Rap taught me how to appreciate luxury.

rap showed me a side of people

   I had never seen before.

rap kept me real. 

rap let me see another's perspective.

rap transformed my determination.

rap reasoned with my character.

rap had me smiling

   when the bass dropped.

rap held me grounded.

rap helped me see ignorance.

rap told me a story.

rap provided a reason to relate.

rap invited me into culture.

rap invested in my confidence.

rap revealed a new pain.

rap put the car window down

   when the radio played.

I gave rap my heart,

Rap gave me its soul -

Hip-hop's gratitude is better

when you listen

and hear yourself

in the base when it drops.