Late Registration

Diamonds from Sierra Leone (Remix)

Kanye West

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

End

Internal

Multi

168

Slant

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight

[Chorus: Kanye West & Shirley Bassey]

Diamonds^✦ are forever^✦

Forever,^✦ forever^✦ (Throw your diamonds^✦ in the sky if you feel the vibe)

Diamonds^✦ are forever^✦

Forever,^✦ forever^✦ (The Roc is still alive^✦ every^✦ time I rhyme)

(Forever)^✦ Forever^✦ ever?^✦ Forever^✦ ever?^✦

Ever,^✦ ever?^✦ Ever,^✦ ever?^✦ Ever,^✦ ever?^✦

(And ever)^✦ Ever,^✦ ever?^✦ Ever,^✦ ever?^✦

[Verse 2: Kanye West & JAY-Z]

People askin'^✦ me is I'm gon' give my chain back (Uh)

That'll be the same day I give the game back (Uh)

You know the next question, dawg, "Yo, where Dame at?" (Uh)

This track the Indian^✦ dance that bring our rain back (Woo)

"What's up with you and Jay, man? Are y'all okay,^✦ man?"

[Verse 3: JAY-Z]

Yup

I got it from here, 'Ye, damn

The chain remains, the gang is intact (Uh-huh)

The name is mine, I'll take blame for that

The pressure's on, but guess who ain't gon' crack?

Haha, pardon^✦ me, I had to laugh at that

How could you falter^✦ when you're the Rock of Gibraltar?

I had to get off the boat so I could walk on water^✦

This ain't no tall order,^✦ this is nothin'^✦ to me

Difficult takes^✦ a day, impossible takes^✦ a week

I do this in my sleep, I sold kilos of coke (So?)

I'm guessin' I can sell CDs

I'm not a businessman, I'm a business,^✦ man

Let me handle my business,^✦ damn

Kanyeez you got me, Freeway then Foxy^✦

YG's, Teairra Mari,^✦ Peedi^✦ watch me

Bleek could be one hit away^✦ his whole career^✦

As long as I'm alive,^✦ he's a millionaire

And even^✦ if I die, he's in my will somewhere^✦

So he could just kick back and chill somewhere,^✦ oh, yeah

He won't even^✦ have to write rhymes^✦

The Dynasty^✦ like my money:^✦ last three lifetimes

Shirley Bassey's in the rear, sayin' exactly

What I been sayin' practically my whole career^✦

The diamond is forever,^✦ I've been minin'^✦ this forever^✦

Now the Louis Vuitton Don's timin'^✦ couldn't be better^✦

People lined up to see the Titanic sinkin'^✦

Instead, we rose up from the ash like a phoenix

If you're waitin'^✦ for the end of the Dynasty^✦ sign

It would seem like forever^✦ is a mighty^✦ long time (Ha)

[Outro: Jay-Z]

I'm Young, bitches!

Hahahahaha

Good night!

[Produced by Kanye West, Devo Springsteen and Jon Brion]

Technical Breakdown

7.4

Multisyllabic Rhymes9.5

Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)

Internal Rhymes8.5

Rhymes within a line (data-driven)

Wordplay / Double Entendres8.0

Clever language, metaphors, punchlines

Cadence / Rhythm5.5

Flow variation and timing (data-driven)

Vocabulary Complexity7.0

Range and depth of words used (data-driven)

Delivery / Breath Control8.5

Performance and control

Computed Score7.37

Production

— Kanye West, Jon Brion, Devo Springsteen

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Critic Analysis

RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

The verse functions as a masterclass in narrative management, utilizing high-level internal rhyme density and metaphorical subtext to solidify Jay-Z's position as the 'Rock of Gibraltar' amid public scrutiny.

B+

9.5

Multisyllabic

8.5

Internal Rhymes

5.5

Cadence / Flow

Vocabulary

Wordplay

8.5

Delivery

Multisyllabic rhyme schemesAllusion to mythological/biblical imageryDynamic flow switchesCall-and-response narrative integration

Rhyme Architecture: Jay-Z employs a complex AAAA structure centered around the 'ack' sound, transitioning into an elevated, more varied rhyme scheme featuring end-rhymes like 'Gibraltar'/'water'.

Verified Doubles & Entendres

"I had to get off the boat so I could walk on water"

① Leaving the partnership/company (the boat) to pursue solo independent success.② A messianic allusion suggesting his abilities are transcendent and beyond the constraints of those still on the 'boat'.

"How could you falter when you're the Rock of Gibraltar?"

① A reference to his stage name 'The Roc' and his reputation as a stable foundation.② An allusion to the massive promontory guarding the entrance to the Mediterranean, symbolizing an immovable, impenetrable force of industry.

Superior command of cadence and pocket

Effective synthesis of personal narrative and legendary status

High-density rhyme scheme that feels conversational rather than forced

Slightly predictable rhyme endings within the initial 'ack' sequence

Short verse length limits depth of thematic exploration

Diamonds from Sierra Leone (Remix)

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

Technical Breakdown

Production

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