The DEFinition

Shake It Baby

LL Cool J

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

9

End

98

Internal

39

Multi

153

Slant

5

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Verse Two]
They pay me so much it's hard for them to swallow
When you got 'em by the balls, their hearts and minds follow✦
Pay yourself first, that's one of my main mottos
Picture Bill Gates✦ on the block dodgin✦ hollows
I can't see it player that's beneath my vision✦
I'm beyond focused, every✦ decision✦ is made with precision✦
It seems like greed's the world religion✦
But L want cake, save the crumbs for the pidgeons
Black man, get the flies outcha eyes
You can't cause where you born but you affect where you die
Until that day, health and welfare, cheers
And after✦ my wake, the hood'll talk, man listen✦ here
He kept a mink and canaries in his ears
Like the Enterprise rollin✦ over✦ stars for years
Spit bars for years, kept hot cars for years
The dice was loaded✦ but he beat the odds for years, uh-huh!
[Chorus]
[Verse Three]
To be or not to be the man, that's the question✦
Got a vision✦ in my mind, I can see that I'm destined
To lean up in the backseat, givin✦ directions✦
Sweep the block clean as November elections✦
On the Blackberry readin✦ cash flow quadrant
Brim to the side, my gorillas is bonded✦
CLS Vision,✦ four Hummers behind✦ it
You forgot✦ I'm from Queens? You can get reminded
I'm a man's man, when you chumps gon' learn
If you play with fire you get poured✦ in a urn
You must have been puffin✦ on blunts of sherm
All my albums is platinum, it's been confirmed
I'm more than a symbol of sex, I get respect
For livin✦ in the hills but still keepin✦ it mad real
Stay on course, the boss crush obstacles
You burnin✦ me, two words: im-possible
[Chorus]
[LL Cool J]
Like I said
Yellow✦ canary✦ tennis✦ on the neck
Three quarter black mink
Gucci✦ hat to the side, shades✦
Gucci✦ shoes, baggy✦ jeans
Black Phantom, oak wood
That's how I play
Yeah
(Shake it baby✦ shake it)
You do it for the gangsters
I do it for the ladies,✦ but it's all money✦ baby✦

Technical Breakdown

7.4
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 / Rhythm6.5

Flow variation and timing (data-driven)

Vocabulary Complexity8.0

Range and depth of words used (data-driven)

Delivery / Breath Control7.5

Performance and control

Computed Score7.42

Production

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Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

LL Cool J utilizes his established status to bridge the gap between street-level braggadocio and corporate-aesthetic philosophy, though the lyrical density is occasionally sacrificed for a rhythmic, conversational flow that prioritizes charisma over intricate multi-layered wordplay.

B+
8.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
6.5
Cadence / Flow
8
Vocabulary
6.5
Wordplay
7.5
Delivery
Assonant chain-rhymingInternal rhyme densityConversational cadenceMetaphorical juxtaposition
Rhyme Architecture: The verse utilizes a predominantly AABB/CCDD structure with heavy reliance on internal rhyme clusters, particularly in the later section where the repetition of the '-ears' phoneme creates a driving, percussive momentum.
Verified Doubles & Entendres

"When you got 'em by the balls, their hearts and minds follow"

① Physical coercion or dominance in a street context.② A cynical take on influence where controlling someone's resources or interests inevitably dictates their loyalty.

"Sweep the block clean as November elections"

① A literal reference to maintaining order or dominance over a territory.② A political allusion to a landslide victory or a 'clean sweep' of political opponents during an election cycle.

"The dice was loaded but he beat the odds for years"

① The literal concept of a rigged game of chance.② A metaphor for the systemic socio-economic disadvantages faced by black men in society, which he overcame through personal effort.

Commanding vocal presence that elevates simpler lines

Consistent thematic focus on self-actualization and wealth accumulation

Strong rhythmic pocket maintenance

Reliance on conventional rap tropes regarding wealth

Occasional gaps between high-level conceptual framing and the resulting punchline impact

Limited semantic depth in the second half of the excerpt

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