HOOK (Choir-style, with layered harmonies & stomp/clap beat):
Shoutout to the ones who switched them lanes on me
Left me in the dark, but God kept His name on me
Wasn’t no love when I was stuck in them alleys
Now it’s self-worth over handouts in the valleys
I ain't even mad — rejection made me tough
Polished by the pressure, now I'm diamond in the rough
They spin back quick once the glow too bright
But I learned how to fight in the absence of light
VERSE 1
Guard my peace like 79th on a late night
Tried to dim my light, but I shine with divine might
Cooked my own plate, didn’t beg for no seat
Broke bread with real ones, now we feast in the street
Humble beginnings, I was raised by the ave
Heard sirens for lullabies, still learned how to laugh
Used to chase love like it owed me rent
Now I charge full price just to breathe in my scent
From 63rd to King, tables turned like wheels
No favors from the fake—I just climbed them hills
South Shore prayers, Roseland pain
Every NO was the echo that built my lane
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CHORUS (with Gospel choir + drums, organ build):
Pain don’t last when the South Side sings
We survive storms, we birth kings and queens
They only love you when your name in stone
But I was chosen by the block, not cloned
I move through the city like it owe me back
Empire built from scratch, no pity, just facts
Loyalty? Rare. I pick heart over hype
I’m that diamond they slept on—cut through spite
VERSE 2
Truth hit heavy like them church pew scars
Still I sing through the fire like I know who we are
Speak life in the cipher, hope in my verse
I don’t curse the pain—I just flip it in reverse
No shame in my shine, no fear in my walk
Every tear watered dreams they tried to chalk
Gave ‘em love with an open hand, got stabbed
Now I show grace, but I don’t double back
From Englewood to Bronzeville, I been that root
Grew through concrete with no silver spoon
If they ain't ride when I was broke with pride
They can't sit now while my angels slide
BRIDGE (melodic R&B/gospel fusion):
They ain't see the grind, only the glow
Wanna claim my peace, but never held my lows
Built in the dark, now I shine like dawn
South Side soldier with a crown from God
OUTRO (spoken word over choir and soft keys):
Diamonds on my soul, not just on my chain
Every NO I ever heard built up this name
From Rejection Row to Kingdom Flow
South Side raised me—now the whole world gon’ know
KalCityMusic