Back Then

Back then I was only broke, oh oh

Same shoes every day, same coat

Pockets empty but my mind stayed loud

Told myself I'm gon' make it out

Back then I was only broke, no lie

Had to fake a smile just to get by

Everybody talk but they don't know me

I was down bad, they ain't show me

Back then I was only broke, oh oh

Now I'm chasing dreams, not hope

I ain't there yet but I'm close

I can feel it in my soul

Late nights staring at the ceiling

Tryna turn pain into a feeling

Tryna make songs they could feel in

But nobody cared, I was still in

Still in the same spot, no motion

Heart cold but I stayed open

Learned quick who real, who jokin'

Now I move quiet, no boasting

I remember skipping out on chances

Cuz I ain't have funds for advances

Had plans but no way to land it

Now I'm working till I can't stand it

They ain't see the work I put in

They just see me now, think I'm good then

But they don't know where I been

Or the nights I almost gave in

Back then I was only broke, oh oh

Now I'm chasing dreams, not hope

I ain't there yet but I'm close

I can feel it in my soul

I remember days I ain't eat right

Now I'm working late through the night

I don't flex, I just keep it tight

Cuz I know what it cost to fight

Ain't no handouts where I'm from

If you want it, you go become

Everything they said you wasn't

Now they quiet, now it's nothing

Friends turned strangers overnight

Had to learn to read the signs right

Cut ties, had to move light

Now my circle small and my mind right

I was lost but I found a way

Turned my nights into brighter days

Still got demons I gotta face

But I'm stronger than yesterday

Now I'm locked in, no distraction

Turned the pain into some passion