Rate Your Music ranked the song at 44th on their list of The 200 Best Hip Hop Songs Of All Time.
The opening consists of a duet singing the song’s title repeatedly. Much of the rest of the song is one long verse performed by Tupac. The verse begins with him telling a group that he has heard about Brenda’s pregnancy. He also notes that the girl has had virtually no education in her life, having only barely obtained minimal skills in writing, and calls this a "damn shame", criticizing and has little hope in life. Her family is very poor, and her father is a heroin addict. Brenda is impregnated by her unnamed boyfriend, who is her older cousin, but she is successfully able to hide her pregnancy. Tupac explains that it wouldn’t matter to her family if she gave birth, as long as they got their cut of the government assistance.
Although she believes that her cousin will stay with her and help her raise the child, he is merely a molester, and abandons her before she gives birth to her baby on a bathroom floor. Brenda disposes of it by throwing it in a trash bin but later retrieves it as she hears the baby's crying. Her mother scolds her severely, and Brenda becomes so ashamed of herself that she runs away from home.
Brenda now begins a life on her own, and unsuccessfully seeks employment. Her attempt to sell crack cocaine results in robbery, and eventually she views prostitution as her only way to make money. This life path leads to her to being murdered. What becomes of other characters, such as her family, her boyfriend, and the baby itself, is uncertain. The final minute or so of the song consists of a chorus singing “don’t you know she’s got a baby” repeatedly.
2Pac has another song which he made late in his career which deals with this same subject called Mama's Just a Little Girl; The song can be found on his fourth posthumous studio album Better Dayz.
Brenda's Got a Baby
2Pac Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Got a (got a)
Baby
Say that one more time Brenda
Brenda's
Got a (baby)
Baby
But Brenda's barely got a brain
A damn shame, the girl can hardly spell her name
(That's not our problem, that's up to Brenda's family)
Well, let me show ya how it affects our whole community
Now Brenda really never knew her moms and her dad was a
Junky, puttin' death to his arms, it's sad 'cause I bet
Brenda doesn't even know
Just 'cause you're in the ghetto doesn't mean you can't grow (you can't grow)
But oh, that's a thought, my own revelation
Do whatever it takes to resist the temptation
Brenda got herself a boyfriend
Her boyfriend was her cousin, now let's watch the joy end
She tried to hide her pregnancy, from her family
Who didn't really care to see, or give a damn if she
Went out and had a church of kids
As long as when the check came they got first dibs
Now Brenda's belly is gettin' bigger
But no one seems to notice any change in her figure
She's 12 years old and she's having a baby
In love with the molester, who's sexing her crazy
And yet and also she thinks that he'll be with her forever
And dreams of a world with the two of them are together
Whatever, he left her and she had the baby solo
She had it on the bathroom floor and didn't know so
She didn't know, what to throw away and what to keep
She wrapped the baby up and threw him in the trash heap
I guess she thought she'd get away, wouldn't hear the cries
She didn't realize
How much the the little baby had her eyes
Now the baby's in the trash heap balling
Momma can't help her, but it hurts to hear her calling
Brenda wants to run away
Momma say, "You makin' me lose pay
And social workers here every day"
Now Brenda's gotta make her own way
Can't go to her family, they won't let her stay
No money, no babysitter, she couldn't keep a job
She tried to sell crack, but end up getting robbed
So now what's next, there ain't nothing left to sell
So she sees sex as a way of leaving hell
It's paying the rent, so she really can't complain
Prostitute, found slain, and Brenda's her name, she's got a baby
Baby
(Don't you know she's got a) (ooh)
(Don't you know she's got a) (hoo)
(Don't you know she's got a baby) (ohh ahh)
She's had a baby
(Don't you know she's got a) (yes, she had)
(Don't you know she's got a) (yes, she)
(Don't you know she's got a baby) (she's had a baby)
(Don't you know she's got a) (I know, I know)
(Don't you know she's got a) (I, I, I know)
(Don't you know she's got a baby) (I, I, I, know)
I know, know know, know, know, know, know, know
(Don't you know she's got a) (know, know, know, know)
(Don't you know she's got a) (I know, I know)
(Don't you know she's got a baby) (so all alone with a baby)
(Don't you know she's got a) (she's got no food to eat)
(Don't you know she's got a) (no bed to sleep)
(Don't you know she's got a baby) (no money to put shoes on her baby's feet, yeah)
(Don't you know she's got a) (ooh)
(Don't you know she's got a) (ooh)
(Don't you know she's got a baby) (ooh)
The song Brenda's Got a Baby by 2Pac tells the story of a young girl named Brenda who becomes pregnant at the age of 12. The song highlights the issues and circumstances that lead to Brenda's unfortunate fate. The first verse acknowledges the rumor of Brenda being pregnant, and the second verse goes into details about Brenda's background. Brenda's mother was not in her life, and her father was a drug addict that died due to his addiction. Brenda's family didn't care about her, and they were only interested in her welfare when it concerned their financial gain.
The chorus highlights Brenda's situation, and how she has to struggle with taking care of a baby at such a young age. Brenda's situation prevented her from getting the necessary help from her family, and she was forced to find her own way. Things got worse when Brenda found herself in a situation where she had to choose prostitution as a means of survival. In the end, Brenda was murdered, and her story serves as a warning to people about the effect their behavior and actions exert on society's most vulnerable members.
The song's message of vulnerable children being exploited and abused resonated with many, and it helped create greater awareness of the issue. This song is an excellent example of Tupac's talent as a storyteller, as he painted a vivid picture of a tragic story with such vivid lyrics. Brenda's Got a Baby is one of Tupac's most significant and meaningful tracks and has inspired many other artists to tackle similarly urgent issues in their music.
Line by Line Meaning
Brenda's
Refers to a girl named Brenda
Got a
Has a
Baby
Child
I hear Brenda's got a baby
There is a rumour that Brenda has a child
But Brenda's barely got a brain
Unfortunately, Brenda is not very intelligent
A damn shame, the girl can hardly spell her name
It's really unfortunate that Brenda struggles with spelling her own name
(That's not our problem, that's up to Brenda's family)
Brenda's family should be responsible for helping her with her issues
Well, let me show ya how it affects the whole community
However, it's important to understand that Brenda's problems have a ripple effect on her entire community
Now Brenda really never knew her moms and her dad was a
Brenda grew up without a mother figure and her father was a drug addict
Junky, puttin' death to his arms, it's sad 'cause I bet
Her father was addicted to drugs which eventually led to his death, which is unfortunate
Brenda doesn't even know
Sadly, Brenda was not aware of her father's death
Just 'cause you're in the ghetto doesn't mean you can't grow (you can't grow)
Brenda's environment should not limit her potential to succeed in life
But oh, that's a thought, my own revelation
This realization is a thought that the singer came up with on their own
Do whatever it takes to resist the temptation
One should do whatever they can to avoid temptation
Brenda got herself a boyfriend
Brenda started a relationship with a boy
Her boyfriend was her cousin, now let's watch the joy end
Her boyfriend was also her cousin, a situation which will only bring problems
She tried to hide her pregnancy, from her family
Brenda attempted to keep her pregnancy a secret from her family
Who didn't really care to see, or give a damn if she
Her family did not really pay attention to Brenda's needs
Went out and had a church of kids
They would not care even if she had multiple children
As long as when the check came they got first dibs
Her family only cared about getting money first
Now Brenda's belly is gettin' bigger
As time passed, Brenda's pregnant belly grew bigger
But no one seems to notice any change in her figure
However, no one in her family realized that Brenda was pregnant
She's 12 years old and she's having a baby
Even worse, Brenda was only 12 years old when she became pregnant
In love with the molester, who's sexing her crazy
Her partner was older and was taking advantage of her
And yet and also she thinks that he'll be with her forever
Despite this, Brenda believed that her partner would stay with her forever
And dreams of a world with the two of them are together
She dreamed of a life where she and her partner were united
Whatever, he left her and she had the baby solo
However, her partner left her and she had to raise the child on her own
She had it on the bathroom floor and didn't know so
In fact, Brenda gave birth on the bathroom floor without even realizing it
She didn't know, what to throw away and what to keep
Brenda was unsure of what to do with the baby
She wrapped the baby up and threw him in the trash heep
Ultimately, Brenda made the tragic decision to wrap up the baby and throw him away in the trash
I guess she thought she'd get away, wouldn't hear the cries
Perhaps Brenda felt that she could simply walk away and avoid hearing the baby's cries
She didn't realize
However, she was not aware
How much the little baby had her eyes
The baby had inherited Brenda's eyesight
Now the baby's in the trash heep balling
The baby was in the trash, crying
Momma can't help her, but it hurts to hear her calling
Brenda's mother could not help the baby, and it was painful for her to hear the cries
Brenda wants to run away
Brenda wanted to leave her situation
Momma say, "you makin' me lose pay
However, Brenda's mother stopped her because she would lose money if Brenda left
And social workers here everyday"
Social workers were involved, and they came every day
Now Brenda's gotta make her own way
Eventually, Brenda had to find her own path
Can't go to her family, they won't let her stay
However, she could not rely on her family for help as they refused to let her stay with them
No money, no babysitter, she couldn't keep a job
Brenda was unable to hold a job or find a babysitter with no money
She tried to sell crack, but end up getting robbed
In desperation, Brenda even tried to sell drugs, but it only led to her being robbed
So now what's next, there ain't nothing left to sell
With no options left, Brenda had nowhere else to turn
So she sees sex as a way of leaving hell
Unfortunately, Brenda felt that sex work was her only way out of her situation
It's paying the rent, so she really can't complain
Although it was not ideal, sex work was bringing in money to pay rent
Prostitute, found slain, and Brenda's her name, she's got a baby
Tragically, Brenda was found dead while working as a sex worker and still had her child
She's had a baby
Brenda had a child
(Don't you know she's got a) (yes, she had)
This is a reminder that Brenda not only has a child but had given birth to it
(Don't you know she's got a) (yes, she)
Again, this emphasizes that Brenda is the one with the child
(Don't you know she's got a baby) (she's had a baby)
This line cements the fact that Brenda has had a child
(Don't you know she's got a) (I know, I know)
The implication here is that everyone knows Brenda has a child
(Don't you know she's got a) (I, I, I know)
Once again, this emphasizes that everyone is aware of Brenda's situation
(Don't you know she's got a baby) (I, I, I, know)
And it's confirmed that indeed Brenda has a child
I know, know know, know, know, know, know, know
The singer is certain about the truth of Brenda's situation
(Don't you know she's got a) (know, know, know, know)
A repetition of the previous line drives the point home
(Don't you know she's got a) (I know, I know)
Once again emphasizing that everyone knows Brenda has a child
(Don't you know she's got a baby) (so all alone with a baby)
This final line sums up the tragedy of Brenda's situation
(Don't you know she's got a) (she's got no food to eat)
Brenda's difficulties were not limited to taking care of a child, but included basic needs like food
(Don't you know she's got a) (no bed to sleep)
Brenda did not even have a comfortable place to sleep
(Don't you know she's got a baby) (no money to put shoes on her baby's feet, yeah)
Finally, Brenda was unable to provide even the most basic necessities for her child, like shoes
(Don't you know she's got a) (ooh)
This line is a repetition to emphasize once more that Brenda has a child
(Don't you know she's got a) (ooh)
Another repetition
(Don't you know she's got a baby) (ooh)
The final line reiterates the focus of the song, that Brenda has a child
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Deon Evans, Tupac Amaru Shakur
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@xFlowerChild420x
"In love with a molester who's sexin' her crazy."
I have mad love for this line. The whole song is real, don't get me wrong...but this in particular is something that a lot of artists don't do. He sugarcoated nothing. These words stung like nothing else I've ever felt and maybe that's because I've been a victim of similar circumstances, but also because he made no effort to make this easier for anyone to handle hearing. No mercy for the sake of mercy. That's truly beautiful.
"Well let me show you how it affects our whole community."
This is another line that I found I admired quite a lot.
People very rarely see beyond self...and because they don't, nothing is changing. People are so consumed with their own existence that nobody is helping anyone...which ultimately results in criminals walking free. Hell, most are even too self absorbed to think that those criminals may target them...or their children...
"Just 'cause you're in the ghetto doesn't mean you can't grow."
And finally, that last line that stood out to me-
the one part of this song that intended to give the listener hope.
The single bit of encouragement and positivity he left as part of this piece,
to at the very least remind young women like Brenda that there can be a way out.
Sometimes people can't rise from the depths without a hand willing to help lift them up...
It felt like this was his way of saying "I'll be your voice. You're not fighting this by yourself."
Anyways...
I just felt like sharing my thoughts...
@AddictedToMoney23
“That’s not our problem ,that’s up to Brenda’s family , well let me show you how it affects our whole community”!! PAC was heaven sent !!
@pandorasbox6607
💯💯
@harlielynn76
Aye what Pac said spoke volumes and that shit is true. That shit affects all of use wheather you're apart of that family or not.
@delonthomas2772
Serious man
@arizonaFIREent
Who the fuck disliked this???? Seriously???
@Nostalgikk
@@arizonaFIREent Mumblerap fans! They dont understand real rap..
@Hoodie1118
Who still thinks 2Pac is still the best rapper?
@hyperdeadly4246
no one thinks he is the best its a fact hes the best and will be its a fact!!
@iamkamrok
This war between mumble and old-school gunna change it's way- believe me.
@swervostaxs212
The best rapper of all time