Rise from the Block

Concrete cradle, mama prayed but nights stayed cold
Bullet holes in mailboxes, stories left untold
Hunger in my ribs, sirens sing lullabies
Seen a brother fade away, closed his young eyes
Hate fermented in the corners of my mind
Pocket full of nonsense, empty on the grind
Sometimes I tasted darkness, hunger for the kill
Felt the pull to take what's mine, let the streets pay the bill
But I locked that blade inside my chest, refused that route
Chose to spit my life in verses, let my pain speak out

From the ghetto to the top, I'm climbing on my name
Made from ash and struggle, rising from the flame
I could've sold my soul for cash, could've walked the steel and rot
But I kept my heartbeat holy, watch me rise from the block
God held my hand when nights were cold and dark
Now the mic's my kingdom, and I'm claiming my mark

Late nights, notebook full of blood and broken dreams
Pen bleeding truth, built my life from silent screams
Neighbors whisper curses, concrete taught me trust is rare
Seen friends become enemies, felt the razor stare
Temptation on the corner singing promises of gold
Quick fixes for the hunger, stories bought and sold
I felt the urge to steal back fate, to even up the score
But I chose the booth, not the blade, lyrics opened doors
Working day and night, every line a stone I place
Brick by brick I'm moving out this cold and hated space

From the ghetto to the top, I'm climbing on my name
Made from ash and struggle, rising from the flame
I could've sold my soul for cash, could've walked the steel and rot
But I kept my heartbeat holy, watch me rise from the block
God held my hand when nights were cold and dark
Now the mic's my kingdom, and I'm claiming my mark

They said survival's savage, that love don't stand a chance
But I danced with broken angels and turned pain into stance
Every scar a lesson, every loss a melody
Prayer in the morning, grind in the dead of eve
Recognized by someone who saw the hunger in my eyes
Gave me light, gave me a stage, let my truth baptize
No more threats at midnight, no more fists to fight
Found my weapon in the words, now I aim for light

Look, the skyline glistens where we used to dream in rain
No more names on concrete, no more counting shame
I rep the block, but I escaped the spiral and the trap
Turned the bottle into rhythm, turned the pain into rap
Money came, but not the kind that kills the soul
Fame came slow, respect's the fee that made me whole
Hood pride in my veins, but mercy in my speech
God's grace in the chorus, success within my reach
Now they point and nod like they knew me long before
But I remember alleyways and the nights I swore no more

From the ghetto to the top, I'm climbing on my name
Made from ash and struggle, rising from the flame
I could've sold my soul for cash, could've walked the steel and rot
But I kept my heartbeat holy, watch me rise from the block
God held my hand when nights were cold and dark
Now the mic's my kingdom, and I'm claiming my mark

This is for the ones who hunger but still keep hope alive
For the kids who see the gun but still decide to strive
I rose from concrete, beat the chorus of the night
Now I rap for freedom, now I rap for light