Imposter from Sensitive by Jaye Woods

It makes sense to not feel safe to take up space, if growing up, our presence wasn't affirmed and validated, and seen as, like, good.

It's like
I open up my Gmail and there's an invitation
Asking me to be there and give a presentation
Suddenly I feel scared, here comes that hesitation
Telling me to beware ‘cause they could tell I'm faking
Got a fella mistaken for somebody with a better education
More impressive credentials or designations
A better resume, better ratings on Yelp
I bet I'd be better off without denigrating myself
But this pattern is hard to break through
Offer me a seat and I’ll treat it like an escape room
Cheering on the peers that are doing what I’m afraid to
But look at my successes and label 'em all as fake news
Maybe I’m just a late bloom
Or maybe it’s deeper still
I doubt my credibility before other people will
I’d rather just be myself, I’d rather just make step
Maybe even take some credit
Although I ain’t famous yet

But I ain’t no imposter
Ain't another me up on the roster
This is my reminder when I'm not sure
Who I am and what I got to offer
Say, I ain’t no imposter
Ain't another me up on the roster
This is my reminder when I'm not sure
Who I am and what I got to offer

I thought confidence would just come with age
Or after rocking the hundredth stage
From enough affirmation or public praise
I'm afraid none of the above could make a brother brave
It comes from way deeper within
That freedom to just be with no need to pretend
Anytime that I'm creating, I see as a win
Pure embodiment and honesty released through my pen
Man, if I was courageous with my creative gifts
I'd be in that studio daily making hits
Taking up way more space, taking risks
I may have played them gigs when I was afraid and hid
Listen, this to remind ya and invite ya
Be your whole self and no one could ever bite ya
If I’m being honest, I could probably assume
I’m already bringing value to the room because

I ain’t no imposter
Ain't another me up on the roster
This is my reminder when I'm not sure
Who I am and what I got to offer
Say, I ain’t no imposter
Ain't another me up on the roster
Everybody got somebody else that’s further along
That doesn’t mean that any of us don’t deserve to belong, c'mon

Ain't another me up on the roster
Ain't another me up on the --

By virtue of being alive, you are taking up space and you deserve to take up that space.

• Hip Hop
• Hip-Hop/Rap
• Rap
• Rnb
• Soul
• Hamilton