[Intro] Dark piano, 808s building
Yeah…
South side…
Listen…
Ayy…
Life ain’t give me shit, I had to take what’s mine.
This ain’t just bars… this is survival.
[Verse 1]
Born down south, little yout, smile on my face,
Happy as Larry, didn’t know life changed pace.
Mum dipped out when I was only five,
Left Dad holding both roles, just trying to survive.
Then nine came round, man life got dark,
suffered with had a stroke, left a permanent mark.
School said “You’ll be alright,” I just nodded and grinned,
Pain in my chest but I buried it within.
Ten years passed, now I’m grown with scars,
Dad turned angry, throwing fists instead of cards.
Couldn’t stay trapped in that toxic block,
Grabbed my bag, shut the door, left the whole lot shocked.
[Pre-Chorus]
‘Cause every scar made a soldier, every loss made a king… Yeah
When life kept swinging, I still stepped in the ring… Come on
Thought I’d never see the light again… Nah
But every chapter got me here in the end.
[Chorus]
Walked it off with a smile though it cut so deep, Yeah
Couldn’t let the demons see a brother weak. Nah
They can judge my past but they don’t know my name,
Every bruise, every scar put respect on my lane.
Walked it off… yeah, I carried that weight. Woo
Could’ve folded under pressure, that’s the twist of fate.
[Verse 2]
Packed my bags, moved to London chasing better days,
Found the wrong crowd, got addicted to the chase.
Croydon name had man running white and green,
Phone never stopped, living every trappers dream.
County lines trips, trains, motors, late nights,
Blue lights flashing but we vanished outta sight.
Cash came fast, every weekend champagne,
Ten-ten gyal in the section screaming my name.
Thought I had it all but that life comes due,
Every brother round me either snitched or flew.
Had to ask myself, “Is this really who I am?”
Or am I just another lost kid chasing the bag?
So I bounced up north with my head held high,
Left the roads behind, let the old me die.
Then I met my Mrs, swear she changed my view,
First time in years I believed love was true.
[Chorus]
Walked it off with a smile though it cut so deep… Yeah
Couldn’t let the demons see a brother weak. Nah
They can judge my past but they don’t know my name,
Every bruise, every scar put respect on my lane.
Walked it off… yeah, I carried that weight. Woo
Could’ve folded under pressure, that’s the twist of fate.
[Bridge-Female vocal — airy, emotional]
“Ooooooh… don’t let go…
You found your way… you’re finally home
Yeah…
No more sirens
No more running
Built from the pain
Still fucking comin
[Outro]
This ain’t a gang story…
It’s a survival path.
South side made me…
London tested my heart.
The north rebuilt me…
She gave me a brand-new start.
A real man’s not judged by the roads he chose,
He’s judged by the strength when he finally goes.
No chains on my soul, no weight on my chest,
I buried the old me and gave life my best.
So if you’re asking how I made it through hell…
I walked it off with a smile…
And I lived to tell.
J9.
