Rise Up

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
Remember when you slept on that old mattress?
Three jobs just to keep the lights on, that's madness
Your sister's hand-me-downs, the holes in your shoes
People looked right through you, yeah, they paid no dues
I watched you struggle, fighting back the tears
While everybody else was living with no fears
Corner store dinners, counting every dime
Said you'd make it big, they said it wasn't your time
[Pre-chorus]
But look at you now, yeah, look how far you came
They didn't believe you'd rise above the pain
Started from nothing, but your heart was true
Now the whole block's eating 'cause of you
[Chorus]
Empty pockets couldn't hold you down
Now you're feeding families all around
From nothing to something, that's your crown
Lifting up the block, you broke the ground
(You broke the ground, yeah)
[Verse 2]
First check came in, you ain't buy no chains
Opened up that store where they know your name
Got the kids some books, gave their moms some hope
When the rent was due, you helped them cope
Your old apartment's now a meeting space
Where dreams get built, yeah, that's your safe place
Remember when they mocked your big ideas?
Now they're asking how you shifted all these gears
[Pre-chorus]
But look at you now, yeah, look how far you came
They didn't believe you'd rise above the pain
Started from nothing, but your heart was true
Now the whole block's eating 'cause of you
[Chorus]
Empty pockets couldn't hold you down
Now you're feeding families all around
From nothing to something, that's your crown
Lifting up the block, you broke the ground
(You broke the ground, yeah)
[Bridge]
It ain't about the money in your hands
It's about the changes that you planned
Building bridges, making stands
Showing them there's more than just demands
[Verse 3]
Now the kids look up to you with pride
Got that center running, doors open wide
Teaching them the game, how to rise up right
Showing them there's more than just the daily fight
Your story's living proof, yeah, that's what they say
From empty pockets to a better day
Not just surviving, got the whole block thriving
This is what you mean by perfect timing