[Verse 1]
Cut from the varsity team
They said
"Kid
You're not that tall"
Backyard hoop
Worn-out seams
He put that pain into the ball
Summer sweat on Carolina roads
Late nights chasing every miss
Tar Heel blue
Last-second throw
Championship sealed with a swish
[Chorus]
Up in the air like I can't come down
Tongue out
World looking small from the crown
Twenty-three stitched on my chest
I’m gone
Six rings shining when the lights come on
I was built for the buzzer
Born for the storm
If you’re talking about a throne
That’s the seat I’m on
Up in the air like I can’t come down
(Like I can’t come down)
[Verse 2]
Came to the cold
Red and black dream
City on my back
Heavy as it seems
They grabbed
They shoved
They pulled
They hit
I floated past all of it
Flu in my veins
Towel on my face
Still dropped fire all over the place
Took a break
Tried on a glove
Came right back to the game he loved
[Chorus]
Up in the air like I can't come down
Tongue out
World looking small from the crown
Twenty-three stitched on my chest
I’m gone
Six rings shining when the lights come on
I was built for the buzzer
Born for the storm
If you’re talking about a throne
That’s the seat I’m on
Up in the air like I can’t come down
(Like I can’t come down)
[Bridge]
Fadeaway falling
Crowd all holding breath
Every kid on the playground copying my steps
From the bricks to the banners hanging in the sky
Legends never leave
They just never say goodbye
[Chorus]
Up in the air like I can't come down
Tongue out
World looking small from the crown
Twenty-three stitched on my chest
I’m gone
Six rings shining when the lights come on
I was built for the buzzer
Born for the storm
If you’re talking about a throne
That’s the seat I’m on
Up in the air like I can’t come down
(Yeah, the goat of the game, can’t come down)