Beats, Rhymes and Life

Stressed Out

A Tribe Called Quest

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

14

End

158

Internal

69

Multi

179

Slant

4

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Chorus: Faith Evans]
I really✦ know how it feels to be, stressed✦ out, stressed✦ out
When you're face to face with your adversity✦
I really✦ know how it feels to be, stressed✦ out, stressed✦ out
We're gonna✦ make this thing work out eventually✦
[Verse 2: Consequence]
You got the N.W.O. (Low cash flow)
Your baby's✦ on the way (And you don't know who)
And crosstown niggas✦ trying to (Bust at you)
Aiyyo they got me stressed✦ out (And you don't know what to do)
So frame this Kodak, black, and vision✦ to my contact
With a poultry scrap, workers get pistol smacked
The switch-hitting Queens, niggas✦ liquid sword spittin
With raw poppy,✦ and now your first love is krill
Your vision✦ of the mil got crept like Hey Lover✦
Tried to rise to the top, you just couldn't recover
And all I want is my laceration of the pie
To get this whipped cream before✦ the water✦ runs dry
Niggas✦ flash dancing, yo, I don't know why
You're sick of snitching, she got you cruising to the pokey✦
Like Smokey,✦ the stress be trying to squeeze out a homey✦
While I'll be trying to get star status like Shinobi
So we can build a dynasty, just like the Toby's✦
And all I want is the world to know my steez
These money-hungry niggas✦ is seven✦ thirty✦
And got me stressed✦ out like these frog emcees
[Chorus: Faith Evans]
I really✦ know how it feels to be, stressed✦ out, stressed✦ out
When you're face to face with your adversity✦
I really✦ know how it feels to be, stressed✦ out, stressed✦ out
We're gonna✦ make this thing work out eventually✦
[Outro: Faith Evans]
Don't worry✦ we gon make it (gonna✦ make it)
Don't worry✦ we gon make it (oh yeah)
Don't worry✦ we gon make it (gonna✦ make it)
We gon make it (gotta✦ make it)
Don't worry✦ we gon make it (gotta✦ make it)
We're gonna✦ make it (we gotta✦ make it)
Don't worry✦ we gon make it (we gonna✦ make it)
We gonna✦ make it (oh)
Don't worry✦ we gon make it (oh)
Don't worry✦ we gon make it (gonna✦ make it)
Don't worry✦ we gon make it (oh)
We gon make it
Don't worry✦ we gon make it
I know we gonna✦ make it (we're gonna✦ make it)
C'mon baby✦ we gon make it (yeah)
We gon make it (yeah-ah)✦
Don't worry✦ we gon make it (we're gonna✦ make it)
We've gotta✦ make it (we've gotta✦ make it)
We've gotta✦ make it (oh yeah)
Know we're gonna✦ make it
We're gonna✦ make it, gonna✦ make it
We gotta✦ make it, know we gonna✦ make it

Technical Breakdown

7.1
Multisyllabic Rhymes9.5

Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)

Internal Rhymes9.5

Rhymes within a line (data-driven)

Wordplay / Double Entendres6.5

Clever language, metaphors, punchlines

Cadence / Rhythm6.5

Flow variation and timing (data-driven)

Vocabulary Complexity5.0

Range and depth of words used (data-driven)

Delivery / Breath Control7.0

Performance and control

Computed Score7.09

Production

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Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

Consequence demonstrates a high level of technical proficiency typical of the mid-90s Native Tongues adjacent scene, using dense internal rhyme structures and oblique, cinematic references to anchor the listener's perspective on urban pressure.

B
9.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
6.5
Cadence / Flow
5
Vocabulary
6.5
Wordplay
7
Delivery
Multisyllabic internal rhymingCinematic allusionEnjambment for rhythmic tensionSlant rhyme integration
Rhyme Architecture: Complex interlocking rhyme patterns spanning across line breaks, utilizing a combination of end-rhyme heavy cadences and densely packed internal vowel matching (e.g., 'contact/smacked/liquid sword spittin/first love is krill').
Verified Doubles & Entendres

"laceration of the pie"

① A play on 'slice of the pie' signifying one's share of financial success.② A violent, dark reference to physical wounds or 'lacerations' earned while trying to survive in the street environment.

"cruising to the pokey / Like Smokey"

① A direct cultural reference to the character 'Smokey' from the movie 'Friday' who finds himself in legal trouble.② A literal description of being incarcerated ('the pokey') while paralleling the archetype of the street hustler facing consequences.

"star status like Shinobi"

① Reference to the video game 'Shinobi' where the protagonist is a master ninja and star-thrower.② The aspiration for fame ('star status') using the martial arts theme to denote precision and lethal skill.

Strong command of multisyllabic internal density

Evocative, dark imagery fitting the song's themes

Effective use of multi-layered cultural references to signify 'hustle' culture

Occasional density leading to slight abstraction in narrative clarity

Some metaphors require deep contextual knowledge of 90s media, limiting accessibility

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