Detroit Blueprints

I was a dumb kid,

east side, summer heat

Learned to talk tough just to feel complete Pops in the kitchen,

mad at the world Same story every day,

never unfurled

I watched the ceiling like it had a map How to get

out without fallin’ back (mmm)

He said, “That’s just life,

boy, deal with it” But I got tired of the same old

ceiling If he won’t climb,

then I will

I’m done bleedin’ for his free will (yeah)

I’m growin’ up, I’m leavin’ that behind

Detroit taught me how to hold my mind

I won’t be him,

I won’t stay small

I’ll build a life from the cracks in the wall (ooh)

He loved himself more than he loved a plan

Always needed praise, never used his hands

Said he’d change, then he’d go quiet Like the whole house learned

how to deny it

So I took buses with a notebook tight

Wrote my way through the Friday night If I’m scared,

I’m still movin’ on

That’s the difference I’m standin’ on (huh)

I used to hate my name ’Cause it sounded like his Now

I say

it plain And it sounds like I lived (ahhhh)

I’m growin’ up, I’m leavin’ that behind

Detroit taught me how to hold my mind

I won’t be him,

I won’t stay small

I’ll build a life from the cracks in the wall (ooh) (yeah)