Paradise in Compton

[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