To my younger self…
Always remain curious about what the world has to offer and don’t ever lose your creative spark! As you get older you’ll realize the world has a way of stripping that away from people. Make sure you hold onto yours, and don’t shy away from any opportunities to become a better you, stay ambitious.
“Kids With Ambition”
Fall 2024
D. Knight posted this via Facebook on July 15, 2024
It always amazes me to see an artist who creates bit by bit, chipping away at a vision that is calling and demanding to be realized. Knight has always been a dreamer, and I am convinced that during the planning and ideation phase of his projects, he connects most with his inner child—even when the creation is in honor of, or not even intended to form, that connection. His inner child relishes being used that way, helping to accomplish the dream that began back when problems were trivial and summers were whimsical.
This is my review in honor of Kids with Ambition turning one year old. Before the Deluxe drops on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, I will review the project track by track, with a short write-up for each song. I’ll also be reaching out to Knight with questions as they arise, as well as a few specific inquiries to see how he approached the Deluxe, how the reception has been, and the progress he’s made in connecting with and channeling his inner child throughout his life—not just within the music medium.
Let’s get to it!
Track 1: The Reassurance
We jump into a declaration of sorts—an acknowledgment of the negative feelings Knight has been experiencing. There is a clear conflict in trying to foster and be the light his inner child needs to survive while being drained by the current conditions of life. It is a powerful intro track that does a great job of setting the stage, building upon an internal struggle that the listener can assume is about to take shape.
Track 2: Late Bloomers (feat. ME3CH)
”All that hate in your heart is the world’s biggest mystery.”
Clever wordplay here, stretching from the Ja Rule and 50 Cent beef to the "Bad Boy" Pistons. He points out how Isiah Thomas is still hating on Jordan despite being old asf—lmfaoo. The opening quote is a direct reference to that pettiness. It also relates to things his inner child witnessed growing up: the drama between Ja and Fif, and the endless highlights of Jordan duking it out on the court. It speaks resoundingly to the acknowledgment of his doubts during his creative journey. It touches on the friends and acquaintances who hung up the proverbial hat—unplugging from their music pursuits and settling into more "realistic" endeavors.
This is a conscious observation: the hate isn't always as loud as 50 Cent's; sometimes it’s the quiet skepticism of people who’ve given up on themselves. Not to say that’s Isiah—we know he’s a GOAT—but it reflects the environment in which Knight creates. Silent envy is a killer where we come from. It manifests in more ways than one, and seeing hate directed toward a "late bloomer" who sticks with his dream can make people envious. It isn't always destructive; it’s often more of a passive-aggressive energy. But, I digress—on to the next track.
Track 3: Ambitious Kids (feat. Juno)
My daily routine been mundane, from Monday to Sunday / Been living for the weekends, grind got a nigga up late
I felt this on so many levels. The hook and the delivery on this track have always been among my favorites on the project. How does your inner child weather the 9-to-5? I don’t know, but it shows how resilient that spirit really is. I wish we could tap into that strength whenever life has us downtrodden.
This is probably the strongest narrative so far for delving deeper into Knight’s mind and his day-to-day reality. It’s a mix of contemplation and vulnerability, all while remaining optimistic throughout the battle with the “adult grind.” He’s building a life while staying true to his purpose. It’s a masterclass on keeping your head on, your head down, and staying focused on getting to where you need to go.
Track 4: Nightmares
We are entering one of my favorite song runs on the project. To keep it brief: while the track stays grounded in reality, the “bouncy” production lets you momentarily forget the weight of the words and just vibe out while staying on message.
I think this track also speaks to the synergy between Knight and Ash Matthews, the executive producer and engineer. Sequenced and arranged through their joint efforts, the decision to use this track to transition the project into the next act was masterful. “They don’t mention nightmares when they sell dreams” is such a candid observation; it’s the kind of quote that could live on its own even without the song. Unplug or plug your brain in for this one—regardless of what you do, enjoy the bop.
To expand on the sentiments of Track 4: Knight really steps into himself here. It’s as if the inner child has finally been met, and he is living in the truth of his situation—negatives and all. The grind is relentless, requiring you to "stand on business" and remain firm within yourself. It’s about staying grounded while the pursuit of your dreams constantly tries to knock you off your pivot.
Track 5: Smile More (Feyth M.)
As soon as the song starts, you are met with an uplifting message and vocals paired with a heavenly, airy feel to the production. It gives the project a much-needed breath—breathing life not only into us, the listeners, but it also feels like a reclamation of the life that has eluded Knight. While the ups and downs of everything have been felt, this is the light that guides you back from the darkness that accumulates when dreams become nightmare-esque—where your expectations of said dreams get blown up and reality sets in.
Taking a step back and letting your inner child guide you back to yourself is such a beautiful thing. Between the overall vibe and the heavenly runs Feyth laid down, this one just fills my soul with so much love and… ugh, it’s just a great song!
“Be in my head I have to fix that flaw Almost as if I been searching for that kid that’s lost That’s my main source of inspiration Gives me life just like ventilation”
Shootin’ Da Sh!t w. D. Knight:
On the Mental Landscape of "Ventilation": In Smile More, you describe the search for your inner child as "ventilation"—the actual oxygen you need to breathe. Now that it’s been a year since the original release, does creating music still feel like a survival mechanism for your mental state, or has the "healing" you found allowed you to create from a place of peace rather than a desperate need for air?
Knight:
Creating music will always be a survival mechanism since it's a good way for me to release pain and any mental build-up I'm dealing with at the time. But now I can create more from a peaceful state of mind because discussing everything in the album lifted a weight off my shoulders. I've heard people say that pain creates the best art, but I don't necessarily believe that's true. In fact, I'm not even sure I could make a great body of work if I'm not in my right mind. So I'm gonna choose peace every time.
Track 6: Perfect Song to Play
Knight is talking directly to his inner child on this track, offering “OG wisdom” and painting a picture that all of us have had to put on canvas ourselves: that life grows with you. You aren’t just out here existing in a vacuum; we grow, we learn, and we take our lumps. Often, it feels like we only have ourselves to confide in, and the production hits that feeling perfectly.
The sample chop gives it a nostalgic yet fresh energy—feeling like something old made new again. The reminiscent, retroactive advice to his younger self really hits home. He’s confiding in that “kid with ambition,” explaining that life is serious and sharing the lessons they’ve learned together. There’s a beautiful sense of relief in the fact that they can finally speak on these things and grow from them hand in hand.
Track 7: Take It Easy
The energy has started to wind down, shifting into a very narrative-driven space. Where I felt he was previously speaking to himself—dealing with an internal conflict to bridge the gap between his present and his youth—this feels like he is now speaking directly to us.
It’s as if the two have finally joined forces to stand in the fullness of who they are and the journey that got them there. It’s a powerful declaration, almost like saying: “We are here now, world—now what?” Talk yo shit, Knight!
Track 8: Sacrifices
Life has now compounded. We see the sacrifices made to further his position in relation to his dreams: the real-life acknowledgment of the grind—working fast food, pursuing a degree, and feeling insecure in his relationships—all while trying to carve out a direction for his passion. When will these sacrifices bear fruit? When will the uncomfortable journey finally become plush?
“Never know where life’ll take you
Started rapping just to hear some shit I could relate to
Cudi music used to pull my heart strings
Back before I owned a set of car keys”
Though a lover of music and hip-hop, the allure, glitz, and glam—and the covering up of struggle and emotions—seem to have disillusioned him with what was being released. He wanted something real, so he became that “real” in the industry. It feels confirmed now: we are seeing Knight walking hand-in-hand with his inner child. It’s no longer a split. They are here walking us through their life, and it is so refreshing.
Track 9: Nosebleeds
“Determination in my eyes through all my old pictures.” This not only relates back to the fire fueling him as a kid, but perhaps the “early stages” of his music career as well.
Where this song lacks in raw energy, it makes up for it with bars. “Old soul but my kicks never had holes in em / But my kik had hoes in em.” He’s bridging the “soul” vs. “sole” metaphor to his kicks (shoes). Then he takes it a step further—referencing the now-defunct Kik messaging app—and since my boy is whipping a Nissan, it’s a cold double entendre: younger him had them in the Kik, older him has them in the Kicks (the car). Probably not for real, but that’s a hard setup left to interpretation for anyone listening. That’s exactly where my mind went with it.
Narrative Analysis: We all outgrow people. We are still in the part of the project where Knight is walking, interlocked with his inner child, telling his story. It feels like a very mature take on leaving behind those who could have contributed or stayed for the journey's successes.
Track 10: Inner Child
No frills, no production tricks—just Knight. He bares it all: the growth, the frustration, and the prize being right in sight yet still so far away. Honestly, this feels like it should have been sequenced in the first half of the album. I know we’re on the comedown from the climax, but having this before “Smile More” would have really set the stage for the emotional depth to be felt—acting as a launchpad for the healing provided in that track. This is especially true given the closing lines:
“People tell me I should smile more, well I’m trying shit Every day’s a battle making sure my inner child lives Yeah, straight like that though”
The track is solidly written and not overproduced. However, at this point in the album, we’ve already seen him fully embrace his inner child, so this feels like a callback. While it’s not “too out of the blue” to have a track like this here, it just feels like it had a more powerful spot earlier in the story.
Reviewer’s Note:
The “Smile More” connection is a classic foreshadowing technique. If this were Track 4, those last lines would have made the audience crave the relief of Track 5. Placing it at Track 10 makes it feel more like a flashback. It’s an interesting choice by Knight and Ash—maybe they wanted to remind us that even after the “healing,” the battle to keep that kid alive is still a daily grind.
Shootin’ Da Sh!t w. D. Knight:
On the Influence of Partnership and Healing: You’ve been vocal about the "adult grind" and the insecurities that come with chasing a dream. How has the presence and guidance of your soon-to-be wife influenced the narrative of this project? Did having that stable, supportive "safe harbor" in your personal life make it easier to confront the "Nightmares" and finally allow that inner child to feel safe enough to come out and play?
Knight:
My fiancé was present throughout the entire process and saw me go through all the motions over the course of making the album. She gave me a lot of reassurance when I felt like the love for creating was fading out, and I was having a hard time seeing past the moment. She didn't only make it easier to confront the issues I was dealing with, but also reminded me to just be present and not to worry about the future. Her words of courage gave me a safe space to tap into my emotions, and I think that shows in the music.
Track 11: Wanderlust
Before revisiting this project, this track and “Ambitious Kids” were my favorites. The production, delivery, bars, and subject matter all shake hands on this one.
“Younger self would be amazed how far these tracks took me”
Where the song “Inner Child” felt slightly out of place, this feels right in line with the project’s story arc. It features subtle callbacks to the earlier disconnect, yet it acknowledges how proud his inner child truly is without abandoning the reconnection they’ve built. Furthering the point of the narrative coming full circle before the outro is this line:
“Let my inner child heal, now I’m weightless”
I really don’t even need to be here for this track. I’ll let the song’s outro be mine as well:
“Can feel my inner child when I’m walking oceanside It’s the simple moments that make me feel so alive”
Bravo, Knight. Bravo!
Track 12: We On Right Now
The outro. “We made it through, and we made a way” is exactly what this track gives. It feels like a very standard outro with an uplifting, mid-tempo instrumental driving it. I will say, this one didn’t grab me quite like the others have; I’ve always been a bigger fan of intros than outros. The outro is the last thing you leave someone with, but what else can you say if you haven’t already? Yanno?
Shootin’ Da Sh!t w. D. Knight :
On the Evolution of the Partnership: Throughout the project, we hear you move from "searching" for that lost kid to "walking hand-in-hand" with him. What is the most surprising piece of "OG wisdom" your inner child has given you during the process of putting this Deluxe version together?
Knight:
Funny enough, there's a song on my deluxe album that sort of captures the concept of an OG giving out wisdom. I'd say the best wisdom I got was to not fly too close to the ground, that's where the hook from "Bird's Eye View" materialized. Last year, I started reading this book called The Icarus Deception, and the overarching theme is about how people always say not to fly too close to the sun, and that flying low is safer, even though that isn't technically true. The book is mainly about overcoming fear of criticism and failure and being brave when it comes to your art or your career in general. So flying too close to the ground can be akin to getting buried alive if you're not careful, because you can also die by playing it too safe.
One year later, Kids With Ambition remains more than just a collection of songs—it’s a living blueprint for anyone trying to maintain their creative spark while the world tries to strip it away.
Through this track-by-track journey, we’ve seen Knight move from the suffocating “Nightmares” of the adult grind to a place of “ventilation” where he can finally breathe. What makes this retrospective so potent isn’t just the bars or the production; it’s the radical honesty. Whether he’s talking about the “silent envy” of his hometown or the “safe harbor” provided by his fiancé, Knight isn’t just selling a dream—he’s showing us the scars that come with it.
As we look toward the Deluxe drop (which has already dropped while this was being written), the most enduring lesson Knight leaves us with is the danger of “flying too close to the ground.” In a world that tells us to play it safe, to be realistic, and to hang up our “proverbial hats,” Knight reminds us that the real risk isn’t the sun—it’s the dirt.
The inner child is no longer lost; he’s interlocked, hand-in-hand, walking us toward whatever comes next. If you haven’t already, go back and sit with this project. Listen to the evolution. And most importantly, make sure your own inner child has enough room to breathe.
With Love,
Markie
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