From the Ground Up

[Intro] Yo, I built this from the ground up, brick by brick, mind set on higher hills No map, just a voice inside that won’t quit, kept me walking through the spills [Verse 1] Started with a worn-out hoodie, dreams tucked in the seams Counting days by the hours, money stretched to fill the dreams Mama’s prayers on the fridge, notes faded like old scenes I hustled with patience, turned the pressure into steam Face full of weather, storms permanent on the skin But I kept a ledger of hope, every loss a next of kin Lessons in the corners, where the echoes find a friend I spoke to my doubts and said, we ain’t done, not yet to end [Chorus] I rise through the ache, I move with the pain acknowledged Every setback a tutor, every scar a promise’ll flourish From the bottom I’m climbing, to the peak I’ll honor, flourish This my daily vow, I’ll keep showing up, I’ll never vanish [Verse 2] Late-night stations, I’m listening to the city breathe Skyscrapers of ambition pushing glass walls to screeze I wrote my name in the margins, bold lines to leaven pleas Took a bite of fear, offered a hand to dare to seize Friends fold when the lights go dim, but I learn to adjust Trust earned in whispers, when the loudest doubts corrode rust Wallet light, spirit heavy, still I move with stubborn gusts Turned every failure into fuel, still hungry for the trust [Chorus] I rise through the ache, I move with the pain acknowledged Every setback a tutor, every scar a promise’ll flourish From the bottom I’m climbing, to the peak I’ll honor, flourish This my daily vow, I’ll keep showing up, I’ll never vanish [Bridge] If the road gets rough, I’ll lace my steps with grit Count my blessings, count my lessons, never forget What I owe to the nights I fought, what I earned by grit Now the skyline looks different when I finally admit [Verse 3] Now the world hands me chances, I’m ready with a sober grin Not just to win, but to lift, to share the work I’m in Missteps were chapters, ink drying to begin again Empowerment tastes like risk, courage mix with discipline [Chorus] I rise through the ache, I move with the pain acknowledged Every setback a tutor, every scar a promise’ll flourish From the bottom I’m climbing, to the peak I’ll honor, flourish This my daily vow, I’ll keep showing up, I’ll never vanish [Outro] From hardship to a testament, I’m steering with a steady hand Ambition as my compass, resilience lighting the plan I’ll keep walking this road, till empowerment rings like a band This is my story, signed in courage, forever I stand