"The Struggle is Real" is a raw, relatable anthem that delves into the frustrations and challenges of independent artists navigating SoundCloud's ever-changing landscape. With honest lyrics and an infectious beat, this hip-hop track captures the emotional highs and lows of striving for recognition in a crowded digital space. From algorithmic uncertainty to self-doubt, the song's narrative resonates with anyone who's faced similar struggles. Yet, its message of resilience and determination inspires listeners to keep pushing forward. Authentic, heartfelt, and energetic, "The Struggle is Real" is a testament to the enduring spirit of creatives refusing to give up on their dreams.


LYRICS:

[Intro]
Yo, listen up, let me share my tale,
About the grind on SoundCloud, where the struggle prevails,
Tryna make a name, but it's hard to gain,
In a sea of artists, it's easy to remain.

[Verse 1]
Upload after upload, but the plays ain't right,
Algorithms changing, day and night,
Tryna reach the top, but it's slipping away,
N oomments or likes, the engagement's gray.

I'm chasing clout, but it's hard to claim,
My voice is drowned, in this digital game,
Thousands of tracks, but mine's getting lost,
The struggle is real, no matter the cost.

[Chorus]
The struggle is real, on SoundCloud streets,
Tryna get noticed, but it's hard to compete,
Thousands of tracks, but mine's getting lost,
The struggle is real, no matter the cost.

[Verse 2]
Promotion's key, but it's hard to afford,
Reachin' out to influencers, but they ignore,
Collaborations, but the chemistry's off,
Tryna find my sound, but it's hard to cough.

I'm tryna stand out, but it's hard to shine,
My music's fire, but it's hard to align,
With the right ears, with the right vibe,
The struggle is real, it's hard to thrive.

[Chorus]
On SoundCloud streets,
Tryna get noticed, but it's hard to compete,
Thousands of tracks, but mine's getting lost,
The struggle is real, no matter the cost.

[Verse 3]
Networkin', engage, repeat the cycle,
But the visibility's low, it's hard to smile,
Frustration mounts, feelin' like a fail,
Questionin' my craft, maybe I should bail?

I'm tryna stay true, to my art and soul,
But the numbers game, is takin' its toll,
Tryna balance, creativity and fame,
The struggle is real, it's a never-endin' game.

[Chorus]
On SoundCloud streets,
Tryna get noticed, but it's hard to compete,
Thousands of tracks, but mine's getting lost,
The struggle is real, no matter the cost.

[Bridge]
But I won't give up, no way, no how,
Gonna keep pushin', makin' moves, somehow,
Gonna find my niche, my sound, my style,
Gonna make it happen, all the while.

[Verse 4]
I see the success, of others on the rise,
And I wonder why, it's hard to realize,
That everyone's grind, is different and unique,
And my time will come, if I just keep.

[Chorus]
On SoundCloud streets,
Tryna get noticed, but it's hard to compete,
Thousands of tracks, but mine's getting lost,
The struggle is real, no matter the cost.

[Outro]
But I won't give up, no way, no how,
Gonna rise above, no matter the hit,
SoundCloud, I'm comin' for the top,
The struggle is real, but my grind won't stop.

[Verse 2]
Promotion's key, but it's hard to afford,
Reachin' out to influencers, but they ignore,
Collaborations, but the chemistry's off,
Tryna find my sound, but it's hard to cough.

I'm tryna stand out, but it's hard to shine,
My music's fire, but it's hard to align,
With the right ears, with the right vibe,
The struggle is real, it's hard to thrive.
The struggle is real, it's hard to thrive...


The Struggle is Real (Version 2)

I know this track is far from perfect but I have to publish this just so can I move on....  

I gave up with the vocals on this track, I could not make my mind up where to go with this.  The lyrics were about A Mural and how such beauty can cover up something ugly and defaced. I've left the title in as it felt fitting for this track.

Apologies for my hissy guitar tracks lol

Written and produced by Sarah Paradise-Brown

The Mural (Instrumental) DEMO

Break Me is a powerful song about emotional struggle and vulnerability. It explores the feeling of being pushed to the edge but still holding on. With raw lyrics and intense emotion, it captures the pain of heartbreak and the strength it takes to endure without completely falling apart.

BREAK ME

I made this music with Arturia and Moog synthesizers, with some plucked instruments. I wanted to make a happy and upbeat music that would convey energy and good mood when you're feeling a little down or even happy.

Aladar and the Disco

Streaming

Cubic Heresy

HUH MIX.mp3

1 Abide with me: fast falls the eventide;
the darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me.

2 Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day;
earth's joys grow dim, its glories pass away.
Change and decay in all around I see.
O thou who changest not, abide with me.

3 I need thy presence every passing hour.
What but thy grace can foil the tempter's power?
Who like thyself my guide and strength can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, O abide with me.

4 I fear no foe with thee at hand to bless,
ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness.
Where is death's sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if thou abide with me.

5 Hold thou thy cross before my closing eyes.
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies.
Heaven's morning breaks and earth's vain shadows flee;
in life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.

1. WA ba mi gbe! ale fere le tan,
Okunkun nsu; Oluwa ba mi gbe,
Bi oluranlowo miran ba ye,
Iranwo alaini, wa ba mi gbe.

2. Ojo aiye mi nsare lo s’ opin,
Ayo aiye nku, ogo re nwo ‘mi;
Ayida at’ ibaje ni mo nri;
‘Wo ti ki yipada, wa, ba mi gbe.

3. Mo nfe O ri ni wakati gbogbo;
Ki l’ o le segun esu b’ ore Re?
Tal’ o le se amona mi bi Re?
N’nu ‘banuje at’ ayo, ba mi gbe.

4. Pelu ‘Bukun Re, eru ko ba mi;
Ibi ko wuro, ekun ko koro;
Oro iku da? segun isa da?
Ngo segun sibe, b’ Iwo ba mi gbe.

5. Ki nr’oro Re ni wakati iku,
Se ‘mole mi, si toka si orun;
B’ aiye ti koja, k’ ile orun
Ni yiye, ni kiku, wa ba mi gbe.

Abide_With_Me_Hymn

I can't wait for the day we finally get that first kiss but even without your my only drug ❤️💋
https://on.soundcloud.com/ymHfAilNteoeRex8Jg

My only drug

(No GenAI Inside)
J'ai écrit cette chanson en pensant à certains lanceurs d'alerte visionnaires et courageux dans notre histoire qui se sont battus et continuent  de se battre, souvent seuls au début, jamais dans leur intérêt mais pour un monde meilleur, quitte à chambouler leur vie à jamais
--------

J'ai marché loin des cartes
Et j'ai vu des choses qui n’existent pas encore
Des lumières dans la nuit, des arbres vieux qui chantent
Et la vie qui disait merci

Mes mots tombent, sans écho 
Tu regardes ailleurs, isolé dans tes écrans
Je trace des cercles dans le sable rouge de mon sang
Des idées debout dans un monde qui dort

J'ouvre les yeux, je suis seul sur Mars
J'entends mon cri dans le casque
Qui s'éteint dans un vide infini

J'ai pris la route sous un ciel sans phare
Cherchant l'esprit derrière le masque
Rien n'est écrit

Je grave des poèmes sur des vitres givrées
Quand tout est figé, exilé dans ma capsule 
Des mots laissés pour ceux qui pourraient me trouver 
Espérant qu’un jour, ils feront le détour

J'ouvre les yeux, je suis seul sur Mars 
J'entends mon cri dans le casque
Qui s'éteint dans un vide infini 

J'ai pris la route sous un ciel sans phare

Et personne ne croit
Le monde que je vois
Mon rêve et ma voix

Et c'est ici que je vis
(Et personne ne croit) 
Vis seul sur Mars
(Le monde que je vois)
Dans mon esprit
(Mon rêve et ma voix)

Et c'est ici que je vis
(Et personne ne croit) 
Seul sur Mars
(Le monde que je vois)
Dans mon esprit
(Mon rêve et ma voix)

Et personne ne croit 
Le monde que je vois
Mon rêve et ma voix

-----
I walked away from maps
And saw things that don't exist yet
Lights in the night, old trees singing
And life saying thank you

My words fall, without echo 
You look elsewhere, isolated in your screens
I draw circles in the sand, red with my blood
Ideas standing in a sleeping world

I open my eyes, I'm alone on Mars
I hear my cry in the helmet
Fading into an infinite void

I hit the road under a lighthouse-less sky
Searching for the spirit behind the mask
Nothing is written

I engrave poems on frosted glass
When everything is frozen, exiled in my capsule 
Words left for those who might find me 
Hoping that one day, they'll make the detour

I open my eyes, I'm alone on Mars 
I hear my cry in the helmet
Fading into an infinite void

I hit the road under a lighthouse-less sky

And no one believes 
The world I see
My dream and my voice

And this is where I live
(And nobody believes) 
Live alone on Mars
(The world I see)
In my mind
(My dream and my voice)

And this is where I live
(And nobody believes) 
Alone on Mars
(The world I see)
In my mind
(My dream and my voice)

And nobody believes 
The world I see
My dream and my voice

Seul sur Mars

In collaboration with Francess Harris. She played the piano composition and I did the composition of the orchestral arrangement. Thank you for listening and enjoy. Any comment is appreciated always.

Faraway Dreams (feat. Fr. Harris)

Shadow in the night .mp3

Songwriting has been a lifelong passion for me, dating back to elementary school when I first began crafting stories, poems, and eventually lyrics. As a former drummer in various bands, I always relied on others to bring my words to life musically. However, after a long hiatus from drumming, I decided to take the leap and learn to compose music to accompany my lyrics. Through classes and dedication, I've embarked on a new journey, breathing fresh life into old lyrics and penning new ones. You'll find a mix of older and newer works here, for the lyrics. 

Music has been a part of me for as long as I can remember. One of my earliest memories is being completely entranced by 'The Little Drummer Boy' as a very young child. There was something about the rhythm and the melody that just captivated me. I must have played it a thousand times, wearing the record out, and from that moment on, I was hooked. I knew I wanted to be a drummer, and to create that magic for others. 

But I was too young then, and of course I couldn't afford a drum set just yet. So, I turned to writing as a way to express myself. As I mentioned above, I started with stories, then poems, and eventually, lyrics. I found that writing was not only a way to tap into my creativity, but also a way to process my emotions and experiences. 

As I grew older, my love for music only deepened. I realized that music has this incredible power to transport us to different times and places, to evoke emotions and memories that we thought were long forgotten. It's a universal language that can bring people together like nothing else can. 

For me, writing lyrics is a cathartic experience. It's a way for me to tap into my emotions, to process the world around me, and to create something that I hope will resonate with others. And when I hear my words come to life in a song, it's truly magical. It's a feeling that never gets old, and it's what keeps me coming back to music time and time again. 

I love many genres of music and artists of many genres. And if you listen to some of my songs, you will find that I like to make songs of different genres as well as mix different genres into each song. One of my all-time favorite bands is Evanescence, and I have made a lot of songs where I have tried my best to emulate that sound. 

Now, I have recently started experimenting with new sounds. I never heard of glitch beats before I took music classes, and now I'm fascinated with the sound, so I have been experimenting with glitch beats recently. 

I hope you enjoy some of my songs. And thanks so much to everyone who has been listening so far. I truly appreciate it. I welcome constructive feedback to help me grow as an artist, and I appreciate your support. ❤️

BTW If you follow me, I will ALWAYS follow back. If I like your music, I will follow you, but if you don't follow me back within a week or two, I will unfollow you most of the time. The same goes if I see someone listening to my music, I WILL follow, however, if they don't follow back within a week or two, I'll unfollow.  😘

The Struggle is Real (Version 2)

VickStiX

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