Five Years in the Rearview

[Verse 1]
1% patch on the leather, that’s family
Pagan on the back, that’s blasphemy to ’em, but it’s sanity
Quarter brick, half brick, we were tryna stack a canopy
Whole hood talkin’ like we vanity, they mad at me
Coke dust on the scale, fingerprints on the Pyrex
Mama think I’m at work, really I’m duckin’ side bets
Me and bro drive circles round the narcs on side streets
Still hear that judge in my head talkin’ ’bout my time sheet
Five years hangin’ on my neck like a pendant
Public defender lookin’ at me like, “You did it, just admit it”
I ain’t fold, but the fear hit different in them hallways
Concrete cold, I been livin’ like it’s always
[Chorus]
Lookin’ at five years in the rearview
State time in my blinds when I clear through
Me and my brother, we bled for a breakthrough
Hustle so hard that the law wanna claim you
We made a name off the late-night runs
Dirty hands, heavy heart, that’s the weight of these funds
If they lock me, tell the hood I ain’t change none
Coke money made me, but it might take what I’ve done
[Verse 2]
Phone tap paranoia, talkin’ in abbreviations
Whole block sick, everybody need a mediation
Bro said, “One more turn, we can exit this rotation”
Same night sirens sang, felt the walls vibratin’
I seen homies turn state for a steak and a handshake
Seen lifers in they 20s off one bad intake
Gang ink, cold drink, tryin’ not to overthink
Lawyer said “plea,” heart sank in the kitchen sink
Mama prayin’ candles down to the wick stub
I’m in a Crown Vic, cuffed, smellin’ steel and sick gloves
If I go down, keep my cutty on the payroll
Tell my little nephew this the price of them pesos
[Chorus]
Lookin’ at five years in the rearview
State time in my blinds when I clear through
Me and my brother, we bled for a breakthrough
Hustle so hard that the law wanna claim you
We made a name off the late-night runs
Dirty hands, heavy heart, that’s the weight of these funds
If they lock me, tell the hood I ain’t change none
Coke money made me, but it might take what I’ve done
[Bridge]
Is it worth this badge on the vest, all this pressure on my chest (yeah)
All this cash in the dresser can’t buy back rest
Judge read numbers, I just stare at the floor
Swear I hear that gavel every time I close doors
[Chorus]
Lookin’ at five years in the rearview
State time in my blinds when I clear through
Me and my brother, we bled for a breakthrough
Hustle so hard that the law wanna claim you
We made a name off the late-night runs
Dirty hands, heavy heart, that’s the weight of these funds
If they lock me, tell the hood I ain’t change none
Coke money made me, but it might take what I’ve done

rap, Dark, cinematic gangsta rap with heavy West Coast percussion, menacing subs, and eerie synth pads. Verses ride a mid-tempo pocket, close-mic male vocals, raw and conversational. Hook explodes with layered chants and shouted ad-libs. Occasional chopped vocal stabs between lines; mix feels claustrophobic, like late-night car rides past county lockup.