Jesus Is King

Hands On

Kanye West

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

5

End

51

Internal

2

Multi

40

Slant

2

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Chorus: Kanye West]
Hands on
Hands on high, hands on, hands on
Hands on, hands on
In your face, the reason✦
Hands on, yeah, hands on
[Verse 2: Fred Hammond & Kanye West]
I deserve all the criticism you got
If that's all the love you have, that's all you got
To say I've changed, you think I'm joking
To praise His name, you ask what I'm smoking
Yes, I understand your reluctancy, yeah
But I have a request, you see
Don't throw me out, lay your hands on me
Please pray for me
Hold myself on death
Hold it down, all fallen down
Somebody pray for me
[Chorus: Kanye West]
Hands on
Hands on high, hands on, hands on
Hands on, hands on
In your face, the reason✦
Hands on, yeah, hands on

Technical Breakdown

5.2
Multisyllabic Rhymes2.5

Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)

Internal Rhymes9.5

Rhymes within a line (data-driven)

Wordplay / Double Entendres4.0

Clever language, metaphors, punchlines

Cadence / Rhythm5.0

Flow variation and timing (data-driven)

Vocabulary Complexity6.0

Range and depth of words used (data-driven)

Delivery / Breath Control5.0

Performance and control

Computed Score5.21

Production

— Kanye West, Angel Lopez, Federico Vindver, Timbaland

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Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

The verse prioritizes raw, vulnerable confession over technical lyrical complexity, utilizing a repetitive, prayer-like cadence that serves the song's thematic focus on religious conversion and public scrutiny.

C
2.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
5
Cadence / Flow
6
Vocabulary
4
Wordplay
5
Delivery
Repetitive mantra-style refrainConfessional toneDirect address to the audienceMonosyllabic rhyme emphasis
Rhyme Architecture: The rhyme scheme relies heavily on AAAA terminal patterns (got/got/joking/smoking) and simple end-rhymes (me/me), creating a conversational, pleading flow that favors urgency over multisyllabic density.
Verified Doubles & Entendres

"To praise His name, you ask what I'm smoking"

① Literal confusion from observers regarding the sudden shift in the artist's behavior.② Metaphorical suggestion that the critics find his religious commitment so unbelievable that they must assume he is under the influence of narcotics.

"Don't throw me out, lay your hands on me"

① A request for the audience and community to accept him rather than excommunicate him.② A literal request for the 'laying on of hands,' a religious rite of healing, blessing, or ordainment.

High emotional resonance and authenticity

Effective use of minimalist phrasing to convey desperation

Strong structural coherence between the personal narrative and the broader religious context of the song

Limited technical wordplay and lack of complex double entendres

Rhyme schemes are predictable and lack innovation

Rhythmic phrasing remains static throughout the verse

User Scores