Title: “Pressure Made Me” Intro (spoken, low) Yeah… Ain’t nobody seen the nights I didn’t sleep But they see the man I’m becoming Verse 1 (rap, slow burn) Things were solid till my backbone left Grandpa gone, felt the world cave in my chest House I grew up in, thought it’d be mine one day Instead I’m packing memories, getting pushed away New place, fresh start, told myself “stay focused” Peace felt close, then I let the wrong one know it Cold heart, ice veins, love felt conditional Made me cut my best friend, said it was “intentional” Truth is she ain’t want nobody else around Didn’t want no witnesses when the walls broke down Hook (half-sung, gritty) I been numb just to keep from exploding Anger sit heavy, I hold it Pressure on my chest but I’m chosen Ain’t break me, it molded I been down, I been tested Had to learn my own lessons Still here, still breathing Yeah, the pressure made me Verse 2 (rap, reflective) Raising my son, three days a week Trying to teach him strength while I barely eat Brother called me said he needed a place So I split what I had, put food on plates Two grown men, one check coming in Bills past due, heart full of sin No help from the ones sleeping in my bed So I crossed lines just to keep us fed Every other night turned hostile and loud Alcohol talking, hands getting wild Stayed quiet, kept the peace, thought that made me strong Truth is I was wrong for way too long Hook (repeat, heavier) I been numb just to keep from exploding Anger sit heavy, I hold it Pressure on my chest but I’m chosen Ain’t break me, it molded I been down, I been tested Had to learn my own lessons Still here, still breathing Yeah, the pressure made me Bridge (gospel confessional) Stepfather dying, hospice in the room She turned cold while I stayed consumed Three weeks left, I prayed in silence God heard me through all the violence Then my father gone, that shook my frame Looked in the mirror, said “I gotta change” Verse 3 (growth / accountability) I cut the dead weight, cut the supply Stopped selling poison, started selling my time Overtime hours, every chance I could Trying to be the man I knew I should Still behind, still fighting the math But I walk straighter carrying my past I ain’t proud of everything I done But I stood tall when it mattered for my son Final Hook (lifted, victorious) I been numb but I woke up stronger Still scarred but I last longer Lost a lot but I found me Pain didn’t drown me I stood firm when the ground shook Every loss was a hard look Still here, still breathing Yeah, the pressure made me Outro (spoken) I ain’t perfect But I’m present And that’s what separates boys from men

Storm Inside My Heart