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Mental Health is a timeless melting pot of bright melodies shimmering with dark undertones. This emo-rap record’s sonic juxtaposition, along with its message, perfectly sums up who Pook Hustle is as an artist. “At the time of making this record, I was just beginning to process the past year of my life.
At the beginning of the pandemic, I went through a rough break up & got furloughed from my job in a 2 week span. If that wasn’t enough, that same winter I had to live without heat & water because of hostile landlords opting to use shady tactics to force me & my family out of the Brooklyn apartment we’ve made home since 1997. Sticking true to my name (Hustle), I kept recording “Hustle Mode” & releasing music through it all but in order to survive, I had to find a bright spot somewhere.
I turned to therapy for the first time in 2021 & it was an essential part in me coping with the trauma I faced. I’m powerful but I know me being vulnerable will lead others to being more transparent & getting help because no matter how strong you are, we all do.”
lyrics
Used to want to save the world
Can’t save myself
So much pain
Nothing helps
Got me going with the flow
My mental health
Was in a cage
Got me leaving out the shell
Want to save the world
Can’t save myself
So much pain
Nothing helps
Got me going with the flow
My mental health
Was in a cage
Got me leaving out the shell
Had to start going to therapy
I wasn’t taking good care of me
I had to look in the mirror
Clearly dog, they wasn’t hearing me
I seen my bro in a casket
So much pain couldn’t mask it
I just want a little sunshine
Feel like dark days everlasting
Pockets got me feeling poor
Eviction notice on the door
Lost the love of my life
Cause I couldn’t treat her right
All that’s left is the mic
Got a little bit of fight
Pain the only way I learn
Eventually I’ll get it right
Wanna run it up
Instead I’m going nuts
Trying to hold it down
But I got feelings, uh
You rarely see me smile
And I’m not playing tough
Time been getting hard
All my sneakers scuffed
Used to want to save the world
Can’t save myself
So much pain
Nothing helps
Got me going with the flow
My mental health
Was in a cage
Got me leaving out the shell
Want to save the world
Can’t save myself
So much pain
Nothing helps
Got me going with the flow
My mental health
Was in a cage
Got me leaving out the shell
Life got me devastated
Running out of patience
My chest about to cave in
Don’t know how Imma make it
Frowning at this job, man
I can’t even fake it
God gave me the strength
I think my heart is breaking (Got me praying)
Walking up the street, life
Got me feeling weak, I
Need some time to heal, you
Want a piece of me, I
Can’t give you no more, I
Need sometime to be, By
Myself for like a week
Baby I just took a leap
Used to want to save the world
Can’t save myself
So much pain
Nothing helps
Got me going with the flow
My mental health
Was in a cage
Got me leaving out the shell
Want to save the world
Can’t save myself
So much pain
Nothing helps
Got me going with the flow
My mental health
Was in a cage
Got me leaving out the shell
I just want to free my mind today, aye
I just want to free my mind today, aye
Tell them let me out the bird, the cage
I just want to free my mind today
credits
released February 3, 2023
Written and performed by Pook Hustle
Produced and Mixed by Dan Ballas
Executive Produced and Mastered by Mark Boucher Jr.
Recorded at Mansion Studios in Brooklyn, NY
When his career as a student athlete didn't go as planned, Pook Hustle found new excitement pursuing his interest in
writing. It was on this new playing field where his captivating energy paired with a smoky voice would shine through and garner the attention of those around him. The Brooklyn born Hip-Hop extraordinaire reminds us the nuances of the black experience....more
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