The Big Picture

Ebonics (Criminal Slang)

Big L

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

32

End

176

Internal

67

Multi

190

Slant

10

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
Yo, pay attention
And listen✦ real closely how I break this slang shit down
Check it, my weed smoke is my lye
A ki of coke is a pie
When I'm lifted,✦ I'm high
With new clothes on, I'm fly
Cars is whips and sneakers is kicks
Money✦ is chips, movies✦ is flicks
Also,✦ cribs is homes,✦ jacks is pay phones✦
Cocaine✦ is nose candy,✦ cigarettes is bones✦
A radio✦ is a box, a razor blade is a ox
Fat diamonds is rocks and jakes✦ is cop
And if you got rubbed,✦ you got stuck
You got shot, you got bucked✦
And if you got double-crossed, you got fucked✦
Your bankroll is your poke, a choke hold is a yoke
A kite is a note, a con is a okey✦ doke
And if you got punched that mean you got snuffed
To clean is to buff, a bull scare is a strong bluff
I know you like the way I'm freakin'✦ it
I talk with slang and I'ma✦ never✦ stop speakin'✦ it
Chorus:✦ repeat✦ (2X)
"Speak with criminal slang" -Nas
That's just the way that I talk, yo
"Vocabulary✦ spills, I'm ill" -Nas
Yo, yo
A burglary✦ is a jook, a woof's a crook
Mobb Deep already explained the meanin'✦ of shook
If you caught a felony,✦ you caught a F
If you got killed,✦ you got left
If you got the dragon,✦ you got bad breath
If you 730, that mean you crazy✦
Hit me on the hip means page me
Angel dust is sherm, if you got AIDS, you got the germ
If a chick gave you a disease, then you got burned✦
Max mean to relax,✦ guns and pistols is gats
Condoms is hats, critters is cracks
The food you eat is your grub
A victim's a mark
A sweat box is a small club, your tick is your heart
Your apartment is your pad
Your old man is your dad
The studio✦ is the lab and heated✦ is mad
I know you like the way I'm freakin'✦ it
I talk with slang and I'ma✦ never✦ stop speakin'✦ it
Chorus✦ (2X)
The iron✦ horse is the train and champaign is bubbly✦
A deuce is a honey✦ that's ugly✦
If your girl is fine, she's a dime
A suit is a fine, jewelry is shine
If you in love, that mean you blind
Genuine✦ is real, a face card is a hundred dollar bill
A very✦ hard, long stare is a grill
If you sneakin'✦ to go see a girl, that mean you creepin'
Smilin'✦ is cheesin', bleedin' is leakin'✦
Beggin✦ is bummin,✦ if you nuttin✦ you comin✦
Takin'✦ orders is sunnin',✦ an ounce of coke is a onion✦
A hotel's a telly,✦ a cell phone's✦ a celly✦
Jealous is jelly,✦ your food box is your belly✦
To guerrilla mean to use physical force
You took a L, you took a loss
To show off mean floss, uh
I know you like the way I'm freakin'✦ it
I talk with slang and I'ma✦ never✦ stop speakin'✦ it
Chorus✦ (2X)
Yeah, yeah
One love to my big brother, Big Lee
Holdin'✦ it down
Yeah, Flamboyant✦ for life
Yeah yeah, Flamboyant✦ for life

Technical Breakdown

8.4
Multisyllabic Rhymes8.5

Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)

Internal Rhymes9.5

Rhymes within a line (data-driven)

Wordplay / Double Entendres7.5

Clever language, metaphors, punchlines

Cadence / Rhythm9.0

Flow variation and timing (data-driven)

Vocabulary Complexity6.0

Range and depth of words used (data-driven)

Delivery / Breath Control8.5

Performance and control

Computed Score8.41

Production

— Ron Browz

Be the first to rate the production

Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

Big L demonstrates masterful structural economy by utilizing an educational pedagogical framework—the 'dictionary verse'—to catalog street vernacular while maintaining a relentless, metronomic flow that turns a dry list into a rhythmic masterclass.

A
8.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
9
Cadence / Flow
6
Vocabulary
7.5
Wordplay
8.5
Delivery
Catalog-style lyricismPedagogical flowInternal syllabic patterningCultural lexicography
Rhyme Architecture: A dense, high-frequency AAAA rhyme scheme structure that utilizes terminal end-rhymes almost exclusively throughout, maintaining a singular vowel sound focus to prioritize rhythm and lexicon speed over complex multi-directional rhyme chains.
Verified Doubles & Entendres

"a razor blade is a ox"

① A sharp cutting tool used for defense or utility.② Slang terminology derived from the 'Oxo' brand/shorthand, referring to the sharpness/predatory nature of the object.

"your bankroll is your poke"

① Physical cash held on one's person.② Derived from 'pick-pocket' jargon; the item being targeted for theft.

"a kite is a note"

① A written message smuggled into or out of prison.② A reference to the 'flying' nature of the paper message being passed between cells.

Exceptional rhythmic consistency

Innovative structural conceit that defines the track

High-density delivery that keeps the listener engaged with a list-based format

Authoritative vocal presence

Limited metaphorical variation due to the rigid list structure

Vocabulary relies on direct equivalence rather than complex subtext

Lack of narrative progression in favor of static dictionary-style exposition

User Scores