[Verse 1 – rap/melodic]
I been down in the gutter, lost in my pain,
Addictions on my back, runnin’ wild in my brain.
Did dirt in the night, couldn’t face the day,
Carried all my demons, but they led the way.
Had to crash to the bottom just to see who I am,
Now I’m climbin’ from the ashes with a brand-new plan.
The past don’t define me, it just taught me the fight,
Every wrong turn I made still brought me to the light.
[Hook – sung/rap blend]
I know the bad I did, the battles that I fought,
But I ain’t that man no more, I’ve been reborn in thought.
On the right path now, watch me see it through,
Chasin’ restaurant dreams, bein’ better for my crew.
I’ll be the brother, be the son, that they always knew,
Make amends with my soul, and I’ll prove it’s true.
[Verse 2 – rap with melodic phrases]
Every pill, every bottle, yeah, it broke me down,
But it also built the hunger that I’m holdin’ now.
I got fire in my chest, vision sharp in my head,
For the plates, for the people, for the life I’ve bled.
Gonna stack up the recipes like bricks on stone,
Turn the pain into flavor, make a name of my own.
Can’t erase what I did, but I can rewrite today,
Leave the scars as reminders, but I’ll find my way.
[Hook – sung/rap blend]
I know the bad I did, the battles that I fought,
But I ain’t that man no more, I’ve been reborn in thought.
On the right path now, watch me see it through,
Chasin’ restaurant dreams, bein’ better for my crew.
I’ll be the brother, be the son, that they always knew,
Make amends with my soul, and I’ll prove it’s true.
[Verse 3 – emotional rap, melodic lift at end]
To my sisters and my fam, I’m sorry for the years,
When I closed off my heart, left you drownin’ in tears.
But I’m here now, stronger, with my hands held high,
No more runnin’ from the truth, no more livin’ a lie.
I’m blessed for that day in the dishpit, met the one,
Who stayed by my side when the dark days spun.
You helped me grow, kept me movin’ in line,
Pointed me to the future, said that dream could be mine.
I’ma cook up redemption, plate it hot, serve it clean,
Turn my pain into art, make the vision seen.
[Hook – final, layered harmonies]
I know the bad I did, the battles that I fought,
But I ain’t that man no more, I’ve been reborn in thought.
On the right path now, watch me see it through,
Chasin’ restaurant dreams, bein’ better for my crew.
I’ll be the brother, be the son, that they always knew,
Make amends with my soul, and I’ll prove it’s true.
[Outro – melodic, fading]
From the dishpit to the dream, you the reason I shine,
Kept me grounded, kept me strong, kept me walkin’ in line.
All that pain, all those nights, they just shaped me too…
Kanzo on the rise, watch me see it through.