Prechorus
I won't always be near
So I wrote this song for you
When I'm not in the room
My words will lift you
Verse 1
Jay brought you to our show over New Year's,
introduced us "meet my student Eli right here"
Raised in a fam'ly without a brother or a sister
Your distance from parents was better measured in light years
Saw us on stage and you looked up to us
Bought a signed CD and wished good luck to us
I always hoped to make music that would inspire
The younger generation and give you someone to admire
I remember who I was when I was sixteen
Hid my voice, and never dared for big dreams
.'cuz experiences around me were never heard on radio or projected on a big screen
.I saw you as a younger version of my self; you hit me up, said my songs were a really big help
I rapped about Grace, you related to it
Heard my song about race and saw your face through it
But I had to leave the city to follow my dreams
And outside our final show, I saw you in the street
We shook hands - thanks for your support
And I hope you're still inspired when you hear my voice...
CHORUS
Verse 2
I was unpolished… to be honest, I gave myself a C for my performance at your college
I was young, when I traveled to Wisconsin as the closing act inside of your Spring concert
I flowed so-so, they should have just had a local close
.But you waited to talk to me after the show
Had me autograph the contents of your pockets
I even signed my name on your Totoro backpack
Totally thankful that you would compliment my raps
Said you found them meaningful and even bought my tracks
Friended me on Facebook, I added you back
When I was anxious, you left a comment on my status
You said my music, had impacted your heart, and you'd ride around with my CD in your car
Gave me hope that my words could move a nation
So this verse right here is a dedication…
...to you
uh
…thank you
CHORUS
Verse 3
This is why I live the life that you see and hear, for every single lonely kid that I see in here
For every spark of artistic inspiration that could jumpstart the aching hearts who want to beat clear
.And let me be clear: I am not an idol, like a child, I am full of fear
I might rise, I might crumble - maybe I will stumble, but I will never cheat here
…And I will never give you cheap beer
I pledge you the best of my recipes, the best I have left in me, the stress and messiness
The honesty AND the struggle will always be real
.And I do it cuz I grew up with the muses
I heard in the music that I played on my computer
.I'm a student of those singers and producers, and I'm just hoping my voice will reach the future
So if you listen to this on YouTube, or download the MP3? you too
I want you to know every time you hear me speak through these beats that I wrote this song
for YOU. (For you)
credits
from Millennial,
released February 7, 2014
Produced by Andrew Coulter
Additional vocals by Claudeo