Cheat Codes

Aquamarine

Black Thought

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

12

End

46

Internal

47

Multi

124

Slant

5

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Chorus: Michael Kiwanuka]
Everything's✦ burning✦ down
When I close my eyes and pretend✦
Enemies✦ all around✦
I don't understand,✦ my friend, my friend
[Verse 2: Black Thought]
I've been through hoodies✦ and sneakers to beepers and record features
Hustlin' nicks of reefer✦ to tusslin' with the reaper✦
Sensory deprivation✦ to ultimate synesthesia
Freein' our brothers' keeper✦ from teeth of another creature✦
Breakin' and enterin' to the theater, the search and seizure✦
Is the birth of genius,✦ somewhere between Earth and Venus✦
At her convenience, even✦ non-believers make prayers
Haters✦ and naysayers✦ is buried✦ in cake layers
I take day as a blessing and see the night as a lesson✦
Twilight is a message✦ for me to write a confession✦
The matrix, a dominatrix seeking to be served✦
Ever✦ patiently waiting with the demons we deserve
Better✦ be willing to pay with every✦ dream that you deferred
If the vehicle should swerve, learn to lean into the curve
After✦ workin'✦ up the nerve almost equal in size
I walked✦ around✦ with the iron✦ for any✦ wrinkle in time
I pay the piece of my mind for every✦ nickel and dime
But never✦ less than a five and never✦ slept on the job
A killer✦ crept on your squad, yet never✦ left the garage✦
When your God was close enough to see the flesh of his eyes
Get to the button✦ and press, it's what the message✦ advised
What's a threat? Behind✦ the mess is where the testament lies
[Chorus: Michael Kiwanuka]
Everything's✦ burning✦ down
When I close my eyes and pretend✦
Enemies✦ all around✦
I don't understand,✦ my friend, my friend

Technical Breakdown

8.2
Multisyllabic Rhymes9.5

Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)

Internal Rhymes8.5

Rhymes within a line (data-driven)

Wordplay / Double Entendres8.5

Clever language, metaphors, punchlines

Cadence / Rhythm7.0

Flow variation and timing (data-driven)

Vocabulary Complexity8.5

Range and depth of words used (data-driven)

Delivery / Breath Control9.0

Performance and control

Computed Score8.21

Production

— Danger Mouse

Be the first to rate the production

Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

Black Thought demonstrates unparalleled technical mastery through dense internal multisyllabic rhyme chains, using the verse to map a transition from street-level struggle to metaphysical realization.

A
9.5
Multisyllabic
8.5
Internal Rhymes
7
Cadence / Flow
8.5
Vocabulary
8.5
Wordplay
9
Delivery
Multisyllabic internal rhyme clustersAssonance-heavy pacingCyclical imageryEnjambment-based flow transitions
Rhyme Architecture: Predominantly AAAA/BBBB rhyme chains using long-vowel multisyllabic clusters (e.g., 'features/reefer/reaper/synesthesia') that maintain high sonic consistency across segments.
Verified Doubles & Entendres

"Hustlin' nicks of reefer to tusslin' with the reaper"

① The literal act of selling small quantities of marijuana for survival.② The existential struggle against mortality and the inevitability of death.

"Wrinkle in time"

① A metaphorical disturbance or unexpected obstacle in one's life path.② A direct reference to the Madeleine L'Engle novel, suggesting a distortion of reality or a struggle against deterministic fate.

"Never less than a five and never slept on the job"

① Refers to keeping a high level of vigilance and not succumbing to lethargy or laziness.② A double entendre on the 'nickel' mentioned in the previous bar, suggesting his value or 'piece of mind' is always worth more than five cents.

Exceptional density of multisyllabic rhymes that do not sacrifice narrative clarity

Commanding vocal presence that shifts from aggressive reportage to reflective wisdom

Sophisticated use of celestial and metaphysical metaphors

High density occasionally forces a compressed rhythmic feel that may obscure complex internal meaning on first listen

The rapid-fire pace limits the 'breathing room' for individual punchlines to fully settle

User Scores