Nigga
2Pac/Jadakiss Lyrics

Niggas! (Yeah!) (Uh)
An exclamation of solidarity among black individuals

Who's afraid of the punk police?
A rhetorical question highlighting the fear and mistrust black individuals often feel towards law enforcement

Niggas run the streets, no justice no peace
An assertion that black individuals take control of their own communities, in the absence of fair treatment by the justice system

Fuck the law, rather draw than do time
An expression of disdain towards a legal system that is viewed as unjust, and a preference for self-defense

Don't fuck with mine, cross the line, my two nines
A warning to not harm the artist's loved ones, as they are armed and prepared to defend them

Go baya baya when I shoot 'em
Slang indicating an aggressive approach towards shooting at targets

Korean mothafuckers was crooked, so niggas had to burn and loot 'em
Allegedly justifying riots and destruction of Korean-owned businesses in the aftermath of the 1992 Los Angeles riots

Now the streets ain't safe at night
A lamentation over the dangers of living in a low-income area

My Niggas! Straight take his life
A call to his fellow black individuals to take violent revenge on those who threaten them

So don't sleep when my Jeep creep up, how we hit 'em
A warning of surprise attacks and the element of stealth when seeking revenge

Empty the clip, then dip 'cause we did 'em
A suggestion to quickly leave the scene of a crime to avoid consequences

Lickin' of shots for Latasha that's proper
Paying respects to Latasha Harlins, an African-American teenager who was shot and killed by a Korean store owner in 1991

Love for my niggas but a glock for the coppers
A conflicting emotion of camaraderie with other black individuals, but a need for self-protection against the law

So what the fuck you want to do now
An expression of defiance towards anyone who seeks to harm or oppress the singer

I packed a .9 last year, in '99 I'm packin' 2 now
A boast about being armed and prepared to defend oneself from threats, with the implication that the level of danger has increased over time

And even if they pull their triggers
A recognition that the artist may still face deadly force, despite their own efforts to protect themselves

They can shoot one man,
Acknowledging that the loss of one individual will not stop the struggle for justice

But nothings gonna stop the plan of true niggas
A declaration that the singer and their fellow black individuals will continue to resist oppression and work towards a better future

My dimes make the fiends go to sleep,
A reference to selling drugs in order to make a profit

So they call 'em bedrocks
Slang for crack cocaine

Niggas is like photographers, all they take is head shots
A metaphor suggesting that black individuals are quick to resort to violence and gun use, emphasizing the dangers and tensions present in black communities

Your last words'll be, "damn what's all these red dots?"
A warning that the artist and their fellow black individuals will show no mercy in using violence to defend themselves

Niggas nowawadays, they worry me, my bars is therapy
An admission of concern for the direction of black youth, but a conviction that music can serve as a form of release and positive respite

As long as you usin' them thoroughly,
An endorsement of the responsible use of firearms and violence

Muah til the day that they bury me
A declaration of undying loyalty to his fellow black individuals, and the struggle for justice

My niggas is stronger and tighter
Pride in the strength and unity of the singer's community

Now than they probably will ever be
A recognition that black individuals need to remain united and resilient in the face of oppression

And I'm a product of the '70's
A reference to the political and social movements that took place during the 1970s, and their impact on the struggle for black liberation

The hood got niggas on punishment,
A metaphor implying that black individuals are confined to their low-income neighborhoods and suffer from the lack of opportunities and resources provided to them by society

That's why they never leave
Suggesting that many black individuals feel trapped in their communities, with no means or motivation to escape

If I ain't eatin' with you, I'm probably beefin' with you
A reflection on the prevalence of conflict and rivalry within black communities, and the difficulties of maintaining positive relationships under such circumstances

If no money ain't involved ain't
A suggestion that material wealth and profit are the strongest motivators for some individuals

No need for me speakin' with you
The artist will not waste time on individuals who cannot provide financial gain

I know you got a gun but I'm hopin' you keep it with you
A comment on the prevalence of firearms in black communities, and a hope that other individuals will act responsibly with them

'cause unfortunately, I'm one of them rappers that keep a pistol and
An admission of personal firearm ownership, perhaps stemming from a need for protection or a cultural norm within rap communities

You know what the llama do, Shady/Aftermath, Ruff Ryders,
A reference to various record labels and their artists, possibly to assert the artist's affiliation with them

D-Block, and of course Amaru
A list of record labels that the singer associates with, potentially to assert their influence and power

Lotta people honor you, probably 'cause of the way you used to bring the drama to
A comment on the singer's reputation and influence within the industry, possibly due to their involvement in controversial or confrontational situations

Whoever you wanted to,
An assertion that the singer can exert their will and control over others

You a leader when you can get a leader to follow you
A comment on the qualities of strong leadership, emphasizing the importance of inspiring others and gaining their trust and loyalty

But anyway, life goes on,
An acknowledgement that despite the ongoing struggles faced by black individuals, time continues to pass

So I'll see you when I art in heaven like our fathers do
A reference to the singer's faith and belief in an afterlife, perhaps indicating a hope for a better existence in the future

Niggas! (Yeah niggas, you can't fuck with us)
A declaration of black unity and strength in the face of opposition

Niggas! ('Cause bein' a nigga means you love niggas)
An affirmation of the strong bonds and camaraderie felt among black individuals, despite the negative connotations and stereotypes imposed upon them by society

Niggas!
An exclamation of solidarity and pride in black identity

Niggas! (Nigga!, you can't fuck with us)
A reiteration of the previous assertion of black strength and unity