14 Shots to the Dome
Diggy Down
LL Cool J
Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis
50
End
179
Internal
120
Multi
131
Slant
22
Chain
Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Verse 2]
Young people, with no education,✦ politicians denying segregation✦
Young infants, deserted and abandoned
Step parents, lack in understandin'
Homelessness, all across the land, war, man against man
Treachery and evil fillin'✦ our communities✦
And all these hypocrites, aiyyo, they're stealin' from our charities✦
[Chorus]
Down, down, diggy,✦ diggy,✦ down, down (blow)
Down, down, diggy,✦ diggy,✦ down
Down, down, diggy,✦ diggy,✦ down, down (blow)
Down, down, diggy,✦ diggy,✦ down
Down, down, diggy,✦ diggy,✦ down, down (blow)
Down, down, diggy,✦ diggy,✦ down
Down, down, diggy,✦ diggy,✦ down, down (blow)
Down, down, diggy,✦ diggy,✦ down
[Bridge]
People are gettin'✦ hurt, people are gettin'✦ hurt up
People are gettin'✦ done, people are gettin'✦ done up (we gotta✦ rise)
People are gettin'✦ hurt, people are gettin'✦ hurt up
People are gettin'✦ done, people are gettin'✦ done up (we gotta✦ rise)
People are gettin'✦ hurt, people are gettin'✦ hurt up
People are gettin'✦ done, people are gettin'✦ done up (we gotta✦ rise)
People are gettin'✦ hurt, people are gettin'✦ hurt up
People are gettin'✦ done, people are gettin'✦ done up
[Chorus]
Down, down, diggy,✦ diggy,✦ down, down (blow)
Down, down, diggy,✦ diggy,✦ down
Down, down, diggy,✦ diggy,✦ down, down (blow)
Down, down, diggy,✦ diggy,✦ down
Down, down, diggy,✦ diggy,✦ down, down (blow)
Down, down, diggy,✦ diggy,✦ down
Down, down, diggy,✦ diggy,✦ down, down (blow)
Down, down, diggy,✦ diggy,✦ down
[Verse 3]
Diggedy✦ down, down just look around,✦ my world is goin' down
Disease is spreadin' everywhere, I can-cannot be found
This, the season✦ for murder - isn't no reason✦
To hurt another✦ brother✦ but temptation✦ is so pleasin'
And every✦ alley-way, they're gettin'✦ high
On playgrounds they're sellin'✦ crack and every✦ day another✦ baby✦ dies
Pistol whippin', kidnappin', anything can happen
Diggedy✦ down, diggedy✦ down with Old Trafford
[Chorus]
Down, down, diggy,✦ diggy,✦ down, down (blow)
Down, down, diggy,✦ diggy,✦ down
Down, down, diggy,✦ diggy,✦ down, down (blow)
Down, down, diggy,✦ diggy,✦ down
Down, down, diggy,✦ diggy,✦ down, down (blow)
Down, down, diggy,✦ diggy,✦ down
Down, down, diggy,✦ diggy,✦ down, down (blow)
Down, down, diggy,✦ diggy,✦ down
[Verse 4]
Many✦ poisonous chemicals in (uh) food!
Many✦ devilish goals are up (uh) soon!
No love where loves'✦ ya dwell in
Mother-earth transformed into✦ hell an'
Ice, murders, conspiracy and (uh) schemes!
Young boys will reveal their (uh) dreams!
Handguns in the hands of the young
And diss all this paranoia, yo, there's✦ much slugs for everyone
[Chorus]
Down, down, diggy,✦ diggy,✦ down, down (blow)
Down, down, diggy,✦ diggy,✦ down
Down, down, diggy,✦ diggy,✦ down, down (blow)
Down, down, diggy,✦ diggy,✦ down
Down, down, diggy,✦ diggy,✦ down, down (blow)
Down, down, diggy,✦ diggy,✦ down
Down, down, diggy,✦ diggy,✦ down, down (blow)
Down, down, diggy,✦ diggy,✦ down
[Interlude]
We need to rise (rise), as if we live with our eyes (eyes)
Stay away✦ from the hate (hate), before✦ it's too late (before✦ it's too late)
We go ah...
[Chorus]
Down, down, diggy,✦ diggy,✦ down, down
Down, down, diggy,✦ diggy,✦ down
Down, down, diggy,✦ diggy,✦ down, down
Down, down, diggy,✦ diggy,✦ down
We gotta✦ rise...
Technical Breakdown
8.0
Multisyllabic Rhymes9.5
Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)
Internal Rhymes9.5
Rhymes within a line (data-driven)
Wordplay / Double Entendres4.0
Clever language, metaphors, punchlines
Cadence / Rhythm10.0
Flow variation and timing (data-driven)
Vocabulary Complexity4.0
Range and depth of words used (data-driven)
Delivery / Breath Control7.5
Performance and control
Computed Score8.04
Production
Be the first to rate the production
Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™
The verse functions as a socially conscious critique that prioritizes rhythmic cadence and direct didactic delivery over dense metaphorical layers, characteristic of mid-80s hip-hop evolution.
A
9.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
10
Cadence / Flow
4
Vocabulary
4
Wordplay
7.5
Delivery
AnaphoraEnd-rhyme stackingStaccato deliveryParallelism
Rhyme Architecture: The verse utilizes a tight AABB-adjacent pattern that transitions into heavy repetitive internal rhyming and rhythmic staccato sequences, emphasizing percussive flow over complex syntax.
Verified Doubles & Entendres
"people are gettin' done up"
① Physical assault or victimization by systemic social issues② A colloquialism implying being finished or pushed to one's limit by societal conditions
Commanding vocal presence
Strong social commentary
Rhythmic consistency
Clear articulation of message
Lacks deep metaphorical layering
Vocabulary usage is utilitarian rather than experimental
Reliance on repetition in the bridge diminishes lyrical complexity