I came up on the block with a palm full of plans

Shoebox dreams, I was countin' my hands

Mama said, "Move smart, don't chase every spark"

So I learned how to stand when the room got dark

Now I got mud on my jeans but the fit still clean

Same old grin when I step on the scene

They want the sauce, want the code, want the name I keep

I just nod like, "Watch me," then I let it speak

Whole room lean when I walk in

Too many talk, I don't talk then

Built this slow, now it's locked in

Say my name, let the hook spin

Corner store crown, I wear it proud

Head high now, head high now

Corner store crown, say it out loud

Head high now, head high now

I made my way through the hard rain

Still here, still raw, still sane

Cold floor mornings, one light in the hall

Heard the landlord knock, carved my own hard call

Every loss left marks like a map on skin

Every scar got a story that I keep tucked in

Now the same kids watch when I talk that talk

Same old blocks but a new step walk

I don't front for the frame, I don't need that gloss

What I built with my hands ain't easy to toss

Whole room lean when I walk in

Too many talk, I don't talk then

Built this slow, now it's locked in

Say my name, let the hook spin

Corner store crown, I wear it proud

Head high now, head high now

Corner store crown, say it out loud

Head high now, head high now

I made my way through the hard rain

Still here, still raw, still sane

If they doubt me, let them

If they love me, bet then

I was made in the pressure

Made to carry it better

Corner store crown, I wear it proud

Head high now, head high now

Corner store crown, say it out loud

Head high now, head high now

I made my way through the hard rain

Still here, still raw, still sane

Corner store crown, I wear it proud

Head high now, head high now