# Rich Before the Money **[Intro]** Before the bands, before the brand, before the bright lights knew my name— I had breath inside my body, I had blood inside my veins. Turns out I had plenty. **[Verse 1]** Sun spilling gold through a slit in the shade, steam from the coffee, another day made, feet on the floor and a roof overhead, food in the fridge and a dream in my head. Phone full of people who pick up at two, friends know my flaws and still follow me through, family calling just checking I’m straight— fortune was hiding in plain sight all day. Chasing the chain, chasing change, chasing cheers, measuring miracles yearly in tiers, while the wind through the window kept whispering clear: “You got somebody who loves you—your treasure is here.” Stars for a ceiling, songs for the stress, scars saying somehow I survived every mess, heart that could hurt, heal, hope and progress— I was begging for more while already blessed. **[Pre-Chorus]** Counted every dollar that I didn’t possess, never counted every “call me if you’re stressed.” Counted every door that slammed in my face, never counted every morning arriving with grace. **[Chorus]** I was **rich before the money,** rich before the racks, rich when all I had was hope and a little gas in the tank. Rich with the rain running, rich with the sun above me, rich with a table and somebody who loved me. **Rich before the money.** Before the gold, before the glory, before the whole world heard my story— I had love, I had life, I had more than enough for me. I was **rich before the money.** **[Verse 2]** Clean cold water—what’s richer than that? Laugh so hard that you lean all the way back. Dog by the doorway, dusk going dark, moon on the windshield and miles in the heart. Fresh pair of socks and a song hitting right, safe trip home through the soft city lights, somebody texting me, “Tell me you’re fine,” all of these diamonds that never get mined. We want bigger, brighter, better, more— more square feet, more seats, more keys, more doors, but a mansion means nothing when peace packs its bags, and a million means little when love never lasts. Give me good people and give me good purpose, give me the grit when the work feels worthless, give me the wisdom to notice what’s working— wealth isn’t wealth if your spirit stays starving. **[Pre-Chorus]** Count every kindness, count every call, count every hand that reached when you’d fall. Count every breath you were never guaranteed— suddenly enough starts looking like everything. **[Bridge]** If all the glitter disappeared tonight, leave me love, leave me light. Leave me laughter round a kitchen table, leave me strength enough to know I’m able. Leave me stars when the streetlights fade, leave me peace that a price can’t pay. Fortunes fall and fortunes flee, but what is priceless stays with me. **[Rap Build]** Big bank someday—beautiful, bring it, but I won’t let a balance determine my spirit. Build big buildings, buy brilliant things, still know breakfast with family can feel like a kingdom. Bread breaking, belly laughing, breeze in the trees, bare feet, back porch, being at peace. Blessed with a breath and the freedom to breathe— what billionaire buys one more heartbeat guaranteed? No receipt for relief. No price tag on peace. No market for memories. No lease on belief. When success comes dressed in diamonds and drums, I’ll remember exactly where all of this begun: not a vault, not a yacht, not applause from a crowd— just being alive and awake enough to notice it now. **[Final Chorus]** I was **RICH BEFORE THE MONEY,** rich before the fame, rich when nobody knew me, still had love beside my name. Rich with the rain running, rich with the sun above me, rich with these scars, these stars, these arms around me. **RICH BEFORE THE MONEY,** before the gold, before the glory, before the whole world heard my story. I had breath, I had love, I had life pouring through me. And if the millions come tomorrow, I’ll thank God—but they won’t define me. **Rich before the money. Rich before the money.** Turns out— **I had plenty.**
