Ready to Die

Intro

The Notorious B.I.G.

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

28

End

167

Internal

81

Multi

147

Slant

8

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Skit: 'Prince' Charles Alexander]
God damn it, Voletta, what the fuck are you doin'?
You can't control✦ that God damn boy? What?
I just saw Mr. Johnson, he told me he caught the motherfucking✦ boy shoplifting
What the fuck are you doin'? (Get your black ass the fuck off!)
You can't control✦ that God—
I don't know what the fuck to do with that boy
What the fuck do you want me to do?
If— if you can't con— fucking✦ control✦ him
I'ma✦ send him— (All you fucking✦ do is bitch all day, motherfucker)✦
I'ma✦ send him— Bitch, bitch, I—
I'ma✦ send his motherfuckin'✦ ass to a group home God damn it, what?
I'll smack the shit outta✦ you, bitch! (Kick my black ass, motherfucker!)✦
What the fuck?
Yo— You— You are fucking✦ up (Comin'✦ in here, smellin' like sour socks, you dumb motherfucker)✦
I'ma✦ fuck you up
[Interlude]
When I'm bustin'✦ up a party✦ I feel no guilt
Gizmo's cuttin'✦ up for thee
Suckers✦ that's down with nei—
[Skit: The Notorious B.I.G. & Accomplice]
What, nigga,✦ you wanna✦ rob them motherfuckin'✦ trains, you crazy?✦
Yes, yes, motherfucker,✦ motherfuckin'✦ right, nigga,✦ yes
Nigga,✦ what the fuck, nigga?✦ We gonna✦ get—
Nigga,✦ it's eighty-seven nigga,✦ is you dead broke?
Yeah, nigga,✦ but, but, nigga—✦
Motherfucker,✦ is you broke, motherfucker?✦
We need to get some motherfuckin'✦ paper,✦ nigga✦
Yeah, but nigga,✦ it's a train, ain't nobody✦ robbed✦ no motherfucking✦ train
Just listen,✦ man, your mother✦ giving✦ you money,✦ nigga?✦
My moms don't give me shit, nigga✦
It's time to get paid, nigga✦
Is you with me?
Motherfucker,✦ is you with me?
Yeah, I'm with you, nigga,✦ c'mon
Alright then, nigga,✦ let's make it happen✦ then
All you motherfuckers✦ get on the fuckin'✦ floor!
Get on the motherfucking✦ floor!
Give me all your motherfucking✦ money✦ (And don't move, nigga!)✦
I want the fuckin'✦ jewelry,✦ give me every-fuckin'-thing
Nigga✦ I'd shut the fuck up or I'ma✦ blow your motherfuckin'✦ brains out! (Gimme your fuckin'✦ money,✦ motherfucker!)✦
Nigga,✦ give me your jewelry,✦ empty✦ your pockets (Fuck you, bitch)
Get up off that shit
What the fuck you holding on to that shit for, bitch?
[Interlude]
I get money,✦ money✦ I got
Stunts call me honey✦ if they feel real hot
[Instrumental]
[Part 4: The Notorious B.I.G. & Guard]
Open✦ C-74, Smalls
Mr. Smalls, let me walk you to the door
So how does it feel leaving us?
C'mon man, what kind of fucking✦ question is that man?
Trying to get the fuck up out this joint dog
Yeah, yeah, you'll be back
You niggas always are
Go ahead✦ man, what the fuck is you hollering about?✦
You won't see me up in this motherfucker✦ no more
We'll see
I got big plans nigga,✦ big plans, hahahaha

Technical Breakdown

7.8
Multisyllabic Rhymes9.5

Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)

Internal Rhymes9.5

Rhymes within a line (data-driven)

Wordplay / Double Entendres4.0

Clever language, metaphors, punchlines

Cadence / Rhythm9.0

Flow variation and timing (data-driven)

Vocabulary Complexity6.0

Range and depth of words used (data-driven)

Delivery / Breath Control7.0

Performance and control

Computed Score7.79

Production

— Sean "Puffy" Combs

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Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

The verse functions as a piece of narrative theater, using the skit format to establish Biggie's persona as an irrepressible, volatile figure, though the lack of traditional lyrical bars limits the scope for complex wordplay assessment.

B+
9.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
9
Cadence / Flow
6
Vocabulary
4
Wordplay
7
Delivery
Cinematic narrative skitsDiegetic dialogueAggressive prosodyNaturalistic colloquialism
Rhyme Architecture: Predominantly unstructured conversational prose within the skits, shifting into a rhythmic, syncopated flow during the brief interlude, which relies on multi-syllabic end-rhyme chains.
Verified Doubles & Entendres

"smellin' like sour socks"

① A literal description of unhygienic behavior to demean the character.② A metaphor for the character's 'rotten' or troublesome influence on the household environment.

Atmospheric storytelling

High-tension vocal delivery

Strong character work

Innovative use of dialogue to establish the protagonist's history

Limited traditional lyrical content

Reliance on skit-based narrative over complex internal rhyme density in the performance

Focus is heavily on theatricality rather than technical lyrical output

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