The Master
Uplift
Rakim
Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis
18
End
127
Internal
70
Multi
179
Slant
8
Chain
Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Chorus: Sample]
"Levantaré"✦
[Verse 3]
Ghetto✦ alert,✦ let's do whatever✦ work to get rid of the curse
We went from 1st to America's✦ worst
On this competitive✦ turf, now let's inherit✦ the earth
Let's form plots with one another,✦ and call shots
From 12:00 o'clock✦ 'til the next ball drop
All year around✦ cause we suffer✦ nonstop✦
You think it's rough at the bottom,✦ it's even✦ rougher✦ on top
My peeps gonna✦ have to reach and turn for me
And everybody's✦ side of the street'll be sunny✦
Ain't nothing✦ funny,✦ burn plenty✦ of firm honeys
And earn money✦ and watch the century✦ turn 20
[Chorus: Sample]
"Levantaré"✦
[Verse 4]
We all should, from the woods to the big city✦ and the small hood
Everybody should be welcome to the ball if we all could
But we fall cause we brawl, yo it ain't all good
We need to play right, stay tight with ya air alight✦
Keep your game tight, no need to play trife
Get cheese from the daylight to the late night
And it's shouldn't take death to appreciate life
Before✦ a lot perish, we got to cherish if Allah let us
Get proper✦ nourish✦ 'til the block flourish✦
In this metropolis, stay on top of this
You know what the prophet is, be prosperous
[Chorus: Sample]
"Levantaré"✦
[Verse 5]
Now we networking✦
Respect the next person, it'll be less hurting
Or left lurkin,✦ while we kept our dreads working✦
Connect set for certain,✦ total networking✦
Last chance to advance and stash grands
If you have plans to have fam and mad land
Own shine, condone crime or hold 9s
I know what the problem is, killing our own kind
To my flame throwers, train sober,✦ remain✦ soldiers
Stay sane so these pretty✦ dames✦ can hold us
Terror terrain✦ rollers and Range Rovers✦ so the train goers
Claim your fame, maintain,✦ till your game's✦ over✦
[Chorus: Sample]
"Levantaré"✦
[Verse 6]
Ghetto✦ alert,✦ let's do whatever✦ work to get rid of the curse
We went from 1st to America's✦ worst
On this competitive✦ turf, now let's inherit✦ the earth
There's✦ more prize for one another,✦ and call shots
12:00 o'clock✦ 'til the next ball drop
All year around✦ plus they shuffle nonstop✦
You think it's rough at the bottom,✦ it's even✦ rougher✦ on top
My peeps gonna✦ have to reach and turn for me
And everybody's✦ side of the street'll be sunny✦
Ain't nothing✦ funny,✦ burn plenty✦ and burn money✦
And earn money✦ and watch the century✦ turn 20
[Chorus: Sample]
"Levantaré"✦
Technical Breakdown
8.4
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 / Rhythm8.5
Flow variation and timing (data-driven)
Vocabulary Complexity8.0
Range and depth of words used (data-driven)
Delivery / Breath Control8.0
Performance and control
Computed Score8.43
Production
— Ron "Amen-Ra" Lawrence, The Mighty V.I.C.Be the first to rate the production
Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™
Rakim utilizes intricate, multi-syllabic internal rhyme chains to elevate socially conscious themes, grounding his delivery in a syncopated, authoritative pocket that serves as the blueprint for modern flow.
A
9.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
8.5
Cadence / Flow
8
Vocabulary
7.5
Wordplay
8
Delivery
Internal multisyllabic rhymingSyncopated meterEnjambment for rhythmic tensionSocial commentary via wordplay
Rhyme Architecture: Rakim employs a sophisticated AAAA/BBBB structure driven by internal polysyllabic clusters, linking end-rhymes ('curse/worst/earth') with internal sequences that bridge lines across the measure.
Verified Doubles & Entendres
"inherit the earth"
① A biblical allusion to finding prosperity and peace after struggle.② A literal reclamation of power and influence in their own neighborhood 'turf'.
"watch the century turn 20"
① A chronological reference to the year 2000 (the turn of the century).② A reference to currency (20 dollar bills) circulating as a sign of financial stability.
"shouldn't take death to appreciate life"
① A moral observation about the human tendency to ignore value until loss occurs.② A commentary on the high mortality rates in the 'ghetto' requiring a shift in perspective to survive.
Mastery of the pocket and rhythmic placement
Cohesive narrative arc regarding social uplift
Advanced phonetic density
Authoritative, calm delivery style
Occasional filler phrases to accommodate rhyme schemes
Some metaphors remain surface-level compared to his most abstract work