Masks & Shells

[Verse 1] Yo, I don't solve problems that don't exist, but listen— My childhood was a warzone, no provisions Everything I earned went straight to the kitchen Pops couldn't manage, so I made the decisions Little ones hungry? I'd reach in my stash Taught 'em to hide savings, make the pennies last Everyone wanted a piece when I had some cash Even fed politicians' kids—yeah, that's facts Now you know where their privilege comes from That casual flex, that nonchalant outcome While I'm scraping piggy banks with a table knife Others inheriting cars, living the easy life [Hook] We all dream the same dreams underneath Love and future, something we believe The masks change but the hearts stay true Twice my age now, still fighting through [Verse 2] What did this century's youth dream about? Same as always—love, careers, routes out Maybe be a popstar, nothing's impossible When you're young and planning, everything's logical Bach was yesterday's rockstar, don't get it twisted Metalheads still steal his riffs, that's no fiction My opinion holds strong centuries back It ain't about the era, it's about the track Thirties kids marched with arms raised high Seventies rebels getting high on the side Kids always know the fashion and the political tide It shifts by your zip code and the class you reside Gangsters in the projects, tax dodgers downtown They need each other more than they realize now The shells and masks, they rotate and change But inside? Little hearts, rearranged [Bridge] I tried to fix it all back then Thought my effort could transcend Now I'm twice the age, I see the game Kinda glad I tried, kinda feel the shame Did it change anything? Probably not But I'm still optimistic—that's what I got [Verse 3] They drain the inheritance, buy capital goods Flip 'em for pennies, buy liquor like they should Society's pattern, it's understood Your kids are safe? Man, that's all good But don't forget the teenagers next door Watching neighbors stick their tongues out when they floor That inherited whip bought for a few hundred more From an alcoholic father, keeping score Loving little inhabitants is what they start as Then they become whatever environment casts The molds that shape 'em, the trauma that lasts Different skins and eras, but similar pasts [Final Hook] We all dream the same dreams underneath Love and future, something we believe The masks change but the hearts stay true Twice my age now, still pushing through Yeah, I'm still an optimist, can't lie Even when the system makes you cry The shells rotate but the core stays real Small loving hearts—that's the deal [Outro] Twice the age... still believe... Masks change... hearts underneath...