From School Bags to Z Bags

Lyrics

​[Verse 1: The Innocence]
Back in Year 7, I was strictly on my education
Primary school hero, I had zero hesitation
Pressed shirt, blazer straight, tie in a Windsor knot
Mumzy told me "get your grades and get up out the plot."
I was on the 368 bus, reading my book
Ignore the stares from the elders, never gave 'em a look
Bag full of PE kit, science and maths
Just a young boy tryna find the right kind of paths.
Estate was noisy but I kept my windows shut tight
Doing homework by the glow of the desk lamp light
I was "the good kid," "the one that’s gonna make it out"
No one saw the shadow coming, no one had a doubt.
​[Chorus: Gritty and rhythmic]
But the estate don't sleep, and the walls start talking
Watch how the innocent change how they’re walking
From the back of the class to the back of the block
From watching the screen to watching the clock
The concrete’s cold and the cycle is vicious
Turning a scholar to something malicious.
​[Verse 2: The Turn]
Then the heating went off and the fridge stayed bare
Saw my mother crying, felt the hunger in the air
Year 10 hit, and the pressure started mounting
While I’m in the lesson, man, the pennies I was counting.
The "cool kids" on the landing had the fresh Air Max
I was rocking scuffed shoes, falling through the cracks
Met a man named Rico, said "Listen to me, akh,
Why you stressing over pens when you can get the stack?"
He handed me a burner and a little plastic wrap
Said "Hold this for a second, put your name on the map."
The first time was shaky, heart beating in my chest
By the third time? Man, I felt better than the rest.
​[Verse 3: The Descent]
Fast forward twelve months, now the blazer’s in the bin
Replaced by a North Face, hiding all the sin
I ain't looking for a desk, I’m looking for a punter
I used to be the prey, now I’m moving like the hunter.
Eyes gone bloodshot, heart’s turned to stone
I don't answer to my mother, only answer to the phone
"Where you been?" she asks, but I’m ghosting the house
Used to be a lion, now I’m moving like a mouse—
Quiet through the alleyways, dodging all the sirens
Living in the shadows of these concrete environments.
That innocent kid? Yeah, he’s buried in the dirt
Now it’s just the product and the ego and the hurt.
​[Outro: Beat fades out with a haunting echo]
It’s the block, man.
It eats you alive.
From "Yes sir, no sir" to "How many grams?"
The transition’s peak.
Real talk.