The Life of Pablo
Ultralight Beam
Kanye West
Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis
40
End
180
Internal
62
Multi
218
Slant
12
Chain
Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Chorus: Kanye West & Choir, Kanye West]
We on an ultralight✦ beam
We on an ultralight✦ beam, this is a God dream
This is a God dream, this is everything✦
Everything✦
[Post-Chorus: The-Dream, The-Dream & Choir]
I'm tryna✦ keep my faith
But I'm looking✦ for more
Somewhere✦ I can feel safe
And end my holy✦ war
[Verse 2: Kelly Price & Choir]
So why send oppression, not blessings?
Why, oh, why'd you do me wrong? (More)
You persecute the weak
Because it makes✦ you feel so strong (Safe)
Don't have much strength to fight
So I look to the light (War)
To make these wrongs turn right
Head up high, I look to the light
Hey, 'cause I know that you'll make everything✦ alright
And I know that you'll take good care of your child
Oh, no longer✦ am afraid✦ of the night
'Cause I, I look to the light
[Bridge: Chance the Rapper]
When they come for you, I will shield your name
I will field their questions, I will feel your pain
No one can judge
They don't, they don't know
They don't know
[Verse 3: Chance the Rapper]
Foot on the Devil's neck 'til it drifted, Pangaea
I'm moving✦ all my family✦ from Chatham to Zambia✦
Treat the demons just like Pam
I mean, I fuck with your friends, but damn, Gina✦
I been this way since Arthur✦ was anteater
Now they wanna✦ hit me with the woo-wap,✦ the bam
Tryna✦ snap photos of familia
My daughter look just like Sia, you can't see her
You can feel the lyrics, the spirit✦ coming✦ in braille
Tubman✦ of the underground, come and follow✦ the trail
I made "Sunday✦ Candy",✦ I'm never✦ going to hell
I met Kanye West, I'm never✦ going to fail
He said, "Let's do a good ass job with Chance 3
I hear you gotta✦ sell it to snatch the Grammy✦
Let's make it so free and the bars so hard
That it ain't one gosh darn part you can't tweet"
This is my part, nobody✦ else speak
This is my part, nobody✦ else speak
This little light of mine, glory✦ be to God, yeah
I'ma✦ make sure that they go where they can't go
If they don't wanna✦ ride, I'ma✦ still give 'em raincoats
Know what God said when he made the first rainbow
Just throw this at the end if I'm too late for the intro,✦ uh
I'm just having✦ fun with it, you know that a nigga✦ was lost
I laugh in my head 'cause I bet that my ex looking✦ back like a pillar✦ of salt, uh
'Cause they'll flip the script on your ass like Wesley✦ and Spike
You cannot✦ mess with the light, look at lil' Chano✦ from 79th
[Chorus: Kanye West, Kanye West & Choir]
We on an ultralight✦ beam
We on an ultralight✦ beam
This is a God dream
This is a God dream
This is everything✦ (Yes, God, Hallelujah)
Everything✦
[Post-Chorus: The-Dream, The-Dream & Choir]
I'm tryna✦ keep my faith (Yes, Jesus; and that's it)
But I'm looking✦ for more
Somewhere✦ I can feel safe
And end my holy✦ war
[Bridge: Kirk Franklin]
Father,✦ this prayer is for everyone✦ that feels they're not good enough✦
This prayer's for everybody that feel that they're too messed✦ up
For everyone✦ that feels they've said, "I'm sorry"✦ too many✦ times✦
You can never✦ go too far when you can't come back home again✦
That's why I need
[Outro: Choir]
Faith, more
Safe, war
Technical Breakdown
8.5
Multisyllabic Rhymes7.5
Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)
Internal Rhymes9.5
Rhymes within a line (data-driven)
Wordplay / Double Entendres5.0
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 Control9.0
Performance and control
Computed Score8.51
Production
— Kanye West, Mike Dean, Chance the Rapper, Rick Rubin, Swizz Beatz, Noah Goldstein, DJDS, Plain PatBe the first to rate the production
Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™
Kelly Price utilizes emotive, gospel-informed vocal delivery to elevate simple lyrical structures into a powerful expression of spiritual resilience, prioritizing emotional cadence over dense metaphor.
A
7.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
10
Cadence / Flow
6
Vocabulary
5
Wordplay
9
Delivery
Gospel-infused vocal dynamicsAnaphoraAntithesisCall-and-response integration
Rhyme Architecture: A mix of AABB and ABCB rhyming patterns, utilizing simple, high-frequency end rhymes (light/night/right/child/fight) to emphasize the accessibility and devotional tone of the verse.
Verified Doubles & Entendres
"To make these wrongs turn right"
① The literal act of correcting moral or situational errors② A spiritual allusion to salvation where suffering is rectified through divine intervention
"I look to the light"
① A metaphorical look toward God or hope② A literal reference to the visual imagery of the 'ultralight beam' introduced in the chorus
Exceptional vocal delivery and emotional resonance
Seamless integration into the song's spiritual aesthetic
Strong structural pacing that builds tension
Effective use of contrast in the phrasing
Low lexical density and complexity
Reliance on religious tropes rather than unique lyrical innovation
Limited internal wordplay or multi-layered entendre