Jesus Is King

Selah

Kanye West

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

4

End

25

Internal

11

Multi

74

Slant

2

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Verse 2: Kanye West & Sunday Service Choir]
If you woke, then wake up
With Judas, kiss and make up
Even✦ with the bitter cup
Forgave my brothers that drank up
Did everything✦ but gave up
Stab my back, I can't front
Still, we win, we prayed up
Even✦ when we die, we raise up (Hallelujah)✦
Ain't no wantin',✦ no, we need it
The powers that be done been greedy✦
We need ours by this evening
No white flag or no treaty✦
We got the product, we got the tools
We got the minds, we got the youth
We goin' wild, we on the loose
People is lying, we are the truth (Hallelujah)✦
Everything✦ old shall now become✦ new
The leaves’ll be green, bearing the fruit
Love God and our neighbor, as written in Luke
The army✦ of God and we are the truth

Technical Breakdown

6.2
Multisyllabic Rhymes6.5

Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)

Internal Rhymes7.5

Rhymes within a line (data-driven)

Wordplay / Double Entendres5.5

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 Control6.5

Performance and control

Computed Score6.21

Production

— Kanye West, E.Vax, BoogzDaBeast, Federico Vindver

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Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

Kanye utilizes high-frequency rhyming patterns and minimalist, repetitive phrasing to establish a liturgical, chant-like cadence that reflects the song's thematic focus on spiritual resilience and communal awakening.

C
6.5
Multisyllabic
7.5
Internal Rhymes
5.5
Cadence / Flow
7
Vocabulary
5.5
Wordplay
6.5
Delivery
AnaphoraInternal Rhyme clustersBiblical AllusionMinimalist Repetition
Rhyme Architecture: The verse relies heavily on a consistent monorhyme-adjacent structure, utilizing long 'u' and 'e' vowel sounds to create a driving, relentless momentum that mimics choral chants.
Verified Doubles & Entendres

"If you woke, then wake up"

① A reference to the contemporary social/political awareness ('woke') culture.② A literal command to rouse oneself from a spiritual or intellectual slumber.

"With Judas, kiss and make up"

① A direct biblical reference to the betrayal of Jesus by Judas Iscariot.② A metaphorical suggestion of reconciliation or turning a negative situation/betrayal into a point of resolution.

Strong rhythmic consistency that reinforces the 'Sunday Service' atmosphere.

Effective use of biblical imagery to anchor the song's spiritual themes.

High density of internal rhyming which creates a cohesive sonic texture.

Relies on simplistic syntax to achieve rhyme targets.

The narrative lacks complex wordplay or multi-layered entendre, favoring accessibility.

The delivery leans on repetitive inflection, limiting dynamic variation.

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