Watch the Throne

Otis

Kanye West

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

8

End

59

Internal

30

Multi

113

Slant

3

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Verse 3: JAY-Z]
Photoshoot fresh, looking✦ like wealth
I'm 'bout to call the paparazzi on myself
Uh, live from the Mercer✦
Run up on Yeezy✦ the wrong way, I might murk ya
Flee in the G450, I might surface
Political refugee, asylum can be purchased
Uh, everything's for sale
I got five passports, I'm never✦ going to jail
[Verse 4: Kanye West]
I made "Jesus Walks," I'm never✦ going to hell
Couture-level flow is never✦ going on sale
Luxury✦ rap, the Hermès of verses✦
Sophisticated ignorance, write my curses✦ in cursive
I get it custom, you a customer
You ain't accustomed to going through customs, you ain't been nowhere, hah?
And all the ladies✦ in the house got 'em showing off
I'm done, I'll hit you up maña— nah
[Verse 5: JAY-Z]
Welcome to Havana✦
Smoking✦ Cubanos with Castro✦ in cabanas
Viva✦ México,✦ Cubano✦
Dominicano, all the plugs that I know
Driving Benzes✦ with no benefits
Not bad, huh, for some immigrants?
Build your fences,✦ we diggin'✦ tunnels
Can't you see we gettin'✦ money✦ up under✦ you?
[Verse 6: Kanye West, Jay-Z & Both]
Can't you see the private jets flying over✦ you?
Maybach bumper✦ sticker read, "What would Hova✦ do?"
Jay is chillin'✦ (Uh), Ye is chillin'✦ (Uh)
What more can I say? We killin'✦ 'em
Hold up before✦ we end this campaign
As you can see, we done bodied the damn lames✦
Lord, please let them accept the things they can't change
And pray that all of they pain be champagne
[Outro]
Scream it
Give it
Scream it

Technical Breakdown

6.9
Multisyllabic Rhymes7.5

Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)

Internal Rhymes8.5

Rhymes within a line (data-driven)

Wordplay / Double Entendres7.0

Clever language, metaphors, punchlines

Cadence / Rhythm5.5

Flow variation and timing (data-driven)

Vocabulary Complexity8.0

Range and depth of words used (data-driven)

Delivery / Breath Control7.5

Performance and control

Computed Score6.92

Production

— Kanye West

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Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

The verses balance high-end brand consciousness with aggressive, clipped flows that prioritize rhythmic punch over dense narrative complexity, fitting the era's transition to luxury-minimalist rap.

B
7.5
Multisyllabic
8.5
Internal Rhymes
5.5
Cadence / Flow
8
Vocabulary
7
Wordplay
7.5
Delivery
ParanomasiaInternal AssonanceRhythmic SyncopationPolysemy
Rhyme Architecture: Predominantly AABB or AAAA end-rhyme structures with heavy internal syllable linking, typical of mid-2000s/early-2010s mainstream hip-hop, emphasizing vowel resonance over complex syntax.
Verified Doubles & Entendres

"I get it custom, you a customer"

① The artist possesses items or flows tailored specifically to their specifications.② The listener or rival is merely a consumer, lacking the agency to create, defined solely by their role as a purchaser.

"Sophisticated ignorance, write my curses in cursive"

① Refers to the juxtaposition of high-fashion culture ('sophisticated') with the raw, aggressive content of rap ('ignorance').② Metaphorical claim that even when the artist is being vulgar or abrasive, the presentation is refined, elegant, and stylistic.

"Political refugee, asylum can be purchased"

① A literal reference to the ability of the ultra-wealthy to navigate international borders and gain status.② A social commentary on the corruption of legal systems where status acts as a currency, rendering 'refugee' status a commodified luxury.

Strong rhythmic pocket control

High-impact, concise delivery

Coherent thematic consistency (Luxury/Wealth)

Occasional reliance on brand-name dropping as a substitute for depth

Limited narrative progression across the three-verse segment

Flow becomes somewhat predictable in the final section

User Scores