Stardust Surveillance

[Intro]
Cameras in the ceiling
Red dots in the dark
They watching every footstep
Still can’t measure heart (nah)
[Verse 1]
Got a file, got a folder with my government
They rewind every rhyme like it's evidence
From the stairs in the projects to the precinct
I been dodging all they lenses, I’m a sequence
Cold glare from the cops in the Crown Vic
Hands shake on the pen but the mind slick
Ascend through the cracks in the pavement
Turn a stop-and-frisk to an awakening (yeah)
Hit the corner, see the ghost of my old self
Locked eyes with the boy on the broke shelf
Told him, “You ain’t just a number on a mugshot”
You the echo when the steel door unlocks
[Chorus]
I was caught up
In the glare, in the grid, under orders from the watchtower
Now I rise up
From the ash, from the bids, from the long, lonely hours
From the handcuffs straight to the stars, I’m lit
Surveillance on, they recording the shift
Rap god talk, every bar, every breath
Turn oblivion into one more step
[Verse 2]
Fast flow, that Fausto on the back block
Trade a little peace for the jackpot
Signed in blood, now the clause feel toxic
Every blessing got a shadow in the mosh pit
Midwest grind in my teeth, got the corn dust
East side edge in my speech, never worn plush
Hippie dream with a gangsta little outlook
Stardust on the sneaks where the chalk stood
Transcend past the task force and task list
Every charge that they draft, I redact it
If they tap this line, let ‘em hear hope
Every tap on the wire is a lifeboat (woo)
[Chorus]
I was caught up
In the glare, in the grid, under orders from the watchtower
Now I rise up
From the ash, from the bids, from the long, lonely hours
From the handcuffs straight to the stars, I’m lit
Surveillance on, they recording the shift
Rap god talk, every bar, every breath
Turn oblivion into one more step
[Bridge]
They tracked my walk
But they missed my soul
They logged my calls
But can’t cage this glow (nah)
From the back of the car to the back of the club
I was breaking those chains with a mouth full of mud
[Chorus]
I was caught up
In the glare, in the grid, under orders from the watchtower
Now I rise up
From the ash, from the bids, from the long, lonely hours
From the handcuffs straight to the stars, I’m lit (to the stars)
Surveillance on, they recording the shift (let ‘em record)
Rap god talk, every bar, every breath (every breath)
Strong ending:
I’m the file they can’t close, I’m the one left (yeah)

rap, Hard-edged East Coast / Midwest hybrid: dusty chopped sample over a fast, knocking drum pattern, deep bass stabs, male vocals. Verses spit double-time, tight and percussive; hook widens with shouted gang vocals and airy synth pad for “stardust” lift. Final chorus hits strongest with extra ad-libs and dropouts for a dramatic, victorious ending., strong, hardcore hip hop, east coast hip hop, hip hop