

Prompt / Lyrics
[Verse 1] Steel door slam, chain on my waist Orange on my back, shame on my face Mama in the front row, hands on her mouth Judge say “years,” my heart headed south Letters from the block, ink full of lies “Bro, we up now” but I saw the eyes Half of ’em ghosts, half in a cell Halfway to heaven, halfway to hell [Chorus] From a gravel road to glory, I ain’t goin’ back (no way) Used to sleep with one eye open, duffel by the backdoor packed Now I’m chasin’ my kids in the backyard sun Used to run from the law, now I just run From the old me, from that cold me From the boy that thought that the street would hold me Gravel road to glory, I’m still scarred, but I’m free This time I’m who my babies need me to be [Verse 2] Came home thin, track marks fade Phone full of numbers that I can’t save Lil’ man taller, missed two grades Daughter won’t hug me, eyes look away Homie hit my line, say he got that pack Said “I’m on the porch, and I like it like that” Next week found out he ain’t wake up at all Black suit, white roses on a church house wall [Chorus] From a gravel road to glory, I ain’t goin’ back (nah) Used to hide my sins in a burnt-out shack Now I’m prayin’ on the tailgate, kids laughin’ loud Used to blend in with a crooked crowd From the old me, from that cold me From the boy that thought that the street would hold me Gravel road to glory, I’m still scarred, but I’m free This time I’m who my babies need me to be [Bridge] Got a face in the paper, still an open case Couple small towns where I can’t show my face But I got clean hands holdin’ little small hands If I gotta keep runnin’, I’ll be runnin’ with them [Chorus] From a gravel road to glory, I ain’t goin’ back (no way) Used to chase that high, now I chase their laugh If the past come knockin’, it can wait on the porch I’m inside readin’ bedtime, light from the porch From the old me, from that cold me (yeah) Laid that boy down by a roadside tree Gravel road to glory, it’s a long, rough ride But I finally picked my babies over my pride
Tags
rap, Gritty trap-country hybrid with male vocals; twangy slide guitar over dark, sparse 808 groove. Verses stay low and conversational with close-mic rasp; big, chantable hook opens up with stacked harmonies and roomy claps. Sub bass and muted banjo plucks in the pocket, then a bridge that strips to kick, snaps, and a cracked vocal before the final chorus hits harder, brighter, and hopeful., country
2:36
No
3/24/2026