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lyrics

[Verse 1]
Pipedream: maybe I’m just too old for this racquetball
Mainstream: am I thinking too big? Better make it small
1-2-3-4-5-6-7
That’s 7 whole years I don't know where I’m headin’ (and then the…)
16 hours, 12 committed just to pay the rent
How am I supposed to write a song when I’m this doggone spent?
Hibernation, tryin’ hard to stay sane
I need a B12 shot, feeling out of my brain (but then it’s…)

[Pre-Chorus 1]
(Hold up, stop it, now) I don’t have to go loopy-spacey
(Think up, speak it, how) Because I know I’m larger than this
(Sync up, be it, vow) If what I’m promised won’t forsake me
(It’s not…too late, it’s not…too late…wow)

[Chorus]
No, it’s not too late
I can still create
Still got time to be who I’m supposed to be
No, it will be great
Yes, it’s worth the wait
I know what I need will come if I believe
No, it’s not too late

[Verse 2]
Bloodstream: feel it in my bones like my name Jeremiah
Ice cream: moose tracks swirls with the buckeyes
Yea, I like it, yea, you know I like it
But you know I’ve always liked it
Anybody else that like it? (it’s been…)
2-4-7 I done held it all inside my head
Got me thinking maybe I should just go back to bed
More grey skies and I can’t stand the rain
Need a vodka shot or a bump of cocaine (but then it’s…)

[Pre-Chorus 2]
(Hold up, stop it, now) I don’t have to go loopy-spacey
(Think up, speak it, how) Because I know I’m worth more than that
(Sync up, be it, vow) If what I’m promised won’t forsake me
(It’s not…too late, it’s not…too late…wow)

[Chorus]
No, it’s not too late
I can still create
Still got time to be who I’m supposed to be
No, it will be great
Yes, it’s worth the wait
I know what I need will come if I believe
No, it’s not too late (Yea!)
I can still create (Yea!)
Still got time to be who I’m supposed to be (Yea, yea!)
No, it will be great (Yea!)
Yes, it’s worth the wait (Yea!)
I know what I need will come if I believe (Yea, yea!)
No, it’s not too late (LC)

[Verse 3]
Yo, it’s not too late cuz the time is now
Think about it only time I could right this down
The journey long and my brain’s dizzy when life’s around
That’s why I’m blessed to have this booth and the mic, A round?
Cheers—we be toasting today
Here’s to consistency and efforts when so many have swayed
Here’s to the hours we devoured in the chase of a page
Tryna create the perfect color ways to brighten the grays—yes
This for us as we travel through
The life’s cycle we might like to be outta dude
We stay creating, they stay complacent, it’s attitude
Been at it 7 years plus why you mad at Lou?
Yo, how am I late if I’m here
There ain’t a deadline to greatness, that’s abundantly clear
Come to be company and so much steady wasted in fear
Comparing what we be doing with the work of our peers
I’m working til my goals all appear
And you can catch me still grinding if it’s taking me years
Check—I know that I’m supposed to be here
And I keep that belief closer than the words of my fear

[Chorus]
No, it’s not too late (It’s really never)
I can still create (It really can’t be too late)
Still got time to be who I’m supposed to be
(It’s impossible, as long as you’re here, there’s time)
No, it will be great (Yea)
Yes, it’s worth the wait
I know what I need will come if I believe (We always on time!)
No, it’s not too late (Yea!)
I can still create (Yea!)
Still got time to be who I’m supposed to be (Yea, yea!)
No, it will be great (Yea!)
Yes, it’s worth the wait (Yea!)
I know what I need will come if I believe (Yea, yea!)
No, it’s not too late

[Outro]
I know that I’m supposed to be here
And I keep that belief closer than the words of my fears
Dude, that’s dope

credits

from Believer, a​.​k​.​a. The Last Shall Be the First, track released August 5, 2022
Written by Manasseh Ray Curenton-Dillinger, Brandon Adams, and Louis Corbet
Produced by Brandon Adams and Ray Curenton
Vocals co-produced by Tim Dillinger
Programming and instruments by Ray Curenton and Brandon Adams
Guitars: Brandon Adams
Saxophones: David Williford
Trumpet: Zachery Douglas
Background Vocals: Kweli Buckner, Ray Curenton, Robin Curenton, Tim Dillinger
Recorded at: The Dungeon (Nashville, TN), Sweetbriar Recording Studio (Nashville, TN), Moja’s House (Antioch, TN), and Quarter to Nine Productions (Hyde Park, NY)
Recording Engineers: Eric Westmaas, Brandon Adams, and Bryce Anthony Eckwall
Mixed by Ryan DeRemer
Mastered by Dave Harris at Studio B Mastering, Charlotte, NC

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Ray Curenton Nashville, Tennessee

Spiritual R&B artist. Black liberationist. Cultural worker. Songwriter.

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