[Intro: Gunshots, nearby police sirens, and people running] On the block, one word can spark it Wrong tone, and they clock your target [Verse 1] Bare face, but the air feel tarnished Every step got stress on it, harsh it Say it rude, now they want that payback Round here, quick chat turn a wayback Mum said, Son, don't linger, stay black Stay alert, 'cause the road don't play that Old boys watch from the railing Young ones learn quick, no failing One look can switch the weather One bad move, then it's all gone better Boots on brick, hear the tension Every small thing needs attention Phone stay quiet in my palm I don't move loud, I move calm If the mood turns, I pivot Read the room first, then I live it [Pre-Chorus] I seen a smile turn cold in a second One little look and they read it as pressure Hands in my pockets, still moving with caution Even a calm reply can lead to the mess-up [Chorus] Hands up higher, higher Don't let it fall Hands up higher, higher We can have it all Say it louder, louder Let the whole place know Hands up higher, higher Baby, don't you go Hands up higher, higher I need that sound Hands up higher, higher When you come around [Verse 2] Kids on the stairs hear the sirens bounce Mums by the window, they clock every sound Corner shop queue, but the mood goes down If pride gets loud, then the peace comes out I don't chat tough, I just keep my head low Learned that lesson when the weather turned red glow One sharp mouth and the whole thing dead slow Now I read faces before I step close A few man flex, then fold to the ground I seen big talk get buried in sound One stare too long, and it tips over One step wrong, and the night's over So I mind my pace, mind my tone Keep my name light when I'm near that zone Don't need cheers, don't need praise Just get home clean through the maze [Pre-Chorus] I seen a smile turn cold in a second One little look and they read it as pressure Hands in my pockets, still moving with caution Even a calm reply can lead to the mess-up [Chorus] Hands up higher, higher Don't let it fall Hands up higher, higher We can have it all Say it louder, louder Let the whole place know Hands up higher, higher Baby, don't you go Hands up higher, higher I need that sound Hands up higher, higher When you come around [Bridge] If the block goes cold, I move through it If the words get sharp, I don't do it Seen too much turn quick, too quick So I breathe once, then I stick to it [Chorus] Hands up higher, higher Don't let it fall Hands up higher, higher We can have it all Say it louder, louder Let the whole place know Hands up higher, higher Baby, don't you go Hands up higher, higher I need that sound Hands up higher, higher When you come around
