FLAME
Swimming with Sharks
[Verse 1]
I been lied on, blackballed, never said a thing
Wait, wait, let me set the scene
It's been over ten years now, swimming in the water
With great white, tiger-like hammerhead sharks
I've been overlooked, underpaid, never said a thing
Seen brother kill brother like Abel and Cain
Everything ain't what it seem when you see behind the scenes
It's a pretty scary thing when you see who pulling strings
I done seen them sharp teeth looking deep in a shark's eyes
All I could do is pray I was prey in a shark's eyes
I just wanna rap for God, wanna see some people saved
But I am so afraid if my publishing is shaved
Seeing royalty payments that break up loyalty statements
Since I started in the basement, I've been royalty shaded
I got a call, dude threatenin' to blackball, you know who you are
'Cause I said I wouldn't sign with y'all?
Why you wanna see the flame fall?
Is that what you in the game for?
Some people doubt, "Is the game over?"
You should really be ashamed, you can be a pain
Need to be tamed, dang bro
Take my kindness as weakness (alright)
Up execs ought to tweak this [?] (what)
Rapping less about Jesus (yeah)
It's overwhelming egregious (I know)
When you see all the greediness (I know)
Capitalism at it's finest? (woo)
"Oh, you can break the glass ceiling (or sellout)
Be a slave and just sign this"
[Verse 2]
Swimming in this industry ain't just with the fishes
You swimming with the bloodthirsty, fame-seeking vicious
Cold-hearted, selfish-minded sneaky opportunists
Who will call another venue and then tell 'em they be foolish
If they book you 'cause they artist bring a better show
If you coming in this ocean, even if you got a boat?
There's some people that's aboard that's ready to overthrow
If you don't know how to swim, then at least you better float
'Cause these sharks smell weakness, they'll eat you alive
I know that you was thinking that we doing this for God
"Well, surprise!" certain guys coming for your neck
Bring something to the table, they'll steal your connect
Take credit for it, discredit you and benefit
From your blood, it's messed up, it's levels to this disrespect
When predators see a threat, they be going all out
And you see them jaws out, better know that Jaws out woo

[Chorus]
What I been through, only God knows (ah)
All them long nights, only God knows (God knows)
Will I be alright? Only God knows
Got me questioning the life here that I chose (ah)
What I been through, only God knows (ah)
All them long nights, only God knows (ah)
Will I be alright? Only God knows (yeah)
I'm just trying to stay afloat, yeah
[Verse 3]
So much slander, so much dealing
While you swimming guard your heart
May you never compromise, fall apart and become a shark
Every time when they plot my demise and they scheme (uh huh)
Then I cry, "Most High" and my God intervenes (yeah)
With a ram and a bush and He fights all my battles
And they bribe and they push with all their might
But it don't matter (na)
'Cause He guards, shields, rescues, saves
"You just stay faithful, pray, pray
You'll get your reward, don't you ever change (no)
Focus on the Lord yeah, keep preaching His grace
Keep telling the world (what) that our Jesus saves
And we're protected and it's all gonna pass away
Just keep it pushing, like"

[Outro]
Just keep swimming, just, just keep swimming
Just keep swimming, just, just keep swimming
Just keep swimming, just, just keep swimming
Just keep swimming, just, just keep swimming, swimming