[Intro] True story… Baby in the crib, mama chasin that rock Bottle full of snow, judge hit the gavel, cold room, steel glare Baby moms cuffed up, chains on her prayer Judge swung the gavel, whole world in shock They took her in chains, left you in my arms Baby brother lay stiff, blue toes, white sheet by the door [Verse 1] Public defender shrug, said “that’s how it go” Paperwork thick, heart thin like dope No college on the wall, just bills on the floor Clocked double shifts, came home sore Shorty call from the county, voice lost in the phone Said “tell my baby I love him” — I’m standin there stone Heated up noodles, counted tips in a jar Told you “you a king” though we lived by the bar They said it was powder in the bottle, mixed wrong Cocaine in the formula turned lullaby gone From a jail phone echo to a father’s fight I was twenty, terrified, prayin for calm at night [Hook A / B Blend] Bottle full of snow turned my heart to stone Mama in a cell, brother never made it home From a needle to the turntable, I spun us a life Raised you with rhythm when the world said I can’t, that’s right Brook kid, young soul, carry all that weight alone But I swear on my last breath, my lil man won’t die broke, no From a needle to the turntable, I spun us a life You grew from a beat to a breathing man in the light [Verse 2] Found an old mixer, two crates, one light Basement in the dark, I was cuttin all night Turned my pain into playlists, tears into blends Every scratch was a promise I would not bend My son look at me like, “Where mom go?” I can’t tell him that she traded him for dope I just say, “She had to leave for a long road” Inside I’m screamin at a grave I can’t hold Now I’m young and I’m broke, but I’m here Learned to fold little shirts, wipe tears Cook ramen, split crumbs, kill fear Turn pain into prayers in his ear You in a car seat, sleepin by the booth Pacifier bouncin while I shouted the truth Club smoke heavy but your dream stayed clear I’d tuck you backstage, whisper right in your ear [Hook – Room Anthem] Now it’s just me and my son in this small-ass room Two spoons, one plate, and the rent past due Every breath that he take, I’ma stand, I’ma move Had a mom, had a bro, now it’s just us two From a needle to the turntable, I spun us a life From a jail phone echo to a father’s fight Brook kid, young soul, I’m the shield, I’m the wall, I’m the truth he knew Had a mom, had a bro, now it’s just us two [Verse 3] Parent-teacher nights, I was smellin like work Ink on my fingers from the flyers and merch They looked past the headphones, laughed at my plan Till your grades hit the fridge with a magnet that jammed You asked, “Where my mom?” I was stuck on the word “She’s findin herself” — heart painfully stirred “People fall down, son, but that’s not your blame You just carry your kindness, not her shame” Now I’m young and I’m broke, got a boy, got a ghost Set plates for the both even though one ain’t home So I talk to his shadow, say “we gon’ be good” Raise my son from the ruins like a king of the hood Taught you how to count change, then count bars How to read books, then we charted the stars Lunches in Ziplocs, stories in the car Your name in my chest like a hidden scar [Bridge – Confession] Social worker in my face, talk rules But she ain’t seen a baby choke white fumes She ain’t washed blood stains from the shoes Of a boy who never made it out the room I talk to God like, “You chose me, why?” Hands dirty but I’m still gon’ try Every night pack pain in a sigh Every morning unpack it with his smile First time you called me “hero,” I laughed, felt small Said, “I’m just a man who refused to fall” You said, “You did magic with empty hands” Turned rent receipts into future plans [Final Hook – DJ Breakdown] Brook and young, but my back got weight Whole world on his SpongeBob plate If hell got a door, we escaped Now I raise one life that she almost erased Bottle full of snow turned my heart to stone But from a needle to the turntable, I built us a home Mama in a cell, brother never made it home You grew from a beat to a breathing man of your own Now it’s just me and my son, I won’t let him lose I’m the shield, I’m the wall, I’m the truth he knew From a baby in chaos to a calm young man I dropped the record, but you carried the jam From a needle to the turntable, I spun us a life Brook kid, young soul — now it’s just us two tonight You grew from a beat to a breathing man From a beat to a breathing man.
