Beats, Rhymes and Life

Crew

A Tribe Called Quest

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

12

End

86

Internal

21

Multi

141

Slant

6

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
Just a lil somethin-somethin
About✦ the cats who be fronting
You know the Tip, he be huntin✦
For all the goodness gracious
All across the wide spaces✦
Yo, check it out, bust me down, yo
Yo... yo...
Youse my peoples, why it got to come down to this shit
Two people thinking as one so now he split
Remember what I said to you, you bleed, I bleed
C'mon, you know how we get down, if you're down, you need
And I'm supplying,✦ the dynamic duo, electricfying✦
Everybody had to wet us, cuz no one will forget✦ us
Son, I testify sure as God was my guide
Any✦ petty✦ little bullshit you did will slide
Same on my end, after✦ all, what are we, friends
If niggas ran me this, too much grounds we defend✦
In the honor or brotherhood cuz it's all good
Get on some grown man shit and let's knock on wood
But now seeing you baby✦ in this stall out position✦
Wondering who's the dime piece that you're kissing✦
You night as well take the jigger✦ and take my life
Cuz the dime piece you happen to be kissing✦ is my wife
Shit, I should have know not to let these crab asses✦
Get within✦ the circle of my girl and make passes✦
Now you disrespected me and everything I stand for
(But I'm saying though, son) Shhh, say no more
Allah forgive me, my thoughts is traveling to low desires
Should I turn the other✦ cheek or react and perspire
Don't wanna see myself in penitentiary attire✦
But I caught him in the act and my emotion✦ is dire

Technical Breakdown

7.5
Multisyllabic Rhymes7.5

Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)

Internal Rhymes9.5

Rhymes within a line (data-driven)

Wordplay / Double Entendres6.0

Clever language, metaphors, punchlines

Cadence / Rhythm7.5

Flow variation and timing (data-driven)

Vocabulary Complexity8.0

Range and depth of words used (data-driven)

Delivery / Breath Control7.0

Performance and control

Computed Score7.48

Production

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Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

The verse excels in narrative tension, transitioning from a collective 'crew' loyalty anthem into a visceral betrayal subplot, utilizing a conversational, emotive delivery that grounds the abstract concepts of loyalty in specific interpersonal stakes.

B+
7.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
7.5
Cadence / Flow
8
Vocabulary
6
Wordplay
7
Delivery
Narrative arc progressionConversational cadenceInternal rhyme densitySituational irony
Rhyme Architecture: A mix of AABB and AAAA couplet-heavy flows, relying heavily on internal assonance to bridge the gaps between end rhymes, typical of the mid-90s boom-bap aesthetic.
Verified Doubles & Entendres

"Two people thinking as one so now he split"

① The literal dissolution of a friendship/partnership.② A play on the 'thinking as one' mind-meld being torn apart by betrayal.

"You night as well take the jigger and take my life / Cuz the dime piece you happen to be kissing is my wife"

① An emotional realization of total betrayal.② A narrative punchline that forces the listener to recontextualize the previous lines about brotherhood through the lens of a personal/domestic conflict.

Authentic emotional projection

Strong structural build-up from camaraderie to confrontation

Consistent, conversational rhythmic pocket

Lack of complex metaphorical density compared to later Tribe works

Some rhyme dependencies feel slightly forced to maintain the narrative flow

Vocabulary is intentionally simplified to serve the story rather than lyricism

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