Child Support Blues

[Verse 1]
Got a letter in the mail, heart dropped in my chest
Numbers on the page, took the air from my breath
Judge know my name, but he don’t know my stress
Sees a case file, I see my whole life in a mess
Clock in, clock out, still behind on the rent
Every paycheck gone ‘fore I know where it went
She say I ain’t doing nothing, say I don’t care
But I’m broke and I’m tired and I’m still right there
[Chorus]
This that child support blues, bills on my back
Tryna keep my head up, world off track
Court dates, phone fights, pain on loop
Love for my kid, but I’m drowning in the soup
Got these child support blues, can’t stay afloat
Hands in the air while they tighten my throat
Still, I show up, still, I push through
‘Cause I’d lose everything ‘fore I’m losing you
[Verse 2]
Baby mama on my line, say I ruined her life
Say I left her with the damage and the anger and the nights
Truth is, we were both kids, both hurt, both wild
Now we both pay the price through a little child
She say, “You ain’t there,” I say, “Look at my time”
She say, “You ain’t fair,” court say I’m outta line
I’m just tryna split a dollar into three damn ways
Keep the lights on, keep the lawyer paid
[Chorus]
This that child support blues, bills on my back
Tryna keep my head up, world off track
Court dates, phone fights, pain on loop
Love for my kid, but I’m drowning in the soup
Got these child support blues, can’t stay afloat
Hands in the air while they tighten my throat
Still, I show up, still, I push through
‘Cause I’d lose everything ‘fore I’m losing you
[Bridge]
One day you gon’ ask me
“Daddy, where you been?”
I’ll say, “Right here, baby
Just fighting to get in” (yeah)
[Chorus]
This that child support blues, bills on my back
Tryna keep my head up, world off track
Court dates, phone fights, pain on loop
Love for my kid, but I’m drowning in the soup
Got these child support blues, can’t stay afloat
Hands in the air while they tighten my throat
Still, I show up, still, I push through
‘Cause I’d lose everything ‘fore I’m losing you

rap, Sparse minor-key piano over deep, swung drums and warm sub bass. Male vocals with a weary, conversational flow, doubled on key phrases. Hook brings in distant gospel-style hums and soft organ pads, energy lifting but still heavy. Verses stay close and intimate, like a late-night confessional in the booth.