aesthetics

(Intro – Instrumental | soul sample, soft drums)

Yeah

They love the picture, never see the pain

Uh

(Verse 1)

They love the lighting, love the pose

Love the way it looks, never what it cost

Late nights tryna find some hope

While the world only clicks when you show the gloss

I been grinding in the background noise

Dreams louder than the doubts they talk

Everybody want the aesthetic

Nobody want the walk

Empty fridge, full of vision

Phone off, no permission

Missed calls from temptation

I been busy with submission

Sacrifices in the dark

So the future shines different

They see growth overnight

Never saw the years missing

(Pre-Chorus)

They want the frame, not the frame of mind

They want the shine, not the time it took

I lost friends tryna find myself

Still smiling for the way it look

(Chorus)

It’s the aesthetics

Gold chains, soft lights, false perception

They see wins, never see the lessons

Never see the prayers, never see depression

It’s the aesthetics

Perfect lives through cracked reflections

If you knew what I gave to get it

You’d respect it

(Instrumental Break – 4 bars | sample rides)

(Verse 2)

They post quotes about self-made kings

But fold quick when the pressure rise

I learned more from my failures

Than I ever did from my better times

Mama stress, rent due

Dreams heavy like they press you

I ain’t flexing for acceptance

I just want my roots protected

I been choosing peace over people

Silence over fake applause

Everybody love the outcome

But nobody love the cause

Seen talent die for comfort

Seen hunger turn to rage

I ain’t chasing likes no more

I’m tryna age with grace

(Pre-Chorus)

They want the stage, not the scars

They want the crown, not the doubt

If success was overnight

Why we bleeding on the route?

(Chorus)

It’s the aesthetics

Gold chains, soft lights, false perception

They see wins, never see the lessons

Never see the prayers, never see depression

It’s the aesthetics

Perfect lives through cracked reflections

If you knew what I gave to get it

You’d respect it

(Bridge – Spoken / Half-rap)

Everybody wanna look rich

Nobody wanna feel broke

Everybody wanna be heard

Nobody listen when you choke

I ain’t mad, I’m aware

That’s the cost of the dream

Just don’t judge the picture

If you don’t know what’s in between

(Final Chorus – fuller instrumentation)

It’s the aesthetics

I bled for this, I earned perspective

If I glow now, it’s selective

‘Cause I learned what to protect with

It’s the aesthetics

But the soul’s where the effort is

If you knew what I gave to get it

You’d respect it

(Outro – Instrumental fade | soul sample loops)

Yeah

Respect the process

Not just the picture