[Verse 1]
You met a story before you ever met my face
Heard a few old chapters, put the rest in their place
I’ve done the work in rooms where nobody claps
Had to own every bruise, had to study my past
But I’m not that old mistake in a borrowed retell
I know the weight of my choices; I know myself well
You could ask who I am, let the answer come through
But you trust every rumor like it’s proof that you knew
[Chorus]
I am not defined by the person I was
If you knew who I’ve become, you’d see more than the dust
They hear what they’re told, never ask what is true
So I keep my circle small till I know it’s you
I am not defined by the person I was
I’ve been building something better, brick by brick, out of trust
[Verse 2]
Too many friendly faces with a tally in mind
They’ll repeat your hardest day like it’s all of your life
So I learned to eat alone, keep my plans close-held
Not because I hate the world—just protect what I’ve built
There’s a difference between quiet and having no heart
Between leaving folks behind and just choosing a start
If you want to know me, let the old talk fade
Meet the one standing here, not the name they made
[Chorus]
I am not defined by the person I was
If you knew who I’ve become, you’d see more than the dust
They hear what they’re told, never ask what is true
So I keep my circle small till I know it’s you
I am not defined by the person I was
I’ve been building something better, brick by brick, out of trust
[Outro]
Ask me, don’t assume
I’m still becoming