[Intro] Way down we go To the rhythm we play We rap this song (we are Akuma) [Verse 1] Chrome frame, sunset in the rear Tattoo ink, old scars, new year Koto ring out, cold wind in my ear Turn the page, but the ink stay here West side, waves hit the pier, that salt OGs talk slow, speak on faults Shamisen slash through the smog like chalk Outline dreams on the concrete walk I was broke, ramen on the stove Loose change, long nights, same clothes Now I carve my name where the stream flow red Every bar like prayer for the unfed Mama lit incense, smoke in the hall Said, “Honor your name or the name will fall” Devils in the gutter but they move like kin So I learned every shadow where the light too thin [Chorus] Way down we go To the rhythm we play We rap this song (we are Akuma, hey) Way down we go Where the lost still pray We rap this song (we are Akuma) [Verse 2] Hichiriki cry in the back, that pain Sound like ghosts in the cold night rain Piano one note, heart in my throat Acoustic string hum while I sharpen my quotes I remember cheap shoes, split seams Staring at the rich kids, split dreams Teacher said “quiet”, I drew whole scenes Samurai mask over cracked blue jeans Now the crowd chant loud when I slide on stage Old heads nod, hear the hunger, the rage But I bow to the ones that were left in the cage Name ‘em line by line like I’m turning a page Akuma in the mirror but my eyes stay kind Devil in the stance but I still seek mind If I fall, let the echo write me in stone Every verse thick blood, every cut full-grown [Chorus] Way down we go To the rhythm we play We rap this song (we are Akuma, yeah) Way down we go Where the lost still pray We rap this song (we are Akuma) [Bridge] Step for the kids in the back row Step for the friends that we can’t phone Step for the ones in the ground now Hands up high, say their names out loud Way down we go, but we rise on the beat Dust on the tongue, hope under our feet If the world turn cold, we still burn slow Akuma in the heart, West side in the soul [Chorus] Way down we go To the rhythm we play We rap this song (we are Akuma, hey) Way down we go Where the lost still pray We rap this song (we are Akuma)

rap, Hard 80s West Coast boom-bap with Japanese traditional textures; koto and shamisen riffs ride over dusty, swung drums, hichiriki lines for eerie hooks. Male vocals, dry and upfront in the verses; chorus drenched in reverb and echo. Occasional glitch stutters on turnarounds, warm acoustic guitar and piano chords drop in for contrast, with short solo fills between sections. Big, head-nod knock and a gritty, cinematic energy arc.

Way Down We Go Akuma