[Verse 1] Woke up to dishes in the sink Past due letters by the door Mama said "baby, chase your dreams" But the rent still wants more Scrolling through everyone winning I’m in my work shirt, smelling like fry oil Trying to pray, but my mind keep spinning Heart heavy, still moving through the turmoil [Chorus] I’ve been growing through the growing pains Watering my roots in the middle of the rain I don’t got it all, but I’m finding what remains Turning every loss into something I can claim If the road bends, I bend, I don’t break Every little scar taught me what’s at stake Searching for a purpose in the mess I make I’m still here, still here, still awake (oh yeah) [Verse 2] Therapy once a week on Zoom Talk about anger I buried too soon Father’s voice echo in an empty room “Be a man” while I learned to make space for my gloom Friends posting flights, I’m posting shifts Late night bus rides, pocket full of tips But I’m rich in the moments that quietly lift Like my niece drawing hearts on my name tag slip [Chorus] I’ve been growing through the growing pains Watering my roots in the middle of the rain I don’t got it all, but I’m finding what remains Turning every loss into something I can claim If the road bends, I bend, I don’t break Every little scar taught me what’s at stake Searching for a purpose in the mess I make I’m still here, still here, still awake (still awake) [Bridge] One step, then another, I learn Some bridges you cross, some you watch burn Faith ain’t a feeling, it’s the choice to return To the person you promised you’d be [Chorus] I’ve been growing through the growing pains Watering my roots in the middle of the rain I don’t got it all, but I’m finding what remains Turning every loss into something I can claim If the road bends, I bend, I don’t break Every little scar taught me what’s at stake Searching for a purpose in the mess I make I’m still here, still here, still awake (yeah, still awake)

rap, Dusty soul sample over warm, swung drums and deep bass, male vocals. Intimate, close-mic verses with subtle Rhodes chords and muted guitar fills; hook blossoms with stacked harmonies and gentle choir pads. Energy rises from hushed confessional to chest-open, head-nod lift in the chorus, then settles back into a reflective pocket. Tasteful tape saturation and roomy reverb on snares for a lived-in, late-night feel., smooth, warm, emotional, beats, hip-hop, soulful

Roots In The Mirror