Starter Signal

[Intro] Backpack swingin' in the hallway Phone in my hand like a award case Teacher say "focus on your coursework" I’m tryna go world tour from the coursework (yeah) [Hook] This my starter signal Once I’m on, I’m gone, it’s simple Take that doubt, I crumple Turn one shot to triple I don’t hit pause, I ripple Whole crew light, we kindle They said “kid, stay little” I grew fangs, I’m civil This my starter signal [Verse 1] Still got ink on my fingers from a late-night plan Math sheet under, I was mapping out brands Group chat blowin' up, I’m ghost, I vanish Turn my lunch tray dreams into something that lands Mom in the kitchen like, "sleep, it’s late" I’m in my headphones, looping my fate Scrolling those clips of the greats I rate Thinking “why they? why not my face?” Bus ride, hoodie up, window seat Every stop sign look like a meet-and-greet Every cracked road line feel like a beat Every red light feel like a chance to leap Got a part-time job, fold shirts, stack tags Every small paycheck, park it in the stash Friends hit mall, new shoes, big bags I hit home, new mic, new tracks (facts) I don’t chase cool, I just chase better Write my own lane like a love letter To the kid I was, tryna stay unfazed When they laughed at the lines in the back of my page Now I’m here, lil heart go boom When the play count jump in my tidy room Post that link, then I pace, then I zoom Hit refresh till the sun hits noon (too soon) [Pre-Chorus] They don’t see these nights I’m up Eyes red, hands cramped, but I don’t give up If I slip, I still stand up Aim locked in, I won’t look down [Chorus] This my starter signal Once I’m on, I’m gone, it’s simple Take that doubt, I crumple Turn one shot to triple I don’t hit pause, I ripple Whole crew light, we kindle They said “kid, stay little” I grew fangs, I’m civil This my starter signal [Verse 2] (yeah) Clock tick, tick, I flip scripts, quick Lyrics in my notes app, drip thick, vivid Teenage, pre-wage, big wish, big risk Still whip fifteen on a thrifted fit list Tryna outrun that small town gossip "Who he think he is?" — I deposit Every sly word in a verse, microscopic Zoom in, turn shade to a profit, watch it Rapid-fire, I’m in a different gear when I’m locked Rappin' like I'm runnin' every stair in the block Stacking every second that they swear I should stop While they static in a circle, I’m prepared for the drop I’m like Snap-back, backpack, half-charged phone Dad’s old hatchback feels like throne Rattlin' plates in the trunk when I zone Mumble my lines till the syllables flow Yeah, I’m talkin’ that “ace that test, then dip” Barely studied but I studied these scripts Bell ring, hallway like a movie clip In my head, each step got a little more lift They say “dream small, keep your day real tame” Sorry, miss, I got grade A aim Hit that stage with my plain last name Turn it to a brand that I’ll never disclaim (never) Faster now, pacing out, breaking out, chase it down Brain a loud stadium, wave of sound Every doubt that they said, I erase it now Teen kid, big grin, but I’m razor proud [Outro] They don’t see these nights I’m up Eyes red, hands cramped, but I don’t