot meal

Look at the hand you deal'

Me; crudball business, niggas^✦ giving^✦ inches,^✦ so here, take a foot

Luck only^✦ counts in rabbit's feet and horse shoes

Experience^✦ is sometimes the best teacher

Until we get our own plate, I hope you don't mind me eating^✦ off of yours

Process sm-m-moking^✦ like Jerry^✦

Meanwhile, fairies^✦ up the street, sprinkling pixie dust over^✦ greenery^✦

Never^✦ to attain^✦ another^✦ level^✦ of con-sci-ence,^✦ only^✦ to test the potency

Wild land here, they scheme over^✦ one another^✦ mouth to feed

They's thieves, with decisions to make, networks shape your destiny

But one miss will take it all away,^✦ just as quick as you can say

"I wish I never^✦ did what I did," now face this bid

It was the company you kept, the many^✦ places^✦ you slept

When you shouldn't have

Geeking like a rat, jumping like a trap, contributing to sin

And your nigga'^✦ bitch in the club, showin'^✦ pink for 10

They got you niggas^✦ where they want you again^✦

Floating^✦ face down in the mainstream^✦

That's why, that's why, that's why

[Chorus: Khujo Goodie]

Think it is when it ain't all peaches^✦ and cream

That's why some are found floating^✦ face down in the mainstream^✦

[Verse 4: Big Boi]

Everybody's a player, wearing them Kangols on their heads

Thinking it's all about^✦ your clothes, nigga,^✦ it's all about^✦ your self

The way you feel about^✦ your life, the times^✦ that you done shared^✦ with

Your friends and family,^✦ up and down like hoes give head

To dicks, oh, six, seven^✦ of them in the mix

But ain't no mystery^✦

You know the history about^✦ this clique, bitch

Oh, what? You don't want me to call you 'slut'?

But why you fucking all them niggas,^✦ letting them all up in your guts?

But see, that AIDS, I'm afraid,^✦ I think that's why I play the quiet role

I lay in the cut, every^✦ month thinking'a lettin'^✦ that fire roll

Like chimneys, and smoke signals, maybe peace pipes^✦ even^✦

My partners call me Big Boi and my first name is not Steven^✦

In the mainstream,^✦ home team bangin'^✦ 'em with these hits

In the mix (Mix), flowing like some motherfuckin' swordfish

[Chorus: Khujo Goodie]

Think it is when it ain't all peaches^✦ and cream

That's why some are found floating^✦ face down in the mainstream^✦

Think it is when it ain't all peaches^✦ and cream

That's why some are found floating^✦ face down in the mainstream^✦

Think it is when it ain't all peaches^✦ and cream

That's why some are found floating^✦ face down in the mainstream^✦

Think it is when it ain't all peaches^✦ and cream

That's why some are found floating^✦ face down in the mainstream^✦

Technical Breakdown

8.4

Multisyllabic Rhymes9.5

Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)

Internal Rhymes9.5

Rhymes within a line (data-driven)

Wordplay / Double Entendres8.5

Clever language, metaphors, punchlines

Cadence / Rhythm8.5

Flow variation and timing (data-driven)

Vocabulary Complexity7.0

Range and depth of words used (data-driven)

Delivery / Breath Control8.0

Performance and control

Computed Score8.43

Production

— Organized Noize, Earthtone Ideas

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Critic Analysis

RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

André 3000 uses a sustained culinary metaphor as a scalpel to dissect the lack of artistic integrity in the music industry, transforming a literal critique of poor cooking into a biting indictment of industry mimicry.

9.5

Multisyllabic

9.5

Internal Rhymes

8.5

Cadence / Flow

Vocabulary

8.5

Wordplay

Delivery

Extended MetaphorPhonetic WordplayInternal Rhyme ClustersEnjambmentPersonification of Industry Trends

Rhyme Architecture: Complex, dense internal rhyme structures featuring multi-syllabic chains (e.g., swan diving / Gretchen Von Ivan / Volkoff / rushin' / find them) paired with a fluid, conversational delivery that shifts tempo across long-form enjambed sentences.

Verified Doubles & Entendres

"They swan diving / As if they name be Gretchen Von Ivan"

① A phonetic approximation of 'swan diving' that sounds like a specific, obscure name.② A critique of those jumping into the 'mainstream' without original identity, adopting a fake persona.

"He rhymed the catch of the day, when the recipe called for 'blackened'"

① A literal cooking instruction for a dish (blackened fish/cajun style).② A critique of artists who attempt a style (like 'blackened' rap) but lack the technical 'ingredients' to pull it off.

"My alta mater be that I follow"

① A play on 'Alma Mater' (the school/influence one comes from).② Suggesting that for unoriginal artists, their only education is the act of following trends.

Coherent thematic development using the 'cooking' metaphor from start to finish

Sophisticated phonetic play (Gretchen Von Ivan / swan diving)

Strong narrative voice that maintains authority without resorting to cheap name-dropping

Dynamic cadence variations that prevent the long-form lines from becoming monotonous

The density of the culinary metaphor may be obscure to listeners expecting more direct lyrical confrontation

The final transition to 'stay in focus' is slightly abrupt compared to the intensity of the build-up

Mainstream

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

Technical Breakdown

Production

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