Pressure

[Intro - Spoken, dark minor-key piano, minimal atmosphere] Yeah Funny how it works, huh? Everybody got my number now Look [Chorus - Forceful rhythmic rap hook, heavy 808 and cracking snare] Pressure, pressure, coming from all sides Everybody got a number, everybody got a price I ain't saying I won't help, I ain't saying I don't care But it's funny how they need me when there's something I can spare [Verse 1 - Sharp controlled rap, precise conversational flow] Uncle called me Sunday, said the rent was overdue Told me not to tell his wife, said he'd pay me back in June Sent the money, didn't question, that's the least that I could do Then his brother hit me Monday, said he heard I came through Got a text from my ex, said her car was in the shop Asked if I could send a little, said she'd pay me when she got Her next check, but we both know that conversation's done I ain't even mad about it, just surprised she thought to come To me first, like I'm the answer every time something goes wrong I been picking up the tab so long they think that's where I belong Got a cousin with a clothing line, wants me wearing all his shirts Says it's free promotion, I say, "Man, you know that's work" Old friend got a business, homie got a dream Wants an introduction to somebody on my team And I swear I'd love to help 'em, but it's getting hard to tell Who would still be sitting with me if I had nothing left to sell [Pre-Chorus - Half-sung restrained build, rising tension] They don't ask me how I'm doing They just ask me what I make Everybody wants a little Till there's nothing left to take [Chorus - Established rhythmic hook, heavy bass and sharp drums] Pressure, pressure, coming from all sides Everybody got a number, everybody got a price I ain't saying I won't help, I ain't saying I don't care But it's funny how they need me when there's something I can spare [Verse 2 - Faster technical rap, sharper articulation, controlled intensity] Got a call about a startup, got a pitch about a brand Got a guy I barely know saying we should make a plan Got a woman at the table saying, "Baby, you're the man" Then she slides another invoice underneath my other hand Got a charity invitation, want my face upon the flyer Said they'd love to have me there, but they need me as the buyer Of a table for ten people, plus a little extra cash And I'm standing there deciding if it's wrong to even ask Why the number keeps on growing every time I say okay Why the people saying thank you never look me in the face Got a nephew needing tuition, that's a check I'm gonna write Got a stranger claiming family, that's a different kind of price I can help the ones I love, I can turn the others down But the second I say no, I'm the villain of the town And the worst part of the pressure ain't the money or the fame It's knowing if I lost it all, they'd never say my name [Bridge - Beat strips back, direct near-spoken rhythmic delivery] I ain't scared of spending money I ain't scared of giving back I'm just tired of every conversation Ending with, "Hey, could you—" [Stop - Abrupt complete instrumental silence] [Final Chorus - Full heavy beat slams back in, forceful rhythmic hook] Pressure, pressure, coming from all sides Everybody got a number, everybody got a price I ain't saying I won't help, I ain't saying I don't care But it's funny how they need me when there's something I can spare [Outro - Spoken over fading dark piano] Yeah Funny thing is... I'd probably still pick up That's the problem [End]