I Never Knew

Intro: Substantial
Cradle Orchestra, DJ Chika, Goon Trax, Elevation, QN5, all the way live, from the DMV to Japan, rockin with your boi Substan, Substantial, here we go, yeah

Verse 1: Substantial
I never knew that I'd be here with you
For as long as I have standing strong on the path
Where potential and hard work lead to success
So the longer I last mean the more that I'm blessed
But through all the test I was haunted by doubt
Sometimes it's like the grim reaper is calling me out
So you may not fully grasp how truly weird this is
When my troubled past had so many near misses
I knew that I could talk but I never knew you listened
Or that even in the darkest of nights you could glisten
I never realized that I touched real lives
Nodding to a universal beat and feel vibes
That give life meaning and unite like minds
Had no idea that your struggle's like mine
Now I just go where my flow and light shine
Never knew all I could do with tight rhymes

Chorus: Substantial
I can't believe this
I never knew that I'd see this
Or that I had the strength to achieve this (But on the other hand)
I never knew I'd pick up the pieces
When they didn't live to see this (I really miss my fam)
I never knew I carry the weight
From my birth to my burial date
And though I never knew
I'm getting through (Keep on)

Verse 2: Substantial
I never knew when I was at the crib bumping my favorites
That one day I would be included in somebody's playlist
Only right I take this opportunity to show love
To you people listening in places I don't know of
But see I didn't grow up in the best of situations
For thinking out the box you sort of get a reputation
Of living in a dream world with lofty expectations
I refuse to live by another's limitations
I never knew for sure I'd make it in the door
But where I'm at now leaves room for plenty more
Moves to be made one day at a time
And paths to be paved way after I've rhymed
For the very last time and retired my mic
And truly focus on my fans who require insight
And guidance with the undying alliance
But I never knew I'd be in the position that I'm in

Chorus: Substantial
I can't believe this
I never knew that I'd see this
Or that I had the strength to achieve this (But on the other hand)
I never knew I'd pick up the pieces
When they didn't live to see this (I really miss my fam)
I never knew I carry the weight
From my birth to my burial date
And though I never knew
I'm getting through (Keep on)

Hook: Substantial
So much I gotta do
It don't mean much to you
Back then I didn't know how
It's so much I never knew
So much I gotta do
Knowing what I know now

Verse 3: Substantial
You never know how many people want you to stop
And that people closest to you can be stumbling blocks
Who anticipate your faults like they're something to watch
And hope your foundation turns into crumbling rocks
I never knew that hate of that level existed
It can poison your spirit if you never resist it
Grows stronger with the more attention you give it
I embrace only love and try to omit the wicked
But it comes in all shapes and sizes
Your faith and brightness
Is no match for their great disguises
I keep on fighting though the battles are many
Bet you never knew that I had all that in me

Chorus: Substantial
I can't believe this
I never knew that I'd see this
Or that I had the strength to achieve this (But on the other hand)
I never knew I'd pick up the pieces
When they didn't live to see this (I really miss my fam)
I never knew I carry the weight
From my birth to my burial date
And though I never knew
I'm getting through (Keep on)
(x2)

Outro: Substantial
Yeah, yeah, yeah, like that, uh huh, Substantial, yeah, Cradle Orchestra, yeah, feel that, from the DMV all the way to Japan, yeah and we out