Late Registration

Hey Mama

Kanye West

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

14

End

156

Internal

43

Multi

172

Slant

3

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Chorus]
(Hey, Mama,✦ ah, ow)
I wanna✦ scream so loud for you, 'cause I'm so proud of you, and uh
Let me tell you what I'm about✦ to do
(Hey, Mama)✦
I know I act a fool, but I promise✦ you, I'm goin' back to school, and
I appreciate✦ what you allowed✦ for me, and I
I just want you to be proud of me
(Hey, Mama)✦
[Verse 2]
Forrest Gump mama✦ said, "Life is like a box of chocolates"
My mama✦ told me, "Go to school, get your doctorate✦
Something to fall back on, you could profit✦ with"
But still supported me when I did the opposite
Now I feel like it's things I gotta✦ get
Things I gotta✦ do, just to prove to you
You was getting through, can the choir please
Give me a verse of "You Are So Beautiful To Me"?
Can't you see, you're like a book of poetry✦
Maya Angelou, Nikki Giovanni
Turn one page and there's my mommy✦
Come on, Mommy,✦ just dance wit' me
Let the whole world see your dancing feet
Now when I say "Hey," y'all say, "Mama"✦
Now everybody answer✦ me, come on
[Chorus]
(Hey, Mama,✦ ah, ow)
I wanna✦ scream so loud for you, 'cause I'm so proud of you
Let me tell you what I'm about✦ to do
(Hey, Mama)✦
I know I act a fool, but I promise✦ you, I'm goin' back to school
I appreciate✦ what you allowed✦ for me
I just want you to be proud of me
(Hey, Mama)✦
[Break]
I guess it also✦ depends though if my ends low
Second they get up, you gon' get that Benzo✦
Tint the windows, ride around the city✦ and let your friends know (Hey, Mama)✦
Tell your job you gotta✦ fake 'em out
Since you brought me in this world, let me take you out
To a restaurant, upper✦ echelon
I'ma✦ get you a Jag', whatever else you want
Just tell me what kind of S-Type Donda✦ West like?
Tell me the perfect color so I make it just right
It don't gotta✦ be Mother's Day or your birthday
For me to just call and say
[Outro]
(Hey, Mama,✦ ah, ow)
I wanna✦ scream so loud for you, 'cause I'm so proud of you, and uh
Let me tell you what I'm about✦ to do
(Hey, Mama)✦
You know I love you so, and
I never✦ let you go
Wrote this song just so you know
No matter✦ where you go, our love is true
(Hey, Mama)✦
[Produced by Jon Brion & Kanye West]

Technical Breakdown

6.8
Multisyllabic Rhymes7.5

Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)

Internal Rhymes9.5

Rhymes within a line (data-driven)

Wordplay / Double Entendres6.5

Clever language, metaphors, punchlines

Cadence / Rhythm5.5

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 Score6.77

Production

— Kanye West, Jon Brion

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Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

Kanye utilizes a conversational, emotive delivery style that prioritizes vulnerability and rhythmic sincerity over complex lyrical abstraction, fitting the mid-2000s soulful rap aesthetic perfectly.

B
7.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
5.5
Cadence / Flow
6
Vocabulary
6.5
Wordplay
7.5
Delivery
AABB rhyme scheme extensionAllusionConversational cadenceInternal rhyme clustersEmotive vocal layering
Rhyme Architecture: The verse relies on a robust AAAA-patterned multi-syllabic foundation (-octoret/-it/-ocket/-opposit/-ot-it) that drives the momentum forward, transitioning into AABB couplets for the more narrative sections.
Verified Doubles & Entendres

"Something to fall back on, you could profit with / But still supported me when I did the opposite"

① A safety net or academic degree providing financial stability.② A literal 'falling' onto a backup plan, contrasting with the 'opposite' of failing out of the traditional path.

"Turn one page and there's my mommy"

① Literal act of reading a book of poetry as mentioned in previous lines.② Metaphorical representation of his mother as a source of wisdom and literature worthy of study.

High emotional resonance and authenticity

Strong structural cohesion between verses and chorus

Effective use of literary allusion to anchor personal narrative

Wordplay is functional rather than dense

Lack of complex subtext beyond the central theme

Reliance on predictable rhyming structures

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