Rhythm #8. Give It Back to the Block

Latin hip-hop/reggaeton, 96 BPM, dembow, nylon guitar, brass, sharp rap, bilingual hook

[Intro]
My first big check didn't feel like a crown,
It sounded like the old basketball court in my town.

[Verse 1]
The paint on the lines had been gone since June,
Kids still played under a crooked silver moon.
I came back wearing different shoes,
Same cracked sidewalk and the same old views.
A coach at the corner knew just what I'd say,
You gonna talk about changing it, or start today?
So we called in the neighbors, got a bucket of blue,
Took the whole hot weekend and made something new.

[Pre-Chorus]
Keep the stories, build a better floor,
Hold the gate when somebody needs the door.
I didn't rise so I could turn my back,
The best way forward is to give some back.

[Chorus]
Give it back to the block, poquito a poquito,
Make a little room for another dream to grow.
Give it back to the block, paso a paso,
Not just big talk, let the real love show.
One hand lifts, then another comes through,
Look at all the things a neighborhood can do.
If I get more, let the whole street know,
I can plant a little joy where I used to go.

[Instrumental Break — 8–16 bars]

[Verse 2]
We fixed the net, brought the lights back on,
Left a little sign that said, Everybody belongs.
A girl made three shots and then asked for a turn,
To teach the younger kids what she'd just learned.
The music rolled out from a balcony loud,
Even shy old Mr. Lee joined the crowd.
I went home that night without a headline made,
Best money I spent was the joy on their faces.

[Bridge]
Some people give money, some give time,
Some open doors, some give good advice.
No one can do it all and that's all right,
But everybody holds a little light.

[Final Chorus]
Give it back to the block, poquito a poquito,
Make a little room for another dream to grow.
Give it back to the block, paso a paso,
Not just big talk, let the real love show.
One hand lifts, then another comes through,
Look at all the things a neighborhood can do.
If I get more, let the whole street know,
I can plant a little joy where I used to go.

[Outro]
Paso a paso, the court lights glow,
Let the next generation take the show.

2076/7500

[Intro] My first big check didn't feel like a crown, It sounded like the old basketball court in my town. [Verse 1] The paint on the lines had been gone since June, Kids still played under a crooked silver moon. I came back wearing different shoes, Same cracked sidewalk and the same old views. A coach at the corner knew just what I'd say, You gonna talk about changing it, or start today? So we called in the neighbors, got a bucket of blue, Took the whole hot weekend and made something new. [Pre-Chorus] Keep the stories, build a better floor, Hold the gate when somebody needs the door. I didn't rise so I could turn my back, The best way forward is to give some back. [Chorus] Give it back to the block, poquito a poquito, Make a little room for another dream to grow. Give it back to the block, paso a paso, Not just big talk, let the real love show. One hand lifts, then another comes through, Look at all the things a neighborhood can do. If I get more, let the whole street know, I can plant a little joy where I used to go. [Instrumental Break — 8–16 bars] [Verse 2] We fixed the net, brought the lights back on, Left a little sign that said, Everybody belongs. A girl made three shots and then asked for a turn, To teach the younger kids what she'd just learned. The music rolled out from a balcony loud, Even shy old Mr. Lee joined the crowd. I went home that night without a headline made, Best money I spent was the joy on their faces. [Bridge] Some people give money, some give time, Some open doors, some give good advice. No one can do it all and that's all right, But everybody holds a little light. [Final Chorus] Give it back to the block, poquito a poquito, Make a little room for another dream to grow. Give it back to the block, paso a paso, Not just big talk, let the real love show. One hand lifts, then another comes through, Look at all the things a neighborhood can do. If I get more, let the whole street know, I can plant a little joy where I used to go. [Outro] Paso a paso, the court lights glow, Let the next generation take the show.

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