Still Breathing

(Low-passed, vinyl crackle, drenched in reverb)

“Mm…

They don’t see the nights I fight just to stay alive…

Still breathin’, still bleed-in’…”

(Beat drops: slow, heavy kick, rimshot snare, deep 808)

Yeah,

I grew up with sirens singin’ lullabies

Mama stressin’, demons hid behind her tired eyes

Had to learn to smile when my heart cracked

Had to learn the streets, yeah, they taught that

I was broke, still rich in the pain though

Every loss left a scar I can’t paint over

They say “man up,” but they don’t feel this

Tryna act numb, but I’m way too real for it

I been drownin’ in thoughts I don’t mention

Pray to God but I question intentions

If success comes, will it heal the scars?

Or just put better lights on the dark?

I been holdin’ my breath for so long

Tryna be strong, but I’m bendin’

If I fall tonight, would you notice?

Or would I just fade in the ending?

I’m still breathin’, even when it hurts

Still dreamin’, even when it burns

I been fightin’ shadows in the dirt

Tryna prove my life had worth

I’m still standin’, barely on my feet

Heart so loud, but the world don’t speak

If I break, don’t let it be in vain

I’m still breathin’ through the pain

I got trust issues deeper than the bass line

Love fake smiles, everybody sayin’ “they fine”

I been givin’ pieces of my soul away

Now I’m lookin’ in the mirror like, “Who did I become today?”

I lost friends to the system and the cemetery

Same streets turn kings to obituaries

If I make it out, I’ma tell the truth

‘Cause the lies get old, yeah, the pain does too

I ain’t perfect, I’m scarred and I’m sinnin’

But I’m here, so I guess I’m winnin’

Every tear that I never showed

Turned into verses, turned into hope

I been walkin’ this road alone

Hear my doubts when the lights go low

If tomorrow ain’t promised to me

I just hope they remember my soul

I’m still breathin’, even when it hurts

Still dreamin’, even when it burns

I been fightin’ shadows in the dirt

Tryna prove my life had worth

I’m still standin’, barely on my feet

Heart so loud, but the world don’t speak

If I break, don’t let it be in vain

I’m still breathin’ through the pain

Don’t let me fade away

I been carryin’ too much weight

If you hear me, let me know

I’m more than what I show

(Beat drops out, then slowly comes back)

I’m still breathin’, hear my cry

Still reachin’ for a better life

If I fall, I’ll rise again

I won’t let this be the end

I’m still breathin’, scars and all

If I’m weak, I’ll still stand tall

Through the fire, through the rain

I’m still breathin’ through the pain

(Fading, distorted)

“Still breathin’…

Still here…”