III. Resilience

I was looking to move the narrative forward with this song, highlighting the resilience of Black people within Indianapolis from generation to generation, while also connecting it to the previous song. How the community has been able to innovate, grow, and evolve. This song is the biggest mixture of people from all generations, lyrically and thematically. I’m looking to highlight and celebrate community.

Sonically this song feels like the 80s/90s to me, with a new age twist to it. Again, trying to move the narrative forward through time.

C H O R U S
I’m resilient fam
The squad is on a mission man
I’m never gonna, I’m never gonna
I’m never ever ever
I’m never ever ever ever gonna

I’m resilient fam
The squad is on a mission man
I’m never gonna, I’m never gonna
I’m never ever ever
I’m never ever ever ever gonna

V E R S E 1
I know this feelin for real
I don built an Ebenezer just to savor the thrill
You know we came a long way from when we first had to build
We don jumped a couple hurdles and don made us some deals
Aye look remember when we used cruise down 38th?
With the flyest whips the illest motor real estate
I know we moved a couple times I know things don changed
But the spirit could never die and it could never fade

C H O R U S
I’m resilient fam
The squad is on a mission man
I’m never gonna, I’m never gonna
I’m never ever ever
I’m never ever ever ever gonna

I’m resilient fam
The squad is worth a billion man
I’m never gonna, I’m never gonna
I’m never ever ever
I’m never ever ever ever gonna

V E R S E 2
Had to learn that its better to own than to rent
I done seen the homies priced out to their detriment
Apartheid of the money flow is deeper than deep
I reconnected with the land and learned to sow and to reap
And put the children on game
I know that things evolve, but truly man some things stay the same
Like this wonderful gift, and like this wonderful skin
Like this spirit that’s determined we gon fight til we win and keep the family on ten

C H O R U S
I’m resilient fam
The squad is on a mission man
I’m never gonna, I’m never gonna
I’m never ever ever
I’m never ever ever ever gonna

I’m resilient fam
The squad is worth a trillion man
I’m never gonna, I’m never gonna
I’m never ever ever
ever ever ever
ever ever ever

H O O K
I am strong
I’m resilient
And I know where I come from

V E R S E 3
Had to give a cameo to Cameo
The illest horse that the city blocks will ever know
From Black horsemen to Black porches
We gon always keep it real when it’s us supportin
Truly we some people with the illest range
I think it’s beautiful we represent so many things
From fillin flowerbeds to building up some real estate
And only moving backwards on the tape or when we skate
You know it’s different when you feelin the bass
And when you having them days when the family ok
Cuz we don been thru some pain
Talking death after death that really stretch out yo faith
That’s why you gotta take space
To really heal and say thanks
To the elders that done got us here and helped us be great
And learn to move out the way
So the kids can come behind and really feel our embrace
And know we gon be ok
Just know we gon be ok

H O O K
We are strong and resilient
Cuz we know where we come from
Yes we know where we come from

I am strong
I’m resilient
Cuz I know where I come from

C H O R U S
I am strong (I’m resilient fam)
I’m resilient (The squad is on a mission man)
Cuz I know where I come from (I’m never gonna, I’m never gonna)
Yes I know where I come from (I’m never ever ever, I’m never ever ever ever gonna)

I am strong (I’m resilient fam)
I’m resilient (The squad is worth a zillion man)
Cuz I know where I come from (I’m never gonna, I’m never gonna)
Yes I know where I come from (I’m never ever ever, ever ever ever, ever ever ever)

O U T R O
I think the part that needs to happen here
All the story, way back, slavery.
The population that went through that, how did they survive?
How is is race (racism) is still here?
So can we learn the trick?
The thing is the past is what’s gonna fuel you.
It’s just like going to the gas station and filling up.
You need to know who you are.