[Intro] Midnight on the dash, city breathing slow, Streetlights blinking like they know what I know. Tank on half, heart on full, mind racing ahead, Thinking ’bout the nights we ate hope instead of bread. Mama said, “Be patient, storms don’t last,” I didn’t understand till I lived in the past. Now I drive through memories, tires hum truth, Every mile behind me shaped my youth. [Verse 1] I grew up watching hunger argue with pride, Bills on the table, faith on our side. Friends talked big dreams, then vanished by fall, Left me learning early how to stand when you fall. I chose work over trouble, silence over noise, Learned quick that the streets don’t raise boys. First check felt heavy though the number was small, I didn’t buy shine, I paid rent to stand tall. Mistakes taught lessons I still carry today, Some scars ain’t visible but don’t fade away. I promised myself if I ever got free, I wouldn’t forget who I had to be. [Hook] I kept walking forward when the road felt thin, Lost a few friends but I found my wind. Every wrong turn wrote part of my name, Now I move with purpose, not chasing the fame. Hands steady now, vision wide, I don’t run from the truth, I ride with the ride. Still standing here, still holding my ground, Built from the quiet, not the sound. [Verse 2] First real love showed me how trust can bend, We wanted forever but didn’t know when. I chose my grind, she chose her peace, Some doors don’t slam, they slowly crease. Heart stayed heavy but the clock didn’t stop, Life don’t pause when the feelings drop. I learned growth sometimes comes with pain, Letting go hurts worse when you still remain. People judge from distance, never lived my days, They don’t know the cost of the choices I made. So I kept my circle tight, my words more few, When you walk alone, you hear what’s true. [Hook] I kept walking forward when the road felt thin, Lost a few friends but I found my wind. Every wrong turn wrote part of my name, Now I move with purpose, not chasing the fame. Hands steady now, vision wide, I don’t run from the truth, I ride with the ride. Still standing here, still holding my ground, Built from the quiet, not the sound. [Verse 3] Now the city looks different from where I stand, Same blocks, new weight in my hands. I don’t need revenge, I learned to release, Peace cost less than carrying beef. Mama smiles now when I walk through the door, That alone tells me what the struggle was for. I still grind daily, still pray at night, Success ain’t speed, it’s getting it right. If I leave a mark, let it be this truth: I stayed myself from my worst to my youth. I didn’t get lucky, I stayed awake, Turned every loss into something I could take. [Outro] Sunrise hits chrome, engine cools down slow, I park the past and let tomorrow go. Same man, new chapter, stronger frame, Different road now—but I earned my name.

Built From the Quiet