Bus Fare in My Ashtray

[Verse 1]
Wake up, couch spring in my spine
Last clean shirt been dirty three times
Phone on 3%, rent on decline
Landlord knockin’ like “boy, you behind” (shit)
Mom call, askin’ how I been
I lie, say “fine,” while the fridge stay thin
Cup ramen, hot tap, that’s dinner
Scrollin’ on my phone like it make me a winner
Job apps, “sorry, we moved on”
Boss talk sweet, then he cut me at dawn
Half tank gas, quarter tank hope
Bus pass cracked, I’m still broke
[Chorus]
Everyday the same damn fight
Clock in, clock out, long cold nights (yeah)
Pockets on E, head full of rage
Tryna turn this struggle to a whole new page
I’m stuck in this broke-ass life
Bills in a stack, dreams on ice (fuck)
If the world got a line for pain
I’m first in the queue, just prayin’ it change
[Verse 2]
Buddy from school post brand new whip
I’m in a rust-bucket, duct tape grip
Seatbelt jammed, engine talk slick
Prayin’ it don’t die at the next red click
Minimum wage, maximum stress
Boss talk down like I’m less than the rest
Call me “kid,” I’m twenty-eight, man
Got a whole damn beard and a cut-up hand
Food stamps stretch, but they don’t stretch far
Split one smoke by the corner store bar
Drunk old dude say “life ain’t fair”
Like I ain’t taste that truth in the air
[Chorus]
Everyday the same damn fight
Clock in, clock out, long cold nights (yeah)
Pockets on E, head full of rage
Tryna turn this struggle to a whole new page
I’m stuck in this broke-ass life
Bills in a stack, dreams on ice (fuck)
If the world got a line for pain
I’m first in the queue, just prayin’ it change
[Bridge]
I’m tired of the shame I hide
Laugh it off, say I’m alright (I’m fine)
But I’m one bad break from breakin’ inside
One lost check from losin’ my mind
[Chorus]
Everyday the same damn fight
Clock in, clock out, long cold nights (yeah)
Pockets on E, head full of rage
Tryna turn this struggle to a whole new page
I’m stuck in this broke-ass life
Bills in a stack, dreams on ice (fuck)
If the world got a line for pain
I’m first in the queue, just prayin’ it change

rap, Gritty boom-bap beat with detuned piano loop, dusty drums, and thick, round bass; male vocals up-front, almost conversational in verses, then more aggressive and doubled on the hook. Occasional vinyl crackle and distant vocal chops fill space between lines. Hook hits with wider stereo ad-libs and subtle distortion on key words for extra bite.