A Wise Guy and a Wise Guy
The Understanding
Styles P
Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis
54
End
214
Internal
67
Multi
269
Slant
18
Chain
Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Chorus: NIKO IS]
We some real muthafuckas✦ on the rise
Under✦ pressure✦ but over✦ the lies
Stand up, hands up close to the skies
'Bout to shake the world up on a nine-point-five✦
We some real muthafuckas✦ on the rise
Under✦ pressure✦ but over✦ the lies
Stand up, hands up close to the skies
'Bout to shake the world up on a nine-point-five✦
[Verse 2: Sheek Louch]
Contemplating,✦ I be hating✦ how we coming✦ up short
Filling up court, my skin pigment new black thought
Telling me lies, ain’t nothing about✦ you moving✦ no pies
Fabricating✦ on your Instagram, listen✦ fam you a king
But you carry✦ yourself way too weak
Songs I sing is prophesized, modern day Haile Selassie
Coke bars singing young papi✦
Now, who want this four-pound of knowledge I shoot?
Still wavy✦ Rolex on, bitch calling me cute
Hands up for some real niggas, when I rise, you rise
Right now I ain’t got no more tries
Mom’s chillin' watching over✦ me, no more cries
[Verse 3: Jadakiss]
No more tears, right now no more years
And we could throw a million protests, no one cares✦
'Cause we just get all out of character and throw some chairs
Eventually✦ they burn us out and tell us “go somewhere”
But the love is too genuine and wholesome here
That’s why the light ain’t too bright but the road look clear
Yea, personally✦ I got my bread as a crook
But once I finish✦ with the work I dip my head in a book
There’s✦ room in the bed, either✦ at the head or the foot
I tell you this, Hip Hop ain’t as dead as it looks
Naw, diversions to cover✦ up the lies
We some real muthafuckas✦ on the rise
[Chorus: NIKO IS]
We some real muthafuckas✦ on the rise
Under✦ pressure✦ but over✦ the lies
Stand up, hands up close to the skies
'Bout to shake the world up on a nine-point-five✦
We some real muthafuckas✦ on the rise
Under✦ pressure✦ but over✦ the lies
Stand up, hands up close to the skies
'Bout to shake the world up on a nine-point-five✦
[Verse 4: Styles P]
As time goes by, an eye for an eye
You won’t hear a tear drop when a young child cries
Made in God’s image✦ but tell me do God lie?
You're deceiving, is it racism in the sky?
I believe in God, but not man word here
Yea I got my third eye, wish I had my third ear
Seventh sense, I got my sixth sense in third gear
On a highway to hell, learn how to swerve fear
It’s deep talk or street talk
It’s war talk or it’s peace talk
Get the hemp paper,✦ tear the leaf off
Spoke like you woke but you actin’✦ all sleep dog
The wolves✦ give a fuck about✦ sheep talk
The rich give a fuck about✦ cheap talk
How figuring angles,✦ ways to knock the beast off
This is Satan’s house but we plannin’ to break the lease off
Me and Kweli✦ on the rise
Ghost, but you see some Ali✦ in his eyes
Pressure✦ bust pipes✦ but it still make diamonds
Shining, see the silver✦ lining✦ in the sky
I don’t ride waves✦ cause I’m my own tide
Learn to be peaceful, dealt my own pride
Ego,✦ the feeble will always✦ make the stride to take the strong out
Know hard work, took the long route
And I could do it two more times✦
Or matter✦ of fact, a few more times✦
Tell your favorite emcee to make a few more rhymes✦
Then meet us on the Seven✦ tour
What he feelin'✦ threatened for?
We gon' kill ‘em lyrically,✦ what he bring his weapons for?
Hands up, stand up, what you think we reppin’✦ for?
We some real muthafuckas,✦ don’t you know that?
Lyrically,✦ you gon’ get this picture✦ like a Kodak✦
Technical Breakdown
8.4
Multisyllabic Rhymes8.5
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 Complexity6.0
Range and depth of words used (data-driven)
Delivery / Breath Control7.5
Performance and control
Computed Score8.41
Production
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Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™
The verse relies on the established Lox-era stylistic signature—gritty, street-conscious delivery paired with rapid-fire, internal-heavy flows—though it prioritizes rhythmic pocket-locking over complex lyrical layering.
A
8.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
10
Cadence / Flow
6
Vocabulary
6.5
Wordplay
7.5
Delivery
Multisyllabic internal rhyme chainsStreet-vernacular double entendreStaccato rhythmic punctuationCall-and-response flow patterns
Rhyme Architecture: The verse utilizes a complex AABB or AAAA variant pattern where end-rhymes (lies/pies/rise/tries/cries) are anchored by dense, internal multisyllabic clusters, creating a high-density phonetic grid.
Verified Doubles & Entendres
"four-pound of knowledge"
① A reference to a .40 caliber handgun, commonly referred to as a 'four-pound' in street vernacular.② A metaphorical assertion that his street experiences and lyrical content carry the weight and lethal impact of a firearm.
"moving no pies"
① A colloquialism for the illegal distribution of narcotics (kilos).② An accusation of insincerity or lack of genuine 'street' activity, questioning the legitimacy of his target's hustle.
Exceptional rhythmic placement of syllables within the pocket
Strong authoritative delivery that emphasizes the 'street-gospel' persona
Consistent, high-density internal rhyme usage
Occasional reliance on genre-standard tropes (Rolex, four-pound, pies) which limits conceptual originality
Some punchlines feel disconnected from the overarching narrative arc
Vocabulary constraints keep the thematic scope somewhat narrow