[Verse 1] Baby in the crib Mama chasing that rock Judge swung the gavel Whole world in shock They took her in chains Left you in my arms I was twenty Terrified Praying for calm [Verse 2] No college on the wall Just bills on the floor Clocked double shifts Came home sore Heated up noodles Counted tips in a jar Told you “you a king ” though we lived by the bar [Verse 3] Found an old mixer Two crates One light Basement in the dark I was cutting all night Turned my pain into playlists Tears into blends Every scratch was a promise I would not bend [Verse 4] You in a car seat Sleeping by the booth Pacifier bouncing while I shouted the truth Club smoke heavy But your dream stayed clear I’d tuck you backstage Whisper right in your ear [Chorus] From a needle to the turntable I spun us a life From a jail phone echo to a father’s fight Raised you with rhythm when the world said I can’t You grew from a beat to a breathing man From a beat to a breathing man (yeah) [Verse 5] Parent-teacher nights I was smelling like work Ink on my fingers from the flyers and merch They looked past the headphones Laughed at my plan Till your grades hit the fridge with a magnet that jammed [Verse 6] You asked “Where my mom?” I was stuck on the word Said “She’s finding herself ” heart painfully stirred “People fall down Son But that’s not your blame You just carry your kindness Not her shame” [Verse 7] Taught you how to count change Then count bars How to read books Then we charted the stars Lunches in Ziplocs Stories in the car Your name in my chest like a hidden scar [Verse 8] First time you called me “hero ” I laughed Felt small Said “I’m just a man who refused to fall” You said “You did magic with empty hands” Turned rent receipts into future plans [Verse 9] Now you stand six feet Voice deep Eyes bright Shake my hand firm Tell me “Pop You were right” From a baby in chaos to a calm young man I dropped the record But you carried the jam [Chorus] From a needle to the turntable I spun us a life From a jail phone echo to a father’s fight Raised you with rhythm when the world said I can’t You grew from a beat to a breathing man From a beat to a breathing man (oh yeah)
