Literary Elements & Techniques in Rap - My Favorite Poetry

I was in graduate school and couldn't work fulltime. But, I love children and always wanted to be a teacher. Quite obviously, I was discouraged by the salary. So, here was my opportunity... I could substitute teach! And, I did for about two years. I purposely picked the most challenging school in my hometown and the most challenging developmental stage - middle school. I loved them and they wuved me. They were tired of the old black church lady, reading her bible. They got a fresh vibrant young married successful black female they nicknamed "Ms. Lauren Hill." They nicknamed my Virgo "Mr. Busy Bone."

As an Aries, I rode my bike to the school... with the bike, I was also sending an Arian message.

My most memorable moment was substituting for In School Suspension (ISS).

I knew they were into rap but, I wanted them to know how their education fit with rap. I started by telling them that Tupac went to a school of arts for the gifted and talented... even with a crack addicted mother and while living in poverty.

Then, I broke down the literary techniques in rap. We started with the onomatopoeia. At the end of class, these young black men were gathered around me free-styling... and I cried when they left.

Here is a list of some literary techniques to refer to as we razzle and dazzle through the splendor that is Rap Music, Poetry to Music.

Onomatopoeia

Imagery

Symbolism

Personification

Allegory

Metaphor

Alliteration

Similes

Irony...

So, join me...

1. Start with the literary technique(s)

2. Song title, artist

3. Video

4. Analysis

I'll be back with mine!

ALLEGORY

"Eternal Yard Dash" Pastor Troy (Scorpio)



Message: Suicide, the pressures of wealth and fame, afterlife isn't any better...

Lyrics:

Come on cuz, we almost there

We almost there cuz

Goddamn, where the finish line?

Fuck this shit, I need some cheese

And I need it quicker than Nestle

If I have to kill then God bless me

All these pussy motherfuckers, they shouldn't have test me

Left me looking like the villian , I was thinking of ending

Nobody knew what I was going through

All these motherfuckers saying what they gonna do

But then again all these motherfuckers ain't true

So who am I gonna trust, am I going on and bust

Myself nigga, damn this shit

Fuck riding round' nigga, fuck being rich

I can't take it, the shit to thick

And it ain't my fault

So I ought to give the motherfucker telling lies to me

Hey the say, what its gonna be, but empty pockets all I goddamn see

D-E-F, no ones left, then again, shit no ones right

I'm a kill my damn self the night

I get fear, it ain't my fault he couldn't fight

It ain't like, when I motherfucking die, this whole world gonna fall apart

But it's a race, and I got a bad heart

Breath in the mouth, and I got a head start

I'm running for nothing, I'm running for nothing (x8)

So I'm gonna kill myself

A muthafucka tellin me what he gone do

When I knew the muthafucka wouldn't do shit

A nigga tease you, then a nigga leave you

Cause he heard that the shit done got thick, punk bitch

I get in the mood for cocaine

Cuz it's the only thing I see when a nigga look

Come and get the baking soda, then I flip the powder over

Then I got good dope when the shit cooked

But it crippled my to really understand that it really don't matter

What the fuck you been through

If a muthafucka see you doin better my nigga I'm here to tell ya

Muthafuckas gonna hate you

Not a clue, If I really woulda knew, muthafuckin 22

2 years wasn't far away

I never would have had a chance to enjoy Pastor Troy, woulda killed myself on

Yesterday

Hook

This heaven, where the streets of gold, and why the hell is the a/c off?

Where the fuck, all the loved ones that I lost?

Fuck this shit, take me to the boss

Do you understand the cost that was paid

In order for me to be here tonight?

Nigga whats up, something ain't right

Tell the Lord to turn on the damn light

Feeling like an angel when I take flight

Shit, as I try with all my damn might

All my power seem out my damn sight

Look, why the fuck I was packed so tight

Nigga I ain't Mike, I'm Micah

Think I'm in the wrong spot

Not only do I have on black, its too hot

But why am I by the motherfucker ain't shot

I got no halo, hello, motherfucker shit nigga, I'm talking to you

Slap the clip in the tech 22

Let the shit fly and it went straight through

Now I got a clue, where the fuck I'm at

Shot him with the tech and the nigga didn't budge

Nigga just bleedin', motherfucker out of blood

Looking at me smilin', asking me what

I got guts, but guts, goddamn

Paradise,shit I can't tell

Went from dwellin' in hell on earth

Now I'm living in hell in hell

SPONDAIC HEPTAMETER

(The art of rhythm to rhyme)

Travis Scott (Taurus) "Stargazing"

Starts at 2:45



Okay, I been up for some days, I ain't got time to lay

Just to drown out all these thoughts, I tried all kind of things

If I take you to my past you will be traumatized

Got a thousand kids outside that's tryna come alive

'99, took AstroWorld, it had to relocate

Told the dogs I'd bring it back, it was a seal of faith

Before no car notes, baby girl, she played the tourist guide

Got the keys into my city, now she know the rides

Got new money, got new problems, got new enemies

When you make it to the top, it's the amenities

Packin' out Toyota like I'm in the league

And it ain't a mosh pit if ain't no injuries

I got 'em stage divin' out the nosebleeds(alright, alright, alright)

And she hit that booger sugar 'til her nose bleed (alright, alright, alright)

Bounce that shit forever, she on both knees

She was talkin' 'bout forever, got a whole week (alright, alright, alright)

Plus she know my baby mama is a trophy

She be throwing up them B's, feel like we both bleed

She keep my dick jumpin' up, feel like I'm Moby

I'm way too gold for this beef, feel like I'm Kobe

Yeah, this right here is astronomical

I see you picked up all my ways, I feel responsible

They tryna say that all my problems is improbable

They keep itching at my spit, I'm diabolical

Ya feel me?

PROSODY

Rhyming with the vowe soundsl ī, ū, o...

Drake (Scorpio) on (Taurus) Travis Scott's, "Sicko Mode"



Lyrics:

Astro, yeah

Sun is down, freezin' cold

That's how we already know winter's here

My dawg would prolly do it for a Louis belt

That's just all he know, he don't know nothin' else

I tried to show 'em, yeah

I tried to show 'em, yeah, yeah

Yeah, yeah, yeah

Gone on you with the pick and roll

Young LaFlame, he in sicko mode

Woo, made this here with all the ice on in the booth

At the gate outside, when they pull up, they get me loose

Yeah, Jump Out boys, that's Nike boys, hoppin' out coupes

This shit way too big, when we pull up give me the loot

(Gimme the loot!)

Was off the Remy, had a Papoose

Had to hit my old town to duck the news

Two-four hour lockdown, we made no moves

Now it's 4AM and I'm back up poppin' with the crew

I just landed in, Chase B mixes pop like Jamba Juice

Different colored chains, think my jeweler really sellin' fruits

And they chokin', man, know the crackers wish it was a noose

Some-some-some, someone said

To win the retreat, we all in too deep

P-p-playin' for keeps, don't play us for weak< (someone said)

To win the retreat, we all in too deep

P-p-playin' for keeps, don't play us for weak (yeah)

This shit way too formal, y'all know I don't follow suit

Stacey Dash, most of these girls ain't got a clue

All of these hoes I made off records I produce

I might take all my exes and put 'em all in a group

Hit my esés, I need the bootch

'Bout to turn this function to Bonnaroo

Told her "hop in, you comin' too"

In the 305, bitches treat me like I'm Uncle Luke

(Don't stop, pop that pussy!)

Had to slop the top off, it's just a roof(uh)

She said "where we goin'?" I said "the moon"

We ain't even make it to the room

She thought it was the ocean, it's just the pool

Now I got her open, it's just the Goose

Who put this shit together? I'm the glue(someone said)

Shorty FaceTimed me out the blue

Someone said (Playin' for keeps)

Someone said, motherfuck what someone said

(Don't play us for weak)

Yeah

Astro

Yeah, yeah

Tay Keith, fuck these niggas up (Ay, ay)

She's in love with who I am

Back in high school, I used to bus it to the dance (yeah)

Now I hit the FBO with duffles in my hands

I did half a Xan, thirteen hours 'til I land

Had me out like a light, ayy, yeah

Like a light, ayy, yeah

Like a light, ayy

Slept through the flight, ayy

Knocked for the night, ayy, 767, man

This shit got double bedroom, man

I still got scores to settle, man

I crept down the block (down the block), made a right (yeah, right)

Cut the lights (yeah, what?), paid the price (yeah)

Niggas think it's sweet (nah, nah), it's on sight (yeah, what?)

Nothin' nice (yeah), baguettes in my ice (aww, man)

Jesus Christ (yeah), checks over stripes (yeah)

That's what like (yeah), that's what we like (yeah)

Lost my respect, you not a threat

When I shoot my shot, that shit wetty like I'm Sheck (bitch!)

See the shots that I took (ayy), wet like I'm Book (ayy)

Wet like I'm Lizzie, I be spinnin' Valley

Circle blocks 'til I'm dizzy (yeah, what?)

Like where is he? (Yeah, what?)

No one seen him (yeah, yeah)

I'm tryna clean 'em (yeah)

She's in love with who I am

Back in high school, I used to bus it to the dance

Now I hit the FBO with duffles in my hand (woo!)

I did half a Xan, thirteen hours 'til I land

Had me out like a light, like a light

Like a light, like a light

Like a light (yeah), like a light

Like a light

Yeah, passed the dawgs a celly

Sendin' texts, ain't sendin' kites, yeah

He said "keep that on lock"

I said "you know this shit, it’s life”, yeah

It's absolute (yeah), I'm back reboot (it's lit!)

LaFerrari to Jamba Juice, yeah (skrrt, skrrt)

We back on the road, they jumpin' off, no parachute, yeah

Shawty in the back

She said she workin' on her glutes, yeah (oh my God)

Ain't by the book, yeah

This how it look, yeah

'Bout a check, yeah

Just check the foots, yeah

Pass this to my daughter, I'ma show her what it took (yeah)

Baby mama cover Forbes, got these other bitches shook, yeah

PERSONIFICATION

(His gun is personified)

Tupac Amaru Shakur (Gemini)

"Me and My Girlfriend"



Analysis: Note the bold where the gun is so personified as Tupac has given her her own voice and emotions. Here is like for a young abandoned, impoverished black male youth, a gun has become his imaginery friend, comfort blanket....He tells us why in the underlined.



Lyrics:

Shit, you motherfuckin' right

I'm the bitch that's keepin' it live and keepin' it hot

When you punk ass niggas don't

Nigga westside, what! Bring it on

Look for me

Lost in the whirlwind, ninety-six, Bonnie and Clyde

Me and my girlfriend, do one-eighty-five when we ride

Trapped in this world of sin, born as a ghetto child

Raised in this whirlwind (c'mon)

Our childhood years recall the tears heart laced with venom<

Smokin' sherm, drinkin' malt liquor, father forgive her

Me and my girlfriend, hustlin', fell in love with the struggle

Hands on the steering wheel, blush, while she bail out bustin'

Fuck em all, watch em fall screamin', automatic gunfire

Exercising all demons

Mafias on the side, my congregation high, ready to die

We bail out to take the jail back, niggas united

Our first date, couldn't wait to see you naked

Touch you in every secret place, I can hardly wait

To bust freely, got you red hot, you so happy to see me

Make the front-page prime-time live on TV

Nigga my girlfriend, baby forty-five but she still live

One shot make a nigga's heartbeat stop

What! I'm bustin' on you punk ass niggaz *automatic gunfire*

Run nigga run! (gunfire) I'm on yo' ass nigga! *gunfire continues*

Run nigga, duck and hide! Nigga I'm bustin' all you bitches!

Run nigga, yeah! Westside! Uh uh uh! Die nigga die!

My girlfriend, blacker than the darkest night

When niggaz act bitch-made she got the heart to fight

Nigga my girlfriend, though we separated at times

I knew deep inside, baby girl would always be mine

Picked you up when you was nine, started out my life of crime

Wit you, bought you some shells when you turned twenty-two

It's true, nothin' compares to the satisfaction

That I feel when we out mashin', me and my girlfriend

All I need in this life of sin, is me and my girlfriend

Down to ride to the bloody end, just me and my girlfriend

All I need in this life of sin, is me and my girlfriend

Down to ride to the bloody end, just me and my girlfriend

I was too immature

To understand your ways, inexperienced back in the days

Caused so many arguments and strays

Now I realize how to treat ya, the secret to keep ya

Bein' faithful now cause now cheatin's lethal

We closer than the hands of time, deeper than the drop of mankind

I trust you dearly, I shoot blind

In time I clock figures, dropping niggas as we rise

We all soldiers in God's eyes, now it's time for war

Never leave me baby, I'm paranoid, sleepin' witcha

Loaded by my bedside crazy

Jealous when you hang wit the fellas, I wait patiently alone

Anticipated for the moment you come home

I'm waitin' by the phone this is true love, I can feel it

I've had a lot of women in my bed, but you the realest

So if you ever need me call, I'll be there through it all

You're the reason I can stand tall, me and my girlfriend

All I need in this life of sin, is me and my girlfriend

Down to ride to the bloody end, just me and my girlfriend

I love finger fuckin' you, all of a sudden I'm hearin' thunder

When you bust a nut, niggaz be duckin' or takin' numbers

Love to watch you at a block party, beggin' for drama

While unleashin' on the old timers, that's on my mama

I would trade my life for yours, behind closed doors

The only girl that I adore, everything I'm askin' for

Talkin' to me beggin' me to just, take you around

Seventeen like Brandy you just want to Be Down

Talkin' loud when I tell you be quiet you move the crowd

Bustin' rounds, activatin' a riot, that's why I love you so

No control, down to roll, unleash

After a hit you break apart, then back to one piece

Much love to my one and only girlfriend, the world is ours

Just hold me down, baby witness the power

Never leave a nigga alone, I love you black or chrome

Turn this house into a happy home, me and my girlfriend

All I need in this life of sin, is me and my girlfriend

Down to ride to the bloody end, just me and my girlfriend

All I need in this life of sin, is me and my girlfriend

Down to ride to the bloody end, just me and my girlfriend

All I need in this life of sin, is me and my girlfriend

Down to ride to the bloody end, just me and my girlfriend

Lost in the whirlwind, ninety-six, Bonnie and Clyde

Me and my girlfriend, doin' eighty-five when we ride

Trapped in this world of sin, born as a ghetto child

Raised in the whirlwind, look for me

Lost in the whirlwind, ninety-six, Bonnie and Clyde

Me and my girlfriend, doin' eighty-five when we ride

Trapped in this world of sin, born as a ghetto child

Raised in the whirlwind, look for me

Lost in the whirlwind, ninety-six, Bonnie and Clyde

Me and my girlfriend, doin' eighty-five when we ride

Trapped in this world of sin, born as a ghetto child

Raised in the whirlwind, look for me

Lost in the whirlwind, ninety-six, Bonnie and Clyde

Me and my girlfriend

Lost in the whirlwind, ninety-six, Bonnie and Clyde

Me and my girlfriend

Me and my girlfriend

PERSONIFICATION

(Marijuana is personified into a lover)

Scarface "Mary Jane"



Analysis:

♡"Not afraid to let you up and leave"

Marijuana's appeal as not being addictive.

♡"For the days that they were lost and broke-shit got 'em by"

Scareface knods to the African American struggle (from slavery to segregation...) almost like psychological aid through the abuses.

♡"You ain't never made me smash my thangs-scratch the brain"

Marijuana appeal as to not causing impairment.

♡"Through the seasons you ain't never change-stayed the same"

Further affirmation of the popular quote from Valerie Frankel's "The Girlfriend Curse:"

"Women get into a relationship hoping a man will change, and he never does; men get into a relationship hoping the woman don't change, but she always does. Men want their partners to be consistent. That they won't make impromptu impossible demands nor baffle him with classically female sudden-onset hysterical behavior."

Lyrics:

(Scarface whispering):

I don't really remember feeling like this

Got this love formin' in my life-for this dame

And indeed took the form of life-and that's a shame

How a man can fall in love with dreams--not afraid

Not afraid to let you up and leave

Do your thang MaryJane mess with all my folks-got 'em high

For the days that they were lost and broke-shit got 'em by

Only right we stop and give her props

Plus she from the block of only finer crops

Do your thang MaryJane

Chorus:

Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary

Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary

Happy just to hear your name

Do your than MaryJane

Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary

Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary

When the world starts to stress you out-what you do?

Put a cancer stick up in your mouth-or grab a brew

Sold in stores but the fact remains is-they the blame

And the government's been taxin' that ( )-- gettin' paid

If it's taxable it's cool to smoke--kill or not

And the alcohol is killin' folks- true or not

Other people try to make you bad--but I know you not

When my situation's lookin' sad I know I got

A true friend in my time of need-all I need

Your natural you come from seeds-I decree

Makes me happy when I'm feelin' pain

Once again makes me happy just to hear your name

Do your thang MaryJane

Chorus:

Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary

Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary

Happy just to hear your name

MaryJane do your thang

Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary

Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary

When you sad depressed and feeling strange-who you blame

Need some company to keep you sane-call her name

MaryJane I love you MaryJane-do your thang

You're all I need to get me through this thang-true to game

You ain't never made me smash my thangs-scratch the brain

Anything you've always kept me tame-and its plain

For me to see that you my everything-MaryJane

MaryJane helps to ease the brain-when you hang

Through the seasons you ain't never change-stayed the same

Never seen what people seen in speed-you became

Naturally you everything we need-do the thang

Do your thang baby true indeed

Do your thang MaryJane

SIMILES & METAPHORS

Mystikal (Libra) "Ain't No Limit"



Wuz up yall, wuz up soldiers? This M-P, The Colonel

We ain't no rookies at makin records

Mystikal, Silkk

Together, Oh yeah. It's time to pass out the stripes

Hah Bra

I told you there wasn't no limit

[Verse 1: Mystikal]

I told ya like I told him

Like I mean what I say what I say is what I mean

I talk mo shit than Muhammed Ali

In a situation about makin my green

First impression nigga back down

Fuck they can't stand up next to me

Competition bring out the best in me

Shit you talkin deader than Elvis Presley

I'm tryin to blow out bigger than the jaws of Dizzy Gillespie

Nigga the nigga won't let me

That's why when I get my shit I snipe like Wesley

You fuckin wit my right on what you been missin in this picture

style funkin than a big pot of chitilins in yo kitchen

Some slang in yo shit ain't hittin Like I used the sound before

Listen to yo punk ass diamond sherm like what the fuck I'm around here for rough lines and hard rhymes

Consider me an asset

Slow down cause I got some more rhyme ambush ya ass set

Nigga that's how it is and I'ma make sure it stay that way

I did what they thought that I wasn't gonna do

And said what they thought that I wasn't gonna say

You know when I'm cookin

Cause you can smell it

To a buckshot from a pellet

Here I Go! I'm here to tell it

[Hook]

Here to tell it

Stomp this motherfucker like elephant

Spray you bitches like apes

Fly by you bitches like pelicans

Put a crack in yo exo-skeleton

Shake this bitch like a bowl of gelatin

We soldiers no limit soldiers ugh there ain't no limit

[Verse 2: Mystikal]

Acceptin you can deliver title material

Somethin got your mind all blocked up

I be sexually exited when I'm writin'

I'm rocked up Oh Creative valves been unclogged up

I keep my elbow in your back To keep yo ass cocked up

Ain't no fuckin wit me Ain't no fuckin wit shit I did

26 and been through it, Tellin it like it is

Comin up with tight shit To make your girlfriend love me

Hunt me like playin rugby, Been a star since smokin puffies

And I'm that type of nigga that come thru this bitch

Now I stay down like it ain't nothin, My position is not up for grabs

My title is not for uppin

Seem like I can take a little bit more that what you put out to harm me Gotta continue to line my style to take

Formin a fort (You really will) I writes em line for line

Take my time till the shit is all tight

Focusing mind For most definitive could take all night

All right Fuckin right Unlike nobody else

I'm a one man show, Like havin sex with yourself

(Oh that was good)

You know how we kick it

You know what we do

All opportunities

And all unlimit

No matter if its good

Its gotta be tru

Mix mastered and marked

Somebody sell it

Fuck wit a no limit nigga over there talkin bout

Bitch I'm here to tell it

[Hook]

[Verse 3: Silkk]

All aboard, put your coat on boy

Cause its about to get real fuckin chilly

Smoke yo ass like a philly

Fix yo face

Why you lookin all silly

Uh I stay muggin

Or should I say stay thuggin (Okay)

I ain't lettin shit pass NO!

I'm whoopin yo ass down the boat

Trick I'm the illest

Shouts say fuckin thriller

Mystikal and Silkk tha Shocker

Is how we met like King Kong Godzilla

Two of the baddest niggas on one track

How many of yall see some of that

None

Well in this rap game it don't matter

We run that!

Master P, Silkk, Mystikal

Like Earth, Wind, and Fire

Yall busters better retire

Put chall mouthful under the wire

It ain't no limit to our biz

Monopolize, capitalize our share

Makin rhetoric comin thru shit we done did

Cause I lay laws down like the mayor do

Boy look I'm buck wild

Plus I got mo style s than a hairdo (That man?)

I play my enemies and foes like checkers

(Crown Me!)

Keep those in section (How broke?)

Broke like some records

No limit play it

Yall better hear it

You a bad mutha (Hush Yo Mouth)

I was only talkin bout yo lyrics

I hang with ballers and gangstas

(Oh my)

Step back for a second

And watch these soldiers on tanks

Roll By!

Entrepreneurs n Tycoons

If yall doubt it

Yall better not say it cause I been known to get down and dirty

Or should I say I'm just Bout it Bout it

T-R-U

Yall spell it

It ain't no limit to this boy

And I'm here to tell it

There ain't no limit

Where you at Mystikal!

HERE I GO!

Told ya shut ya mouth two of the baddest, ain't no limit

Silkk that shocker, and Mystikal, Ice Cream Man, audi 5000 TRU

Represent yall can't fade us

Shut ya mouth no doubt

We just bout it bout it

Let it all out

ONOMATOPOEIA

Mystikal (Libra) "Round Out Tha Tank"



Analysis/Background:

After graduation high school, Mystikal joined the United States Armed Forces enlisted as a Combat engineer where he served in the Gulf War during combat. While in the Army, he took psychology and business classes, but spent more time performing raps in NCO clubs. You can tell he is a veteran by his millitary style and metaphors.

Lyrics:

Me that's who

Me me that's who

Me me that's who

I'm the round out the tank

I'm the round out the tank

I'm the round out the tank

I'm the loud blacca blacca, wacca wacca coming from

Behind cha

Me that's who

(Chorus X 2)

I'm the "weee" before the "boom"

I'm the fire in the hole coming from the tube

I'm the claymore mine sittin in the dirt

I'm the prone unsupported

I'm "doom doom doom" three round burst

Sleepin bag in the freezin weather

I'm the fragmentation vest for shrapnel and flyin metal

I'm the auto on the fire selector

I'm the thousand shells bouncin off the brass deflector

Squeeze the trigger center mass when it's time to take aim

I'm the "waahhhaa" boomwhen they ricochet down range

Creeping, heat seekin and keepin my target

I'm that biological threat you don't wanna go to war wit

Listen here I make you fuckin grave where you live at

I'm almost there one click away from yo' bivouac

Flash bang, highly illuminated

This is operation fuck over my destination

(Chorus X 2)

Ha, I'm all you rank and ribbons strips and brass and decorations

I'm that fucking hole in the earth after detonation

C 130 airborne soldier coming from the sky

Recognize ground troopers rolling just like hemmit tires

I'm fixin my road march so save ya breath

If I don't get cha with the rifle I'm a catch cha with my bayonette

I run with M1's, tanks and howtzers

I'm a 45 day 45 night field problem

I'm yo' smart book when the live exercise begins

And when it get dark I'm noise and light discipline

Twelve bravo run you out the foxhole

Make it to the bunker or it ain't no survival

I'm that war vet that's combat ready

Whether arctic or jungle or the middle of the desert

They try to make it when they know they can't

How the fuck yo gon run from the round out the tank

@ACsquarepluto,

YAY! You're here! I think Iambic trimeter too.

METAPHORS & SIMILES

Mia X "Mama Drama"

Y'all best to back the fuck on up 

It's mama drama my nigga 

I'm shiva with two heaters 

See I'm hardcore my nigga for sure my nigga 

Ain't never been scared before my nigga 

Ghetto from head to toe 

When I got some lyrical foe my nigga 

The mics the fo fo when trigga 

Launchin my verbal scatter 

That shit ya'll do ain't worth the urine 

Stickin my bladder 

The yappin and the chit chatter 

Don't even matter cause nothins fatter 

Than rapper's faces after I verbally gat ya 

Beat em like they was Hagler 

Rip em like no good paper

That's why they duckin Mia X 

Hip hops new heavy weighter 

The soldier hater, disentegrator, major paper maker 

The gangsta rhymer, big timer 

I'm Mama Drama

Uh, where my real niggas that we can ride us 

How many soldiers down to do what they gotta 

Like Mama Drama 

Uh, where my real bitches that we can ride us 

How many soldiers down to do what they gotta 

Like Mama Drama

Street date in all 51 states 

They can't wait to hear my lyrical murder 

The grim reaper, Mama Mia diva with the nerve ta 

Sabotage y'all, dressed in camouflage 

Is my disguise daily 

I'm a batterd woman that's surrounded 

By them sharp kitchen knives baby 

You gon' realize that I ain't to be played with 

I get payed with TRU, and I'm a made bitch 

So what cha you want to do, better call your crew 

And tell em to come correct 

But everything this way sho gon get Xed 

Hexed I'm a voodoo mistress 

Roots on all my lyrics, Ri Ri 

Strong enough to make AMC 

Don't fuck around, huff puff, then I blow em out 

Then they all fall down now 

They done told ya you gon know her when you see her 

When you do, you gon pay me 

'Cause I come to do some damage 

Have em frantic runnin' to the table 

With the record label sayin' please would ya rap mine 

Relief, hater she gon sit all in my face and gyrate 

I'm irate, ain't no mistakes 

I'm bout it bout it 

Gangsta bitch rowdy rowdy TRU click 

With that gangsta shit I'm bankin 6 figures 

Dog and I ain't lyin' 

That's why Vibe gon' let you know I'm in the high 9s 

I'm squeezin' mine if you run up nigga tryin'

Mama Drama, Mia X, the underground unibomber

What

this song is over a decade old now, but it (and this whole album) has remained one of my favorites for lyricism and production....it still amazes me, and I still find puns and symbolism within it each time I put it back in rotation....

the delivery of the male vocalist is so energetic/passionate - reminds me a lot of Black Thought from the Roots. They more so do conscious rap and this song is from a gynocentric perspective (which I really like, and I think was way ahead of its time when it dropped). The wordplay is thick, there are so many puns, and some great uses of alliteration...Unfortunately all the lyrics I looked up to post seem to have some inaccuracies. One section with a lot of dense wordplay and explication of words and their power to control, within the wordplay:

"those on top literally throw stereotypes on all yall. bitch used to be a dog, now dog is man’s best friend cause it can follow command. notice command can’t be without the word man, the keyword for mankind. wooo man! what about the woman. I guess she remains a bitch and mother earth preserves and then becomes a planet. if it really is a man’s world then he must’ve planned it."

followed by the hook which is heavy on alliteration:

"man is a man which manhandles mankind mentoring mental(s), mandating minutes monthly. mentioning manipulating messages of famine manning men, commanding mannerisms, managing manly mandatory maneuvers or else"

in line with the theme of the song, the female vocalist on this really becomes the central focus for me; she's amazing..extremely versatile, she sings, raps, raps in perfect harmony with the male.

aside from the literary composition, the musical composition/production of this song blows my mind. The beat has several transitions and becomes almost a different song at places, and the flow adapts so nicely to that. If you have the time, watch close for the transition at 3:45. Its amazing how they harmonize perfectly at that point, and with that tempo, and I think the harmony is so potent that its symbolic of the overall theme of the song wrt the unity/equality of the sexes. I wonder how many studio takes it took to get that right. The next transition at 4:21 seems to create almost an entirely new melody at places which the track mirrors, and the two of them sound like they've evolved into something completely unified and otherworldly/alien at that point lmao....by the time you get to the outro with the strings, its euphoric for me...



Here's another by these guys I thought you might appreciate. Best (and perhaps only) MLK biography I've heard in a song...gives me chills:

REPETITION & IDIOSYNCRASY

Playboi Cart "Woke Up Like This"



The lyrics seems so simple by repeating the same phrase. Each time he repeats the same phrase, it takes on a different perspective.

On the positive...

1). Cultural identity and pride

2.) Sense of belonging

Then, the same phrase take a change tothe negative...

3.) Cultural disassociation of aggression when you share identity. Niaveté of like being liked."These young nigga don't like me, but act just like me"

In many ways, the song is a idiosynchratic message full of imagery based in black speak - philogy that requires a submergance in culture to actually sense the change in meaning of the repetition... almost becoming a cultural anthem. This is why Beyonce quoted this hook in her cochella performance which was a tribute to historically black colleges...

Idiosynchrasy is the little snibits of urban culture...

After the Florida shootings of young black males and being a mother of one, I moved to ATL to wake up to niggas sounding like me. And, I entered a board room of niggas talking like me... tah.

Woke up to niggas talking like me, talk

Woke up to niggas sounding like me, talk

Woke up to niggas talking like me, talk

Woke up to niggas sounding like me, talk

I woke up to niggas sounding like me

Woke up to niggas talking like me

Woke up to niggas sounding like me

Woke up to niggas talking like me

Oh, I think they like me, yeah they like me

Diamonds on me ice cream, hoe that's lightly

My Draco bitch a Spike Lee, diamonds on me biting

I heard these niggas wanna fight me

Meet me at my next show but you better bring a pipe B

We ain't fighting, I think she like me, exciting, so exciting

Fuck me, Bentley coupe I'm riding with a thottie, fuck

I just spent a 100 on my watch piece, fuck

I done fell in love with a thottie, fuck

She just wanna fuck me for my clout, fuck

Bitch I'm off the lean I crash the Audi, fuck

Might just spend 200 on this Audi, truck

Woke up to niggas talkin' like me, talk

Woke up to niggas soundin' like me, talk

Woke up to niggas talkin' like me, talk

Woke up to niggas soundin' like me, talk

I woke up to niggas soundin' like me

Woke up to niggas talkin' like me

Woke up to niggas soundin' like me

Woke up to niggas talkin' like me

Oh I think they like me, in my white tee

Oh no no no baby smoke so much dope need some Visine

These young nigga don't like me, but act just like me

"Fucked all of your bitches so they parties don't invite me"

That bitch that you wifin', she so trifflin'

I been getting money so don't nothing really excite me

Carti poured a 6 in the 4 of the right lean

Damn that boy, ask her for some more like the Sprite clean

Yeah, that's that dirty, that's that dirty

That girl all up in my face like she ain't tried to swerve me

These boys all up in my lane I swear they keep on merging

No I cannot see a lame 'cause my Rolls Royce got curtains

Woke up to niggas talking like me, talk

Woke up to niggas sounding like me, talk

Woke up to niggas talking like me, talk

Woke up to niggas sounding like me, talk

I woke up to niggas sounding like me

Woke up to niggas talking like me

Woke up to niggas sounding like me

Woke up to niggas talking like me

Oh I think they like me, that she like me

The bitch want to indict me, she can't find me

I'm like dirty up the Sprite please, with some ice please

With my bitch like to sip lean, oh oh

Xans, percs, molly, we got hella things

I'm in love with the guap, gave it a wedding ring

And I swear I had these thots before I got the fame

And I swear I had the Glock before I got the chain

I'm in Bompton with Pirus and I don't even bang

Shoutout G Weed and Yung L, yo hoe that the gang

Shoutout GiGi that's my boo, she know that I claim

Shootin' at these niggas like I'm in the paint

Woke up like this"