Intro
Basement pipes talk before the sun does
Radiator knocking like it's asking who's up
I'm up, been up, somebody's gotta be
The beam under the floor so the block don't creep
Verse 1
Miss Odessa's rent short again, third of the month
Grandbaby's asthma pump broke, she needs it up front
I front it, don't blink, put it back on the list
Ledger in my head, longer than my wrist
Deshawn's bail set at eleven hundred flat
Called me from the tank, said cousin I got your back
Sold my sneakers to a kid on Marlowe for the cash
Walked home in socks, told nobody 'bout that math
My little brother's science fair, glue gun and a fan
Stayed up till it's finished, taught him how to plan
Building's got one beam holding up the floor
Pull it and the whole thing folds in on the poor
I'm the beam, I don't crack, I just bow a little more
Every crack gets filled before it hits the door
Nobody sees the strain until the ceiling drips
I keep it dry, keep the weight up on my hips
Chorus
I hold the weight of the block
Steady under every knock
Roof could fall, I'm the prop
I hold the weight of the block
Verse 2
Landlord came Tuesday, said the building's condemned
Called a meeting, everybody looking like where's the plan
Told them gimme two weeks, worked a double at the yard
Pouring concrete all day, went home and poured my heart
Rosa asked me once, who holds you when it's heavy
I laughed it off, said the block, that's already steady
Truth is my knees crack louder than the floorboards do
Ice on my back, wrapped it up before the interview
Cousin Nay-Nay got accepted, needed money for the dorm
Emptied out the coffee can, told her that's the norm
Nobody asks the beam if the beam wants a rest
It just holds until it's tested, holds until it's stressed
Fire escape rusted through, still I climb it twice a day
Check on Mr. Aldo, make sure he ain't drift away
I'm structural, not special, that's the role I chose
Foundation doesn't get to fold, foundation only holds
Chorus
I hold the weight of the block
Steady under every knock
Roof could fall, I'm the prop
I hold the weight of the block
[Brid
