Radio
That's a Lie
LL Cool J
Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis
65
End
248
Internal
72
Multi
156
Slant
25
Chain
Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Chorus: Russell Simmons & LL Cool J]
I got this Japanese✦ girl, man, Li, man, takes✦ good care of me
(You're a liar)
Yo, she's so def, man, wipes✦ my butt
(That's a lie)
Everybody be beefin',✦ man, about✦ what Rush doin'
(You're a liar)
You seen my new Mercedes,✦ man?
[Verse 3: LL Cool J]
Giant jabber-jaw, biggest✦ liar I ever✦ saw
You said you got a mansion,✦ you don't got half a floor
Professor of super✦ lies, you can lecture at my school
You said you're like Felix Ungar,✦ sat down at the dinner✦ table and drooled
Your story's so remarkable, it shouldn't be revealed
You said you had a Benz, you don't got four wheels
That's a lie
[Chorus: Russell Simmons & LL Cool J]
I got a Maserati,✦ man, what are you talkin'✦ 'bout?
(You're a liar)
I traded✦ my 1988 Mercedes✦ for it
(That's a lie)
Man, don't front, you know what Rush is about,✦ man
(You're a liar)
Yo, why you be illin',✦ man? You know what time, what time it is
[Verse 4: LL Cool J]
Best not to lie about✦ things you don't have
You speak of limousines? You can't afford✦ a cab
Said you slapped Roddy✦ Piper✦ and didn't get a hassle
You promised your girl filet✦ mignon,✦ took her to White Castle
You said you have a lot of women,✦ you don't even✦ know a few
There are eight million✦ stories✦ and they're all made up by you
That's a lie
[Chorus: Russell Simmons & LL Cool J]
Yo, yo, stick with Rush, man, I'll get you the biggest✦ medallion✦ you ever✦ saw
(You're a liar)
It's gon' keep the bullets off your back
(That's a lie)
You know why stations play our records? 'Cause the kids'll tear the station✦ apart
Kids'll rip it down
[Verse 5: LL Cool J]
Said your grandmother's✦ twenty✦ when your mother's✦ twenty-five
Said your father✦ beat Joe Louis, but homeboy took a dive
You said you used✦ toothpaste, your teeth are yellow✦ like my gold
A brand new pair of Lees, that's the skirt your sister✦ stole
That's a lie
[Outro: Russell Simmons & LL Cool J]
Yo, man, all the girls everywhere talkin'✦ about✦ Rush
(You're a liar)
Word man, Pretty✦ Tony✦ knocked a ho down the other✦ day
(That's a lie)
Talkin'✦ so much about✦ Rush, Rush every✦ time
(You're a liar)
That hoes just be beefin',✦ man, Rush this and Rush that
(That's a lie)
World's biggest✦ thing, man, Rush is gettin'✦ all the money,✦ man
(You're a liar)
Wheelbarrow full of money,✦ you understand me?
(That's a lie)
Yep, they be rollin'✦ that shit in my office✦ all day
(You're a liar)
Nothin'✦ but money✦ and it be green
(That's a lie)
Don't front, man, you know what Rush is about,✦ man, Rush gets money,✦ man, come on
(You're a liar)
My Maserati✦ is bad, man, it's blue and green and gold
(That's a lie)
I just bought this hoe this million-dollar ring, man
(You're a liar)
I just wanted✦ to look good, man, so I got one
(That's a lie)
Yeah, man, we be cold gettin'✦ money✦ at Rush, man, jewelries✦ and things
(You're a liar)
Rings and things, man, all that type of stuff
(That's a lie)
Man, I got nine hundred pairs of Reeboks, man, and pair of, pair of Adidas✦
(You're a liar)
I got every✦ color✦ Adidas✦ they ever✦ made, man
(That's a lie)
My man Steve, that's a pornostar, man, and he be bringin' them hoes to my house
(You're a liar)
Word, man, they be over✦ at my house, yo, I got a girl at my house
(That's a lie)
Call her Li, man, she cleans up behind✦ me, man
(You're a liar)
Yo, man, she cleans up behind✦ me, does everything I say, man
(That's a lie)
Yo, man, sweet little Japanese✦ thing, man, take care of me, man
(You're a liar)
Yo, man, yo, man
(That's a lie)
Technical Breakdown
8.0
Multisyllabic Rhymes7.5
Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)
Internal Rhymes9.5
Rhymes within a line (data-driven)
Wordplay / Double Entendres4.5
Clever language, metaphors, punchlines
Cadence / Rhythm10.0
Flow variation and timing (data-driven)
Vocabulary Complexity6.0
Range and depth of words used (data-driven)
Delivery / Breath Control7.0
Performance and control
Computed Score7.97
Production
— Ad-Rock, Jazzy Jay, Rick RubinBe the first to rate the production
Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™
The verse functions as a comedic, confrontational skit rather than a demonstration of lyrical density; it succeeds primarily through character-driven charisma and rhythmic pacing rather than complex subtext.
B+
7.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
10
Cadence / Flow
6
Vocabulary
4.5
Wordplay
7
Delivery
AABB rhyme schemeCharacter-driven narrativeDirect addressHyperbolic contrast
Rhyme Architecture: Standardized AABB couplet structure designed for rhythmic accessibility and comedic timing, prioritizing clarity over internal complexity.
Verified Doubles & Entendres
"Professor of super lies, you can lecture at my school"
① The subject is so skilled at deception they hold an academic rank in lying.② A sarcastic invitation for the subject to showcase their incompetence in an environment where LL is the authority.
"You said you're like Felix Ungar, sat down at the dinner table and drooled"
① Referencing the fastidious character from 'The Odd Couple' who is known for being clean and neurotic.② Juxtaposing the refined expectations of the character with the unrefined, slovenly act of drooling to highlight the subject's lack of sophistication.
Strong performance energy and comedic timing
Effective use of the 'caller-response' format to build narrative tension
Clear, punchy delivery that maximizes the impact of the insults
Literalistic wordplay lacks depth or metaphorical layering
Low lexical variety due to the focus on repetitive taunts
Relies heavily on external vocal interjections to carry the humor