Bigger and Deffer
I'm Bad
LL Cool J
Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis
31
End
164
Internal
70
Multi
240
Slant
11
Chain
Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Refrain: LL Cool J]
Cool J, Cool J, Cool J, Cool-Cool-Cool-Cool-Cool✦ J-J
Cool J, Cool-Cool-Cool-Cool,✦ Cool-Cool-Cool-Cool✦ J, J-J-J, J-J-J-J-J
[Verse 2: LL Cool J]
I'm like Tyson,✦ ice and I'm a soldier at war
I'm makin'✦ sure you don't try to battle me no more
Got concrete rhymes,✦ been rappin'✦ for ten years
And even✦ when I'm braggin', I'm being sincere
Emcees✦ can't win, I make 'em rust like tin
They call me "Jaws," my hat is like a shark's fin
Because I'm bad as can be, got my voice on wax
Some brothers think he's makin'✦ records, now he must've relaxed
I couldn't and shouldn't, and it'll stay that way
The best rapper✦ you've heard is LL Cool J
Kamikaze, take a look at what I've done
Used✦ to rock in my basement, now I'm number✦ one
And can happen✦ on time, never✦ standing on line
You wanna✦ try me? First, you better✦ learn how to rhyme
I'm the pinnacle; that means I reign supreme✦
And I'm notorious; I'll crush you like a jellybean, I'm bad
[Interlude: Police]
Suspect was last spotted with three other✦ members of his group
DJ Bobcat✦ and E-Love✦ and then Cut Creator
They are extremely bad, so keep your eyes open✦
Use extreme✦ caution
[Verse 3: LL Cool J]
I eliminate punks, cut 'em up in chunks
You were souped,✦ you heard me and your ego✦ shrunk
I'm devastating, I'm so good it's a shame
'Cause I eat rappers✦ like a cannibal, they call me insane✦
I'm as strong as a bull, of course you know why I pull
I enjoy✦ what I'm doing plus I'm paid in full
Not Buckaroo Banzai, but bustin'✦ out as I
Say the kind of rhymes✦ that make emcees✦ wish that I'd die
Never✦ retire✦ or put my mic on the shelf
The baddest✦ rapper✦ in the history of rap itself✦
Not bitter✦ or mad, just provin'✦ I'm bad
You want a hit? Give me a hour plus a pen and a pad
Emcees✦ retreat 'cause they know I can beat 'em
And eat 'em in a battle and the ref won't cheat 'em
I'm the baddest,✦ takin'✦ out all rookies✦
So forget✦ Oreos, eat Cool J cookies,✦ I'm bad
[Refrain: LL Cool J]
Cool J, Cool J (Bob), Cool J (Yo, we get it), Cool J-J-J
Cool J-J, J, Cool, Cool J
[Verse 4: LL Cool J]
Never✦ ever,✦ no never✦
Never✦ wearin'✦ no Levis,✦ battle me? Why try?
I'll treat you like a stepchild, so tell mommy,✦ "Bye, bye"
Slaughterin' emcees✦ and I'ma✦ never✦ get whipped
When I retire,✦ I'll get worshiped like a old battleship
LL, I'm bad, all the rappers✦ know
When I enter✦ the center,✦ they say, "Yo, yo, there he go"
My paycheck's large, Mr. Bogart in charge
Not a punter✦ or a hunter✦ from a raccoon lodge
The original Todd teachin' how to be hard
Take the skin off a snake and split a pea from a pod
You're a novice,✦ I'm noble and I dissect with my tongue
Not Attila✦ the Hun, Khan or Abdullah Hussein
My vocals exact, like rack and pinion✦ in a Jag
You try to brag, you get your rhymes✦ from a grab-bag
No good scavenger, catfish vulture
My tongue's a chisel and this composition's sculptor, I'm bad
[Outro: Police & LL Cool J]
Think I'm gonna✦ need backup✦
Think I'm gonna✦ need backup✦
Give me that walkie-talkie
Yo, this is LL Cool J and you'll never✦ catch me so don't even✦ try it
'Cause I'm too bad for ya, understand?
Ahh
I'm bad
Technical Breakdown
8.5
Multisyllabic Rhymes8.5
Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)
Internal Rhymes9.5
Rhymes within a line (data-driven)
Wordplay / Double Entendres6.5
Clever language, metaphors, punchlines
Cadence / Rhythm9.0
Flow variation and timing (data-driven)
Vocabulary Complexity8.0
Range and depth of words used (data-driven)
Delivery / Breath Control8.5
Performance and control
Computed Score8.52
Production
— L.A. Posse, LL Cool J, Steve EttBe the first to rate the production
Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™
LL Cool J utilizes a high-octane, aggressive delivery that defines the mid-80s boast-rap archetype, prioritizing percussive phonetics and rhythmic dominance over complex abstract metaphors.
A
8.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
9
Cadence / Flow
8
Vocabulary
6.5
Wordplay
8.5
Delivery
Staccato deliveryInternal mono-rhyme chainsSimile-based boast structuresRhythmic syncopation
Rhyme Architecture: Predominantly AABB and AAAA couplets with frequent internal rhymes linking the mid-line to the end-rhyme, creating a dense, propulsive sonic texture.
Verified Doubles & Entendres
"I'm like Tyson, ice and I'm a soldier at war"
① Reference to the explosive power and dominance of Mike Tyson in the ring.② Phonetic play where 'Tyson' and 'ice on' create an internal rhythmic connection to his 'cold' or 'icy' demeanor.
"I make 'em rust like tin"
① Metaphor for opponents degrading under pressure.② Play on the cheap quality of competitors, implying they are made of 'tin' which is prone to oxidation (rusting) when compared to his 'concrete' rhymes.
"They call me 'Jaws,' my hat is like a shark's fin"
① Refers to the popular film franchise, implying a predatory status.② A literal visual description of his Kangol hat silhouette serving as a brand-specific marker of his shark-like nature.
Commanding vocal presence
Technical mastery of rhythmic pocket
Effective use of hyperbole
Consistent thematic focus
Reliance on literal boasts
Limited metaphorical variance
Similes are occasionally simplistic
Lacks deep narrative layering