Steel On My Side

[Intro]
Yeah
Mm
Walk with me
[Verse 1]
Mama said “baby, be careful”
I said “Mama, this world ain’t fairful”
Skin like mine get stared at
Blue lights flash, they don’t care back
Got pulled over, hands on the dash
Heart so loud felt ready to crash
They called backup, three more cars
For one Black man and a rusted Ford
I remember uncles on that porch
Talking ’bout names carved into church doors
Said “boy, this country love our songs
But hate our breath if we live too long”
So I keep calm but I stay aware
Every sideways look, every heavy stare
Trust getting thin like the soles on my shoes
So I pray, then I load, then I tie my shoes
[Chorus]
’Cause this steel on my side make me feel like I ain’t helpless
Got my hand on my hope when this world treat me like I’m worthless
I don’t trust this town, I don’t trust their calls to service
My guns make me feel safer than their empty Sunday verses
Yeah, my steel on my side, that’s my comfort in the chaos
In a world that see my color as a weapon when they weigh us
If they looking for a victim, tell ’em I ain’t on that playlist
My guns make me feel safer when this whole place feelin’ racist
[Verse 2]
Walk in the store, bell ding at the door
Eyes follow me like I’m ready for war
Clerk hand shaking on the silent alarm
I just wanted bread and some peanut butter jars
News on mute in the break room screen
Another man shot, looked a lot like me
They say “wrong place, wrong time”
Same script, same lines
So I did the paperwork, signed my name
Background check just to say I’m sane
Learned that safety like Scripture lines
Clean that barrel, clear your mind
I don’t wave it, I don’t boast
I just keep it where I reach the most
’Cause I seen what fear in their eyes can do
And I’m tired being target practice too
[Chorus]
’Cause this steel on my side make me feel like I ain’t helpless
Got my hand on my hope when this world treat me like I’m worthless
I don’t trust this town, I don’t trust their calls to service
My guns make me feel safer than their empty Sunday verses
Yeah, my steel on my side, that’s my comfort in the chaos
In a world that see my color as a weapon when they weigh us
If they looking for a victim, tell ’em I ain’t on that playlist
My guns make me feel safer when this whole place feelin’ racist
[Bridge]
I ain’t looking for a body count (nah)
I’m just trying to make it back to the house (that’s all)
Kiss my kids, wipe dust off boots
Count these blessings, guard these roots
If they fear my shadow on they lawn
I can’t sleep on faith alone
So I pray, then I lock that door
And I keep that metal by the drawer (yeah)
[Chorus]
’Cause this steel on my side make me feel like I ain’t helpless
Got my hand on my hope when this world treat me like I’m worthless
I don’t trust this town, I don’t trust their calls to service
My guns make me feel safer than their empty Sunday verses
Yeah, my steel on my side, that’s my comfort in the chaos
In a world that see my color as a weapon when they weigh us
If they looking for a victim, tell ’em I ain’t on that playlist
My guns make me feel safer when this whole place feelin’ racist

rap, Haunting Southern trap beat with swung drums, detuned organ, and deep 808 glide; male vocals half-spoken, half-sung. Verses stay intimate and close-mic'd, ad-libs tucked back; hook widens with stacked harmonies and a churchy pad, sub hitting harder on each chorus. Sparse guitar plucks in turnarounds, light tape saturation for grit., world