[Verse 1]
I came up on cracked steps
and lunch line math
Two dollars in my palm
had to make it last
Old bus pass bent
in my back pocket flap
Mom said, keep your head up
I kept that strapped
Not with steel
with focus and nerve
Watching who talk big
then fold in the curve
I learned real quick
who was all bark
Some folks shine bright
then they gone in the dark
I stay low
but my name stay ringing
Cold day grind
got my chest still singing
[Pre-Chorus]
Count my wins
on one hand
Every scar
made a plan
I been broke
I been blessed
Now I move
with a chessboard chest
[Chorus]
Sidewalk chess
I make my next move
Sidewalk chess
You can’t break my groove
Sidewalk chess
I stay two steps ahead
Sidewalk chess
I get my bread (get my bread)
[Verse 2]
Corner store light
on a paper bag night
New kicks got scuffs
but my aim stayed right
I saw fake love
in a gold grin
Seen the same ones switch
when the rent came in
So I cut clean
like a blade through cord
Less talk, more work
That’s my law and order
I stack small meals
turn crumbs to a plate
Every setback taught me
how to build my weight
Now the phone ring loud
when the money move
Funny how they found me
when the numbers grew
I don’t chase no crown
I just plant my feet
Every block I touched
got a pulse, got heat
[Pre-Chorus]
Count my wins
on one hand
Every scar
made a plan
I been broke
I been blessed
Now I move
with a chessboard chest
[Chorus]
Sidewalk chess
I make my next move
Sidewalk chess
You can’t break my groove
Sidewalk chess
I stay two steps ahead
Sidewalk chess
I get my bread (get my bread)
[Bridge]
If the table shakes
I don’t fold
I got hardwired calm
and a story told
From the first deep cut
to the last cold rain
I turned pressure into power
turned loss into gain
[Chorus]
Sidewalk chess
I make my next move
Sidewalk chess
You can’t break my groove
Sidewalk chess
I stay two steps ahead
Sidewalk chess
I get my bread (get my bread)