Code Switch from SOVEREIGN by PaviElle French

It’s a convoluted time

I’m reaching in and I need my space

My back’s against the wall

Going thru the same things you face

No need for pedestals

I’m out here tryna find my place

I will make mistakes

All I ask is to receive Grace



Hook: I can't be what you want me to be at all

I've gotta be free and I'm not waiting on none of y'all



grew up knowing my purpose

to be an artist who grows

always searching for knowledge

I've gotta follow my nose

but my shoulders tired

from bearing this load

and my thoughts are evolving (exhausting)

I've gotta protect my soul



Hook: Cause I can't be what you want me to be at all

and I've got to be free and I'm not waiting on none of y'all



the atmosphere was so noisy

I had to come to a stop

my silence wasn't a cop out

got quiet to hear my God

because I needed direction

I really needed my mom

because I lost the love of my life

and I had to rise from the fall



all this angst up in my body

got me feeling like my freedom is on the line

(I’ve got to be freeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee)

expectations of what and who I should be

(Freeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee)

i'm up against society’s colonized mind

be feeling unhinged

but I know I'm sound

got to change what I let my subconscious be around

gotta put the social down

new dialogue to problem solve

not holding my breath for this one love type utopia

it's been too long



(Mama Africa come take my hand)

(Mama-Daddy-Mama-Daddy)

(I am stronger than I think I am)

(Mama-Daddy-Mama-Daddy)



want me to leave home

two masks on

my black skin

Frantz Fanon

gotta be safe

and know my place

want me to tap dance

and shine on

you tell me what I need to be

to stay amongst your "good ones"

gotta play the game to get the funds

gotta have your name up in my stuff

this day to day is abusive

but it won't weaken my will to live

this day to they is abusive

but it won't weaken my will to live

this day TODAY is abusive

but it won't weaken my will to live

My life means so much more than just survivin’



I've been

squirming in this discomfort

of doing all this inner work

to raise my health

can't be mad

'cause I played myself

in to believe in speaking writing on my life

changes the hearts and minds of those who privilege depends on my demise



what is there to discuss?

haven't you heard enough?

words don't mean much

in your bubble stuck

and you been lost touch

I'm not gonna front

we're not bearing the brunt of your political stunts

and your germs and your guns

this one's for us

you're not our saviors

and I'm done giving fcks



Hook: you didn't listen when I said it nicely

there's only so much anger I can put into my writing

you don't like it bite me

your cognitive dissonance is frightening

don't know whe-whether to fight, flight, or strike you like lightning



you didn't listen when I said it nicely

there's only so much anger I can put into my writing

you don't like it bite me

your cognitive dissonance is frightening

don't know whe-whether to fight, flight, or strike you like lightning



Lightning!



Lightning!

• Experimental.
• Hip-Hop
• R&B
• R&B/Soul
• Soul
• classical
• Minneapolis