Authentic
Closer
LL Cool J
Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis
39
End
171
Internal
65
Multi
141
Slant
12
Chain
Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Chorus: Monica, LL Cool J, Both]
Give it up, uh
I'ma✦ love you, boy, I won't you stop
(You don't stop)
Oh, baby,✦ bring me closer✦
Take it off, uh, uh
I'ma✦ love you, boy, I won't you stop
(You don't stop)
Oh, we're getting✦ closer✦ and closer✦
(Yeah, yeah)
[Verse 2: LL Cool J]
They went from Pee Wee Kirkland to Pee-wee Herman✦
Bishop✦ Don Juan need to give 'em a sermon✦
How soon we forget✦ when the chrome is turnin'✦
Models in the backseat, blunts is burnin'✦
But even✦ if I wasn't LL Cool J
I had the same girl that I have today✦
And that's not something most of these cats could say
Your whole hands different you're payin' 'em to stay
Now some of y'all gonna✦ feel some kind of way
That's your pride fuckin'✦ wit' ya, you know how we play
Grown, run a bath, grinding all day
I know you got an itch, let me take that away,✦ baby✦
The moment✦ of truth in the jacuzz'
I don't like that new shit, play some rhythm and blues
Worry✦ 'bout the water,✦ baby,✦ leave on your shoes
Toast to the GOAT, ma, I don't lose
[Chorus: Monica, LL Cool J, Both]
Give it up
I'ma✦ love you, boy, I won't you stop
(You don't stop)
Oh, baby,✦ bring me closer✦
Take it off, uh (Take it off)
I'ma✦ love you, boy, I won't you stop
(You don't stop)
Oh, we're getting✦ closer✦ and closer✦
(Closer,✦ closer✦ and closer)✦
[Verse 3: LL Cool J]
LL, grown ass man
Couldn't give a damn if a young boy's my fan
Long as his mama✦ two-step✦ to my jam
While she cleanin' up her house, mop in her hand
Todd changed the game, now you understand?✦
I got that old money,✦ weak rubber✦ bands
Cats playin' themselves, gettin'✦ out of hand
I don't do features✦ to chase teenage fans
Lyte got it right, I cram to understand✦
I ain't trendy,✦ shorty,✦ L's a brand
Raised✦ on hip-hop✦ with grown ass fans
Hands in the air, rockin'✦ in the stands
I've been made, ain't no making✦ of the bands
Save the techno and glow sticks for Disneyland
Them same five features✦ on every✦ other✦ jam
You like them? Listen✦ to 'em, we don't give a damn
[Chorus: Monica, LL Cool J, Both]
Give it up
I'ma✦ love you, boy, I won't you stop
(You don't stop)
Oh, baby,✦ bring me closer✦
Take it off (Yeah, yeah, yeah)
I'ma✦ love you, boy, I won't you stop (Ooh)
(You don't stop)
Oh, we're getting✦ closer✦ and closer✦
[Outro: LL Cool J, Monica]
Uh, uh-huh (Give it up), nah'mean?✦
So you can get your two-step✦ on, you know?
(Yeah, yeah, yeah)
It's what we love, you nam'sayin'?
I'ma✦ love you, boy, I won't stop
It's the music we love, you nah'mean?✦ Haha✦
(I will, ooh, oh)
Haha,✦ hahaha,✦ you know? Ah shit, hahahaha
Technical Breakdown
8.3
Multisyllabic Rhymes8.5
Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)
Internal Rhymes9.5
Rhymes within a line (data-driven)
Wordplay / Double Entendres6.0
Clever language, metaphors, punchlines
Cadence / Rhythm10.0
Flow variation and timing (data-driven)
Vocabulary Complexity6.0
Range and depth of words used (data-driven)
Delivery / Breath Control7.5
Performance and control
Computed Score8.35
Production
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Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™
LL Cool J utilizes his established status to bridge the gap between street credibility and domestic intimacy, anchoring the verse in a consistent internal rhyme scheme that emphasizes his longevity.
A
8.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
10
Cadence / Flow
6
Vocabulary
6
Wordplay
7.5
Delivery
Multisyllabic internal rhymingCultural juxtapositionConversational cadenceDynamic shifts in register
Rhyme Architecture: The verse relies on heavy mono-syllabic and bi-syllabic internal rhyming ('-er' sounds in the opening, '-ay' sounds in the middle) combined with a disciplined AAAA-style terminal rhyme scheme for the first four bars, shifting into a conversational flow.
Verified Doubles & Entendres
"Pee Wee Kirkland to Pee-wee Herman"
① Refers to the transition from a legendary street basketball icon (Kirkland).② Refers to a shift toward a soft, infantile, or pop-culture-obsessed persona (Herman), critiquing the loss of street authenticity in his peers.
"the chrome is turnin'"
① Literal reference to custom rims on a vehicle.② Metaphorical reference to the pressure/heat of the street lifestyle and the revolving nature of status.
"I know you got an itch, let me take that away"
① Physical romantic intimacy within the context of the jacuzzi.② A metaphorical promise to resolve the partner's stress or anxiety, playing on the word 'itch' as a surrogate for desire or dissatisfaction.
Strong command of internal rhyme density
Effective use of contrast to establish persona
Commanding, relaxed vocal delivery suited for the R&B crossover format
Lyrical content leans on established tropes rather than innovation
Vocabulary breadth is limited by the commercial accessibility of the track
Punchlines rely more on posture than linguistic complexity