Refresh Collective 2026 Student Showcase: Songs and Lyrics

Refresh Collective Presents

2026 Student Showcase Concert Lyrics

14 original songs written and performed by our students.
We're setting the stage for our students to thrive.

Tap any song to follow along with the lyrics ↓

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I get bread, I get chickens, I get bread, I get ``` I get bread, I get chickens, I get bread, I get I get bread, I get chickens, I get bread, I get I get bread, I get, I get bread, I get
Count up money, it stacked to the ceiling Switched the flow, now they say that I’m different Doubled back, got ‘em all in they feelings Is what it is, swear this just the beginning Dolla signs, Benjamins, all in my pensions I’m taking off, got no plans, I’m just in it If you gon’ hate, give me credit, I killed it A shark in the water, you swim with the fishes New Lambo, you pulled up in a Civic Living crazy and reckless my mission Got a problem, get straight to the business Don’t do no talking, you made the decision Automatic make you acrobatic, if the party get lit best believe Imma flip it Problematic then I give you static, if I see a problem best believe Imma get it
I get bread, I get chickens, I get bread, I get I get bread, I get chickens, I get bread, I get I get bread, I get chickens, I get bread, I get I get bread, I get, I get bread, I get
Everybody just copy me, they look like my echo Comin’ correct though, look at my life, my love, my city be lovin’ my set though I’m learnin’ to let go, I’m chasin’ these goals I know I can reach I’m trying to build me a house on the beach, they yellin’ out “PREACH” Ain’t no one stoppin’ me, y’all couldn’t hang with me honestly I’m stackin’ this money in quantities, I promise that I’m an anomaly This ain’t geometry, everyone try angles I’m stackin’ up chicken, but this ain’t no Bojangle’s (CHICKEN) When I’m talkin’, then they listen, now I got all they attention
I get bread, I get chickens, I get bread, I get I get bread, I get chickens, I get bread, I get I get bread, I get chickens, I get bread, I get I get bread, I get, I get bread, I get
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Riding in my lambo every time I get the chance ``` Making money moves that my money gonna dance Suns out beats loud what we gonna do Whip clean, bag chasin’, how we supposed to lose
I be riding in the city with a car that’s super fast Speeding through the heavy traffic got me stuck up in a trance My skill going up, go and call it addition Buying everything and anything has always been the mission Like 23, the GOAT, yeah there’s no conversation I been known for making lots of heat yeah thats my reputation All this pape upon my bank is just a part of me I’m starting to think all of the hate is really jealousy Behind the smoke and mirrors, I keep it a buck fifty I think they liking my style I’m starting to feel like fifty 50’s what I’m saying but the miles stay a hundred They always asking for it but I tell them Ion run it Like Usain Bolt upon this one I’m gonna run the beat We on a different type of level one the cannot see All this heat up in this booth, I think they found a glitch I think verse is finished, done, please bring in the bridge
Riding in my lambo every time I get the chance Making money moves that my money gonna dance Suns out beats loud what we gonna do Whip clean, bag chasin’, how we supposed to lose
Change the pace Change the pace Change the pace Change the pace
Paperweight upon my wrist, I put my fist up Jewelry packing, never lacking, keep that chain tucked You can’t tell nothing, yeah you better shut up I just heard your newest tape, omg it sucked Thinking that you better than me, get yo girl took I know what she want, not you, I read her like a book Bass line way too crazy, yeah I have yo body shook This that rick not trues, go and take a second look Maison Margiela, yeah tabbis keep dragging Maison Margiela, yeah tabbis keep dragging I’m way too fly, yeah I’m feeling like Aladdin I’m way too fly, yeah I’m feeling like Aladdin Put your girl in rick Put your girl in rick Racks blue stitch Racks blue stitch Buy your chick new fits Buy your chick new fits Imma snatch that - Copping Kapital, I bought these pieces overseas Shawty got a waistline, wrap that thing in double C’s ‘Laska boots, no uggs, gotta flex the double B’s Flex the double B’s, flex the double B’s Cuddle my wrist yeah I feel like I’m future Maison my bottoms margiela, the futures I’m getting rich I just touch the computer Snatch your girl, on my off day, I’m Bueller Flex up pape, flex up pape Flex up pape while I take your girl on dates
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English عربي / Arabic
When you say you're Syrian, say it out loud! لما تقول إنك سوري يقول بصوت عالي
Kiss the soil of Syria, this earth is precious and proud. انزين بوست تضرب بسوريا هي تراب غالي
Holding my ID in my hand, my head held high, ماسك الهوية بيدي في رافع راسي
Oh Syrian, put your hand in mine, enough of our suffering and cries. يا سوري حط إيدك بإيدي بكفي مقاسي
English عربي / Arabic
We are fighting to survive, and Damascus stands with us, نحنا عم نداح والشام صفنا فينا
Torn between weeping for herself, and weeping for us. محتارة تبكي على حلا وتبكي علينا
Even if death surrounds us, our spirits won't starve, لو لو لو الشمر الموت ما بيجوع
Thirsty, with no water left, so I started drinking my tears. عطشان ما في ماي صرت عم بشرب دموع
The solution is forbidden, our voices fall on deaf ears, والحل ممنوع صوت مو مسموع
We take one step forward, and ten steps back. نمشي خطوة قدم 10 بنمشي برجوع
A butterfly inside me keeps calling out for Sham (Damascus), it's the breeze that wakes me up whenever I sleep. فراشة جوا جسمي عم بتنادي شام هي نفس الريشة اللي بتصحيح بكل ما نام
Rise and wake from your slumber, Damascus will heal! قوم أصحى من نومك الشمر راح بالطيب
Damascus is meant to rise like the sun, she will never set. الشام بدها تشرق ما بتغيب
Return to how you were, O Damascus, عودي كما كنت يا دمشق
I don't want to die anywhere but in you, out of pure love. لا أود أن أموت إلا فيك عشق
Stand tall and proud again, like Mount Qasioun, عودي واقفة شامخة مثل قصيون
The love inside me is rooted deep, like the branches of the olive tree. اللي فيني مثل المحبة مثل أقسام الزيتون
This is our Damascus, even when times are cruel, هي الشام شامنا لو بالزمان ضامنا
I opened the history books to read the path of our ancestors. فتحت كتابة شوف أقرأ عن طريق اجدادنا
I swear, I don't want to live in a foolish exile, I don't want to chase wealth in a foreign land. لا أود أن أعيش في الغربة الحمقاء لا أود جمع المال في الغربة الأثرية
The scent of jasmine has mixed with blood, اختلطت رحلة الياسمين مع الدم
The tears of the father have mixed with the mother's. اختلطت دموعا الأب مع الأم
If they destroy a building, we will build a rock in its place, لو هديته نبنى بدالة صخرة بدالة
Clear away the ash, and leave the pure ground beneath. أرض شيل الزفت حطوا بدالها صافي
This is holy land, brother — take off your shoes and walk barefoot! هي أرض طاهرة أخ نعالك وأمشي حافي
Whoever lacks dignity, let them come take it from us, and whoever lacks courage, true courage starts with us. واللي تنقصوا كرامي يجي يأخذها من عندنا واللي بتن رجول الرجولة بتن عنا
The betrayal is out in the open — the Syrian people united, all 23 million of us. الغدر مفتوح لما بلش الكون يتحدى الشعب السوري يتحدد 23,000,000
The nations of the world turned against us everywhere, تكبت علينا الأم في كل مكان
Shame on the faces of the rulers! استخرج على وجوه الحكام
The "Friends of Syria" turned out to be hypocrites, أصدقاء سوريا صاروا أصدقاءنا منافقين
Friends who only agreed to devour the Syrian people. أصدقاء على أكل الشعب السوري متفقين
They write on their borders: "Syrians Not Allowed." ومن تحروا بيكتبوا على الحدود يمنع دخول السوريين
But what hurts the most is a Muslim blowing himself up among Muslims. واللي يقهر اكثر لما مسلم حاله فجر بين المسلمين مع صرخة الله أكبر
Brainwashing has taken over, the Arabs are lost in illusions. غسيل دماغ صار على العرب مفتون شفت لوحة كاتب داعش على مقلوب
From Damascus to every Arab nation, من دمشق إلى كل دولة عربية
To anyone who ever tried to humiliate a Syrian: لكل إنسان حاول لو مرة يزل السورية
Syria is the mother of the world, the center of the earth, سورية أم الدنيا ومن كاز الكرة الأرضية
Syria is protected by the Divine! سوريا ما في فيها ربانية
I am infatuated with you, I carry your burdens, my name is forever tied to yours! أنا متيم فيك أنا ياللي حامل همك أنا ياللي اسمي صار مرتبط باسمك ايه
Shouting from America to Chile — raise the Syrian flag! من صارخة أمريكا وتشيلي من عيدها من بيت الأبيض شوبا وحط عالم الأمريكي ورفع العلم السوري
We drove the whole world mad — leave Syria alone! أحلامك كبيرة ما احنا جننا العالم كله راح يحتل الدنيا إذا عن سوريا ما بتحل ايه
If you don't leave Syria alone, hear me! إذا عن سوريا ما بتحل له يابا
English عربي / Arabic
So when you say you're Syrian, say it out loud! Kiss the soil of Syria, this earth is precious and proud. Holding my ID in my hand, my head held high, لما تقول إنك سوري قولها بصوت عالي زي البست سورية هي تراب غالي ماسك الهبيدي فيه رافع راسي بكفي مقاسي
Because I am from Damascus, the Golan is in my blood, and that is my identity! أحلا كبيرة ما نحنا جننا العالم كلنا ورحنا رحنا للدنيا إذا عن سوريا ما بتحل بس رخص صوت وبأمر بهتي خلان بالشام جولاني مكتوبة هويتي إيه
Hold on, what, man I'm that girl for real ``` Who said you gotta cuss in drill When I pop out I be making mills Hold on, what, man I’m so for real 15, I been paying them bills Like, shorty I ain’t never been chill Hold on, what, take it back a lil bit Yeah I know I’m still a youngin, but I’m gon’ make it and sum Yeah I told y’all slide out and we gon’ pop out with them tricks Got y’all hating on the side, y’all be talking with them cliques Hold on
Sike, y’all know I’m big mama Real classy, I don’t come with the drama When I step in, y’all feel my aura Walk in the spot, I’m turning them heads Don’t let em look cuz he might get took Might have yo man spending them bands
Hold on, what, man I’m that girl for real Who said you gotta cuss in drill When I pop out I be making mills Hold on, what, man I’m so for real 15, I been paying them bills Like, shorty I ain’t never been chill Hold on
Boss type of chick, I don’t move out of pocket Talked slick once, now he calling me a goddess Pretty like P, telling Natalie to stop it Put me on baddies like I’m the main topic Always first pick, I ain’t never been a option Broke boy talking, but he know he can’t top it Money real long and that bag look exotic
Hold on, what, man I’m that girl for real Who said you gotta cuss in drill When I pop out I be making mills Hold on, what, man I’m so for real 15, I been paying them bills Like, shorty I ain’t never been chill Hold on
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My life is sweet, my life is great ``` Cuz I got freedom now, so don’t even try me I have so much energy right now in my body I feel like I’m going out to a big party I have no control, so I’m pullin’ up a fool No need to call the Paw Patrol, no, no Cuz my life is sweet, so lit it Cuz my life is great, so get it
I have so much freedom right now, that’s right I have so much great things right now, alright I’m so lit I could party all night, come on Cuz ya boy Nick is finally free! Let’s go!
My life is sweet, my life is great Cuz I got freedom now, so don’t even try me I have so much energy right now in my body I feel like I’m going out to a big party I have no control, so I’m pullin’ up a fool No need to call the Paw Patrol, no, no Cuz my life is sweet, so lit it Cuz my life is great, so get it
It’s a free world now, so get up and jump I have a new life now, I’m so pumped No longer sitting there looking very lump In my old life, I was just on the big stump It’s good to be free from all the madness So far, so good, it’s going great It’s good to have my own life now as always I’m finally out from my own worse days
My life is sweet, my life is great Cuz I got freedom now, so don’t even try me I have so much energy right now in my body I feel like I’m going out to a big party I have no control, so I’m pullin’ up a fool No need to call the Paw Patrol, no, no Cuz my life is sweet, so lit it Cuz my life is great, so get it
My life is so sweet, so sweet My life is so sweet, so sweet
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Bound to grow, bound to get this dough ``` Bound to hit my goals Bound to hold my focus, bound to keep on goin’ Bound to grow, bound to grow, I said we bound to grow I been chasin’ dreams since I was on my own way down below
I’m bound to grow, tryna get this pape, but I been on my own Lately everybody tryna talk, but they ain’t got no throne I might even overflow, but I’ll never overthrow If you know my real name, you might be my bro Lowkey with the movement, only fam really see that though Stackin’ every dollar, turnt that hustle into dough Black skin, black pressure, made a kingdom from the cold Everybody know my name, so really I ain’t on my own
Bound to grow, my mama started from the bottom where them lights was low 18 raising me, now I’m 18 racking up my dough Learned from an early age you can’t depend on nobody but your own hope Never had no struggle, always had the muscle, never missed a meal Steady running it up all in them fields They ain’t never had your back, but you know I always kept it real they keep asking how u do it lil kam but ill tell when i hit that mill they keep asking how u do it lil kam but ill tell when i hit that mill
Bound to grow, bound to get this dough Bound to hit my goals Bound to hold my focus, bound to keep on goin’ Bound to grow, bound to grow, I said we bound to grow I been chasin’ dreams since I was on my own way down below
Gotta keep my rollie going, gotta keep my focus growing I can’t stop my focus yet, cause I’m trying to elevate To the top of the world so everybody can know me Cause I’m bound to roll to be a future hall of famer It’s time to elevate, time to elevate, time to elevate, time to elevate It’s time to elevate, time to elevate Cause I’m bound to roll to be a future hall of famer
Back to school, back to motion In that mode, I’m really chosen Bound to rise to chase my dreams Go to school to get them green Back to school, she act a fool Dress in blue, don’t act confused I come in heat, but keep me cool Bound to live life comfortable
You gotta lead your folks Give em motivation on what they need to know You seen the poor, sleepin’ on the bench, ain’t got nowhere to go It’s sad to see, leave it up to me, I’ve seen a better dream Clean the parks, when you be a leader, that’s when distance come They hate the truth, really it’s just the actions from the inner you Ahead of you, I don’t want the past to be the end of you You rebuild, your pockets refill, them signs of growth Don’t mind startin’ over as long as we gettin’ more
I was stuck in the mud, now I’m bound to grow Pressure on my back made the diamond’s soul Cold nights, no help, had to grind alone Every loss is a lesson, now my time is close The doubted the vision from the bottom floor to the highest road Can’t block my path, yeah I’m bound to grow Yeah I’m bound to grow, yeah I’m bound to grow On my DJ Khaled stuff, yeah I’m bound to grow
Bound to grow, bound to get this dough Bound to hit my goals Bound to hold my focus, bound to keep on goin’ Bound to grow, bound to grow, I said we bound to grow I been chasin’ dreams since I was on my own way down below
I can’t see you with the tints, water was dirty just like Flint Tryna get my spirit rich, like a baby throwing fits Dreams a dog, they untamed, ten toes on me unchanged Demons back up, need space, while Big stepping, lost a lace I got things to do, you won’t ever catch me in a slouch Keep your cup filling up, even if it’s just an ounce Like a tiger, every dream I want, believe I’m gonna pounce Opposition like to talk, but it’s always from the couch
English عربي / Arabic
You destroyed a house, we will build a tent هديتوا بيت عمار نخيمه
You poured down rain, we offered a cloud نزلته مطر هدينا غيمة
And we brought the world together واحنا عملنا الدنيا لمة
While human life no longer has value والبشر ما عاد لها قيمة
I am breaking through solid rock عم بأحلف صخر بمبي
Tying my dream to a foolish world رابط حلمي بعالم غبي
Seeing my mind mature while I am just a boy شايف عقلي وأنا صبي
Waiting for my demands to be met ناطرين يتحقق مطلبي
We reached the dream that I built وصلنا حلم اللي بنيته
Carried on my shoulders, I haven’t let it drop على كتفي أنا لم ألقي
Where is the justice? I couldn’t find it وين العدل ما لقيته
I have been a son of the camp for years أنا ابن مخيم من سنين
Searching for a land to empower me — I erase my history and live on, none of you mean a thing to me ابحث عن أردن تقويني في عروبة باتت تؤذيني احذف تاريخي وأحيى لا أحد فيكم يعنيني
I had to build up mental toughness, keep it real, was on my own I been fightin’ since a youngin’ when that rubber hit that road, I steady rolled Couldn’t give up all my goals ‘cause they was all I’ve ever known Now my back’s full of ashes from the bridges I let go go go go Stay on the low, no, no more My walls is fortified, it’s more than I, I Mordecai my foes Now my mortal mind can sorta find why they forsaken my foresight So I hold fast to the core might, can’t quit now, no I can’t fold Been a dreamer since a technicolor coat And I will be ‘til the day that reaper set me out to float I can’t ride nobody’s wave and if I did I’d rock the boat Take a look out at my legacy, you’ll see I’m bleeding hope
Bound to grow, bound to get this dough Bound to hit my goals Bound to hold my focus, bound to keep on goin’ Bound to grow, bound to grow, I said we bound to grow I been chasin’ dreams since I was on my own way down below
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We been runaways, like a hundred times, trying to put this rap stuff in the Halo ``` Stop playing with us cuz we traumatized, unless you wanna get KO’d This how it’s gon’ go, a man with a microphone gon’ get people attention “Now I welcome you JJ & TJay, they a Diamond that’s whole, don’t forget it!” Let’s rewind, you know I’m the greatest, ain’t ‘26 yet, but I feel like we made it JJ please, just please Give me ideas, cuz I feel like they wasting my time with these statements Most of the time, I just feel like they hating While we ain’t the hottest, I’m getting impatient People said they believe in us, but can’t spare us some greatness
I’m climbing the ladder up, this is a pattern I can name people that we should be faster than Ahead of my class, I guess they wasn’t fast enough At the top, capacity getting cut Aye, look, sorry to interrupt, but this book don’t relate to us getting up JJ agreed, now the teacher is sick of us Don’t get mad if you limping when you get up
TJay & Shredda, this legacy is a letter JJ, fix your posture, we gotta look good for the pics Alright, you can quit
Even though I’m at the bottom, I still be the best at what I’m gon’ do Born from a king with a royalty hand Only one missing, cuz she gotta choose Making my bread from the bottom Now they calling me Jimmy, I’m staying at John’s They catching back with me Now they wanna catch back with a pat back But they wasn’t there in my past life I gotta do better, I’m locked in the cellar Open the cage, I got something to prove You a distraction like clowns in them classes Let you around me, I know Imma lose I don’t wanna lose, they judging me off of decisions, but they wouldn’t walk in my shoes Just focus on you, they hating me with precision, but little they know they confused Hey, they doubting me now, but we gonna be on the news Diamonds gon’ start up in twos, hey
TJay and Shredda, this legacy is a letter Wait, the only thing that’s a let up is this generation getting better, aye Shredda & TJay, we the chosen ones, do you understand I’ve been crying out loud for Pete’s sake, just a diamond that will never break again TJay & Shredda, this legacy is a letter JJ, fix your posture, we gotta look good for the pics Alright, you can quit We a diamond that will never break again, oh We a diamond that will never break again, oh, JJ talk to me
Hey TJay What up? Why they lookin at us rough? Well I don’t know if it’s crazy, but I think it’s crazy that they don’t want us to blow up Oh, I get it What? They just wanna break our image So? Wait, double D, I ain’t finish, takin’ our flaws and exposing the blemish
So that’s why we’ve been runaways for a hundred times, tryna but this rap stuff in a halo That’s right, stop playing with us cuz we traumatized, unless you wanna get KO’d This how its gon roll, no man or a microphone goin’ back to the past for a mission now “JJ & TJay, we a Diamond that’s whole, don’t forget it!” Let’s rewind, yeah, you know I’m the greatest, ain’t 26’ yet, but I feel like we made it TJay please, just please Give me ideas, cuz I feel like they wastin’ my time with these statements Most of the time, I just feel like they hating While we ain’t the hottest, I’m getting impatient People said they believe in us, but can’t spare us some greatness
We been runaways like a hundred times Stop playing with us, cuz we traumatized JJ talk to me
TJay & Shredda, this legacy is a letter JJ, fix your posture, we gotta look good for the pics Alright, you can quit We a diamond that will never break again, oh We a diamond that will never break again, oh, JJ talk to me
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Mess around, be my 13th reason ``` Had a dream that I lost it all, then I woke up a demon I got bit by a cobra, I think I’m bleeding Now I’m heavily breathing, but I still ain’t learn my lesson But I’m under progression and still learning lessons and making them blessings I been wanting to quit ever since year 11, I fell out of love with my presence I don’t know what I been told, but the pain won’t go, the pain won’t go
I been hurtin’ since the 5th grade Starting giving me fades and throwin’ me shade, I was afraid They was gouging out my heart, I was betrayed Feel like I was stabbed with a blade, I need first aid I swear death becomes you Imma put a foot up on your neck until that death becomes you I fall so deep into the depths, I swear that death becomes you In that mirror staring back, you see that death becomes you Ain’t no acronym to death, so here’s my last words to my past self I never seen you as the enemy Just a shattered past reflecting back at me, a fragile remedy I was 14, didn’t even know what a door means I made hard headed opportunities I just want to become the best of me
Mess around, be my 13th reason Had a dream that I lost it all, then I woke up a demon I got bit by a cobra, I think I’m bleeding Now I’m heavily breathing, but I still ain’t learn my lesson But I’m under progression and still learning lessons and making them blessings I been wanting to quit ever since year 11, I fell out of love with my presence I don’t know what I been told, but the pain won’t go, the pain won’t go
When I write my songs, I feel like the W in write I just feel like it’s better without it Know the pain won’t go, cuz the devil just eat me alive when I try to do better Like a melophone, I ain’t ever have no time for highs and lows I just feel like my energy routing Wrote God a letter, but I took out the W E, now it’s rotting my flesh up Love betrayed me, I think I’m done I’m getting typo crazy, crying out my lungs Act like the pain won’t phase me, I smile just because Now I’m married to the depths, and the devil callin’ me Hon Don’t call me dumb, I just paid my dues I don’t really even care for my outfit Lot of people try to say it’s my fault, I ain’t had no one to care about it So when I write my deuce, they say “I got you” Not sayin’ I tried to lose, but I had to choose
Mess around, be my 13th reason Had a dream that I lost it all, then I woke up a demon I got bit by a cobra, I think I’m bleeding Now I’m heavily breathing, but I still ain’t learn my lesson But I’m under progression and still learning lessons and making them blessings I been wanting to quit ever since year 11, I fell out of love with my presence I don’t know what I been told, but the pain won’t go, the pain won’t go
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Slowly, slowly, keep me closely ``` Please don’t hold me You might find it difficult And I’m trying to get used to you
I’ve seen too much, I’ve lost it all Got no one left, it’s all my fault So I gotta know will you catch me When I fall, when I fall
I promised I’d hide my mouth if you thought I would lose my temper Faced my thoughts, but as time moved on, everybody started changin’ my list up When I hit that stage at West Side, it fired up my pistons Lost one, I was claimed to be traumatized, lost another, I promise that I won’t Conscience talk to me about my past I promise that I don’t wanna talk about nothing Resulting my tears connecting with my phone Told the public it’s just my allergies My words naturally flowing just like a melody Ignore the pain, but it came right back to me I tell everyone I’m fine but actually I asked my mom for a therapist Cuz I been going through some things that I can’t escape Medicine, dissolve my melanin Anything to blow that pain away Don’t waste your time, don’t lose your mind Try to tell myself just keep your head up through the hard times I faced it all, hope they see it when I ball Tryna pass through my losses, I’ll leave it up to him God’s plan was a mission for me to understand Sometimes I wish I still had Granny in my hands, cuz I
I’ve seen too much, I’ve lost it all Got no one left, it’s all my fault So I gotta know will you catch me When I fall, when I fall
I’m afraid to let you hold me Cuz what if you walk away And I’m left here to wonder What I could have done to make you stay You tell me that you’re here now And no matter what, I’m safe But the storm is all around, lightning cracks and thunder sounds And I’m starting to lose my faith I’ve been let down before, will this be any different? You say that I’m Yours, but it’s hard to believe it When everyone else turns around and they leave And I’m still here alone with the pieces of me left But maybe I can trust You, maybe one more time I’ll open up my heart again, and maybe I will find A love that is patient, humble, and kind A love that stays around and never says goodbye
Slowly, slowly, keep me closely Please don’t hold me You might find it difficult And I’m trying to get used to you Slowly, slowly, keep me closely Please don’t hold me You might find it difficult And I’m trying to get used to you
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No one get left behind, hope's what we hope to find (HUDDLE UP) ``` Every goal defined, in every moment to shine (HUDDLE UP) Fear no longer reside, makin’ the most of time (HUDDLE UP) Cause we are no longer divided, this is the hill that we climb
In my class, I’ll look ‘em in the eyes, trust is emphasized When I’m Teaching I’m listening, so slow-down on the tempo side In a safe and mindful place, man, transformation is probable I’m watching it happen and backing em up to apple S, it’s logical Student led projects, yeah, remix how they’re educated, Huddle up in the booth, where the sound waves are the only thing isolated Strength in numbers, we defend us, uh, pressure bringing new perspective Then they catch a spark, realize who they are, rocking the mic with Refresh Collective.
Huddle up, gather ‘round Time is now, stand your ground Change the world, save a life Take what you learned, and be the light Lockin’ arms, side by side Don’t go alone, you won’t survive You are love personified Listen in, do you hear the cry? They need us now more than ever If we want the world to get better We gotta get out of our comfort zone, a diamond is born from the pressure I will not burn when I walk through the fire because I lean on the One who is higher I wanna be who my students require Leave a legacy and live to inspire
His name was Mr. Carter, he was not a problem starter But the block he’s from is harder than a suburb filled with chargers You can’t save em with your buckets, man that old system is rusted All his life he heard the ruckus, IQ high he just needs some loving Carter never heard “I believe in you,” Carter always heard “like your father, oof” Carter had a room without a roof, Carter like a chicken in a coupe Test don’t feed his soul, they just hit the system goals Santa was giving Carter coal, when his gifts were at the wrong Pole
At the wrong pole position, can’t hope but wishing My only motive been the hope of switchin’ the code that over our homie’s vision My students look at me like, “bro, you get it” If only they knew that I showed and did it I’ve grown through many a bad decisions So I’m never judging you then, I look in they eye and I say it again I’m tellin em huddle up now, ain’t no one is shutting you down You’ll always be making me proud, no matter what door you go out But my door is always open, keep it open I’ll never turn no way, I stand right beside you all Never crossing out no names
We don’t need saving, we need healing, we need the feeling of trust Crushing the ceiling, breaking walls of division, revealing us All together on an adventure, energy emanating from the center Students and teachers all up in the huddle, and anyone who is invited to enter Making maps of exploration, tracking truth like a treasure Don’t need a yard stick to measure, we get better under the pressure We go forth to the ends of the earth, seek and secure all the things that we search Started in last, but curvin’ in first, serve like a nurse, not the problem, we are the cure
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There's no way, yeah, yeah, no way ``` I want you to stay, I want you to stay, yeah There’s no way, yeah I want you to stay, I want you to stay Come here bae
They say a star don’t shine bright, you shine brighter bae You mad at me because you don’t get your way I won’t let you leave, I will fight for us Why you gotta fight us, I want love, not lust Listen to me, we don’t gotta fuss We were made for each other, so what about us So let me explain 2 sides of the plane We are you, and we are the same
There’s no way, yeah, yeah, no way I want you to stay, I want you to stay, yeah There’s no way, yeah I want you to stay, I want you to stay Come here bae
Paris at Chanel, remember them shopping sprees Turks and Caicos, I was on the beach, I was with you We too old for these games Let me know, just don’t leave out the blue All these read messages and grey in our text messages is because of you I can’t keep playing childish games, arguments make me insane I go in the booth and clear my mind, that’s my only way I love you more than anything, but you say I don’t and just push me away Back and forth, hours no communication driving me insane I hit you up, you said don’t call, that was really hurtful I just stuff my feelings deep inside, it don’t concern you After all we been through, I thought all I deserve you You wanna go out with your friends but not your man, that’s hurtful I go out with the guys, 3AM, you get mad and get hurtful I can see my feelings don’t matter, I don’t deserve you
There’s no way, yeah, yeah, no way I want you to stay, I want you to stay, yeah There’s no way, yeah I want you to stay, I want you to stay Come here bae
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Cause you weren't stronger ``` You were always a monster
I told myself I’d be defiant, ended up staying silent For three months, let you control me, it was killin’ me slowly Your words weren’t a reality, changin’ my mentality I didn’t have capacity to see what you had done to me I cried myself to sleep that night, wish I had the nerve to fight I fell for all of your lies ‘cause I thought my family would die Kept all your words inside, all I want to do is hide I found the nerve to speak, you cannot call me weak You smile like you’re harmless, your touch like darkness Told me to stay silent to keep me on a harness Feeling empty inside, I’m just tryna survive I’m pretending i’m fine, while fear eats me alive I’ll speak the truth that sets me free, it heals the parts that you can’t see I won’t let the silence be, now I’ll build a better me Thought you left a heart of glass, but I’ll never let you pass And just in case you ask, this won’t be my last
Cause you weren’t stronger You were always a monster
I’m learning to stand and fight Bringing my secrets into light I see you for what you are inside Taking back what you tried to hide
```
Growin' up I had them rap dreams, tried to push past my limits ``` Thinking back when I just listened to J. Cole and Biggie Tryna push a message, can’t stand the reflection in that mirror On my knees praying to God that the skies gone get clearer Growing up ain’t have no father, always stuck up in my head Isolated in my room, couldn’t get outta bed Reminiscing ‘bout the times I held a gun up to my head Thinking what would get way better if I was better off dead Till I met a man told me suicide was not for you young man Just keep holding on and pray to God, it’s gonna get good young man Stuff ain’t sweet in life, but you ain’t gotta have that gun in hand Jus stay on yo path and keep yo focus, gonna be cool lil man Then I got into that rap game, money ain’t stackin’ up Had a brother and some teachers who came in and built me up Keep on locking in and life gone get sweeter than butter cups Cause for a black man, if you got God in yo life, you good enough Always thinking ‘bout the trouble, trials, and tribulation My life started in the attic and ended up in the basement Always closing caskets, getting tired of seeing them cold faces Looking down upon myself, think ‘bout the times I could’ve made it Thinking bout my younger gen always endin’ up in a hearse Always wanna run the street instead of sitting down in a church Some of y’all could’ve had them riches or ended up being a nurse But instead you on that concrete or six feet in the dirt This a letter to my future self, I know you doin better now I know you gotta house up on the hills and got that cheddar now Gun violence was a constant issue on that block you been around But just go back in time it’s ‘bout time to flip that’s switch around I’m tryna send a message no st-st-studder or stammering I’m locking in on life, keeping my focus like a camera man It shouldn’t take a casket to see you that need some hesitance or reverence You blow that gun again then it’s your reckoning We died more chasing more dreams, we slide like an OG The Nile like the river we stretching to chase some more green This pride don’t approach me, these people they can’t hold me The records wanna signing, but homie they cannot own me This a whisper from the enemy, the devil up on my ear I’m keeping up the weight, but I’m still pressing down just like a chair Moving like a harbinger, I’m reaping all my benefits I’m thankful for my teachers and my brothers, cause they heaven sent This a letter to the future, this a letter to the future Brodie steady poppin pills and playing hero but cannot improve Do good for yourself, cause there’s nothing that these streets can do for you Got real deep in that water, I’m drowning out just like a swimming pool Take two to make a team, work for someone who gon’ work for you You play that devil talkin’, but you messin’ with your life for real These people mess you up and leave you hurt just like some Benadryl You think that they your friends, come on lil homie, let’s be for real Lil homie save your life, chase that work instead of chasin’ pills I understand your pain and being born covered in rigid edges It keep on comin’ back to back and blow just like a Mac 11 I know that you in pain, come on Johnny, you ain’t gotta test it But it is not a game, treat your life just like a lethal weapon People gon’ mess with you and try to put you in the dirt If you get to them riches, they gon’ wanna put you in a hearse But brodie, you ain’t sweet, they did you bad so you just do them worse, aye But growin’ up I had them rap dreams, tried to push past my limits Thinking back when I just listened to J. Cole and Biggie Tryna push a message, can’t stand the reflection in that mirror On my knees praying to God that the skies gone get clearer Growing up ain’t have no father, always stuck up in my head Isolated in my room, couldn’t get outta bed Reminiscing ‘bout the times I held a gun up to my head Thinking what would get way better if I was better off dead This a letter to the future, this a letter to the future Sometimes in life, you just gotta chase a dream Droppin’ what you want so you can get just what you need
```
Hey hey hey hey hey hey hey olé olé
Shorty in the back of the room, she got her nails done ``` I’m just tryna cook in the booth with Mr. Frozone Cuz the first first date I was taking my game and she was with it Had her smiling when the second one came, she catchin’ feelings She like “no way,” she a diva, she love drama But when it come to people you know ion care ‘bout drama She like drama this, drama that, all I’m hearing is yap Always callin’ my phone to tell me this or that I came for food and that lady just mad, yeah She tried to step up so I had to step back She gettin’ mad cuz I won’t hold her bag And her dad lookin’ glad cuz I’m not moving fast I came to the party to eat and to have fun She tried to step up and claim she a bad one She said she tea but she really not tea She just really hungry, yeah that girl for the streets She a man playa, that’s what that girl really is Man she really a demon, don’t let her play you, twin She’ll be havin’ you cheesin’ thinkin’ you gon win Takin’ pics for the season, then drop you like a pin She a man playa, that’s what that girl really is Man she really a demon don’t let her play you, twin She’ll be cleanin’ ya dishes and cookin’ for you, twin She’ll be playing ya feelings and treat you like you’re mid
Hey hey hey hey hey hey hey olé olé
Hoppin’ in a plane, hopin’ it don’t really crash out And my baby, she’s a baddie, and she really lash out Hold up, stop the beat, she woke up mad at me Had to book her first class just to put her back to sleep Republic or Dominican, no, I want Cuban Love the way she spice it up when she hear the music Body’s like Shakira, and you know her body do it Yeah, and you know her body do it Hear all the drums as they bangin If you hear what I’m sayin, then move at an angle You dance with your girl, she look good in a halo Lift her in the air, now she looks like an angel But I’m from the East Coast, love me a little bitty Born in the South Pole, and she know she look pretty Eyes glitter in gold, yeah I know But she in the back with all black and no contact On my body but she’s not an object She said that I’m different, I guess I just love that On a drive, and we pushin no Scat Pack Stackin’ up muscle, we built like a six pack Switch up the language, don’t think that I get that Got me a cup and just told me to sit back, sit back, yeah
Hey hey hey hey hey hey hey olé olé
I’m a trench kid, baby, I don’t do the romance But the way you got me movin’ got me thinkin’ ‘bout a slow dance. Nah—I’m playin’, let’s just jerk to the rhythm Got a hollow in the clip, but it’s love that I’m givin’. Back out, back out, let the beat breathe You the only one I want, you don’t ever gotta leave. I’m a drill star, baby, keep the toolie in the denim But your body like a drug and I’m high off the venom And I’m not a racist, I love all races Different colors, different stories, still the same faces Tryna find the light while we stuck in dark places See her walk in, now my mind rearranges Caught in the vibe, yeah my heart accelerates it Step so clean, yeah her walk got graces Say a lil’ joke, now she laughin’, it’s contagious Different vibes linkin’ up in the same spaces Look, you movin’ different, I notice My hands on your hips and we looking so focused We in the ball room but I know that you know this I never fall easy so you gon get ghosted Look, Danny Phantom I’ma ghost Republic Dominica I do the most Bad thing, naughty girl, yeah, I’m finna boast I’ll get every girl, just wait till this post
Hey hey hey hey hey hey hey olé olé
```
Every song in this collection — regardless of whether it opens with bravado, grief, or celebration — arrives at the same place: survival becoming strength. That through-line is remarkable given how different these students' stories are.
Song after song leads with self-assertion — but it's not empty posturing. These students are constructing identity in real time, defining themselves on their own terms. A powerful thread throughout is identity tied to origin — the idea that who I am is connected to where I come from, and that connection is worth declaring out loud even when the world has made it a source of pain.
Several songs go to very dark places — and they should be honored for that. Students confront loss, abuse, silence, and the weight of environments where violence is constant. These aren't songs about giving up. They're songs about having been at the edge and choosing to speak rather than disappear. That takes more strength than any flex in any song here.
These students are not writing in isolation — they are writing toward each other. The word "we" shows up as often as "I." They name the people who weren't there and the ones who were. They call out systems that failed them without self-pity. Someone believed in these students before they believed in themselves, and it shows.
Not everything is heavy — and that balance matters. Some of these songs are simply joyful, playful, funny. They show that these students are not defined by their hardship. They have full lives and full emotional ranges, and they bring all of it into the booth.
Several students reach toward faith at their lowest points — not as performance, but desperate and honest. Alongside that runs a strong moral current: a refusal to pass suffering on, a commitment to lead, a desire to leave something better than what was left for them.
"I'll speak the truth that sets me free, it heals the parts that you can't see / I won't let the silence be, now I'll build a better me."
— Molly, Secrets
This is not a theme that was taught to them. It's what they actually believe, pulled out through the process of writing and recording their own music. The fact that it shows up across students of different ages, backgrounds, and life experiences says something significant about what happens in these classrooms.

These songs would hold up in any context. They are not "good for students." They are just good.