Strings

Verse 1:
Way, way, way back
A young cat watched a little show called American Idol
Family and peers said, "A couple of years
You'll be old enough to compete and be wearing the title
Already dropping projects, so I know you're hot next;
You can be famous! You got this!"
After the first season, it confirmed my reason;
Why I replied, cheesing -- plot twist
"Nope! Ain't going to do it!"
"That a joke? Isn't being big your biggest hope?"
"Yeah, but I ain't no dope
Even if I could every vote, afterwards my voice would be choked
Don't want to win a pop sensation
I want to rock my own creations
They'll want to run my career themselves."
And to think I made that choice at 12

Chorus:
See, the game's claim to fame is Geppetto-ing
Marketing rapping being's as some ghetto things
Or the cool trend to do with their set of strings
Make the cash with their path? I ain't settling
I don't grow a Pinocchio; brown nose
For the dough or be called the donkey
That puppetry won't become of me
Cause they got no strings on me
Threes!

Verse 2:
Beginning of the millennium, lyricists, they ain't feeling them
How will the labels deal with them? Hmm... shelf
Atlanta had them dancing and clapping their Laffy Taffy
Would a major have me tag in? Hmm... yep
Cause I could write for parties since I'm a versatile artist
But could I try something artsy? Hmm... nah
If I wrote my smartest, I wasn't reaching their targets
They want to sound retarded...slowed up
"Dumb it down or sing more!
Pop music is always going to top Billboard, bro."
That's like, "Feed me, Seymour!"
Giving up being emcee to let you kill more? No
"Then be a gangsta or a drug lord;
At least, you'll get credit in the streets, bruh."
But I don't play that, cause I love the Lord
Capiche? I'll get credit from the sheets, son

Chorus

Verse 3:
(Huzzah!) Independents making livings
Tell me why a brother got to sign the dotted line
(Huzzah!) I just kill it and they feel it
So I post it online and they check my Spotify
(Huzzah!) Even Tidal has my titles
And my Pyros buy my music from my Bandcamp
(Huzzah!) iTunes even got Fiya, too
YouTube lets me know where my fans at
(Huzzah!) Many have made it without a major cause you can blow
Investing your own money and time on your microphone
(Huzzah!) There is a platform that forms for any type of hustle
Struggle 'til you bust through; that is, if you want to
(Huzzah!) That is why I am living indie and I'm feeling many
Want the spitting image in their freaking city with the rhythms witty
(Huzzah!) Why give in to a label
When I bring to the table more than they ever gave you?

Chorus