By the Time I’m 40 (Phrasure Verse) Doing a lotta growing up lately Trying not to be sad and depressed But life has gotten to be so crazy Got me feeling all mad and perplexed But I gotta let go of what I can’t control Life’s flying by, gotta grab ahold Can’t let everything pass me by Still got a lot of things I need to do and try First things first, gotta raise the kids right Gotta fill em with wisdom and insight Teach em their manners and teach em respect And try to lead by the example I set Show them the value in loving their neighbor Stand up for themselves and never do waiver But always be ready to learn from mistakes Cause accountability takes humility and grace Next things next, gotta re-up the setup Keep applying pressure, don’t let up Every day I keep getting better and better But I need the pay that’ll keep us straight forever and ever Lemme get my beats on TV And if I score a commercial?? Y’all can’t see me I know I got appeal, but still Then I’ll move on to films, for real I’ve yet to go out of state for a show But I know that I could get paid on the road I’ll get some homies, we’ll hop in a van Tear down the venue and make some new fans Packed out stadiums, worldwide arenas Are some things that I dream of and I hope one day to see em Emerge on the stage to a round of applause From the crowd so loud that we’re sounding it off There’s a list of collabs that I wanna make happen Whether it be beats, concerts, or rappin’ I can check a few names I done did a few things But I got time to figure out what I’m doing I still got time to figure out what I’m doing I guess I got time to figure out what I’m doing (Chorus) Life is a cinema Twenties are fun, thirties is when all the business is picking up Reach all your goals, then by the time that you’re forty you live it up Cause that’s the way it’s supposed to be At least that’s what was told to me, so hopefully Life is a cinema Twenties are fun, thirties is when all the business is picking up Reach all your goals, then by the time that you’re forty you live it up Cause that’s the way it’s supposed to be At least that’s what was told to me, so hopefully (Akil Verse) Been thinking ‘bout a lot of stuff lately Like what does success mean You see the gap between Where you are, and where you wanna be In the meantime, kids outgrowing their dungarees Knock on the door like, dad come and see In a minute, first I gotta put these hats on this beat Time has no patience And by the time I finished that mix, he was graduating At least I went to a few ball games Photoshoots thrown on a wall in a frame Tryna make it to the rock and roll hall of fame On your daughter’s wedding day take that walk of shame, man Wish I had my priorities change Then I would have said I can’t record on this day Time is a gift you can’t afford to repay Telling some of yalls futures unfortunately (Chorus) Life is a cinema Twenties are fun, thirties is when all the business is picking up Reach all your goals, then by the time that you’re forty you live it up Cause that’s the way it’s supposed to be At least that’s what was told to me, so hopefully Life is a cinema Twenties are fun, thirties is when all the business is picking up Reach all your goals, then by the time that you’re forty you live it up Cause that’s the way it’s supposed to be At least that’s what was told to me, so hopefully

(Phrasure Verse 1) I’m just your average rapper with a cute family tryna get by 5’6, prolly bout 150 Short brown hair, blue eyes, y’all gon feel me Just another suburban kid in this lil city Tryna make it big by coming up with these lil ditties If I had a nickname then it would be That Dude I remind myself that every time I’m in a bad mood I got some news for you, and I know it sounds odd If you think I got confidence, homie, it’s a facade Listen I’m just a regular dude Who’s pretty good at making effortless tunes I play the role of a sensitive fool Not usually one to say I’m better than you, buuuut... If the shoe fits I’m outgoing, outspoken, and outlandish When I’m out on the stage, you know I’m outstanding But outside of that output, I’m out of place I’m an outcast, feel like I’m all alone in outer space There’s cool people among us, but I feel like an impostor These crews make me feel like a monster I’m half awesome, half awkward, half failed mathematician I guess I’ll use the gifts I was given (Chorus) I’m just your average rapper with a cute family tryna get by Taking beauty from this chaos, can’t take a day off I’m just your average rapper with a cute family tryna get by Taking beauty from this chaos, I hope it pay off I’m just your average rapper with a cute family tryna get by Taking beauty from this chaos, can’t take a day off I’m just your average rapper You know I say it all the time I’m just an average rapper Another day another rhyme (Phrasure Verse 2) I’m waaaaaaaashed I’m not cool anymore Not that I really was before I’m a dork for sure I’m bored with trying to make myself sound like the best This just for sport Lemme give it a rest I’ll play to my strengths and pray that it takes Got some hate but I’ll say that I’m not phased, by the way Phrasure is able to make the most capable faint Do me a favor, don’t play when I’m on the mic or onstage, okay? I hear em talking But I call em caps lock Cause they lying on my name And they can’t stop Things finna shift Better make space for these bars Keep a tab on me My control aimed for the stars I’m in a new stratosphere This groove is cashmere I’m coolin’ out here They movin’ out of fear I knew this past year Would be full of my growth Yet you folks think you supposed to be doing the most Lemme flex for a minute Take a rest while I kill it Mr Pratt soundtrack it Been the best in the city As long as I can hold a microphone I’m not breaking down like I’m styrofoam Killing rappers trappers scrappers then getting rid of the waste like a lysosome (Chorus) I’m just your average rapper with a cute family tryna get by Taking beauty from this chaos, can’t take a day off I’m just your average rapper with a cute family tryna get by (Akil Verse) Best and the worst, I’m somewhere in between that Not the best punches, but a mean jab I’m like an amateur on the speed bag Tryna find my rhythm Part superhero part villain that’s an odd feeling They tell me they tell me that’s normal But i’m still tryna settle in my skin Put it all together and I make concertos with the pen I’m no Paul Bear But these beats will need a pallbearer that’s what I saw in the mirror Self consciousness There’s a thin line between cockiness and confidence Spit it ten times or till I feel like I done bodied it Can’t be slowed down by a status or a comment Keep going like i don’t know where the commas went And I don’t know where the karma went Good vibes only over here, keep them phonies over there Them actors with their EGOTs aint worried bout what he got I may be average to you, but i’m the best me

(Chorus) Why don’t you wake up my love Time is slipping away But i’m not phased by the buzz Cause I do this everyday Running in place but i’m so far from where I started at Give me a stage and i’ll be rocking where the party at I’m just tryna vibe Hustle on the side And we gon run it back yeah everyday that i’m alive [verse 1] On the one hand, I got a family to feed I’d like to think I’m the man I need to be On the weekday grind from 9 to 5 Keeping my people alive Doin whatever I gotta do to survive Whatever the prospect Watchin the clock tick Only six hours to go, man I got this Stop it This is obnoxious Feeling like Love Moor cause I’m going through the Motions Every day, in and out, just like animal style’s the focus Sometimes I miss the days when I was out here scanning groceries Now I get suited up like I’m tryna get that promotion Still clocking out is the peak But I’m earning a nice place for the wife and the kids to sleep But it’s so rewarding when they come swarming When I step through that doorway Anything happened before is forgotten It’s not that important Gotta remember who I do it for Not just for me Next day I wake, I shower, then get dressed and brush my teeth I keep showing up and I still keep getting paid I just do the best that I can do for them That’s every day (Chorus) Why don’t you wake up my love Time is slipping away But i’m not phased by the buzz Cause I do this everyday Running in place but i’m so far from where I started at Give me a stage and i’ll be rocking where the party at I’m just tryna vibe Hustle on the side And we gon run it back yeah everyday that i’m alive [verse 2] On the other hand, I got a dream I need to chase Really need for the scene to be embraced Birmingham has a massive camp of talent Tell anybody who’s asking Doin whatever I can when I’m using this passion And it’s constant It’s on my conscience To check that the populous knows 205 the best quadrant No contest We got content, we got bangers We got lyricists, we got sangers We got beat makers producing hits It’s a sin this city is getting skipped Put any of us on a stage You forget everybody else there that night Guarantee we gon show you up When we show up, you can bet that’s right I’m tryna gas up all the homies around me So we can take this engine to the areas surrounding No pit stops on the road to success is how we Do it the movement is proving to be astounding I’m devoted to my focus of putting us in motion The fact that we’re so potent, there’s no way that they couldn’t notice All of us tryna win, maybe I could pave the way I just do the best that I can do for them That’s every day (Chorus) Why don’t you wake up my love Time is slipping away But i’m not phased by the buzz Cause I do this everyday Running in place but i’m so far from where I started at Give me a stage and i’ll be rocking where the party at I’m just tryna vibe Hustle on the side And we gon run it back yeah everyday that i’m alive

(Akil Verse) I got the groceries put up Kids is in the tuck i’m bout to put on my tux Best dressed like an interview Just so we can dance in the living room Sometimes you wish you was a carefree teen Jumping on the couch like this was an Air Bnb New me meet the old me Before I took myself so seriously WWJD bracelets and purity rings I was into you before the rent was due Before these bundles of joy used to have fun with your boy I guess we’re so grown now And this the closest thing to going out (Chorus) What if me and you took some time to do What we’ve been meaning to i’ll clean up for you Baby’s sleeping and now i’m thinking Ain’t nobody else that i’d rather be ‘round (Phrasure Verse) It’s been about 22 months Since we did anything that was just the two of us Okay, maybe that isn’t exact But the fact is we need a proper date, and stat I get dressed up to the nines Feelin fine, but then I see you and you’re looking divine, babe You haven’t worn that dress in while But I guess there’s some things that never go out of style, babe Head to your parents, drop the hooligans off I got this goddess in the passenger, my God, I’m in awe Let’s walk around for a night in the city With you in it, Birmingham never looked so pretty (Chorus) What if me and you took some time to do What we’ve been meaning to i’ll clean up for you Baby’s sleeping and now i’m thinking Ain’t nobody else that i’d rather be ‘round (Bridge) Ain’t nobody that i’d rather keep ‘round Ain’t nobody that i’d rather keep ‘round Ain’t nobody that i’d rather keep ‘round Ain’t nobody that i’d rather keep ‘round It’s just the way that you are are are Are are are It’s just the way that you are are are Are are are It’s just the way that you are are are Are are are It’s just the way that you are are are Are are are

(Phrasure Verse) Okay, I wrote about you long before you made your grand entrance When your presence wasn’t something I could properly envision Now you’re ripping into presents with ferocity and joy Getting amped about the possibility of books and toys Your genuine curiosity never seems done A bookworm with a knack for climbing and a green thumb Imagination larger than any of us realize An infectious laugh that makes me happy to be alive I appreciate the way that you challenge my brain And I love to see you splashin’ when you’re out in the rain Your self-taught confidence is something that’s inspiring Your fearlessness is something that I’m constantly admiring Still, I just wanna protect you Know I’ll do right by you, I won’t ever neglect you I don’t expect you to think I do it all correct But I’m doing my best Lemme say this with my chest Just know I’m here whenever you need me Even if I won’t understand it I’ll sit and listen while you rant and I’ll provide my insight, but only if you ask it You won’t always need me so I’ll cherish all these moments I’ll help you do repairs whenever you’re feeling broken I’m hoping as you grow up, I’ll keep everything I promise And I know you’ll be strong as your mama Love you (Chorus) Babygirl you’re so lovely and I’m so lucky I’ll break all you walls down to get you to trust me and trust me I ain’t going nowhere we ain’t showing no fear Cause today was made for us Babygirl you’re so lovely and I’m so lucky I gotta let you grow up but you ain’t gotta rush me I’m fussing But ain’t going nowhere we ain’t showing no fear Cause today was made for us [bridge] You won’t always be a baby But you’ll always be my baby And it’s crazy the way we watch you Blossom like a daisy Little lady (Akil Verse) You know Daddy don’t playdough unless it’s mr. potato When he say so it’s case closed But you happened to find the soft spot behind this granite design And all you young fellas take your heart and cannibalize We develop our own lingo handshakes dance breaks I cue the game up while you finish your pancakes yeah We do our thing but as you get old the world gets colder Lends you shoulders to lean that ain’t mine You’ll go from seven to nine to wanting jettas to drive Saying prayers at bedtime to staying up half the night But we gon see how this ship floats in the ocean As a parent it’s easy to drift and go through the motions Can’t keep you in cocoons this butterfly’s so social When i walk you down the aisle promise to not be emotional But just answer the phone when I call No I ain’t lonely at all Just making sure the roots are deep before you grow to be tall (Chorus) Babygirl you’re so lovely and I’m so lucky I’ll break all you walls down to get you to trust me and trust me I ain’t going nowhere we ain’t showing no fear Cause today was made for us Babygirl you’re so lovely and I’m so lucky I gotta let you grow up but you ain’t gotta rush me I’m fussing But ain’t going nowhere we ain’t showing no fear Cause today was made for us [bridge] You won’t always be a baby But you’ll always be my baby And it’s crazy the way we watch you Blossom like a daisy Little lady

(Phrasure Verse) Ya know At first I didn’t have any confidence Couple years down the road And now I’m thinking that I kinda get it My mind goes a mile a minute I know the clock is ticking But I’m feeling like the time is sprinting They say the cliché is don’t blink Cause at a moment’s notice you could miss the whole thing I’m trying to hone in to witness y’all growing And I hope that I show you how much you both mean The long nights are worth it cause both of you are perfect Even if I’m dozing the next morning when I’m workin I’m certain that I’ve actually gotten off kinda easy Cause both your personalities usually pretty peachy Scrolling through the photos on my phone Getting misty eyed when I see how much you’ve grown And right before my eyes, there you go changing again Lemme put this phone down, y’all want me to play pretend Let’s go (Chorus) I wish that I could travel through time Cause things change in the blink of an eye I don’t, I don’t, I don’t wanna forget this I don’t, I don’t, I don’t wanna forget this If only I could travel through time And replay all these moments in my life I won’t, I won’t, I won’t ever forget this I won’t, I won’t, I won’t ever forget this (Akil Verse) Picture or it didn’t happen you know men’ll lie Revisionist history when we compartmentalize We say our childhood was the best The back in my days just had my kids looking at me sideways I had to adjust learn to get caught up in the moment spend energy now Informed past to making memories now Take you to see your favorite artists though it’s finna be crowds I want a beach and a towel they wanting Mickey the mouse okay Road trip going smoother that some oil of olay I guess it’s something about the wide open space that shows me the possibilities Free to move about laying down in a field while we look up at the clouds Still I wonder how time moves so quickly Hoping yall can look back and see my love so vividly And when you grow well past your forties hope i live To hear you tell these stories to your kids Hold tight my love cause (Chorus) I wish that I could travel through time Cause things change in the blink of an eye I don’t, I don’t, I don’t wanna forget this I don’t, I don’t, I don’t wanna forget this If only I could travel through time And replay all these moments in my life I won’t, I won’t, I won’t ever forget this I won’t, I won’t, I won’t ever forget this

[verse 1] Relaxing on the couch, mindlessly scrolling I see you running up to me, your arms wide open You wanna play, I see you brought me your cape Let’s tie it on, then it’s up up and away I love your screams of pure joy I’m guessing you don’t know what to expect, baby boy You got a lil fear but you’re putting trust in me That I won’t let you down and you’ll get to play comfortably I know I said that I’m a ball of mistakes But I always learn something from the mistakes that I make I’ve got plenty of things to teach you And I know you’ve got things that you’ll teach me, too Our gaze connects beneath this dim orange light I hope you never lose sight of the joy in your eyes I know you’re gonna do marvelous things I just hope that I don’t clip your wings (Chorus) Can you see me Am I so high that you can’t still reach me Not coming down i’m so happy in the sky With Daddy by my side, I can gravity defy And I’m high so high so high With daddy by my side I can gravity defy And I’m high so high so high With daddy by my side I can gravity defy And I’m high so high so high With daddy by my side I can gravity defy And I’m high so high so high With daddy by my side I can gravity defy [verse 2] We both know that I haven’t begun in aging yet But looking down at you, and all I see’s a safety net These colors swirl, I’m tryna puzzle out this world You and my mother sure are helping me take these baby steps I love to laugh when you rush me through the air Breeze from the ceiling fan softly brushing through my hair This game compels me to believe that I can do anything I’m on top of the world is what it makes me wanna scream Don’t ever want this to be over But you take me off of your shoulder Tryna hold on to my composure Can’t keep calm like I’m supposed to I know it’s a lot to help me sort through my emotions But you talk my problems out with me with unquestionable devotion I can’t count how many times you’ve saved me But that’s just cause I can’t count yet, crazy You love me, but I love you more And I’m so grateful that you help me soar Can you see me Am I so high that you can’t still reach me Not coming down i’m so happy in the sky With Daddy by my side, I can gravity defy And I’m high so high so high With daddy by my side I can gravity defy And I’m high so high so high With daddy by my side I can gravity defy And I’m high so high so high With daddy by my side I can gravity defy And I’m high so high so high With daddy by my side I can gravity defy And I’m high so high so high And I’m high so high so high And I’m high so high so high And I’m high so high so high

(Akil Verse) Milk and Cookies They all scrambling to be the greatest All this babbling on your playlist you capping then just say it Give me an icebreaker first we just wanted an icemaker that worked And some ice to lay on the shirt Learned how to freak the uniform now he new in the dorm Up making beat till two in the morn was social distancing in ‘04 My greatest pledge to be an artist in its truest form Yeah this that feel good cooking like your momma house And the team full of all stars like the Waffle House Played the background now i’m the extra you read all about Wanna act wild but tell my demons to sleep on the couch Bank on me like a promise I’m still seeing rainbows every summer I’m walking different like Kangols on your uncle I made quite the entrance now i’m changing clothes like the Oscars Shedding old skin not dwelling on old wins Everyday i’m like a new man born again I turned around and saw the whole city joining in We turned around and saw the whole city joining in (Chorus) We got the kitchen lit it’s blazing Line circling round the block And we working round the clock While they just talk you can come find out Check our our menu it’s amazing Line circling round the block And we working round the clock Pull up and park you can come find out Feeling like Alton Brown or Gordon Ramsey Tryna provide food for my network Keeping these good eats stored in the pantry A clever fox, they gon acknowledge all my best work Everything before this was me just preheating Ready to roll in the dough, I just needed to be seasoned None of these ideas are coming out half baked This man’s plate bout to be stacked up like pancakes I could do this forever Spice it up like it’s pepper Wit sharp like cheddar Nobody does it better My flow’s condition is mint Sweet chocolate bars that I spit Make so I’m stacking these chips I see cream that I get I always come with the charm like I changed my name to Paco Homie might think this a slight, but it’s not tho It’s no beef, I stay grounded, what’s a taco? I’m bout this guaco, fam, this cheese is nachos This verse is like a bad steak- well done My flow is A1, can’t forget where I came from Tryna make something shake, no matter what the cost Just know that I won’t get lost in the sauce Phrasure (Chorus) We got the kitchen lit it’s blazing Line circling round the block And we working round the clock While they just talk you can come find out Check our our menu it’s amazing Line circling round the block And we working round the clock Pull up and park you can come find out you can come find out you can come find out you can come find out