The Big Picture

The Enemy

Big L

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

15

End

87

Internal

35

Multi

101

Slant

3

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Verse 2: Fat Joe]
Ayo, enough's enough,✦ federals try to set me up
Put me in cuffs and crush what I lust into✦ dust
Plus, they want a nigga's soul, but they know
Big Joey Crack can never✦ rat a cat that he know
Fo' sho', death before✦ dishonor
I left the streets alone✦ since Tone deceased, it almost killed✦ his mama✦
So I'ma✦ keep doin' what I'm doin'
Pursuin' my dream 'til there's✦ enough✦ cream to start my own union
And show these kids how legit✦ it is
Shit is real, I used✦ to steal, but now I own several businesses✦
So where's✦ your witnesses✦ you claim to have
Sayin' that I'm takin'✦ half, extortin' New York and not payin' tax?
I'm layin' back playin' the role, playin' the low
But it's the same old Joe so don't get KO'd
Hey yo, I'm gonna✦ fry for what I never✦ did
Or catch a heavy✦ bid, why don't they just let a nigga✦ live?
[Chorus: Big L]
Why do I end up in so much shit?
I done came way too far to be callin'✦ it quits
Jake wanna✦ lock me up even✦ though I'm legit✦
They can't stand to see a young brother✦ pockets✦ get thick
Ayo, why do I end up in so much shit?
I done came way too far to be callin'✦ it quits
Jake wanna✦ lock me up even✦ though I'm legit✦
They can't stand to see a young brother✦ pockets✦ get thick
[Outro]
What would you do if vicious enemy✦ suddenly started coming at you, armed✦ to the teeth and ready✦ to kill you?

Technical Breakdown

6.8
Multisyllabic Rhymes9.5

Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)

Internal Rhymes9.5

Rhymes within a line (data-driven)

Wordplay / Double Entendres5.0

Clever language, metaphors, punchlines

Cadence / Rhythm6.0

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 Score6.85

Production

— DJ Premier

Be the first to rate the production

Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

Fat Joe delivers a narratively cohesive, grounded verse that relies on authentic storytelling and rhythmic consistency rather than complex linguistic obfuscation.

B
9.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
6
Cadence / Flow
7
Vocabulary
5
Wordplay
6.5
Delivery
Multisyllabic internal rhyme clustersConversational narrative flowStaccato stress patternsThematic consistency
Rhyme Architecture: Predominantly AAAA/AABB influenced couplets with heavy emphasis on vowel-heavy slant rhymes (up/dust/soul/know/sho'/honor/mama) creating a fluid, conversational momentum.
Verified Doubles & Entendres

"Big Joey Crack can never rat a cat that he know"

① A direct refusal to cooperate with law enforcement (snitching).② A play on the 'rat' animal metaphor (informant) vs. the 'cat' (street associate) to emphasize code of silence.

"So don't get KO'd"

① Physical assault or knockout in a street confrontation.② The metaphorical 'KO' of being exposed or legally defeated if one underestimates his intelligence.

Strong narrative arc focusing on post-street transition

High level of technical consistency in rhyme placement

Authentic, conversational tone that fits the persona

Limited use of complex literary devices

Reliance on genre tropes regarding legal issues

Punchlines function primarily as declarative statements rather than intricate wordplay

User Scores