[Intro | ambient pads | distant city noise] Yeah… 2-1-6… Cold wind… Still here… --- [Verse 1 | rhythmic rap | percussive cadence] Grew up gray skies, stuck in that state Lake wind cut, hit hard, no break Out there young, tryna find my place Same streets, still feel outta place Lunch line quiet, couldn’t relate Same worn kicks, laces all frayed Heard real quick what they gon’ say So I moved low, stayed out the way Mama gone late, work all night Dad checked out, no guidance in sight TV glow filled half my nights Other half outside earnin’ stripes Learn fast rules, don’t talk too loud Stay low, blend in with that crowd One wrong move, get called out fast Watch, adapt, just make it last --- [Pre-Chorus | spoken tone | restrained] Cold air, cold stares, same pressure Hold it in, don’t show no stress up --- [Chorus | chant hook | percussive | no melody] I tried, I tried, stayed ten toes Cold nights, cold blocks, that’s all I know 2-1-6 where the wind stay cold Still here, still stand, never fold I tried, I tried, stayed on my path Same pain, same weight, never crack Came up where you learn real fast Stay solid, just make it last --- [Verse 2 | tight cadence | internal rhyme] Hallway tension, watch every step Eyes scan quick, always read threat Move wrong once, get pressed, get checked So I learned real fast show respect Not by talk, more by action Stay low-key, avoid reaction Fights break out, sirens blastin’ You go numb, that’s what happens Late night walks, no place to go Corner store lights, same dull glow Older kids posted in the cold Watch they moves, learn they code Never felt home in my own space Same dead silence fill that place No roadmap, just trial, mistakes Built myself from what it takes --- [Chorus | chant hook | percussive] I tried, I tried, stayed ten toes Cold nights, cold blocks, that’s all I know 2-1-6 where the wind stay cold Still here, still stand, never fold --- [Verse 3 | tight cadence | internal rhyme] Years go by, still feel that stress Same cold wind hit chest, no rest Same block code, still in effect Same hard rules I don’t forget Stay low, move smart, read the room Watch real close how they move Trust break quick, fade too soon Seen that same loop play through Built that guard, locked it tight Keep distance, watch my side Move solo most them nights One eye open, read the signs No guide, just learn it fast Same hard path, make it last Cleveland cold, built me that Still carry weight from the past --- [Bridge | stripped | reflective] Cold roads, no signs, no direction Built from stress, built from tension Didn’t quit, stayed in progression Learned from pain, that’s the lesson --- [Outro | spoken | fade] Yeah… Cleveland raised… Still here…
