This Ain't Livin
2Pac/Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes Lyrics

This ain't livin'
Life in the ghetto is nothing but a prison, a never-ending struggle for survival.

Nigga, I hear even the smaller G's be dippin' Chevy Impalas
Even young gang members ride around in flashy cars like Chevy Impalas to show off their status and power.

While flossin' they gold D's, O.G.'s, is who they follow
These young gang members idolize older, more experienced gangsters who they believe have achieved success in the streets.

We swallow tomorrow see, what we leave is hollow
We consume the present without considering the future, leaving a void in our wake.

We feed violence and greed, let 'em bleed tomorrow
We perpetuate a cycle of violence and greed, knowing that it will ultimately lead to more bloodshed and despair in the future.

In time, they grip a nine, sippin' wine, hit grass
Over time, these young gang members become more and more violent, using guns to solve their problems while indulging in drugs and alcohol.

'til I be starin watch the parents sacrifice they child
I watch in horror as parents are forced to watch their children become involved in gangs and ultimately become victims of violence and crime.

The love's gone, a thug's home, with no love
Love and affection no longer exist in the world of gangs, where violence and aggression are the norms.

Feelin' so strong, make young boys into drug lords
The power and allure of the gang lifestyle can turn impressionable young boys into drug dealers and leaders of criminal organizations.

Now one for adolescents, now dos for dose
We must provide guidance and support to young people in order to steer them away from the destructive and dangerous lifestyle of gangs.

Keep yo' friends by your side, even close your foes
It is important to maintain a group of loyal friends, even if it means forgiving past enemies and turning them into allies.

Now three for Johnny Law tryin' to make my chips
We must be aware of the law enforcement agencies who are trying to take away our money and power through criminal investigations and prosecutions.

I never pulled the trigger, didn't touch that bitch
I never actually committed the crimes that I have been accused of, and I am not responsible for the violence and destruction caused by others in my community.

Throw yo' hands in the air, it's a robbery
It's time to take over and rob the system that has oppressed us and kept us trapped in poverty and violence.

? thinkin'' 'Pac, would you ride with me
As a respected leader in the community, I am being asked to join in the fight against the system and help bring about change.

Let's go see what our enemies talkin bout
We need to understand our enemies and their tactics in order to better prepare ourselves for the conflicts and struggles that lie ahead.

When G's enter the house nobody's walkin' out
In a confrontation with our enemies, we must be prepared to fight until the bitter end, knowing that there may be no survivors.

Takes a life to make a life (takes a life)
Violence begets violence, and in order to survive in the world of gangs, one must be willing to take the lives of others.

Livin' in the world of crime tonight (takes a life)
Survival in the world of gangs is a constant struggle, where violence and crime are a fact of life.

Can't find a better way to break you
The only way to escape the violence and poverty of the ghetto is to fight against it with all our strength and resources.

Peep it, gunfire is produced at alarmin' rates
Gun violence is rampant in our community, with shootings occurring constantly and without warning.

Today's youth, grip the shit, get in the car and break
Young people are being seduced by the power and glamour of the gang lifestyle, leading them to join criminal organizations and engage in violent activities.

"It Takes a Nation of Millions" if we intend to stop the killin'
We must band together as a community in order to stop the violence and crime that plagues our streets.

Just search your feelings, participate in some ?
We must examine our own emotions and motivations, and use our own experiences to help others who are struggling in the same way.

They our seeds and when they bleed, we bleed
The young people in our community are our future, and their successes or failures will have a direct impact on our own lives as well.

That's what becomes of lonely children, they turn to G's
Children who grow up without support and guidance often turn to gangs for a sense of belonging and purpose.

Heavenly father can you rescue, my young nation
We look to a higher power for salvation and guidance, hoping that God will help us find a way out of the cycle of violence and despair.

Rest the Lord will protect you, respect due
We must have faith that God will guide and protect us, while also showing respect for the beliefs and traditions of others.

Not a threat as I step in blue, and check those
I am not here to threaten or intimidate, but to offer guidance and support to those who are seeking a way out of the gang lifestyle.

That oppose when I froze them fools, and who are you
I will confront and challenge those who oppose my efforts to bring about change, but I will also seek to understand their perspectives and motivations.

To watch me fall farther
Some people take pleasure in seeing me fail or suffer, but I will not let their negativity and hatred bring me down.

I disappeared, reappeared as the .. follow me now
I may disappear from public view for a time, but I will always re-emerge as a leader and role model for my community.

Skippin' class, and livin' fast, will get yo' ass
Skipping school and engaging in criminal activities may seem exciting and attractive, but it will ultimately lead to a life of poverty and despair.

Stuck in the pen, doin' life plus ten
Getting caught and convicted for a crime will lead to a life of imprisonment and regret, with no hope for the future.

Young brother pump yo' brakes for me, before you choke
We must slow down and think carefully about our actions, rather than impulsively reacting with violence and aggression.

Won't ya soak up some game from yo' big homies
We should learn from and respect the wisdom and experience of our elders, who have lived through the struggles and challenges that we are facing.

We givin' you jewels, use 'em as tools
We are offering valuable knowledge and advice, which can be used as powerful tools for growth and change.

Explode on they industry and fade them fools
We must challenge and subvert the dominant culture and power structures that have kept us trapped in poverty and violence for generations.

You know the rules, gotta be a rider
In order to survive and succeed in the world of gangs, we must be willing to fight and defend ourselves against our enemies at all times.

You can run the red lights but read the street signs, hey
We must be aware of our surroundings and understand the dangers and risks involved in the gang lifestyle, even when we are tempted to take shortcuts or ignore warning signs.

This for all of y'all that keep on raisin hell
This message is directed at all the young people who are lost and struggling in the world of gangs, seeking a way out of the violence and poverty that has defined their lives so far.

Put a pistol in your hand and let you fade yourself
Choosing violence and crime will only lead to a life of imprisonment, suffering, and despair, and will ultimately lead to your own downfall.

It ain't right, what you put your momma through, young G
Getting involved in gangs and criminal activities not only hurts yourself, but also your loved ones, especially your mother who cares deeply for your well-being.

Gotta change your life, take the game from me
We must take responsibility for our own lives and our own choices, and work to change our circumstances and overcome the obstacles that hold us back.