Alright let me give you the rundown of the day I’m from south of our lake, but I jumped out of the plane Wasn’t scared to do it Had a parachute and a pair of boots And parents who could have spared a few if I erred in moving So through the air I’m moving I said, “This is it, Lord”, pulled the ripcord Then hit the shore of the 6 Nice tower Been living here for a minute now My second spring This city’s ours Clock talk I’m doing well and can already say I’ve picked a gal that is great Man, God is key Lock talk So I’m done fishing Got my line stored Now it’s Time Lords when we watch a stream Doc talk Scree scree scree Hawk talk I use the TTC And stop talking about how bad it is Compared to where I’m from this is rabbit quick Underground trains? That’s a magic trick Yo I was made in St. Catharines and made a saint through baptism I made it back to making tracks And this time with label backing No way to hack this A slow process, but the flow’s awesome Maple sap

Cooking up raps in my bachelor pad In St. Katts, freestyling to catch some laughs No master plan, no scheme for the cream Though it seemed like my chances were half and half But my last name lacked impact and magic And I’d feel more relaxed if I had a mask Should I have a stage name? Okay great Hmm. Danger makes my life sound action packed And that’s the joke. I’m a rapper, yo Self consciously wearing snapbacks to shows But years after I feel like rap is home And I can come out my shell. Pistachio No capes. No characters No mask even though it’s way more scarier Still me how I rep from the very first Pair o’ words ’til I gotta jet like a carrier No suit or webs to shoot No gold lasso when I tell the truth. It’s okay I ain’t afraid of a little change I guess now Danger is my middle name I mean sure. It’s a sweet word But in these terms it’s a feet first leap Think it’s high time I tried the high dive Toes to the sky and my teeth to the sea And get down with the manta rays Rocking only swim trunks and a family name I hope my fan base understands, but hey Either way I can say that I can’t complain Because y’all been so good to me Letting a rapper open up like a book to read? Mm So whether comic or non-fic it’s honestly On with the show while I push the dream. But this time No capes. No characters No mask even though it’s way more scarier Still me how I rep from the very first Pair o’ words ’til I gotta jet like a carrier No suit or webs to shoot No gold lasso when I tell the truth. It’s okay I ain’t afraid of a little change I guess now Danger is my middle name No capes no mask I wholeheartedly face those facts Get it? Mask? Face? Eye hole? Ya, I’m cold No cure when the rhymes get to my throat I don’t do it to the half like a 9-hole All night long for the track like I’m Lionel Fine bro. I’ll let my bloodline show So tribal. Rolling in a group like a slime mould Because slime moulds are single-celled organisms That come together to form reproductive structures They’re basically nature’s version of the Megazord from Power Rangers Which I wasn’t allowed to watch as a kid Unless I was at a friend’s house and they were watching it anyways So I saw maybe three like episodes But that didn’t stop me from drawing many, many pictures Of these costumed heroes Speaking of which No capes. No characters No mask even though it’s way more scarier Still me how I rep from the very first Pair o’ words ’til I gotta jet like a carrier No suit or webs to shoot No gold lasso when I tell the truth. It’s okay I ain’t afraid of a little change I guess now Danger is my middle name

I’m alone. I’m alone. I’m alone alone Me, myself and I are hanging out and watching videos I’m alone. I’m alone. I’m alone alone At the comic shop or on a walk or chilling in my home I’ll be back. I’ll be back way before you know I just need a little time to charge up like I was a phone So I’m alone. I’m alone. I’m alone alone I used to fantasize about living by myself Hiding out in a tiny house in the wild and denying help And if I had to drive into town to buy an item then, well I’d speak only as needed, the quietest clientele, yo And if that kind of sounds weird then rewind about Fifteen years from that time and I’m a child now Excited when invited out, but parties might as well Have been wakes the way how they came and my excitement fell Why? I’m not shy, as far as I can tell Put me in a room with anybody else and I can gel But over time I started finding out that I do well In small groups and rest best alone inside my shell A turtle. Some would say introverted At first I thought it a hurdle to jump when I get the courage Then I learned it’s not a curse. It’s a gift. It’s in my person And personal care is needed for me to begin to flourish So I’m alone. I’m alone. I’m alone alone Me, myself and I are hanging out and watching videos I’m alone. I’m alone. I’m alone alone At the comic shop or on a walk or chilling in my home I’ll be back. I’ll be back way before you know I just need a little time to charge up like I was a phone So I’m alone. I’m alone. I’m alone alone I remember when it sunk in for the first time Leading a Bible program at a summer camp and we’re like Chillin’ with the kids. Some of them would sit by themselves. I was telling The leaders to sit by them. Well, they said, “I’m pretty sure they’re fine Sometimes kids just need us all to give them space You mean I’m not serving them being all up in their face That means breaking off and seeking solitude is okay But wait. Aren’t relationships part of running in this race It seems there’s a tension to walk on this road Between investing in friends and venturing off on your own And community’s hard, but we need to talk about both Because I realized I could be just as awkward alone So that weekend I took a paddle board out onto the lake With this newfound permission I had to take some space It was great. The silence, the sky, the waves And the couple on the tower who were trying to have a date. Sorry guys, but I’m alone. I’m alone. I’m alone alone Me, myself and I are hanging out and watching videos I’m alone. I’m alone. I’m alone alone At the comic shop or on a walk or chilling in my home I’ll be back. I’ll be back way before you know I just need a little time to charge up like I was a phone So I’m alone. I’m alone. I’m alone alone

We need the real you We need the real you We need the real you And nothing else will do No, no We need the real you We need the real you We need the real you And nothing else will do Hmmm. What’s the best way to word this Courage takes heart. You’re sharing enough sherbet Mm, No. But if we reverse it, I bet Sure enough, sharing your heart takes courage And guess what. It’s totally worth it One real bar beats ten fake verses One real you beats thirty fake versions Honesty’s a pool. Someone’s gotta be the first in So why not take the leap? Kermit Others might take your lead The person we be on the surface can weaken or nourish And truth is the juice. Gotta squeeze it and serve it up We need the real you We need the real you We need the real you And nothing else will do No, no We need the real you We need the real you We need the real you And nothing else will do I read a message on the wall of a stall once Dude wrote, When I keep it real then they all run If I want a friend then I feel like I gotta front Sounds awful, bruh. Wish I could offer some Expert advice on the topic like a doctor does We’d get Ph-deep in it a chop it up I’m not a solve-it-quick columnist all I got is this With our knowledge of the problem we can make stop with us So you be a safe place for others Regardless of traditions, shapes, tastes or colours I believe we were made great and our suffering Aids us in discovering gateways to each other Yeah, and listening leads to knowing Admitting we’re needy leads to permission to cease the posing Our similar genes and coding are hints of the peace and hope In the distance. I clean my robe in a river of hemoglobin And I keep it goin’ We need the real you We need the real you We need the real you And nothing else will do No, no We need the real you We need the real you We need the real you And nothing else will do We need the real you We need the real you We need the real you And nothing else will do No, no We need the real you We need the real you We need the real you And nothing else will do

God, I won’t fall if you’re holding me down No no no no no no God, I won’t People worrying about their future Some stressing about their past Divvied up into winners and losers Broken down to the first and the last But the last will be first That’s how the world actually works Can’t see it all yet, but the grass and the birds Get their fashion and snacks from the Earth So how much more you, surpassing in worth All of that will secure what you need Why is it the poor who can be the most generous And money can’t cure us of greed Happy are the mourners, the pure and merciful Blessed are the persecuted church and the meek With you, Lord, we can stand firm on our feet Even when it hurts to believe God, I won’t fall if you’re holding me down God, I can’t fall if you’re holding me down No, I won’t fall if you’re holding me down No no no no no no No no no no no no God, I won’t fall if you’re holding me down God, I can’t fall if you’re holding me down No, I won’t fall if you’re holding me down No no no no no no No no no no no no I won’t fall I won’t fall when it feels like the easy route I won’t fall through the cracks, but I’m leaking out It doesn’t seem that bad, but to leave it now Would lead to death. Don’t leave me. I need you now Reach down with the key and release me Bound up in the same schemes on repeat Deep down I am crafty, but deeper down I’ve been crafted to please you. So please Let me rest in your fortress You’re my refuge and portion You’re the refugee, orphan And widow’s endorser, defender and fortune You don’t let go or forfeit I’ll enter your courts where the best of support Comes direct from the source You’re a rescuing force to be reckoned with For me forever. My glory in heaven God, I won’t fall if you’re holding me down God, I can’t fall if you’re holding me down No, I won’t fall if you’re holding me down No no no no no no No no no no no no God, I won’t fall if you’re holding me down God, I can’t fall if you’re holding me down No, I won’t fall if you’re holding me down No no no no no no No no no no no no I won’t fall

Your laws are wonderful No wonder I obey them The teaching of your word gives light So even the simple can understand I pant, thirst with expectation Longing for your commands Come and show me your mercy Guide my steps by your word So I will not be overcome Your love covers the planets Fills atmospheres and systems of canyons It permeates each physical state Physical constants constantly giving you praise You’ve given us night time and given us day You’ve given us laws by your wisdom and grace You listen to all who petition and pray So I ask for strength as I commit to your ways ‘Cause I can see it, see it on every side Bitterness, pain, selfish ambition, envy and pride Greed and jealousy, indeed the enemy lies In secret I am weak and pretend to be fine But all is revealed by your glorious light I can run from it or step forth and confide in you Tried and true. We might soar on the heights But now I’m taking steps, two, three or four at a time with you You supply my breath It’s only in you that I find my rest I can still lose if I try my best But I’ll know where to move if you guide my steps You supply my breath It’s only in you that I find my rest I can still lose if I try my best But I’ll know where to move if you guide my steps Following in my weakness Dry, barren and thirsty soul So many places on this land for me to go Deceived by my own strength that I need to know I'm nothing, but given something Lord beset me with gumption I wanna speak life even when life is crushing Blushing 'Cause I need faith even when I see nothing Who are we that you got on your knees With a basin of water and started washing our feet, Lord Who am I that you decided to die In my place on a cross, tossed in with mockers and thieves, Lord How is it that the ground couldn’t grip you Neither tomb stone nor gravity was found to resist you While crowds of misfits astounded witnessed you Rise to life, then to heaven as you called us to be yours What can I do, but seek you and serve you Not to reap what I’ve earned or believe I deserve to Just in freedom that churns up the deep and spurs me To learn and to keep and push on to the reward Lord, I will follow you and In all the joys and the sorrows that fall in my hands In all my plans for tomorrow and actions today My path will demonstrate you are active and great You supply my breath It’s only in you that I find my rest I can still lose if I try my best But I’ll know where to move if you guide my steps You supply my breath It’s only in you that I find my rest I can still lose if I try my best But I’ll know where to move if you guide my steps You speak my name I'll answer the call Gracefully I want to surrender my all Listen to the voice that tugs on me calling for justice To bring this world some substance They be chasing idols so it's vital that we bring some revival The Word of the Lord our recital Worship, love and serve To bless those who life throws a curve The challenges that we can bring to balance But we have challenges too So how are we going get through Stand out, hands out, saying I belong to you Strength and weakness, sunny skies or bleakness I'm yours I'm going to watch you work wonders In your greatness I'm going to watch you work wonders

Does anyone else find stacks of blank printer paper exciting It’s not that I’m drawn to the paper itself Although if you think about it printer paper is a natural and industrial marvel What excites me Are the myriad possibilities the stack of paper presents Grab a pen and each of those five-hundred sheets can become, well, anything All my creative types Whether you were made to paint or blaze a mic Into game design or thinking up a play to write But you know this ain’t a phase. It’s a way of life. I feel you From every draft you discard To all you have to miss to practice this hard From every scratch to mix to mastered hit To every scratch on the pickguard of your guitar This is art. And they don’t have to get Why you’re passionate about fashion Or rapping or snapping pics. The fact of the matter Is what matters is the fact that you have a gift So keep using it. Show the world what beauty is Show the world what truly is Help us view through the mist of usualness And make sense of the confusing bits We need you to wreck the walls A barrier buried. A fence dissolved Art softens hearts and connects us all If you were made to create then respect the call Let’s go

Hey everyone, Mark Durksen here I just turned thirty years old so I figured Why not write a rap to commemorate this momentous occasion It only happens once in your lifetime You know what I’m saying Alright. Hey, yo Thirty solar orbital laps In the bag. No big. Just a score and a half I thank the Lord for the fact I got a wife, a platform for my raps And steady work at a store, in the back Check it I’m in shipping receiving The gig fell in my lap when I was considering leaving So every package that I sign off on is like a sign from God That he provides for his flock, oh ye of little believing Speaking of which I’ve been praying for my faith to grow I’ll chat church on a songs or playing shows But struggle repping God in a real conversation though I wanna shine in the dark like a laser show And he’s refining my heart through frustration, you know I wanna work hard. God’s like take it slow But then again, what’s really gonna make him known Success, fame and dough or not being a slave to those ‘Cause every second in his presence like he passed you a present Future me, hope you’re taking notes You want to write raps? Fine But your life adds up to more than nice tracks How you like that? I fight back Let’s go Yeah. Let’s go I feel like I say, “Let’s go,” a lot when I rap I suppose among the different things I could be saying for an ad lib It’s probably one of the cooler ones I’m worried I might just say something awkward like, flannel penguin Oh well, there it happened Okay, well anyways, yo Cake. Cake cake cake cake cake Just turned thirty I got a birthday cake No I’m not hurting, that’s just my worship face No I’m searching, my home church is Grace And every person is made In the image of a God who could’ve made the Earth in a day But chose to stretch it to six, flexing to quit on the seventh And kick it like even work ain’t stepping to this So right now, Ima rap about whatever I want However I want. Couplets even. Ready or not My wife knits so well you couldn’t handle her mittens If a giraffe eats Zoodles is it cannibalism Will I explode if I keep my mouth closed when I yawn When your income’s from scams you’re a pro and a con A pineapple’s neither apple nor pine But c’mon it looks like a pinecone. Imagine or try Hey, Wanna know what rhymes with Scooby-Doo Juicy Fruit, Fruity Loops, Loopty-loop and Lucy Liu And thank you to the friends, fans and the fam For helping make this thirty year old man who I am I don’t deserve you And I miss a lot of you ‘Cause I don’t get to see a lot of you a lot Toronto life. That’s how it goes Yo, thirty years. Thank God Here’s to thirty more Fifty more A hundred more A million more, haha Probably not a million more

On every single stage we stand The people in the crowd throw hands And every single word demands That you understand we’re standing On a platform not a pedestal On a platform not a pedestal In a few bars surreptitiously circumvent This need for acceptance. Give it up for Lent Humble beginnings like Sam Cooke’s tent A change gon’ come, write away discontent Keep the limits on to push past ‘em Keep the flow strong, now work faster Censoring gone, now here comes the laughter Heaven sent song ‘cause it serves the master Forget famous, I’m finally flying Far enough to forget I’m finally trying Trying, but can’t denying, that this high it Comes from an unseen being beyond the sky Open eyes, hope in my God I’m flawed. I’m raw. I cause destruction Got a little bit, my platform is nothing Born to move something, mic gives me gumption So On every single stage we stand The people in the crowd throw hands And every single word demands That you understand we’re standing On a platform not a pedestal On a platform not a pedestal When I take a moment to think Of the people I’ve met. The things I’ve got to do By laying this rawness over heat like a barbeque It’s hard to view it all as either Karma or coincidence The synthesis of lyrics with instruments been the impetus for growth From a humble little young ‘un from around the way Now creating art for leaving hearts struck and crowds engaged Couldn’t count the ways this art form has blessed me Run the streets like parkour with a God-formed assembly of Merry Men Ensuring each breath of my air is spent With clear intent. Declaring no fear of embarrassment Radical pacifist, snatching your hatchets to bury them Chances of wackness are same as my stature, very slim Kind of crazy reminiscing of my growth in these past seasons Started for the status and cash and a bunch of wack reasons Now these raps seasoned with salt Your seeing the redeeming of a medium to blaspheme or exalt Let’s go On every single stage we stand The people in the crowd throw hands And every single word demands That you understand we’re standing On a platform not a pedestal On a platform not a pedestal How did I get here? It’s been a lit year Finished off my first project in four and a bit years Was foreign to hip hop. Ignored it with tin ears Now I’m rockin’ with a posse. Man, that’s more than a bit weird But that’s just par for the course of this ship. The Lord is with me I’ll take orders, plot a course and let him steer No living in fear Seize an opportunity and board it From my Star Destroyer like some Dark Lord of the Sith. Cheers Every time I hit a stage I hope I deliver a ten Every time I hit a page I'm hoping I scribble a gem I even try to rap my age and know every little intent Behind my rhymes to keep them beneficial and every listener fed With power, comes responsibility homes With every platform, comes a call to give up your throne And give back more, a servant on a mission of hope If we did that more, hmmm Bet even this could be home Let’s go On every single stage we stand The people in the crowd throw hands Every single word demands That you understand we’re standing On a platform not a pedestal On a platform not a pedestal On every single stage we stand The people in the crowd throw hands Every single word demands That you understand we’re standing On a platform not a pedestal On a platform not a pedestal

Kay What have we stumbled across A God who’s trouble Sent his Son to show his love on a cross Only to rise and then invite us all to run with his flock And now I’m not afraid of dying? Yeah, that’s something to talk about Nothing to hide. I’m not gonna walk around awkward issues I’m in it if my God is down Because he claims the discarded. Lost and found He restores garments then rocks them proudly Don’t fight it. You can’t stop it My clothes white as the polar bear on your can of pop is We burn bright as a solar flare when his hand’s upon us But the master plan is God’s and I am only an accomplice The rock, I’m standing on it This all began with him Now we’re heirs to a throne like Bambi is We got a light that we can’t keep in Let it shine while you grind like an ambulance