Out the projects

We came from where the lights flicker and hope is rare...

But I saw more than the bricks and the sirens.

This one’s for the ones who made it —

Or still fightin’ to.

Woke up to gunshots, sirens for lullabies,

Dreams get murdered before they get to rise.

Single mama workin' doubles, food stamps thin,

Cracked windows let the cold and the pain in.

Roaches in the corners, bills past due,

Had hand-me-down hope, barely made it through.

Friends got trapped in a system designed,

Either do time… or end up outlined.

But I had vision through the smoke and pain,

Saw myself break free from the chain.

Notebook full of verses, head full of fire,

Swore to God I’d climb outta the wire.

I got out the projects, scars and all,

No silver spoon, just grit and brawl.

They said we’d die there — nah, I evolved,

Now I’m out the cage, problems get solved.

I came from the struggle, rose from the cracks,

Now I never look back — only facts.

From the dark to the light, pain to the checks,

Out the projects — now I earn respect.

Used to sell candy just to get some shoes,

Now I own the store, changed up the rules.

Cut ties with the ones who ain’t want me to win,

‘Cause dead weight sink boats from within.

They laughed when I said I’d go legit,

Now I’m CEO — that’s real, no skit.

Put my pain in the pen, truth in the track,

Turned “You won’t” into “Look who’s back.”

I seen dreams buried in the concrete floor,

But mine grew roots and broke through the core.

Took the blocks they threw, built me a throne,

Now I send checks back to the hood I own.

I got out the projects, no cosign,

Just hunger and hustle, heart and grind.

They counted me out, but I broke that mold,

Now the story of the ghetto just got retold.

From the gutter to the stage, pain to a page,

Made it out the system, made it off the cage.

Still got love for the block, showin’ respect,

But I’m proof you can rise, never forget.

I didn’t make it out to forget where I came from…

I made it out to show what’s possible.

If you stuck in the mud, keep fightin’.

The project’s the start — not the end.