Nike'd Out

(Verse 1) Outlet packed, line wrapped ‘round the glass Thirty minutes just to buy a past Swoosh on the chest, hope stitched in the seams Payin’ for a dream that ain’t what it seems They say “Just Do It,” but don’t ask who paid Hands overseas get a dollar a day Rubber and foam, but the markup insane Symbol heavier than the chain I ain’t mad at the people, I’m mad at the frame Everybody tryna brand their own name When survival wearin’ designer clothes That’s pressure dressed up as goals Kids learn early, logos speak loud Identity loud, pockets on quiet Discount victory, clearance aisle pride Tryna look fly while the future feel fried (Chorus) Nike-d out — everybody Nike-d out Standin’ in line just to feel like they iced out Nike-d out — head on a swivel Victory stitched but the math don’t civil Nike-d out — lights too bright Cheap labor truths stay outta sight Nike-d out — swoosh talk loud Wearin’ the brand ‘cause we scared to be broke (Verse 2) Little kids chant numbers that mean nothin’ Six-seven wave, everybody runnin’ Ask ‘em why, they don’t even know Trend got legs but no damn soul Same way the toys get grabbed on sight Not ‘cause they loved it, just fear they’re behind Reaction over reason, emotion over choice Noise so loud you can’t hear your own voice Told my kid slow down, you’re good, you’re safe Second store, fifty more places Abundance kills panic, time kills the rush Meaning don’t grow when you impulse-buy trust Parents tired, system fast Trends move quicker than questions asked It ain’t evil, it’s engineered Speed beats depth when fear’s in the air (Chorus) Nike-d out — everybody Nike-d out Chasin’ approval in a mall sellout Nike-d out — history blurred Sweatshop stories never fully heard Nike-d out — they got caught Changed the rules when the pressure got hot Nike-d out — don’t forget Ethics only move when the cost gets set (Verse 3) They didn’t stop ‘cause it was wrong They stopped when the backlash got too strong That’s not hate, that’s pattern recognition Systems don’t feel, they adjust position Compliance reports, polished PR Still the same game, different avatar Labor still cheap, brand still king We just stopped talkin’ ‘bout the human thing Outrage cycle, short attention span Storm pass through, then we buy again Memory wiped, logo clean Past buried under dopamine I ain’t sayin’ burn the shoes I’m sayin’ see the whole damn view When a symbol carry more than truth You gotta ask what it’s trainin’ you to do (Bridge) Not anti-style, not anti-you Anti-blind to the shit we chew If you rock it, rock it aware Don’t let the brand replace your care (Chorus) Nike-d out — everybody Nike-d out Packed store vision, bass knock loud Nike-d out — head bob, truth drop Hit harder when the beat don’t stop Nike-d out — victory myth Bought and sold with a marketing kiss Nike-d out — I still walk free But I see what they sellin’ to me (Outro) Mall lights fade but the lesson stay Meaning don’t live where the mannequins pray You ain’t your shoes, you ain’t the line You more than a logo on borrowed time Still… everybody tryna feel crowned That’s why the world stay Nike’d out.