Gave It Back

They ain’t give me nothin’, I got it out the pain,

Still I gave it back, never needed no fame.

Told my lil’ ones, “You ain’t gotta die for a name,”

We was stuck in the storm, now I’m bringin’ the rain.

heart still in it,

I was down bad broke, but my mind kept winnin’.

Ain’t do it for a check, I was built for the mission,

Put the hood on my back, every word, they gon’ listen.

⸻

Grew up where hope got buried in the cracks,

Had to learn real young, ain’t nobody got your back.

Mama worked two jobs, tears so silent,

I was in that room dreamin’, voice turn violent.

Had to mask pain, couldn’t let ‘em see me fall,

Now I talk with my chest when I walk through the hall.

Put shoes on feet that ain’t had no grip,

Now they steppin’ with pride, and they holdin’ they chin.

I ain’t perfect, but I’m present — that’s a different kind of love,

Give my all while I’m breathin’, then I leave it up above.

⸻

I ain’t changin’ for the trend,

I was down with the dirt, now I’m cleanin’ where I been.

Gave hoodies to the youth, gave light to the cold,

Told the youngins, “You a diamond — just believe in your soul.”

I don’t post what I do, I just move with a code,

Still remember them nights when the world felt closed.

Now I ride through the block with a purpose to build,

Got a heart full of scars, but my vision too real.

⸻

Dropped off merch at my old high school,

Saw a kid in the back with the same old shoes.

He ain’t say a word, just nodded his head,

I knew that look — it was pain, he ain’t said what he meant.

I told him, “Keep pushin’, I was you not long ago,”

Felt tears in my chest, had to hold it before it showed.

It ain’t ‘bout how you start, it’s the man you become,

Now I give ‘em my wins ‘cause I came from the slums.

⸻

They ain’t give me nothin’, I got it out the pain,

Now I’m feedin’ seeds where they once threw shade.

Told my lil’ ones, “You ain’t gotta die in the game,”

We was stuck in the dark, now we lightin’ the flame.

this my truth and my gift,

I was low with the loss, now I’m high with the lift.

Ain’t do it for a check, I was built for the mission,

Put the hood on my back, every word, they gon’ listen.