Raised by Mama

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Yeah…

If I become him…

It’s ‘cause I built him

From scratch…