[Intro]
One brick
One step
One sweat drop
One bet (yeah)
[Verse 1]
Started with a room and a mattress on the floor
Writing in the dark, I was plotting on more
Mom saying "baby, keep your head up sure"
Landlord knocking, I was locking that door
Coupons in the drawer, bills in a pile
Heart getting heavy but I still crack a smile
Dreams in the notebook, coffee and a rhyme
Stacking up the minutes 'cause I’m running outta time
[Chorus]
One brick, my empire (my empire)
Lay it down, take it higher (take it higher)
From the mud to the sky, I swear
I put my whole life in this right here
One brick, my empire (my empire)
Each scar, each prayer, each fire
If they ask how I got up here
Tell ’em one brick, one year, no fear (no fear)
[Verse 2]
Cousin in the system, friend in the ground
Pressure in my chest but I still hold it down
Voices in my head say "boy, slow down"
Voices in my blood say "king, wear the crown"
Long days, little pay, still I stay on it
Turn pain into paint, every stain on it
They laugh at the start, now they watch from the side
Building while they talk, that’s the difference in the grind
[Chorus]
One brick, my empire (my empire)
Lay it down, take it higher (take it higher)
From the mud to the sky, I swear
I put my whole life in this right here
One brick, my empire (my empire)
Each scar, each prayer, each fire
If they ask how I got up here
Tell ’em one brick, one year, no fear (no fear)
[Bridge]
[Beat drops to bass and clap]
Who gon’ build it for you? (nobody)
Who gon’ bleed it for you? (nobody)
If they never saw the struggle
They can’t tell you what’s glory
One brick in the rain, that’s faith
One brick when you ache, that’s faith
Look back, whole castle in place
All from one, from one
[Chorus]
One brick, my empire (my empire)
Lay it down, take it higher (take it higher)
From the mud to the sky, I swear
I put my whole life in this right here
One brick, my empire (my empire)
Each scar, each prayer, each fire
If they ask how I got up here
Tell ’em one brick, one year, no fear (no fear)