Cheat Codes
Because
Black Thought
Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis
19
End
148
Internal
97
Multi
263
Slant
6
Chain
Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Verse 2: Black Thought]
We took shoestrings, lemon✦ drops and chips from the deli✦
Knocked 'em out the box with spinner tops and skelly✦
"Do it, you'll get to it," what Mr. Womack would tell me
I was locked,✦ my celly✦ read Niccolò Machiavelli
This inheritance✦ was negative, beverage✦ is the devil's piss
State's✦ evidence, give us anything✦ instead of this drama✦
In the mirror like Yayoi Kusama✦
Had me turnin'✦ to Muhammad, to Buddha,✦ to Dalai✦ Lama✦
If I would snatch a shoulder bag from somebody mama✦
Am I cancerous? Can't discuss what the short answer✦ was
Hungriest ones✦ take the money✦ and run
Sometimes✦ simultaneously✦ taking✦ one of your lungs
What I mean is, I've seen everything✦ that's under✦ the sun
Niggas✦ below✦ the poverty line live under✦ the gun
We all schemin', savages ain't vegan,✦ what the fuck is love?
Don't need a reason✦ to die, we die just because✦
[Chorus: Dylan Cartlidge & Joey Bada$$]
Because✦ it's hard to find your love, I found it out
Because✦ you better✦ not stay, you better✦ not stay
Because✦ it's hard to find your love, I found it out
Because✦ this love is so non-desirable,✦ oh (Uh)
[Verse 3: Joey Bada$$]
I was on thirty-four cruisin' through Medina✦
I was just a Neo 'fore I had the nina✦
I had the snapback with the t-shirt
Practicin' my ollie, I could hardly✦ get my feet up
Had to hit the staircase just to roll the reefer,✦ uh
Now I'm smokin'✦ big Cohibas out in Costa✦ Rica✦ like pura✦ vida✦
Havin'✦ flashbacks of niggas✦ gettin'✦ clapped at in front the cleaners
On 34th Street, until✦ this day it haunts me
It's why I had to move raunchy
I know killers in Marcy,✦ so please don't taunt me
I spent some summer✦ times✦ in Canarsie
Me and Quan gettin'✦ stopped and frisked by Hutch and Starsky
They was lookin'✦ for hard drugs an' armory✦
Mama✦ told me not to let that shit bother✦ me
Poppa✦ said to move cautiously✦
So the streets would never✦ father✦ me
But you don't know that part of me
[Chorus: Dylan Cartlidge & Russ]
Because✦ it's hard to find your love, I found it out
Because✦ this love is so non-desirable,✦ oh (Yeah)
[Verse 4: Russ]
My girl told me I should watch my tongue
My skin gets red too easy,✦ she don't wanna✦ change her name like Washington
Wonders where I got it from, my parents' marriage✦ was a toxic✦ one
Mm, oh well, I'm 'bout to cop a gun
Hope I got to use it, it'll help blow up the music✦
I know somethin' slightly off with me, drama✦ is therapeutic
Ego✦ hates✦ feeling futile,✦ sometimes✦ I move without scruples
Like havin'✦ Mrs. Perfect with me and still chasin'✦ approval
From other✦ women,✦ I'm a glutton, I can't run from who I become✦
Dad's around✦ the corner,✦ haven't✦ seen him in like three months
We don't speak much, I don't handle balance✦ well, got a fragile shell
My money✦ split the king and queen up, then the castle fell
The tension✦ in the air is still crisp
Sometimes✦ I wish this game was over✦ like I'm Lil' Flip (Flip)
Sometimes✦ I'm wishing that my brain came with a kill switch
I don't vacation,✦ dawg, I guilt trip, real shit, yeah
[Chorus: Dylan Cartlidge]
Because✦ it's hard to find your love, I found it out
Because✦ you better✦ not stay, you better✦ not stay
Because✦ it's hard to find your love, I found it out
Because✦ this love is so non-desirable,✦ oh
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 / Rhythm7.5
Flow variation and timing (data-driven)
Vocabulary Complexity8.0
Range and depth of words used (data-driven)
Delivery / Breath Control9.0
Performance and control
Computed Score8.44
Production
— Danger MouseBe the first to rate the production
Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™
Black Thought utilizes a high-density, multi-syllabic autobiographical narrative that expertly balances street-level imagery with philosophical weight, demonstrating elite mastery of internal rhyme chains and rhythmic pockets.
A
9.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
7.5
Cadence / Flow
8
Vocabulary
8.5
Wordplay
9
Delivery
Assonant internal chainsMulti-syllabic end-rhymesHistorical/Literary allusionsEnjambment for rhythmic tensionPhonetic sequencing
Rhyme Architecture: Thought employs a complex, non-linear scheme that relies heavily on feminine rhymes (deli/skelly/tell me/celly/Machiavelli) and sustains long strings of multisyllabic internal assonance, punctuated by hard rhythmic stops at the end of thoughts.
Verified Doubles & Entendres
"my celly read Niccolò Machiavelli"
① A literal reference to his prison cellmate or cell-blockmate reading the author of The Prince.② A figurative nod to the 'cell' (phone) containing the knowledge of Machiavellian political strategy and survival tactics.
"savages ain't vegan"
① A literal subversion of diet; those surviving in the streets are not consuming plant-based, non-violent diets.② A metaphorical statement that those living in a 'savage' environment cannot afford the luxury of 'clean' or moral existence (as veganism is often associated with a higher socioeconomic lifestyle).
"live under the gun"
① Living in an environment characterized by gun violence and the constant threat of death.② Living under intense pressure or being subjected to constant surveillance and external control.
Exceptional rhythmic control within the pocket
Sophisticated use of intertextual references (Kusama, Machiavelli)
High density of internal rhyme without sacrificing narrative clarity
Seamless integration of philosophical themes into grimy street reality
The density of the rhyme scheme occasionally risks overshadowing the punchline impact
The transition between the philosophical musings and the closing statement on 'love' feels slightly rushed compared to the setup