Walking with a Panther
Jealous
LL Cool J
Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis
30
End
181
Internal
87
Multi
193
Slant
11
Chain
Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Hook]
Jealous,✦ Jealous✦
(There's✦ no need to be)
Jealous,✦ Jealous✦
(Bit mellow,✦ you know what I’m sayin'?)
Jealous,✦ Jealous✦
(Gangster✦ groove, word up know what I'm sayin'?)
Jealous,✦ Jealous✦
(Check it out, y'all)
[Verse 2]
I'm not lackadaisical or lazy✦ on the microphone
I bring the bacon✦ home so jealousy✦ go home
Or play the wall and pout about✦ the way the prince is rollin'✦
So when they give it up, stand back and start foldin'✦
All your jealous✦ show clothes, I think you need to grab a
Half-pint of Cisco✦ and hang out with Backstabber
'Cause I'mma✦ break down all walls Jealousy✦ built
And then walk tall, like I'm standin on stilts, yeah
Jealousy✦ the jam is mean you'll have to rewind✦ it
If you didn't know about✦ him, you must have been blinded
Ask him if I'm right, he'll tell you he sure is
Excuse✦ me for a moment, fellas✦ sing a smooth chorus✦
[Hook]
Jealous,✦ Jealous✦
(Know what I’m sayin'? Smooth, word up)
Jealous,✦ Jealou✦
(Huh, crazy✦ gangster✦ beat, you know what I’m sayin'?
It's like a gangster✦ lean)
Jealous,✦ Jealous✦
(Yeah yeah, you know what I’m sayin'?
It's Cool J in the house, you know what I’m sayin'?)
Jealous,✦ Jealous✦
(Word up, check it out
Check it, yo)
[Verse 3]
Thank you fellas,✦ the way you sung the chorus✦ was swift
But now it's time to pump lyrics, and shoot the gift
His name is Jealousy,✦ fellas,✦ see what I mean now turn it out
Without a doubt and if it hits you in the heart don't pout
'Cause I'mma✦ hit Jealousy✦ and his posse where it hurts a lot
Him and his boys have a habit,✦ they always✦ smirk a lot
And make mean faces,✦ I see 'em in many✦ places✦
Scared✦ to face us, they wish they could erase✦ us
Or outdo✦ us, can't do damage✦ and never✦ will
The Legend✦ in Leather is clever,✦ man I'mma✦ never✦ chill
Allah✦ take a break from this, yo I love swingin'
Yo E, pop the bubbly,✦ fellas,✦ start singin'✦
[Hook]
Jealous,✦ Jealous✦
(Know what I’m sayin'?
It's like a crazy✦ gangster✦ groove, you know what I mean?)
Jealous,✦ Jealous✦
(Huh-huh,✦ Jealousy✦ ain't got no wins, you know what I’m sayin'?)
Jealous,✦ Jealous✦
(You know, but it ain't nuttin',✦ you know what I’m sayin'?
'Cause yo I'm the prince of rap know what I’m sayin'? Word up)
Jealous,✦ Jealous✦
(Yo, it's crazy,✦ I am the one
Bust it)
[Verse 4]
Oooh yeah, now I'mma✦ wind it up
It's time to move on and end the Jealousy✦ cut
And head off with a bang that sang and kicked✦ your brain in
I flowed✦ like water✦ now I'm finished explainin'
In the spotlight tonight his name was Jealousy✦
And for some strange reason,✦ it seems fellas✦ be
Fallin'✦ for him, I hope you understood
Stay away✦ from him he ain't no good
[Outro]
You know what I’m sayin', man?
Yo (That's word yeah I hear that)
Yeah word up (Can't hang out man)
Yo it ain't nuttin'✦ though, you know what I’m sayin'?
'Cause we gon' do this (We gon' do it right)
(Get involved man)
Yo, get the champagne man (Just chill)
Technical Breakdown
7.9
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 / Rhythm9.0
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 Score7.87
Production
— LL COOL J, Dwayne SimonBe the first to rate the production
Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™
LL Cool J utilizes a conversational, boastful cadence that prioritizes internal rhyme density over dense metaphorical layering, reflecting the swagger-heavy mid-80s style.
B+
9.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
9
Cadence / Flow
7
Vocabulary
5
Wordplay
6.5
Delivery
Multisyllabic internal rhyme chainsConversational flowAABB-adjacent couplet structuringDirect address to the listener
Rhyme Architecture: The verse relies on strong end-rhyme couplets (microphone/home, rollin/foldin, grab a/Backstabber, built/stilts) integrated with aggressive internal rhythmic pockets.
Verified Doubles & Entendres
"I bring the bacon home"
① Literal act of providing financial stability or earning money.② Metaphorical success in the rap industry, asserting dominance over competitors.
"stand back and start foldin' / All your jealous show clothes"
① The physical action of folding laundry or garments.② A metaphor for the competitors 'folding' or admitting defeat in the face of the artist's success.
High technical efficiency in rhyme placement
Commanding, confident vocal persona
Consistent rhythmic pocket maintenance
Clear, accessible narrative structure
Lack of complex subtext or layered wordplay
Vocabulary is standard and functional rather than inventive
Metaphors are surface-level and lack sustained development