Verse 1
September eighth, everything changed in a flash.
Five days before my birthday, my whole world crashed.
Third year in college, trying to stay on track,
But every single step felt like life pulled me back.
Dad, I still hear your voice when the nights get cold.
Now I’m chasing every dream that you told me to hold.
Mama hurting every day, drowning under bills,
Trying to keep us standing while she’s climbing uphill.
The house don’t feel the same without your laugh around.
Some days the silence is the only thing that’s loud.
I’m trying to stay focused, trying to stay strong,
But it’s hard to keep moving when the person you need is gone.
People say time heals, but I still feel the pain.
Every morning I wake up, it’s never been the same.
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Pre-Chorus
Sometimes she doesn’t see the vision that I see.
Sometimes she doesn’t believe there’s more inside of me.
I know she’s carrying pain that words can’t explain,
So I keep pushing forward through the pressure and the rain.
Even when I’m tired… I keep going.
Even when I’m hurting… I keep growing.
Because I know one day all this pain will mean something.
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Chorus
I won’t quit, I won’t fold, I was built for this.
Every scar, every loss made me who I am.
Basketball dreams, track dreams—I still run my race.
I’ma work five times harder till they know my name.
This is for my father looking down from above.
Every win I ever get is another sign of love.
Every mile I run… every shot I take…
I’m building the future that nobody can take.
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Verse 2
People only see the smile; they don’t know the pain.
Every morning I wake up fighting through the rain.
Working harder than anybody—that’s my mentality.
Turning every setback into another opportunity.
While they’re sleeping, I’m still in the gym.
Putting up more shots until the lights get dim.
Running one more lap when my legs want to quit,
Because champions are made when they refuse to sit.
If I make it to the league or stand upon that track,
I’m carrying Dad’s name every time I look back.
This isn’t just about the money or the fame.
It’s about giving my family a different name.
No more worrying if the bills get paid.
No more watching my mom carry all the weight.
I want to see her smile without all the stress,
Knowing we made it through all this mess.
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Bridge
Sometimes I look up and wonder if you can see me.
I hope you’re proud of the man I’m trying to be.
I still miss your voice.
I still miss your smile.
But I know you’d tell me, “Keep fighting another mile.”
Every workout… every practice… every race…
I’m trying to honor your name in every place.
I’ll never stop chasing what I know I can be,
Because your belief still lives inside of me.
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Final Chorus
I won’t quit, I won’t fold, I was built for this.
Every scar, every loss made me who I am.
Basketball dreams, track dreams—I still run my race.
I’ll give everything I have until I earn my place.
This is for my father looking down from above.
Every victory I earn is another sign of love.
I’ll keep m
