Life After Death

Going Back to Cali

The Notorious B.I.G.

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

End

251

Internal

109

Multi

232

Slant

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight

[Verse 1: The Notorious B.I.G.]

Uh, when the la-la^✦ hits you, lyrics just split ya

Head so hard that your hat can't fit ya

Either^✦ I'm with ya or against ya

Format^✦ bent ya, back through that maze I sent ya

Talking to the rap inventor

Nigga^✦ with the game tight, fifth that flame right

Spell my name right, B-I, double-G, I-E

Iced^✦ out, lights out, me and Cease-A-Leo

Getting head from some chick he know

See it's all about^✦ the cheddar, nobody^✦ do it better^✦

Going Back to Cali,^✦ strictly for the weather

Women^✦ and the weed, sticky^✦ green

No seeds bitch please, Poppa^✦ ain't soft

Dead up in the hood, ain't no love lost

Got me mixed^✦ up, you drunk them licks up

Mad 'cause I got my dick sucked^✦

And my balls licked,^✦ forfeit, the game is mine

I'ma^✦ spell my name one more time, check it

It's the, N-O, T-O, R-I, O

U-S, you just, lay down, slow

Recognize a real don when you see one

Sipping^✦ on booze in the House of Blues

[Chorus: The Notorious B.I.G. & Stevie J]

I'm going going, back back, to Cali^✦ Cali^✦ (going back to Cali)^✦

[Verse 2: The Notorious B.I.G.]

If I got to choose a coast, I got to choose the East

I live out there, so don't go there

But that don't mean a nigga^✦ can't rest in the West

See some nice breast in the West

Smoke some nice sess in the West, y'all niggas is a mess

Thinking I'm gon' stop giving^✦ L.A. props

All I got is beef with those that violate^✦ me

I shall annihilate^✦ thee

Case closed,^✦ suitcase filled^✦ with clothes

Linens and things, I begin^✦ things

Beeper^✦ start to flash, 818's

213's, 313's, B.I.G

Frequently floss hoes at Roscoe's

If I wanna^✦ squirt her, take her to Fatburger

Spend about^✦ a week on Venice^✦ Beach

Sippin^✦ Crist-o^✦ with some freaks from Frisco^✦

[Chorus: The Notorious B.I.G. & Stevie J]

I'm going going, back back, to Cali^✦ Cali^✦ (going back to Cali)^✦

[Verse 3: The Notorious B.I.G.]

Cali^✦ got gunplay,^✦ models on the runway^✦

Scream "Biggie, Biggie, give me one more chance"

I be whipping^✦ on the freeway,^✦ the NYC way

On the celly-celly with my homeboy Lance

Pass hash from left to right

Only^✦ got five blunts left to light, I'm set tonight

Met a bitch at the Versace store

Said she suck it 'til I ain't got no more, only^✦ in L.A

Bust on bitches belly,^✦ rub it in their tummy^✦

Lick it, say it's yummy,^✦ then fuck your man

What's your plan, is it to rock the Tri-State?^✦

Almost^✦ gold, five Gs a show date

Or do you wanna^✦ see about^✦ seven^✦ digits?^✦

Fuck hoes exquisite, Cali,^✦ great place to visit^✦

[Chorus: The Notorious B.I.G. & Stevie J]

I'm going going, back back, to Cali^✦ Cali^✦ (going back to Cali)^✦

Technical Breakdown

8.1

Multisyllabic Rhymes9.5

Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)

Internal Rhymes9.5

Rhymes within a line (data-driven)

Wordplay / Double Entendres6.5

Clever language, metaphors, punchlines

Cadence / Rhythm8.5

Flow variation and timing (data-driven)

Vocabulary Complexity5.0

Range and depth of words used (data-driven)

Delivery / Breath Control8.5

Performance and control

Computed Score8.14

Production

— Easy Mo Bee, Puff Daddy, Stevie J

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Critic Analysis

RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

Biggie uses internal rhyme density and authoritative cadence to compensate for a straightforward lyrical theme, effectively turning a simple travel narrative into a display of technical dominance.

9.5

Multisyllabic

9.5

Internal Rhymes

8.5

Cadence / Flow

Vocabulary

6.5

Wordplay

8.5

Delivery

Multisyllabic internal rhyme chainsStaccato deliverySpelling out monikers as a percussive deviceConversational flow within rigid rhyme constraints

Rhyme Architecture: A dense, fluid AAAA/BBBB structure that prioritizes long vowel sounds and percussive endings, utilizing internal slant rhymes to sustain momentum between primary line-ending rhymes.

Verified Doubles & Entendres

"lyrics just split ya / Head so hard that your hat can't fit ya"

① Physical trauma from a heavy impact.② The metaphorical inflation of the head (ego) caused by the superiority of the bars.

"Going Back to Cali, strictly for the weather"

① Literal appreciation of the climate in California.② A dismissal of competition; prioritizing personal enjoyment and luxury (the metaphorical 'weather') over lyrical warfare.

Exceptional rhythmic pocket and breath control

Strong command of multisyllabic rhyme density

Authoritative, charismatic vocal performance

Lyrical content is relatively superficial compared to his more introspective works

Vocabulary is limited to thematic tropes of the era

Going Back to Cali

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

Technical Breakdown

Production

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