loyalty (Album version)
Lyrics
[Intro - smoky deep male vocal, soft hi-hats, smooth long bassline, muted keys, late-night R&B sway]
Yeah, yeah
Tell me what’s real
When the lights go down
When I turn my back
Can I count on you?
[Verse 1 - intimate deep vocals, laid-back groove, clean electric piano, rolling 808 underneath]
You my day-one, been around since the start
Seen me at my worst, still held my heart
But if I blink, will you switch up the vibe?
When I’m not lookin’, do you cross that line?
If I’m in the room, you all in my space
If I’m out the room, do you know your place?
Need a friend with a code, need a bond with a spine
Not just talkin’ that talk when it’s party time
[Pre-Chorus - tension rising, layered harmonies, hi-hats ticking faster, bass swelling]
If I fall, will you reach for me?
If I’m silent, will you speak for me?
If they plot, will you keep it low?
If I need help, will you already know?
I need loyalty, not just a name
Somebody real when the crowd don’t stay
[Chorus - catchy, hardcore bassdrop, full 808s, wide harmonies, anthemic R&B hook]
Can I trust you around my boyfriend when I close my eyes?
Are you gon’ have my back, or are you gon’ let it slide?
If I need the truth, tell me straight, don’t lie
If they talk behind my back, please don’t feed that fire
Ball out with me at the club, move like family, no disguise
Treat me like your brother, keep it solid, keep it tied
Can I trust you around my boyfriend when I close my eyes?
Are you gon’ have my back, or are you gon’ let it slide?
[Verse 2 - smoother but darker tone, sparse keys, punchy 808 knocks, crisp hi-hats, deep vocal delivery]
Help me with the things I don’t know about
When the pressure get heavy, don’t let me drown
If I’m in trouble, don’t disappear
Need a real one, not a souvenir
If I get locked up, would you come around?
Would you make that call, would you hold me down?
When my name get dragged through the dirt and mud
Would you stand on business or just fold in love?
I don’t need perfect, I need sincere
Somebody solid when the smoke appear
A brother in spirit, a friend in truth
If I got your back, can I count on you?
[Chorus - bigger, more layered harmonies, bassdrop hits harder, ad-libs in the pockets]
Can I trust you around my boyfriend when I close my eyes?
Are you gon’ have my back, or are you gon’ let it slide?
If I need the truth, tell me straight, don’t lie
If they talk behind my back, please don’t feed that fire
Ball out with me at the club, move like family, no disguise
Treat me like your brother, keep it solid, keep it tied
Can I trust you around my boyfriend when I close my eyes?
Are you gon’ have my back, or are you gon’ let it slide?
[Rap Verse - dramatic beat change, harder trap drums, aggressive 808s, chopped vocal samples, sharp cadence]
Ayy, look
I don’t need a fake smile, I can smell that
Backstab energy, nah, I don’t dwell that
If you with me, then you with me, no switchin’ lanes
When the pressure hit, don’t fold, don’t break
If I’m lit at the club, then we lit together
Same side, same table, same stormy weather
If I’m down bad, don’t post, just pull up
If I’m in a tight spot, don’t ghost, just show up
And if my name in the wind, don’t let it travel
Keep it in the circle, don’t let it unravel
Need a bond so real, it don’t need much talk
Just a nod, one call, and you walk that walk
[Outro - stripped-down bassline, soft harmonies, reverb-drenched ad-libs, fading late-night feel]
Can I trust you?
Will you have my back?
Don’t talk behind my back
Just stay solid like that
Yeah, yeah
Treat me like your brother
Stay real, don’t change on me
Stay real, don’t change on me