G.O.A.T. (Greatest of All Time)

This Is Us

LL Cool J

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

End

239

Internal

Multi

289

Slant

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight

[Chorus: Carl Thomas]

You know that I do, the best that I can

But you don't seem to love me no more, no more

I try to please you, and be your man

But you don't seem to love me no more, no more

[Verse 2: LL Cool J]

The flipside^✦ of the coin, what team you wanna^✦ join?

You in The Tunnel every^✦ Sunday^✦ exposin' your tenderloins

In every^✦ rap cat's face, with some ol' flirty^✦ shit to say

Need to go home, wash your kids up, and put your tits away^✦

Me and my clique in motion,^✦ champagne and Alize^✦

Got your mind bubblin crazy,^✦ wanna^✦ flip Cool J

Spend your last on your hairdo,^✦ but you ain't save a dime

To put your child through college baby,^✦ now have you?

Go get a job interview, your bad-ass^✦ kids a curfew^✦

And skip that "Bills Bills" shit broads is goin' through

I know this prostitute^✦ who said that life ain't cute

Child born with a destiny only^✦ God can dispute^✦

Players giggle and laugh, flashin' gats and cash

My dogs don't care about^✦ you Boo, they like your ass

Told me if I call and your man answer,^✦ ask for L

So he can say, "No L live here," our code is ill

Tell him you about^✦ to catch a flick with Sherell

Plottin' and schemin' in the shower,^✦ masturbatin' on the cell

The neighborhood hustler, that cat we all know

That nigga^✦ we grew up with, son from next do'

My dream was to flow and escape^✦ the hell below^✦

But the demons in my life set fire to my dough

I thought about^✦ murder,^✦ I vowed^✦ my revenge

Like the devil's pumpin'^✦ hate through my heart with a syringe

This is us

[Chorus: Carl Thomas]

You know that I do, the best that I can

But you don't seem to love me no more, no more

I try to please you, and be your man

But you don't seem to love me no more, no more

[Verse 3: LL Cool J]

They say a man gon' be a man, but that's only^✦ half the scenario

You nag a cat, you givin'^✦ him a license to fuck a hoe

When a man come home late, he want his girl to say hello^✦

Not hear all that bullshit, bout, "Nigga^✦ where you go?"

Fried chicken ready,^✦ t-shirt and panties^✦ at the stove

Messages written down, blunt rolled^✦ ready^✦ to go

Give me a hug, not too long, give me space

When a cat got issues^✦ don't need you all up in his face

Rub your breasts, kick back, smile a little

If it's rainin'^✦ outside,^✦ chill, listen^✦ to the drizzle

Now kiss my chest, call me Superman

Pull down my boxers by the Calvin^✦ Klein band

[?] wash it, enjoy^✦ the flavor,^✦ I return the favor^✦

This behavior, should save ya

From me all night freakin', with a nineteen-year-old

Half naked^✦ Puerto^✦ Rican,^✦ creamy^✦ ass leakin^✦

Every^✦ man will agree, when she nag it's killin'^✦ me

I don't always wanna^✦ talk about^✦ how the world is shittin' on me

I sip some Alize^✦ and meditate the pain away^✦

And get in my own zone where I wanna^✦ be alone^✦ for solo^✦

Reminisce with photos^✦

And missed^✦ opportunities^✦ to make some dough flow, you know?

Chill, relax baby,^✦ support me from the background

Believe in my dreams, instead, you and your girls sat 'round

Complain about,^✦ who's tradin'^✦ ass for cash

If there ain't no trust then just us can't last

This is us, I know you feelin'^✦ that

Think about^✦ that shit, word up

[Chorus: Carl Thomas]

Your man, your man, your man

Everything we've been through yeah

All the places^✦ we've been yeah

Just don't know if I'll be the same again,^✦ ha

Ever^✦ since you walked^✦ all all over^✦ me, ha

And even^✦ if we bring this back together, ha

You know it won't be the same, no no no no

No no no no no, ha

Oh I, I, baby^✦ I, tried to be your man

Woah, oh, yeah

Hooo hooo hooo

Can't you hear me? Can't you hear me?

Woah

Technical Breakdown

8.3

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 Complexity7.0

Range and depth of words used (data-driven)

Delivery / Breath Control8.0

Performance and control

Computed Score8.29

Production

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Critic Analysis

RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

LL Cool J utilizes a high-intensity, confrontational cadence that bridges late-90s street narratives with his signature authoritative charisma, prioritizing rhythmic propulsion over intricate metaphorical layering.

8.5

Multisyllabic

9.5

Internal Rhymes

Cadence / Flow

Vocabulary

6.5

Wordplay

Delivery

Multisyllabic internal rhyme chainsDirect address/conversational toneAggressive percussive flowStaccato rhythm switches

Rhyme Architecture: The verse relies on heavy AABB and AAAA end-rhyme couplings combined with dense, rapid-fire internal multis that anchor the listener to the pocket despite shifts in cadence.

Verified Doubles & Entendres

"No L live here"

① A literal statement that LL Cool J is not present at the location.② A playful linguistic reversal referring to the lack of 'L's (losses) in his lifestyle or status.

"exposin' your tenderloins"

① A slang reference to revealing one's body (implied promiscuity).② A culinary metaphor for being exposed, vulnerable, or 'raw' like a cut of meat.

Exceptional rhythmic drive and vocal conviction

Strong character work that maintains a consistent, biting perspective

Effective use of slang and colloquialisms relevant to the era

Dynamic shift between narrative storytelling and direct scolding

Occasional reliance on misogynistic tropes as a substitute for complex wordplay

Lack of sustained, multi-layered metaphors

The narrative structure feels more like a list of grievances than a singular cohesive arc

This Is Us

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

Technical Breakdown

Production

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