Ready to Die
Big Poppa
The Notorious B.I.G.
Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis
15
End
180
Internal
64
Multi
186
Slant
4
Chain
Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Verse 2: The Notorious B.I.G. & Puff Daddy]
Straight up, honey,✦ really✦ I'm askin'✦
Most of these niggas✦ think they be mackin',✦ but they be actin'✦
Who they attractin' with that line (What?), "What's your name? What's your sign?"
Soon as he buy that wine, I just creep up from behind✦ (That's right)
And ask you what your interests are, who you be with
Things that make you smile, what numbers to dial
You gon' be here for a while? I'm gon' go call my crew, you go call your crew
We can rendezvous✦ at the bar around 2 (Come on)
Plans to leave, throw the keys to Little Cease (Uh-huh)✦
Pull the truck up front, and roll up the next blunt
So we can steam on the way to the telly,✦ go fill my belly✦ (G)
A T-bone steak, cheese eggs and Welch's grape
Conversate for a few, ‘cause in a few we gon' do
What we came to do, ain't that right, boo? (True)
Forget✦ the telly—we just go to the crib
And watch a movie in the jacuzzi, smoke Ls while you do me
[Chorus: The Notorious B.I.G. & Puff Daddy]
I love it when you call me Big Poppa✦
Throw your hands in the air if you's a true player (Come on, yeah)
I love it when you call me Big Poppa✦
To the honeys✦ gettin'✦ money,✦ playin' niggas✦ like dummies✦ (Uh)
I love it when you call me Big Poppa✦
You got a gun up in your waist, please don't shoot up the place (Why?)
'Cause I see some ladies✦ tonight✦ that should be havin'✦ my baby,✦ baby✦ (Uh)
[Verse 3: The Notorious B.I.G. & Puff Daddy]
(How you livin',✦ Biggie Smalls?) In mansion and Benzes✦
Givin'✦ ends to my friends, and it feels stupendous✦
Tremendous✦ cream: fuck a dollar✦ and a dream (Heh)
Still tote gats, strapped with infrared beams (That's right) (What?)
Choppin' Os (Uh-huh),✦ smokin'✦ la in Optimos
Money,✦ hoes and clothes: all a nigga✦ knows (All a nigga✦ knows)
A foolish pleasure?✦ Whatever✦
I had to find the buried treasure✦ (For what?), so grams I had to measure✦
However,✦ livin'✦ better✦ now, Coogi sweater now
Drop top BMs, I'm the man, girlfriend
[Interlude: Puff Daddy]
Yeah, honey,✦ check it
Tell your friends to get with my friends
And we can be friends
Shit, we can do this every✦ weekend (That's right), alright?
Is that aight wit' you?
Yeah, keep bangin'✦
[Chorus: The Notorious B.I.G. & Puff Daddy]
I love it when you call me Big Poppa✦
Throw your hands in the air if you's a true player
I love it when you call me Big Poppa✦
To the honeys✦ gettin'✦ money,✦ playin' niggas✦ like dummies✦ (Uh)
I love it when you call me Big Poppa✦
You got a gun up in your waist, please don't shoot up the place (Why?)
'Cause I see some ladies✦ tonight✦ that should be havin'✦ my baby,✦ baby✦ (Uh)
[Outro: The Notorious B.I.G.]
Check it out
Nine-fo'✦ shit for that ass, uh
Puff Daddy,✦ Biggie Smalls, Junior M.A.F.I.A.✦
Represent, baby,✦ baby,✦ uh
Technical Breakdown
7.8
Multisyllabic Rhymes9.5
Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)
Internal Rhymes9.5
Rhymes within a line (data-driven)
Wordplay / Double Entendres7.5
Clever language, metaphors, punchlines
Cadence / Rhythm6.5
Flow variation and timing (data-driven)
Vocabulary Complexity6.0
Range and depth of words used (data-driven)
Delivery / Breath Control9.2
Performance and control
Computed Score7.83
Production
— Chucky Thompson, Sean "Puffy" Combs, Nashiem MyrickBe the first to rate the production
Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™
Biggie utilizes conversational, rhythmic nonchalance to contrast the high-stakes 'player' persona with intimate, low-stakes romantic engagement, defining the mid-90s 'pimp-romantic' archetype.
B+
9.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
6.5
Cadence / Flow
6
Vocabulary
7.5
Wordplay
9.2
Delivery
Conversational cadenceMultisyllabic internal rhyme clustersRhythmic enjambmentCharacter-driven narrative pacing
Rhyme Architecture: Extremely high density of internal feminine rhymes (e.g., 'interests', 'dial', 'smile', 'while') bridged by long-form narrative lines, transitioning into a consistent AABB-style cadence that anchors the conversational flow.
Verified Doubles & Entendres
"Most of these niggas think they be mackin', but they be actin'"
① The literal observation that other men perform a superficial role of being a player.② A meta-commentary on the performative nature of mid-90s hip-hop hyper-masculinity.
"T-bone steak, cheese eggs and Welch's grape"
① Literal description of a luxurious, yet comfort-food breakfast order.② A cultural signifier of 'making it' from struggle to wealth, defining the aspirational lifestyle of the era.
Exceptional rhythmic pocket and breath control
Naturalistic, non-forced rhyming
Establishment of a distinct, cohesive persona
Seamless integration of internal rhythm with conversational tone
Wordplay is primarily character-based rather than high-concept linguistic complexity
Relies on 'easy' rhyming structures in certain segments to maintain the conversational flow