Ready to Die
The What
The Notorious B.I.G.
Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis
23
End
120
Internal
53
Multi
163
Slant
8
Chain
Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Chorus: Method Man & The Notorious B.I.G.]
Fuck the world, don't ask me for shit
Everything✦ you get you gotta✦ work hard for it
(Honeys✦ shake your hips) You don't stop
(And niggas✦ pack the clips) Keep on, bitch
[Verse 3: Method Man & The Notorious B.I.G.]
Verse two, coming✦ with that Olde E brew
Meth-tical,✦ putting niggas✦ back in ICU✦
I'm lifted,✦ troop, you can bring your wack-ass crew
I got connections, I'll get that ass stuck like glue
Huh, no question,✦ I be coming✦ down and shit
Yo I gets rugged✦ as a motherfucking✦ carpet✦ get
And niggas✦ love it, not in the physical✦ form but in the mental
I spark and they cells get warm
I'm not a gentleman, I'm a Method Man
Baby✦ accept it, utmost respect it, and
(Assume✦ the position)✦ Stop look and listen✦
I spit on your grave then I grab my Charles Dickens, bitch
[Verse 4: The Notorious B.I.G. & Method Man]
Welcome to my center,✦ honeys✦ feel it deep in they placenta
Cold as the pole in the winter✦
Far from the inventor, but I got this rap shit sewed✦
And when my MAC unloads
I'm guaranteed another video✦
Ready✦ to die, why I act that way?
Pop duke left mom duke, the faggot✦ took the back way
So instead of making✦ hoes suck my dick up
I used✦ to do stick-ups, 'cause hoes is irritating like the hiccups
Excuse✦ me, flows just grow through me
Like trees to branches,✦ cliffs to avalanches✦
It's the praying mantis, deep like the mind of Farrakhan
A motherfucking✦ rap phenomenon, plus
(I got more Glocks and TECs than you)
I make it hot, (niggas✦ won't even✦ stand next to you)
Nigga✦ touch me you better✦ bust me three times✦ in the head
Or motherfucker's dead, you thought so
[Chorus: Method Man & The Notorious B.I.G.]
Fuck the world, don't ask me for shit
And everything✦ you get you gotta✦ work hard for it
(Honeys✦ shake your hips) You don't stop
(And niggas✦ pack the clips) Keep on, bitch
Fuck the world, don't ask me for shit
Everything✦ you get you gotta✦ work hard for it
(Honeys✦ shake your hips) You don't stop
(And niggas✦ pack the clips) Keep on, bitch
[Outro: Notorious B.I.G. & Method Man]
Junior M.A.F.I.A.✦ clique in full effect (Yeah, what the fuck you want, nigga?)✦
Ah, yeah, hell yeah (Biggie Smalls and Meth-tical)✦
Bedford–Stuyvesant the livest one (9-4 coming✦ at you raw)
My borough✦ is thorough✦ (Shaolin Island,✦ yeah)
Recognize (Yeah)
Technical Breakdown
8.8
Multisyllabic Rhymes8.5
Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)
Internal Rhymes9.5
Rhymes within a line (data-driven)
Wordplay / Double Entendres8.0
Clever language, metaphors, punchlines
Cadence / Rhythm9.0
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 Score8.79
Production
— Easy Mo BeeBe the first to rate the production
Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™
The verse demonstrates a masterful command of syncopation and internal phonetics, with Biggie’s performance elevating simple end-rhymes into a sophisticated rhythmic flow that balances menace with high-energy charisma.
A
8.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
9
Cadence / Flow
8
Vocabulary
8
Wordplay
9
Delivery
Multisyllabic internal rhyme stringsDynamic cadence variationOnomatopoeic flowAggressive prosody
Rhyme Architecture: Predominantly AABB with dense internal multi-rhyme anchors (center/placenta/winter/inventor) that disrupt standard 4/4 time through rapid-fire delivery.
Verified Doubles & Entendres
"I got this rap shit sewed"
① Having full control/dominance over the rap industry② A literal play on 'sewed' (stitching) connecting to the imagery of fixing or maintaining the integrity of his position in the game.
"I spit on your grave then I grab my Charles Dickens"
① An act of profound disrespect and violent intent② A clever play on the author Charles Dickens ('Dickens' as a metonym for the 'dick' or phallus/weapon), maintaining the aggressive thematic tone.
Exceptional rhythmic pocket usage
High density of internal rhyming
Commanding vocal presence
Cohesive structural buildup
Relies on standard gangsta tropes
Occasional filler-heavy transitions between punchlines