14 Shots to the Dome
Soul Survivor
LL Cool J
Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis
15
End
164
Internal
117
Multi
237
Slant
6
Chain
Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Verse 2]
I worked✦ the Murphy✦ on the mix
What's wrong with these stupid✦ lunatics playin' Jordan✦ for a draft pick
I'm harder✦ than finding a job
People wasn't rippin'✦ these records, all of y'all would get robbed✦
I'm comin'✦ straight out the barrel with your name on my arm
Blowin'✦ the hoody✦ of your head like a home-made bomb (BOOM!!)
I'm big and so you figured I would relax (nah!)
Don't ever✦ sleep I'll wake ya up with an axe
The Boulevard ain't safe for my beats - drop the herb
Twenty✦ times✦ harder✦ without a curse
Makin'✦ rats flee, hardcore - and that's me!!
The baddest soloist in hip-hop✦ history
L-L-C-to-the-O-to-the-O-L-J, so what'cha wanna✦ know?
Throw ya in the MVP on your knees G
A crowbar in your mouth - now ask me...
[Chorus]
It's the L baby,✦ baby,✦ the L baby,✦ baby✦
It's the L baby,✦ baby,✦ the heart (soul survivor)✦
It's the L baby,✦ baby,✦ the L baby,✦ baby✦
It's the L baby,✦ baby,✦ the heart (soul survivor)✦
It's the L baby,✦ baby,✦ the L baby,✦ baby✦
It's the L baby,✦ baby,✦ the heart (soul survivor)✦
It's the L baby,✦ baby,✦ the L baby,✦ baby✦
It's the L baby,✦ baby,✦ the heart (soul survivor)✦
Take it to the bridge
Who's the man on the mic? (the L the L)
Who's the man on the mic? (the L the L)
Who's the man on the mic? (the L the L)
Who's the man on the mic? (the L the L)
Who's the man on the mic? (the L the L)
Who's the man on the mic? (the L the L)
Who's the man on the mic? (the L the L)
Who's the man on the mic?
[Verse 3]
My territory's hard, I'm rollin'✦ with one railguard
The microphone is my credit card
Blowin'✦ your boots off, freeload - you're too soft
Usin'✦ a butcher's knife to make your whole root call
I heard somebody said the skills wasn't good
I'm lettin'✦ eighty✦ tigers loose in this neighborhood (RAH!!)
I pop the willies on my bike, lickin'✦ shots
And laughin' everytime you sneak a weak paragraph in
You blowin'✦ your mind, blunted and cocoa✦ and time
Ain't nuttin'✦ changed, you wrote another wack rhyme
I'll leave your bullet-bittled body✦ on the curb
Lookin'✦ slerve with a t-shirt - DON'T DISTURB THE HERB!!!
You're the next contestant tonight
Come on down to my shake clown - the slice is right
Rip your jaw out the socket,✦ been rockin'✦ for years
Tell the troop, you're still look with E and drop it!
AS I DEAF-TIFY YOUR EYE, COMPETITION TRIES TO MASS MY SIZE!!
Buryin'✦ the acts and your back will be rhymes✦ and tracks
While you're sleepin' like a "sleaze-stack" - BELIEVE THAT!!
[Chorus]
It's the L baby,✦ baby,✦ the L baby,✦ baby✦
It's the L baby,✦ baby,✦ the heart (soul survivor)✦
It's the L baby,✦ baby,✦ the L baby,✦ baby✦
It's the L baby,✦ baby,✦ the heart (soul survivor)✦
It's the L baby,✦ baby,✦ the L baby,✦ baby✦
It's the L baby,✦ baby,✦ the heart (soul survivor)✦
It's the L baby,✦ baby,✦ the L baby,✦ baby✦
It's the L baby,✦ baby,✦ the heart (soul survivor)✦
[Bridge]
Come on, come on, come on, come on, come on, come on
Come on, come on, come on, come on (soul survivor),✦ come on
[Chorus]
It's the L baby,✦ baby,✦ the L baby,✦ baby✦
It's the L baby,✦ baby,✦ the heart (soul survivor)✦
It's the L baby,✦ baby,✦ the L baby,✦ baby✦
It's the L baby,✦ baby,✦ the heart (soul survivor)✦
It's the L baby,✦ baby,✦ the L baby,✦ baby✦
It's the L baby,✦ baby,✦ the heart (soul survivor)✦
It's the L baby,✦ baby,✦ the L baby,✦ baby✦
It's the L baby,✦ baby,✦ the heart (soul survivor)✦
Technical Breakdown
7.2
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 / Rhythm7.5
Flow variation and timing (data-driven)
Vocabulary Complexity4.0
Range and depth of words used (data-driven)
Delivery / Breath Control7.0
Performance and control
Computed Score7.17
Production
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Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™
LL Cool J maintains a commanding, authoritative presence that utilizes strong rhythmic cadence and consistent internal rhyming, though the lyrical content relies more on aggressive persona-building than intricate linguistic layering.
B
9.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
7.5
Cadence / Flow
4
Vocabulary
5
Wordplay
7
Delivery
Multisyllabic internal rhymingPercussive vocal inflectionsAggressive persona posturingOnomatopoeic punctuations
Rhyme Architecture: A dense, high-frequency internal rhyme structure that relies on heavy syllabic repetition, common in the mid-2000s hardcore rap era, prioritizing a percussive, driving flow.
Verified Doubles & Entendres
"I'm harder than finding a job"
① The speaker is tough, resilient, and formidable.② A direct reference to the socioeconomic difficulty of securing employment, positioning his toughness against a common struggle.
"Blowin' the hoody of your head"
① A literal reference to physical violence removing a piece of clothing.② A metaphor for intense lyrical delivery that overwhelms and eliminates an opponent's 'hood' or status.
Strong vocal command and delivery consistency
Effective integration of internal rhyme chains that sustain momentum
Dynamic use of vocal breaks and ad-libs to guide the listener's focus
Lyrical complexity remains largely surface-level
Punchlines lean heavily into aggressive posturing rather than sharp conceptual wordplay
Vocabulary and thematic scope are relatively narrow for his stature