[Intro – Soft, emotional]
Yeah…
Look…
Mama did her best, I can’t lie ‘bout that
But it’s some things a boy learn… he gotta find on his own
[Verse 1 – Rap]
Single mom crib, late nights, lights low
Heard her cry quiet, but she never let it show
Food on the table, even when it got tight
She was playin’ both roles, I was watchin’ every night
No pops in the picture, just stories I ain’t trust
Tryna build a man outta pain and outta dust
Learned how to hustle, but I ain’t learn love
Ain’t nobody teach me how to open up
Had to be tough, couldn’t break, couldn’t fold
Carried grown weight with a young man soul
Anger in my chest, I ain’t know where to aim it
Tryna be a man but I don’t know what “man” is
[Pre-Chorus – Melodic]
Mama told me, “Baby, just be better than before”
But how I’m ‘posed to lead if I ain’t seen it before?
I been searchin’ for a blueprint in the dark
Tryna build myself but I’m missin’ key parts
[Chorus – R&B, emotional + catchy]
Mama raised me, yeah she gave me everything
But I’m still out here tryna find the man in me
No direction, just pressure on my soul
Tryna fill a gap that I never really know
I been lost, I been fightin’ who I am
Lookin’ for a father in the mirror when I stand
Mama raised me, I’m forever her seed
But I’m still tryna learn what a man’s supposed to be
[Verse 2 – Rap]
I learned respect, yeah she taught me how to treat ‘em right
But I ain’t learn how to love without a fight
Jealousy creepin’, insecurities loud
Tryna hold it all together but I’m breakin’ inside
I ain’t have nobody tell me “son, this is wrong”
So I learned from mistakes, now the guilt too strong
Tryna be a father, give my daughter what I missed
But I’m scared I might pass down the same emptiness
Lookin’ at my life like “damn, who am I?”
Just a boy turned man with unanswered whys
Tryna stand tall but I still feel small
Like I built these walls but they might just fall
[Pre-Chorus – Melodic]
Mama told me, “Baby, you gon’ find your way”
But I been feelin’ lost almost every day
I been searchin’ for a man I never knew
Now I’m tryna become him outta nothin’ but truth
[Chorus – R&B]
Mama raised me, yeah she gave me everything
But I’m still out here tryna find the man in me
No direction, just pressure on my soul
Tryna fill a gap that I never really know
I been lost, I been fightin’ who I am
Lookin’ for a father in the mirror when I stand
Mama raised me, I’m forever her seed
But I’m still tryna learn what a man’s supposed to be
[Bridge – Deep, stripped down]
And I don’t blame you, mama… no
You did what you could with what you had
I just wish I had a hand to show me how to stand
Now I’m teachin’ myself how to be a man
[Outro – Soft, reflective]
Yeah…
If I become him…
It’s ‘cause I built him
From scratch…
