i make music for humans that are constantly evolving. constantly learning, unlearning, and striving to be better. not in search for perfection, but in search of progression, and a life that reflects our hearts' greatest desires.
in the same way that caterpillars become butterflies, i believe that we evolve, too. the covid-19 pandemic has served as a chrysalis phase for me. it gifted me with time to look internally and figure out who i wanted to be and how i wanted to show up in the world. and in that search, i found truths i could no longer ignore. the main truth was this: the web2 music industry was killing me. emotionally, spiritually, mentally, physically. it was breaking me. the feeling of being unseen. the betrayal i was told to get used to. it broke my heart and my spirit. it was a hamster wheel that, if i'm honest, i knew i no longer had the stamina for. the person i'd have to become in order to be successful, the values i'd have to ignore, the box i'd have to fit in— especially as a black woman— would have left me unrecognizable to myself. i couldn't chance that. so i reevaluated things. i took a step away and changed things. i changed me. i bettered me. and then i found web3.
when people see my NFT success, they think that NFTs are what changed my life. and although they have in many ways, my NFT success is merely the result of the betterment i chose to make internally. and that's what this song "better" is about. a highlight reel of what those changes were for me, and a depiction of where those changes led me.
i hope this upbeat track produced by kaelin ellis gets you up out of your seat. i hope this vibrant cover illustrated by khalidah c reminds you of your own light. and i hope that you keep choosing betterment; even when it's hard.
this is one of the best songs i've ever written. so excited to share.
with peace,
iman europe
lyrics:
i’ve been in the light
finally
feels like it’s the first time i’ve been free
had to get it right
silently
yelling at my old self (RIP, she gone!)
reborn and now i got some new wings
if you look good, you’ll see the God on me
damn it look good to see a smile on me!
=D
better than i’ve been
i’m so much better than before
i had to go and try again
i had to cry and let it go
i had to break what couldn’t bend
i had to kill what couldn’t grow
now i ain’t afraid to take the win
i ain’t afraid to let em know
that i’m
better on my left
better on my right
better than the first day of my fight
present is a test
future looking bright
live it like my birthday, i just might
and i ain’t gon stress
it’s alright
i already had the worst days of my life
doin my best
still gon try
even if it hurt me
better than i’ve been
(i’m so much) better than before
(i had to) go and try again
(i had to) cry and let it go
(i had to) break what couldn’t bend
(i had to) kill what couldn’t grow
(i had to) cut off those loose ends
you cannot f* wit me no mo! WOAH
better on my left
better on my right
better than the first day of my fight
present is a test
future looking bright
live it like my birthday, i just might
and i ain’t gon stress
it’s alright
i already had the worst days of my life
doin my best
still gon try
even if it hurt me
i’m so much better
better x32
you’re better thank you’ve been
(you’re so much) better than before
(you had to) go and try again
(you had to) cry and let it go
(you had to) break what couldn’t bend
(you had to) kill what couldn’t grow
(you had to) cut off those loose ends
THEY CANNOT F* W YOU NO MO! WHOA!