[Verse 1] They call me Vex, I came from the back stair Paint on my knuckles, left a black mark there Little fish town, big mouth, bad air I learned to grin like a wolf in a trap chair Mama said, “Boy, keep a clean name” I kept two maps and a scar in the same One for the block, one for the dream lane Now they say my face like a rumor with a theme change I don't fold, I don't freeze up I take heat, turn the whole room green up Step in, boots on the sawdust Count my faults, still the crowd says, “All of us” Cash in a tin by the cracked sink I wore lost on my sleeve like a last link Now every fake friend wants a free ride But I got teeth in my smile and a mean stride [Pre-Chorus] watch 'em lean in I was built from the parts they was leaving Hands up, here comes the fever I don't need luck when I got this reason [Chorus] Vex, Vex, hold the line I came up sharp, no borrowed shine Vex, Vex, watch me rise Paper crown, but the fire don't lie Vex, Vex, say it loud I make my mark when the room gets loud Vex, Vex, hold the line Paper crown, but it's mine, it's mine [Verse 2] I got a grin like a switched-blade joke Talk real slick, make the stiff crowd choke Old hall dance with a busted floor Still I walked in like I owned the war Three-note whistle from a kid on the stoop Now the whole block loops what I do I been the punchline, the scapegoat, bait Now the same mouths chew on my nameplate Front row glare, I can feel that sting But I turn each look into a ring If you want Plastic, bring a full set I don't miss twice, that's a hard fact Wrist full of hours from a dead-end year I spent them all like a muttered prayer Now I hear claps from the cheap seats 'Cause every last dent made the beat hit sweet [Bridge] [Breakdown] No throne, no gold Just a pulse so cold They made the mold I broke it, told you so One more step One more flare If they want the mask I'm already there [Chorus] Vex, Vex, hold the line I came up sharp, no borrowed shine Vex, Vex, watch me rise Paper crown, but the fire don't lie Vex, Vex, say it loud I make my mark when the room gets loud Vex, Vex, hold the line Paper crown, but it's mine, it's mine
