Title: “I Know Better”

Title: “I Know Better” [Intro – soulful, reflective] Yeah… I talk like I’m steady, like I’m walking in light But I know where I’m hiding when I turn off the lights [Verse 1 – rap] I been telling myself that I’m fine where I’m at That I’m building “in silence,” just relaxing, that’s that Saying patience is power, that I’m playing it smart But procrastination been renting space in my heart I know I got gifts, I can see it too clear Every time I show a glimpse, they like, “Bro, that’s your year” I move like it’s nothing, like it’s regular flow But I studied this pain, I rehearsed every blow Trophies on the shelf still shining in dust Proof I had fire, proof I had trust I made people smile, I made rooms feel warm Had the weight on my shoulders but I carried it calm Now I’m telling myself that I’m “choosing my pace” But I know deep inside I’m just scared of the race ‘Cause if I really try and I don’t become great Then there’s nowhere to hide, I got nothing to blame [Pre-Chorus – melodic] I say I’m good, I say I’m cool alone I built a kingdom out of a silent phone I say I’m focused, I say I’m free But the only one I’m fooling is me [Chorus – soulful hook] I know better, I know better I was built for more than settling I know better, I know better I can feel it in my skeleton I been dimming my light just to fit the room But I was born with a different bloom I know better, yeah I know I could shake the world if I let me go [Verse 2 – rap] They don’t see the hunger ‘cause I hide it well I mastered being humble like a guarded shell Play the background role, let the loud ones speak While I’m ten steps ahead every time we meet I could read the room from the corner chair See the flaws in the system, see the fear in the air And I act like I’m average, like I blend, I comply But I peep every move with a strategist eye I’ve been better than good, I just never was loud Never needed applause, never chased the crowd But there’s a line between peace and playing it small And I crossed it smiling, saying nothing at all Yeah, I’m great on my own, I can sit in my space I don’t need validation, I don’t beg for a place But isolation can turn to a cage When you’re fully aware you’re under-using your range [Bridge – emotional, sung] I remember the nights I was lifting gold Every win felt heavy, every dream felt bold I remember the faces when I changed their day How a word from my mouth made the dark fade away I’m still that kid with the fire inside Just buried it deep where the doubts reside But I feel it knock every time I stall Like, “You weren’t born just to almost ball.” [Verse 3 – rap, more determined] I ain’t broken, I’m cautious I ain’t lazy, just lost in The comfort of knowing I could dominate Without ever showing what I truly create That’s a dangerous game when you gifted like this ‘Cause potential don’t fade, it persists It whispers at night, it don’t let you sleep Like, “You promised the world you would run it, not creep.” So I’m done making peace with less Done dressing up fear like “I’m just not pressed” I can own my flaws and still claim my throne Self-aware king rebuilding his zone [Final Chorus – bigger, powerful] I know better, I know better I was built for more than settling I know better, I know better I can feel it in my skeleton No more hiding the edge I got No more playing like I forgot I know better, yeah I know I could shake the world… [Outro – spoken/soft] And the crazy thing? I’ve known it all along. I’m not lost. I’m loading.