(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
601_kenjaku
