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