Graduation

Flashing Lights

Kanye West

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

17

End

51

Internal

27

Multi

69

Slant

7

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Verse 2: Kanye West]
I know it's been a while, sweetheart
We hardly✦ talk, I was doin' my thing
I know I was foul, baby✦
Ayy, bae, lately,✦ you've been all on my brain
And if somebody✦ would've told me a month ago✦
Frontin' though, yo, I wouldn't wanna✦ know
If somebody✦ would've told me a year ago✦
It'll go get this difficult
Feelin'✦ like Katrina with no FEMA✦
Like Martin✦ with no Gina✦
Like a flight with no visa✦
First class with the seat back, I still see ya
In my past, you on the other✦ side of the glass
Of my memory's museum
I'm just sayin', "Hey, Mona✦ Lisa✦
Come home, you know you can't roam without Caesar"✦
[Chorus: Dwele & Connie Mitchell]
As I recall,✦ I know you love to show off
But I never✦ thought that you would take it this far
But what do I know?
Flashing✦ lights
What do I know? Know
Flashing✦ lights
As you recall,✦ you know I love to show off
But you never✦ thought that I would take it this far
But what do you know?
Flashing✦ lights
What do you know? Know
Flashing✦ lights
[Outro: Connie Mitchell]
Flashing✦ lights
Flashing✦ lights

Technical Breakdown

7.7
Multisyllabic Rhymes8.5

Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)

Internal Rhymes8.5

Rhymes within a line (data-driven)

Wordplay / Double Entendres6.5

Clever language, metaphors, punchlines

Cadence / Rhythm8.0

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 Score7.72

Production

— Kanye West, Eric Hudson

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Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

Kanye utilizes a minimalist, conversational delivery to pivot from defensive confession to high-concept, culturally dense simile chains that ground his emotional state in specific sociopolitical and pop-culture trauma.

B+
8.5
Multisyllabic
8.5
Internal Rhymes
8
Cadence / Flow
7
Vocabulary
6.5
Wordplay
7.5
Delivery
Simile stackingInternal rhyme chainsConversational cadenceCultural allusion
Rhyme Architecture: A mix of AABB and loose ABAB structures characterized by dense internal rhyming of vowels (e.g., 'sweetheart'/'thing'/'brain' morphing into the 'eema/ina/isa' chain).
Verified Doubles & Entendres

"Feelin' like Katrina with no FEMA"

① A feeling of total abandonment and catastrophe.② A direct comparison of his personal relationship collapse to the systemic government failure during Hurricane Katrina.

"Come home, you know you can't roam without Caesar"

① A reference to the historical figure Julius Caesar, implying he is the authoritative partner.② A play on the 'Mona Lisa' line, referencing the historical 'Mona Lisa' and the Roman Emperor, suggesting his fame (his 'Caesar' status) is the environment she belongs in.

"In my past, you on the other side of the glass / Of my memory's museum"

① The literal placement of a painting behind museum glass.② The metaphorical emotional distance between him and his partner, where she is now a curated, untouchable memory.

Highly effective use of emotional imagery through pop culture references

Seamless transition from internal monologue to performative lyrical density

Strong vocal presence that emphasizes the vulnerability of the subject matter

Occasional reliance on simple end-rhymes that lack the density of the internal bars

The emotional payoff relies heavily on the listener's familiarity with the referenced cultural touchstones

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