Ready to Die
Ready to Die
The Notorious B.I.G.
Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis
25
End
150
Internal
72
Multi
170
Slant
12
Chain
Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Verse 2: The Notorious B.I.G.]
As I sit back and look when I used✦ to be a crook
Doin' whatever it took, from snatchin' chains to pocketbooks
A big bad motherfucker✦ on the wrong road
I got some drugs, tried to get the avenue✦ sold
I want it all from the Rolexes to the Lexus
Gettin'✦ paid is all I expected
My mother✦ didn't give me what I want, what the fuck?!
Now I've got a Glock makin'✦ motherfuckers✦ duck
Shit is real and hungry's how I feel
I rob and steal because✦ that money✦ got that whip appeal✦
Kickin'✦ niggas✦ down the steps just for rep
Any✦ repercussion lead to niggas✦ gettin'✦ wet
The infrared's at your head real steady✦
You better✦ grab your guns 'cause I'm ready✦
[Chorus: The Notorious B.I.G. & Puff Daddy]
(Yes, I'm ready✦
Yes, I'm ready)✦
I'm ready✦ to die
(Yes, I'm ready)✦
(So die, motherfuckers,✦ die motherfuckers,✦ die)
Nah, we ain't gonna✦ kill your ass yet, we gonna✦ make you suffer✦
[Verse 3: The Notorious B.I.G.]
In a sec, I throw the TEC to your fuckin'✦ neck
Everybody hit the deck, Biggie 'bout to get some wreck
Quick to leave you in a coffin✦ for slick talkin'✦
You better✦ act like CeCe, and keep on walkin'✦
When I hit ya, I split ya to the white meat
You swung a left, you swung a right, you fell to the concrete
Your face, my feet, they meet we're stompin'
I'm rippin'✦ MC's from Tallahassee to Compton
Biggie Smalls on a higher✦ plane
Niggas✦ say I'm strange, deranged because✦ I put the 12 gauge to your brain
Make your shit splatter
Mix the blood like batter✦ then my pocket✦ gets fatter✦
After✦ the hit, leave you on the street with your neck slit
Down your backbone to where your motherfuckin' shit drip
The shit I kick rippin'✦ through the vest, Biggie Smalls passin'✦ any✦ test
I'm ready✦ to die!
[Chorus: The Notorious B.I.G. & Puff Daddy]
(Yes, I'm ready✦
Yes, I'm ready)✦
I'm ready✦
(Yes, I'm ready)✦
Time to go, we gon' put you out your misery,✦ motherfucker✦
Niggas✦ definitely know what time it is (Yes, I'm ready)✦
The Notorious one in full effect for '93 (Yes, I'm ready)✦
Uhh, uhh (Yes, I'm ready)✦
Suicidal, I'm ready!✦
(So die, motherfuckers,✦ die, motherfuckers,✦ die)
(Yes, I'm ready)✦
(So die, motherfuckers,✦ die, motherfuckers,✦ die)
[Outro: Puff Daddy]
Now I lay me down to sleep (Yeah)
Pray the Lord my soul to keep
If I should die before✦ I wake
I pray the Lord my soul to take
'Cause I'm ready✦ to die
(I'm ready,✦ I'm ready)✦
All y'all motherfuckers✦ come with me if you want to
(I'm ready,✦ I'm ready,✦ I'm ready)✦
Biggie Smalls the biggest man
(I'm Ready)✦
Rockin'✦ on and on in '93, Easy✦ Mo Bee
Third Eye and the rest of the Bad Boy fam
I don't wanna✦ see no cryin' at my funeral
Technical Breakdown
9.1
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 / Rhythm10.0
Flow variation and timing (data-driven)
Vocabulary Complexity7.0
Range and depth of words used (data-driven)
Delivery / Breath Control9.5
Performance and control
Computed Score9.10
Production
— Easy Mo BeeBe the first to rate the production
Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™
Biggie establishes an unparalleled narrative pocket through conversational gravity and rhythmic fluidity, setting the blueprint for 90s East Coast storytelling.
A+
8.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
10
Cadence / Flow
7
Vocabulary
7.5
Wordplay
9.5
Delivery
multisyllabic internal rhymingconversational deliveryrhythmic syncopationcinematic narrative pacing
Rhyme Architecture: Dense, AABB-adjacent structure heavily bolstered by multi-syllabic internal rhyming and enjambment that forces the flow across bar lines.
Verified Doubles & Entendres
"that money got that whip appeal"
① The literal attraction of money causing others to want to possess it.② A play on 'sex appeal', implying that money is an intoxicating, physical force that draws people in.
"gettin' gettin' wet"
① Street slang for shooting/killing someone.② A literal reference to the outcome of violent confrontation involving bloodshed.
Authoritative vocal command and presence
Seamless integration of internal rhymes into a natural speech pattern
Strong cinematic imagery established through concise street-level detail
Heavy reliance on literal street tropes relative to later conceptual works
Slightly predictable resolution in punchline structures by modern standards