Pretenders Drown

Verse

Ryan…

You asked for smoke you can’t breathe in…

Verse

Ryan walkin’ round actin’ like he carved from the storm,

But beneath that tough talk is a boy out of form.

You imitate danger like it’s something you wear,

But even fear itself ain’t got time to care.

You fake pass-outs ’cause attention’s your drug,

Every collapse a performance for a sympathy hug.

Actin’ like your demons chase you down in the night,

But your biggest nightmare’s never livin’ up to the hype.

Verse

You ain’t troubled — you tremblin’.

You ain’t vicious — you vulnerable.

Your “rage” ain’t a monster — it’s a mask that’s transparent and dull.

Verse

You ain’t cold, you ain’t sharp, you ain’t built for the scene,

You’re a character playin’ a role you’ll never keep clean.

Borrow my bike just to feel like you matter,

’Cause your own little ride sound like it’s beggin’ to shatter.

Your 70cc coughin’ like it’s sick to its core,

Starter soundin’ like it’s askin’ not to be used anymore.

But you pose on my wheels like you built for the crown,

Like you ain’t the same kid known for fallin’ down.

Every clip you upload screams “please validate,”

A timeline museum of a guy tryna compensate.

You’re a highlight reel of insecurity wrapped in a pose,

A king of pretend with imaginary foes.

Verse

Let’s talk truth, Ryan — you’re terrified of yourself,

Run from the mirror like it’s showin’ someone else.

Tryna act like you’re cold-hearted, forged in the pain,

But you crumble inside every time it starts to rain.

Your whole identity’s borrowed from people around,

You build yourself from fragments of whoever’s in town.

You’re a blueprint scribbled, a draft never done,

A half-finished version of a man on the run.

Verse

You claim you’re the storm…

But you’re barely the breeze that slips through the door

Verse

You walk like you’re dangerous, but no one reacts,

Every step you take echoin’ insecurity cracks.

You brag about streets like they bowed at your name,

But even your postcode don’t claim you the same.

Your temper’s a theatre, your breakdowns rehearsed,

Your pride’s on a leash and you’re dyin’ of thirst.

You chase reputation like it might fill the void,

But the person you pretend to be is one you destroyed.

Verse

You call yourself a king but your throne’s made of air,

Tryna sit on a legacy that just isn’t there.

You scream dominance loud ’cause inside you feel small,

A man who fears silence more than any street brawl.

You want people to tremble when you step on the scene,

But you’re softer than secrets you try keep unseen.

You’re a glitch in the system, a shadow misplaced,

A crown that keeps slippin’ ’cause it don’t fit your face.

Verse

So keep barkin’, keep bluffin’, keep fakin’ the crown…

Real ones rise —

Pretenders drown.

And you, Ryan?

You’re sinkin’ deeper every sound.