A Gangster and a Gentleman
A Gangster and a Gentleman
Styles P
Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis
26
End
196
Internal
91
Multi
217
Slant
13
Chain
Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Chorus]
I said gangstas✦ ride (Ride with me)
Gentlemen✦ live your life (Live it up)
'Cause gangstas✦ die (We all gon' die)
It's only✦ a matter✦ of time (The clock tickin')✦
I said gangstas✦ ride (Ride with me)
Gentlemen✦ live your life (Live it up)
'Cause gangstas✦ die (We all gon' die)
It's only✦ a matter✦ of time (The clock tickin')✦
[Verse 2]
It was 1986 and I was twelve years old
That's right around the time when crack came out
It was the best thing that happened to me
I swear to God 'cause I was gettin'✦ everything that I was askin'✦ about✦
First we started off baggin'✦ up, me and Garf
Then shit start addin'✦ up, we gettin'✦ smart
Now we on Broadway, coppin'✦ our own base
Bring it home and put it in bottles, sit in Serato✦
Drink an OE and scramble like it wasn't tomorrow
I'm gettin✦ kicked✦ out of Junior✦ High, thinkin' I'm grown
Garf bust with the yellow✦ rabbit✦
And I had every✦ color✦ Delt we was gettin'✦ it on
I was out robbin'✦ Mexicans six in the morn'
Mom said I had a F again,✦ riffin'✦ I'm gone
Nigga✦ get a little looted✦ and grown, soup in the dome
Fuck me up worst when I went to the group home
[Chorus]
I said gangstas✦ ride (Ride with me)
Gentlemen✦ live your life (Live it up)
'Cause gangstas✦ die (We all gon' die)
It's only✦ a matter✦ of time (The clock tickin')✦
I said gangstas✦ ride (Ride with me)
Gentlemen✦ live your life (Live it up)
'Cause gangstas✦ die (We all gon' die)
It's only✦ a matter✦ of time (The clock tickin')✦
[Verse 3]
I'm leavin'✦ out a lot of shit, nigga,✦ it's too real
My alcoholic backround, the welfare motels
Abuse✦ that I had to take, struggle that my mom's went through
How the fuck I'm gon' bond with you?
And the cases I got up to date told you that I bust an eight
Got niggas✦ I can't name, out of state niggas✦ fuck with weight
Little brother gone but I got a bigger✦ angel
You fuckin'✦ with a dirty✦ game, don't let these niggas✦ change you
The present's what you get and the past is what make the man future✦
I can't tell you I'm God or no Superman
No there ain't a 'S' on my chest, but it's a 'D' on my block (D-Block)
'Cause in life, the deepest lesson✦ is death
I'm determined✦ and I'm disciplined✦ and destined✦ to rep
I'm a Gangsta✦ and a Gentleman,✦ Panero✦ the best
When I pass I'm like gas, motherfuckers
'Cause I'ma✦ leave a stink that you'll never✦ forget✦
[Chorus]
I said gangstas✦ ride (Ride with me)
Gentlemen✦ live your life (Live it up)
'Cause gangstas✦ die (We all gon' die)
It's only✦ a matter✦ of time (The clock tickin')✦
I said gangstas✦ ride (Ride with me)
Gentlemen✦ live your life (Live it up)
'Cause gangstas✦ die (We all gon' die)
It's only✦ a matter✦ of time (The clock tickin')✦
[Outro]
This gangsta✦ and this gentleman✦ shit, is about✦ being humble
But at the same time, let niggas✦ know what's real
And when I say you real, I could flip
But at the same time, I could talk to a nigga✦ at the same time
If he don't respect✦ that, then you gotta✦ show 'em you're gangsta✦
He respect✦ that you show 'em you're gentleman✦
'Cause you respect✦ him as a man
That's what a gangsta✦ and a gentleman✦ is about✦
Technical Breakdown
8.7
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 / Rhythm10.0
Flow variation and timing (data-driven)
Vocabulary Complexity7.0
Range and depth of words used (data-driven)
Delivery / Breath Control8.0
Performance and control
Computed Score8.73
Production
— The AlchemistBe the first to rate the production
Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™
Styles P utilizes a gritty, autobiographical narrative structure that prioritizes raw, chronological storytelling over dense wordplay, yet sustains high engagement through consistent internal rhyme density and authentic vocal gravity.
A
9.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
10
Cadence / Flow
7
Vocabulary
6.5
Wordplay
8
Delivery
Chronological narrative groundingMultisyllabic internal rhymingColloquial realismEnjambment-heavy cadence
Rhyme Architecture: The verse employs a consistent AABB-derived internal rhyme structure, frequently utilizing multisyllabic clusters (baggin' up/addin' up/smart) to maintain momentum between end-rhymes.
Verified Doubles & Entendres
"Bring it home and put it in bottles, sit in Serato"
① Reference to the process of packaging crack cocaine (bottling up base).② A sonic/lifestyle allusion to the DJ lifestyle where music production (Serato) becomes the backdrop for the hustle.
"Garf bust with the yellow rabbit"
① Slang reference to carrying a specific brand or style of firearm (often associated with yellow-box ammunition or specific handguns in 80s NYC lore).② Metaphorical depiction of rapid, lethal speed in street conflict.
Exceptional rhythmic consistency
Authentic, high-stakes autobiographical narrative
High density of internal rhyme chains
Relies heavily on literal storytelling rather than metaphorical abstraction
Limited use of complex linguistic layering outside of colloquial slang
Vocabulary breadth is subordinate to street-level vernacular