

Prompt / Lyrics
Intro Yeah… They told us fit the mold, stay in line I learned early — molds break when pressure applied ⸻ Hook We don’t follow paths, we pave ‘em with scars They wait for the wave, we are the wave they start Never joined the standard, that was never the plan If the crown don’t exist, we build one by hand They copy the image, but never the pain Roots in the dirt, now we rise in the reign They ask how we made it, we stayed the same Didn’t join the standard — became the standard ⸻ Verse 1 I come from nights where the lights went out Where hope was quiet but doubt spoke loud No silver spoon, just a chipped old plate Learned patience starving, learned hustle late They said “play safe,” I said “play real” Can’t fake hunger, can’t teach will Every loss left ink in my skin Every scar just proof I lived I watched comfort make cowards freeze Watched pressure turn boys to kings They needed permission, I needed belief Different cloth, different weave ⸻ Hook We don’t follow paths, we pave ‘em with scars They wait for the wave, we are the wave they start Never joined the standard, that was never the plan If the crown don’t exist, we build one by hand They copy the image, but never the pain Roots in the dirt, now we rise in the reign They ask how we made it, we stayed the same Didn’t join the standard — became the standard ⸻ Verse 2 They blend in, I stand out on purpose Built this voice when I had no service No handouts, no favors called Just faith, grind, and a stubborn soul I seen trends die every season Seen legends last for a reason They move when it’s safe and easy I moved when it made no sense They wanted comfort, I wanted truth Wanted legacy, not a moment of proof Every brick laid when nobody clapped Now they quote the words they laughed at ⸻ Bridge (Melodic / Half-Time) I was shaped by the nights I survived By the tears I swallowed to stay alive They fit the frame, I broke the design Roots made deep, now the crown aligned ⸻ Verse 3 This ain’t rebellion, it’s self-respect I don’t need approval to self-reflect If I bow to norms, I lose my spine If I stand alone, I gain my time I built my lane from gravel and doubt Now the world tryna merge my route They ask for keys to doors I bled through You want the view, take the climb too ⸻ Final Hook (Stripped → Full) We don’t follow paths, we pave ‘em with scars They wait for the wave, we are the wave they start Never joined the standard, that was never the plan If the crown don’t exist, we build one by hand Roots in the dirt, soul in the flame Name still pure, never switched for fame They ask how we made it, we stayed the same Didn’t join the standard — became the standard ⸻ Outro Yeah… Standards expire. Roots don’t. Reigns don’t. We didn’t fit in — we set it. Set the standard, become the standard Don’t just follow other peoples plans because it feels safe. Face the danger, become the danger…
Tags
74 bpm, southern hip hop, melodic rap, Gritty, confident, ancestral
3:14
No
1/20/2026