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Heard 'Em Say

Kanye West

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

16

End

48

Internal

42

Multi

101

Slant

5

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Verse 2: Kanye West]
They say people in your life are seasons
And anything that happen✦ is for a reason
And niggas gun clapping and keep to squeezing
And Gran' keep praying and keep believing
In Jesus, and one day that you see him
'Til then walk in his footsteps and try to be him
The Devil✦ is alive,✦ I feel him breathin'
Claiming money✦ is the key, so keep on dreamin'
And put them lottery tickets just to tease us
My Aunt Pam can't put them cigarettes✦ down
So now my little cousin✦ smokin'✦ them cigarettes✦ now
His job try to claim that he too niggarish now
Is it 'cause his skin blacker than licorice now?
I can't figure✦ it out, I'm sick of it now
[Chorus: Kanye West & Adam Levine]
Ugh, and I heard 'em say (Ooh)
Nothing's✦ ever✦ promised✦ tomorrow,✦ today✦
And I heard 'em say
Nothing's✦ ever✦ promised✦ tomorrow,✦ today✦ (Nothing's✦ ever✦ promised✦ tomorrow,✦ today)✦
But we'll a find a way
And nothing✦ last forever,✦ but be honest,✦ babe
It hurts, but it may be the only✦ way
[Post-Chorus: Adam Levine]
With every✦ worthless word, we get more far away✦
And nothing's✦ ever✦ promised✦ tomorrow,✦ today✦
And nothing✦ lasts forever,✦ but be honest,✦ babe
It hurts but it may be the only✦ way
Ooh, ooh, ooh-ooh✦
Ooh, oh, oh-oh✦
Oh, woo-woo✦
Oh, ooh, ooh
[Outro: Kanye West]
Uh, yea, uh, yea, uh, yea

Technical Breakdown

7.5
Multisyllabic Rhymes9.5

Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)

Internal Rhymes8.5

Rhymes within a line (data-driven)

Wordplay / Double Entendres7.0

Clever language, metaphors, punchlines

Cadence / Rhythm7.0

Flow variation and timing (data-driven)

Vocabulary Complexity7.0

Range and depth of words used (data-driven)

Delivery / Breath Control7.5

Performance and control

Computed Score7.54

Production

— Kanye West, Jon Brion

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Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

Kanye West utilizes a highly consistent, rhythmic mono-rhyme scheme (-easons/-eavin/-eesin) to anchor a narrative of generational trauma and systemic struggle, prioritizing thematic cohesion over complex lyrical gymnastics.

B+
9.5
Multisyllabic
8.5
Internal Rhymes
7
Cadence / Flow
7
Vocabulary
7
Wordplay
7.5
Delivery
Extended mono-rhyme schemeAnaphoraSocial commentary via narrative vignetteEnjambment for rhythmic flow
Rhyme Architecture: The verse relies on a dense, extended mono-rhyme structure ending in the 'ee-sun/in' sound, which is maintained across the first nine lines, creating a hypnotic, meditative cadence that underscores the inescapable cycle of the subjects discussed.
Verified Doubles & Entendres

"people in your life are seasons"

① Relationships are temporary and change like the weather.② People enter your life only to facilitate growth before departing, similar to how seasons facilitate the Earth's cycle.

"Claiming money is the key, so keep on dreamin'"

① Material wealth is presented as the solution to happiness, which is a fallacy.② The 'key' to a jail cell; implying that chasing money traps you in a cycle of poverty or criminality.

Powerful narrative continuity

High degree of rhythmic pocket

Effective use of personal anecdotes to illustrate social critiques

Excellent emotional resonance

Lack of complex metaphors

Relies heavily on simple syntax for rhyme maintenance

Limited dynamic shifts in vocal performance

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