The DEFinition

Move Sump'thin'

LL Cool J

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

15

End

174

Internal

61

Multi

144

Slant

5

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
New York mentality✦
That's when your mind switch tryin' to cope with reality✦
New York mentality✦
That's when your mind switch tryin' to cope with reality✦
New York mentality✦
That's when your mind switch tryin' to cope with reality✦
New York mentality✦
That's when your mind switch tryin' to cope with reality✦
You're dippin'✦ out the back door for school
With your mind full of fantasies, cars and jewels✦
Baseball hat pulled✦ low to your face
Headin'✦ to the liquor✦ store, time for a taste
Cop another bag now it's time to stalk
That's how we do in New York
Drug lords bouncin',✦ shit look fat
His man on the side, his hooker✦ in the back
The only✦ thing you wanna✦ do is be like him
Nigga✦ draped✦ in jewels,✦ playin' brand new Timbs
But anyway,✦ huh, it's on to the next
What you gon' do? Break in to this Lex
I know he got a system that cost over✦ a G
Might as well hock it and cop and O-Z
That's the way of life, damn, ask daddy✦ why
Only✦ thing I know, you got to represent✦ or die
New York mentality✦
That's when your mind switch tryin' to cope with reality✦
New York mentality✦
That's when your mind switch tryin' to cope with reality✦
New York mentality✦
That's when your mind switch tryin' to cope with reality✦
New York mentality✦
That's when your mind switch tryin' to cope with reality✦
One two, your pumpin'✦ up M.O.B
Packin'✦ blue steel 'cause New York is real
And jake wanna✦ flip constantly
Twenty✦ bowls to puff lah but it's all G
My niggas lookin'✦ rugged✦ with tattoos
Sometimes we move solo✦ but never✦ snooze
You got the hammers, bringin' in the cash flow
It's a New York thing, peep the steelo✦
I'm up in Mecca,✦ bouncin'✦ in the Tunnel✦
Outside the Cue Club, dreads show me love
Jamaica Avenue,✦ Merrick Boulevard,✦ Springfield
Baisley Projects keep it real
Sutphin Boulevard,✦ 40 represent,✦ Farmers crew
So what you wanna✦ do? Check it
Hollis,✦ Uptown,✦ Liberty get down
L.A. Laurelton right around the way
Queensbridge do or die, Bed-Stuy's rugged✦
Peace to the Bronx, New York we still love it
New York mentality✦
That's when your mind switch tryin' to cope with reality✦
New York mentality✦
That's when your mind switch tryin' to cope with reality✦
New York mentality✦
That's when your mind switch tryin' to cope with reality✦
New York mentality✦
That's when your mind switch tryin' to cope with reality✦

Technical Breakdown

7.0
Multisyllabic Rhymes8.5

Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)

Internal Rhymes9.5

Rhymes within a line (data-driven)

Wordplay / Double Entendres4.5

Clever language, metaphors, punchlines

Cadence / Rhythm6.5

Flow variation and timing (data-driven)

Vocabulary Complexity7.0

Range and depth of words used (data-driven)

Delivery / Breath Control7.0

Performance and control

Computed Score6.98

Production

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Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

LL Cool J uses repetitive, chant-like framing to ground the narrative in a specific socio-economic reality, prioritizing cultural authenticity and rhythmic accessibility over complex linguistic layering.

B
8.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
6.5
Cadence / Flow
7
Vocabulary
4.5
Wordplay
7
Delivery
Repetitive hook as structural anchorStreet-narrative vignetteAuditory scene-settingDirect address to the listener
Rhyme Architecture: The verse relies on a recurring A-A-A-A pattern for the hook, transitioning into straightforward AABB-style couplets for the storytelling segments, ensuring high rhythmic predictability.
Verified Doubles & Entendres

"shit look fat"

① Physical appearance of the vehicle/lifestyle being described.② Slang for wealthy, expensive, or high-status status symbols.

"cop another bag"

① Purchasing a small quantity of illicit substances.② The act of acquiring goods to sustain the cycle of street-level commerce.

Strong sense of place and atmosphere

Effective use of the 'New York mentality' refrain as a thematic stabilizer

Commanding, authoritative vocal delivery

Solid narrative pacing

Limited use of figurative language or complex wordplay

Predictable rhyme structures

Over-reliance on repetitive phrasing for the hook

User Scores