From the recording Replace You
“Replace You” is an emotional deep dive into the past. A narrative that spans generational trauma, childhood violence, fractured family bonds, and the lifelong search for safety. Hood Rawlz turns his memories into music, speaking directly to his mother in a way life never gave him the chance to. It’s an apology, a confession, and a confrontation.
Across three verses, he wrestles with their complicated bond, the weight of protecting his younger brother, the scars of growing up in chaos, and the echoes of those wounds in adulthood. With his mother’s dementia now stealing the possibility of real closure, the song becomes its own form of healing. A truth finally spoken before time erases it completely.
“Replace You” isn’t just personal. It’s universal for anyone who grew up loving people who were broken, surviving situations they shouldn’t have had to survive, and trying to rebuild themselves piece by piece.
Lyrics
1st Verse
Dear mama
how ya doin’?
I’m feelin’ some kind of way
so let’s get into it.
It’s been a long time since yo influence.
I’m ashamed
that I couldn’t get through it.
My whole life
we ain’t been fluid.
An abusive father. A gangsta.
He put us through it.
I was too young to understand
yo prudence.
Yo perseverance.
Yo protection.
You da truest!
I owe you an apology
but I can’t do it.
I got some things in my head
we lived through it.
Left your protection
trying to find my own way
only endin’ up
stuck
on replay.
Cause I end up with someone
who reminds me of you
in some kind of way
I’m trying to be reminded of you.
I remember
I’ve never confided in you.
No memories of me
even saying
I Love You…
———————————————————
2nd Verse
There were 2 of us.
Me my little bro.
Up til the 7th grade
it was the Lewis show.
In the last season
I went to foster care
I didn’t think then
my mama needed mental care.
But there was no diagnosis.
We just had to deal wit it.
The medical system is some ill shit.
We both look like my father.
But I got them ass whoopins
and my rebellions…
much louder.
That was selfish
on my part.
Leaving my little bro alone
to deal with her brain rot.
I was young and ambitious
I didn’t know no better.
Wanted to live without wearing sweaters.
Covering the scars
during hot weather
from the beatings
and my moms being battered
We had no way out.
Lives being shattered.
What was I supposed to do
I knew then
our black lives mattered!
———————————————————
3rd Verse
I’m sorry.
This one on me.
You were going through your own trauma.
even though I was 3.
I remember shit
I ain’t supposed to.
All while praying’ to the Jesus.
He was a no show too.
I couldn’t understand
why we deserve such abuse.
At 10 I wanted to retaliate and contribute.
I was so angry
We not leavin’?
We saw him hit you.
Fuck his demons!
It just didn’t compute.
Even got grandma beefin’!
I remember one time,
Grandma called him a heathen.
Yeah, that nigga called the house.
She was steamin’
She’d shoot ‘em dead
She grabbed the cleaver!
What I’m tryin’ to say
I don’t know.
Took a lifetime to come up
with this flow.
I need some closure.
But knowing your condition
some things I will never get to get over.
Because of dementia.