Family Business Or Nah

[Intro]
Mama in the kitchen
Uncle in the yard
Whispers at the table
“Girl, you think too hard”
[Verse 1]
He got dice scars on his knuckles
But he kiss me on the forehead soft
Talk big plans in the driveway
But the gas tank always coughs
He say, “Ride for me, baby
We gon’ own the whole block soon”
But the rent late, phone off
And he still say, “Trust me, it’s a phase, boo”
Other one sip slow, talk quiet
Collar all crisp, watch gleam
He speak stocks like a second language
Buy me flowers for no reason, it seems
But his laugh sound foreign at dinner
And he never really get my jokes
He don’t know what it mean
When my auntie start talkin’ in code
[Chorus]
Am I chasin’ a promise or a past due?
Family oath or a clean white room?
Broke man ridin’ on a big dream
Rich man slidin’ in a black coupe
Do I sign my heart to the family business
Or tear the contract in two?
Don’t know what to pick and choose
(Is it love or the rules?)
Family business or nah?
[Verse 2]
Granddad framed on the mantle
Sharp suit, eyes like mine
They say he built this whole side of town
Off hustle and quiet crime
Cousin say, “Stick with your people
Ain’t nobody else gon’ bleed for you”
But I’m tired of countin’ coins in the couch
Prayin’ that the lights pull through
One hand got dice in his palm
Other hand reaching for pearls
One speak my slang in the dark
One introduce me to a new world
Mama say, “Baby, don’t shame us
Bring a man that respect this name”
But my heart keep switchin’ lanes
And I’m scared they gon’ say I changed
[Chorus]
Am I chasin’ a promise or a past due?
Family oath or a clean white room?
Broke man ridin’ on a big dream
Rich man slidin’ in a black coupe
Do I sign my heart to the family business
Or tear the contract in two?
Don’t know what to pick and choose
(Is it love or the rules?)
Family business or nah?
[Bridge]
[beat drops to low keys and strings]
Cards on the table
Who shuffle, who deal?
If I follow tradition
Do I ever get to heal?
If I step out of line
Will they cut me from the will?
If I stay in my lane
Will I ever feel real?
[Chorus]
Am I chasin’ a promise or a past due?
Family oath or a clean white room?
Broke man ridin’ on a big dream
Rich man slidin’ in a black coupe
Do I sign my heart to the family business
Or tear the contract in two?
Don’t know what to pick and choose
(Is it love or the rules?)
Family business or nah?

rap, Moody R&B-trap hybrid with female vocals; sparse piano stabs over dark, cinematic strings and a slow, swinging drum groove. Verses stay intimate and conversational with close-mic vocal and subtle ad-lib doubles; hook opens into a wider, chant-like melody with stacked harmonies and a pulsing bass swell that hints at a mafia-film score. Occasional orchestral hits accent the “family business” lines, beat drops for half a bar before the last hook for drama, then returns heavier for the outro., rich, r&b