Flame for the Leaf

[intro] First time hit, thought I’d cough up a lung Took a puff from my cousin, then my world got spun Used apple cores or roll up leaves Saw my girl hit a joint, now I truly believe She said, “This ain’t drugs, this is medicine, babe” Now I’m floatin’ like a note Marvin Gaye just sang Eyes low, thoughts bright — colors got deep Put the blunt to my lips, then I heard it speak… [verse 1] It’s me — the green in the gold, the soul in the song I helped write the hits y’all been vibin’ on I’m the muse in the booth, the flame to the spark Get puffed from a chalice, a pipe, or bark I’ve been passed in the cipher since ‘92 Made peace in the hood when the tension grew Snoop called me cousin, Wiz made me king And your girl took a hit and forgot her fling Got strains in Spain, got buds in Belize I’m legal in states where they once called police I don’t start wars, I start jams Help artists paint dreams with shaky hands Elevate minds, chill out beasts I’m the reason Bob sang over drum and beats You can call me Mary, Cali’s child Even made grandma smile for a while [hook] They breathe me in, I set them free From the dorm rooms down to the industry From spliffs to pens to fresh-rolled cones I been the comfort in a world unknown They say I’m loud, but I bring peace I’m the smoke in the sky, the voice of the leaf You can hate on me, but I still grow In every verse, every vibe, every sold-out show [verse 2] I been there for the loners, the ones on the edge For the hearts full of noise that can’t quiet their heads When the nights felt heavy and the days too loud I softened the weight, let the silence speak proud I ain’t just smoke — I’m a moment to breathe A break from the race, from the need to achieve You light me up when you’re stuck in the past I slow down the pain, make the good things last I’ve seen artists cry ‘cause the verse hit deep Heard truths in the booth they were scared to speak I’m in journals, in sketches, in unspoken fears In the laughs that came after the hardest years I ain’t for all — I’m not tryna be But the ones that I help, they remember me Not a crutch, just a path through the noise and the pain A little more green when the world feels gray [hook] They breathe me in, I set them free From the dorm rooms down to the industry From spliffs to pens to fresh-rolled cones I been the comfort in a world unknown They say I’m loud, but I bring peace I’m the smoke in the sky, the voice of the leaf You can hate on me, but I still grow In every verse, every vibe, every sold-out show [outro] So next time you’re high and the world feels still When your mind slows down and your heart can feel Know it’s me in the silence, just passing through Not here to fix — just here with you.