[Intro – Erika] I’m not the side character. I’m the reason plans work. If I wasn’t here, y’all would still be stuck at step one. [Verse 1] Everybody underestimate ‘cause I’m small and I’m young, But I see ten steps ahead while you load up a gun. I don’t panic, I don’t fold, I don’t scream when it’s loud, I just look at the room like, “Yeah… I run this now.” You need codes? I crack ‘em. Need brains? I got ‘em. Need courage under pressure? I don’t even stop talkin’. I watched grown men freeze when the lights went red, I was already movin’ while they shook instead. I don’t believe in luck, I believe in leverage, Every move calculated, every risk measured. You call it bossy — I call it control, Someone gotta think while the world goes cold. [Hook] Know your place — yeah, I know mine, Not in the back, I’m ahead of the line. Brains over fear, I don’t wait, I decide, When things get messy, I’m the calm in the fire. Know your place — don’t test my tone, I don’t need permission, I move on my own. You might be brave, you might be strong, But without me here? Yeah, the plan gone wrong. [Verse 2] Lucas stressin’, thinkin’ he gotta choose sides, I told him loyalty ain’t loud — it’s who still rides. I see fear in people when the truth get near, They’d rather blame stories than face what’s here. I don’t flinch at monsters, I flinch at lies, At grown-ups talkin’ big but never doin’ right. They say kids should listen — nah, kids should learn, Half the mess in Hawkins from lessons unearned. I don’t swing bats, I don’t throw fists, I drop logic bombs and the room goes stiff. When the pressure hits, everybody look lost, I’m already speakin’ like, “Here’s the cost.” [Hook] Know your place — yeah, I know mine, Not in the shadow, I’m ahead of the sign. Brains over fear, I don’t freeze, I reply, When chaos start talkin’, I talk back precise. Know your place — I don’t beg, I don’t plead, I don’t need loud courage, I got quiet belief. You might be bold, you might be strong, But without my mind? Yeah, the mission gone wrong. [Verse 3] They think confidence loud — mine cut clean, Every word hit sharp, every thought pristine. I don’t need monsters to prove I’m brave, I walk through danger like it’s just another day. I’m not impressed by power, I’m impressed by sense, Who keeps movin’ when the outcome tense. I don’t chase respect — I command the room, Soon as I speak, everybody assume. I don’t need a bike, a bat, or a gun, Just five seconds alone and the problem done. So when history written and the truth get placed, Remember who solved it while y’all lost pace. [Outro – Erika] I know my place. Do you?

Know Your Place (Erica Sinclair)