Clock In My Chest

[Verse 1]
Alarm on my phone
but the real one’s in my ribs
Heartbeat tapping out
every debt, every fib
Coffee on the counter
rent due, inbox red
I scroll through a highlight reel
with a knot in my head
Mama text “you good?”
I type “yeah” then erase
How I say I’m overwhelmed
in a three-inch space
Got dreams on layaway
and stress on my desk
Whole world in a race
I just jog, out of breath
[Chorus]
Got a clock in my chest
and it tick, tick, tick
Every plan that I planned
either stick or it slip
I’ve been late to myself
tryna chase that check
If I run outta time
who cash my regrets?
Got a clock in my chest
and it tick, tick, tick
Every fear that I fear
got a grip, won’t quit
I’ve been breaking my back
just to buy respect
But the seconds that I spend
I don’t get ‘em back (nah)
[Verse 2]
Boss say “we a family”
then cut staff by noon
We trade all our daylight
for a dark little room
Friends flex on a story
like they cracked some code
I just hope my little car
make it home down the road
Talk big on the way up
quiet on the way down
Who really gon’ pick you up
when you can’t fake proud?
I’m done tryna fit in
with a mask and a grin
If I don’t live as me
then the hustle don’t win
[Chorus]
Got a clock in my chest
and it tick, tick, tick
Every plan that I planned
either stick or it slip
I’ve been late to myself
tryna chase that check
If I run outta time
who cash my regrets?
Got a clock in my chest
and it tick, tick, tick
Every fear that I fear
got a grip, won’t quit
I’ve been breaking my back
just to buy respect
But the life that I want
I can build it yet (yeah)

rap, Sparse, moody boom-bap with a warped vinyl sample and tight, dry drums; male vocals up front and conversational. Verses start almost whispered, then build into a more urgent, double-time flow on the back half of each 8. Hook brings in a thicker bass, octave vocal doubles, and a subtle eerie pad to make the refrain feel wide and anthemic.