Lyrics
[verse1 ]
Nike Cortez, soles worn down to the thread
Momma workin' two jobs just to keep us fed
Empty fridge, ramen on the stove, broke bread
Pops gone, left a void, filled it with lead
Street lights flicker, shadows playin' on the wall
No father figure, so I learned to stand tall
Boys in the hood, dodgin’ shots, tryna ball
Dreams of Escalades, but I walked past 'em all
[verse 2]
But I kept my head high, pockets full of hope
Strugglin' to survive, barely learnin' to cope
Late nights, scribblin' rhymes in a notebook
Expressin’ anger, stress, how my soul shook
But the pen became a sword, my only way out
Turned the pain into verses, never filled with doubt
[pre-chorus]
Against the demons, against the system
Every verse a weapon, every line a mission
[Chorus]
I was hungry, I was lonely, but I found my way
Runnin' through Compton streets, tryna seize the day
Poverty was my cage, but I broke those bars
Now I’m ridin’ in Benzes, countin’ stars
No more pain, no more rain, just the sunshine
But I remember the struggle, it's still in my mind
From the gutters, from the grime, to the top I climbed
Now it’s Prada on my feet, but I’m still on the grind
[Bridge]
I was hungry, I was lonely, but I found my way
Runnin' through Compton streets, tryna seize the day
[Verse 3]
Felt the weight of the world, heavy on my chest
Had to be the man, couldn’t settle for less
Fast-forward, now I’m rockin’ Off-White and Raf Simons
Came from nothin’, now I’m countin' digits, livin'
But I’m haunted by the ghosts of the nights we starved
Now it’s caviar dreams, but I’m still scarred
[Verse 4]
Prayed for peace, but the streets took my friends
Saw the life drain out, where does it end?
But I rose, like a phoenix from the flames
Channelin’ my rage, turned it into fame
Now they scream my name, but the pain’s still there
In every verse, in every breath of air
Compton’s in my veins, can’t erase my past
But I smile now, knowing I made it at last
[Chorus]
I was hungry, I was lonely, but I found my way
Runnin' through Compton streets, tryna seize the day
Poverty was my cage, but I broke those bars
Now I’m ridin’ in Benzes, countin’ stars
No more pain, no more rain, just the sunshine
But I remember the struggle, it's still in my mind
[Outro]
I was hungry, I was lonely, but I found my way
Runnin' through Compton streets, tryna seize the day
