Runnin
2Pac/Notorious B.I.G. Lyrics

And I wonder if they'll laugh when I'm dead?
Do people value me as a person, or do they just care about my fame and success?

Why am I fighting to live, if I'm just living to fight?
Why do I struggle to survive if my existence is only filled with constant battles?

Why am I trying to see, when there ain't nothing in sight?
Why do I strive to make progress when the world seems so bleak and hopeless?

Why am I trying to give, when no one gives me a try?
Why do I offer help to others when no one gives me the same opportunity?

Why am I dying to live, if I'm just living to die?
Why do I try so hard to stay alive when ultimately everyone meets the same fate, and my existence doesn't feel purposeful?

Check it, I grew up a fuckin' screw-up
I came from a troubled background and made many mistakes.

Got introduced to the game, got a ounce and fuckin' blew up
I entered the drug dealing business and became successful quickly.

Choppin' rocks overnight
I worked hard and tirelessly, sometimes through the entire night, to sell drugs.

The nigga Biggie Smalls trying to turn into the black Frank White
My friend Biggie wants to become a notorious gangster like Frank White from the movie King of New York.

We had to grow dreads to change our description
To avoid being targeted by the police, we had to change our appearance by growing dreadlocks.

Two cops is on the milk box missing
Two police officers have gone missing, and we suspect they were killed while trying to catch us.

Show they toes you know they got stepped on
If someone is missing, it's likely because they crossed our path and were killed.

A fist full of bullets a chest full of Teflon
Our guns are loaded and have Teflon-coated bullets used to penetrate bulletproof vests.

Run from the police picture that, nigga I'm too fat
It's difficult for me to run from the police due to my weight, so I'd rather fight back.

I fuck around and catch a asthma attack
I have asthma, and the stress of running or fighting makes it difficult for me to breathe sometimes.

That's why I bust back, it don't phase me
This is why I fight back against the police and other enemies, as I am not afraid of death.

When he drop, take his Glock, and I'm Swayze
When someone dies, I take their gun, and I am like Patrick Swayze in the movie Road House, which features bar fights.

Celebrate my escape, sold the Glock, bought some weight
After escaping from the police, I sell my gun and use the money to buy drugs to sell.

Lay back, I got some money to make, motherfucker
I relax because I have plans to make more money selling drugs and other illegal activities.

It's on me
I am responsible for my actions and the consequences they bring.

But still I'm having memories of high speed when the cops crashed
I still remember the time when the police chased me at high speed and had a car accident while pursuing me.

As I laugh, pushing the gas while my Glocks blast
Despite the danger, I find the situation amusing and continue shooting at the police while speeding away.

We was young and we was dumb, but we had heart
We were reckless and immature, but we were brave and willing to take risks.

In the dark, will we survive through the bad parts
We hope to survive the dangerous situations we encounter because we cannot see what's coming.

Many dreams is what I had, and plenty wishes
I have many desires and aspirations.

No hesitation in extermination of these snitches
I have no problem killing those who betray me and give information to the police.

Envious bitches, they still continue to pursue me
Jealous women are still trying to be with me even though I am a criminal.

A couple of movies, now the whole world's trying to screw me
My fame from movies has led to increased scrutiny from the public trying to bring me down.

Even the cops tried to sue me, so what can I do?
The police are also targeting me through the legal system, and I feel helpless to fight back.

But stay true, sipping 22's of brew
I remain true to my friends and my lifestyle, and sometimes drink 22-ounce bottles of beer.

And now media is trying to test me
Journalists are intentionally provoking me with their questions and stories.

Got the press asking questions, trying to stress me
The media is trying to create stressful situations and make me look bad in the public eye.

Misery is all I see, that's my mind state
I am overwhelmed with sadness and negative emotions.

My history with the police will shake the crime rate
My notoriety from previous run-ins with the police will make crime seem more common and affect the crime rate.

My main man had two strikes, slipped, got arrested and flipped
My closest friend had two previous felony convictions, made a mistake, and ended up getting arrested and turning against me.

He screamed 'thug life' and emptied the clip
My friend proclaimed his loyalty to the gangster lifestyle and continued fighting until he ran out of bullets.

Got tired of running from the police
My friend grew exhausted of being constantly chased by the police and chose to fight instead.