Shakur was born in New York City to parents who were both political activists and Black Panther Party members. Raised by his mother, he relocated to Baltimore in 1984 and to the San Francisco Bay Area in 1988. With the release of his debut album 2Pacalypse Now in 1991, he became a central figure in West Coast hip-hop for his conscious rap lyrics. Shakur achieved further critical and commercial success with his follow-up albums Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z... (1993) and Me Against the World (1995). His Diamond certified album All Eyez on Me (1996), the first double-length album in hip-hop history, abandoned his introspective lyrics for volatile gangsta rap. In addition to his music career, Shakur also found considerable success as an actor, with his starring roles in Juice (1992), Poetic Justice (1993), Above the Rim (1994), Bullet (1996), Gridlock'd (1997), and Gang Related (1997).
During the later part of his career, Shakur was shot five times in the lobby of a New York recording studio and experienced legal troubles, including incarceration. In 1995, Shakur served eight months in prison on sexual abuse charges, but was released pending an appeal of his conviction. Following his release, he signed to Marion "Suge" Knight's label Death Row Records and became heavily involved in the growing East Coast–West Coast hip hop rivalry. On September 7, 1996, Shakur was shot four times by an unidentified assailant in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas; he died six days later. Following his murder, Shakur's friend-turned-rival, the Notorious B.I.G., was at first considered a suspect due to their public feud, but was also murdered in another drive-by shooting six months later in March 1997 while visiting Los Angeles.
Five more albums have been released since Shakur's death, all of which have been certified Platinum in the United States. In 2002, Shakur was inducted into the Hip-Hop Hall of Fame. In 2017, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. Rolling Stone magazine ranked Shakur among the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.
Shakur was born on June 16, 1971, in the East Harlem section of Manhattan in New York City. While born Lesane Parish Crooks, at age one he was renamed Tupac Amaru Shakur. He was named after Túpac Amaru II, the descendant of the last Incan ruler, Túpac Amaru, who was executed in Peru in 1781 after his failed revolt against Spanish rule. Shakur's mother explained, "I wanted him to have the name of revolutionary, indigenous people in the world. I wanted him to know he was part of a world culture and not just from a neighborhood."
Shakur had an older stepbrother, Mopreme "Komani" Shakur, and a half-sister, Sekyiwa Shakur, two years his junior.
Bury Me A G
2Pac Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Thinkin' back
Reminiscing on my teens
A young G
Gettin' paid over dope fiends
Fuckin' off cash that I make
Nigga, what's tha sense of workin' hard
I'm hustlin'
Stayin' out till it's dawn
And comin' home
At 6 o'clock in tha mornin'
Hand's on my glock
Eye's on tha prize
Finger on tha trigga when a nigga rides
Shootin' craps
Bustin' niggas out tha door
Pick my money off tha floor
God bless tha tre-four
Stuck on full, drunk again
Sippin' on Gin
With a couple of friends
Sayin' those thug life niggas be like major pimps
Stickin' to tha rules is what made it simp
And if I die
Let it be
But when they come for me
Bury me a G
I ain't got time for bitches
Gotta keep my mind on my mothafuckin' riches
Even when I die
They won't worry me
Mama don't cry
Bury me a G
I ain't got time for bitches
Gotta keep my mind on my mothafuckin' riches
Even when I die
They won't worry me
Mama don't cry
Bury me a G
More Trouble than tha average
Just made 25 and I'm livin' like a savage
Bein a G ain't no easy thing
Cause you could fuck around get crossed
And get stuck in tha game
And for tha rest of your life you will sit and remineise
Wonder why it had to end like this
And to tha G's you can feel my pain
Till tha mothafuckas gets born again
You thought I was a game kid
I'm not tha nigga for playin games
I let my buckshots rang
When I pull tha trigga on my gauge
I'm on tha rampage
Makin' runs for tha devil
Ain't nothin' on my mind
Will get me in some trouble
I'm tryin to ride
No more loves
For me hard to figure
Get a nigga, smoke a blunt
Or is a jury starts (break that shit)
I gives a fuck nigga
Stuck outta luck
When I bust
Pull me to my death
But I'm a G to tha enemy
I ain't got time for bitches
Gotta keep my mind on my mothafuckin' riches
Even when I die
They won't worry me
Mama don't cry
Bury me a G
I ain't got time for bitches
Gotta keep my mind on my mothafuckin' riches
Even when I die
They won't worry me
Mama don't cry
Bury me a G
I got nothin' ta loose so I choose to be a killer
Went from bangin' ta slangin'
Now I'm a dope dealer
All my life payed tha price to be tha boss
Back in school
Wrote tha rules on gettin' tossed
Poppin' rocks on tha block was a past time
Pack a 9 all the time
You wanna test mine ?
Don't cry
I die before they play me
From tha cradle to tha grave
Bury me
Straight Thug G
Kickin' it with tha homies in tha hood
Gettin' drunk, smokin' blunts
A bitch said I was no good
I gives a fuck
I spend my time in tha dope spot
Never had no time for no bitch
Instead slangin' rocks
And bustin' caps on you punk ass marcs
Fake ass G's
Bitch niggas with no heart
I'm stayin' real till I'm 6 feet deep
So when a nigga gone
Bury me a G
I ain't got time for bitches
Gotta keep my mind on my mothafuckin' riches
Even when I die
They won't worry me
Mama don't cry
Bury Me a G
I ain't got time for bitches
Gotta keep my mind on my mothafuckin' riches
Even when I die
They won't worry me
Mama don't cry
Bury Me a G
Stuck on full
Tangaray got a nigga high
Lord knows I don't need another DUI
I led a Thug Life
Heartless hustler
Just 'cause I fucked
Don't mean I trust her
Now my pagers vibratin'
Can't sleep
So I'm mobbin' to tha ho's house
Pumpin' Isely
Is it cool ta fuck is what I'm askin
Bitch recognize game and start laughen
When I'm all in those guts and shit
Prayin' that a nigga don't nut too quick
Cause I'll fuck and get up and let ya know
I'll be a 10 minute brotha for a $2 ho
Lots a ho's get mad and shit
I let a trick be a trick
You can have that bitch
Cause I doubt if I change
Tha games a mothafucker
Real niggas turn ta bustas
Bury Me a G
I ain't got time for bitches
Gotta Keep my mind on my mothafuckin' riches
Even when I die
They won't worry me
Mama don't cry
Bury me a G
I ain't got time for bitches
Gotta Keep my mind on my mothafuckin' riches
Even when I die
They won't worry me
Mama don't cry
Bury me a G
I ain't got time for bitches
Gotta Keep my mind on my mothafuckin' riches
Even when I die
They won't worry me
Mama don't cry
Bury me a G
I ain't got time for bitches
Gotta Keep my mind on my mothafuckin' riches
Even when I die
They won't worry me
Mama don't cry
Bury me a G
I ain't got time for bitches, bitches
The lyrics of 2Pac's "Bury Me A G" depict the life of a young gangster who is engaged in thug life. Through these lyrics, 2Pac brings his own life experiences into the limelight. The song starts with the singer reminiscing about his teenage years, when he was a young gangster running the streets and getting paid over dope fiends. The singer then goes on to say that he is hustling and staying out until dawn and coming home at 6 a.m. in the morning. He also references shooting craps and busting niggas out the door and is grateful when he hits the big score. The chorus, "Bury me a G," emphasizes his devotion to the gangster lifestyle and his willingness to die for it.
The lyrics also reflect on the pain of being a gangster and the cost of living this lifestyle. The singer talks about making runs for the devil, and how sticking to the rules has made it simple. He emphasizes that being a G is not an easy thing, because you could get crossed and stuck in the game. The singer realizes that he has nothing to lose and chooses to be a killer. He went from banging to slanging and became a dope dealer. He spent his time in the dope spot and never had any time for bitches. He remained real until he was six feet deep.
Overall, the song conveys a sense of fatalism, and it highlights the consequences of living a violent life. It also glorifies the gangster lifestyle and the willingness to die for it.
Line by Line Meaning
Thinkin' back
Reflecting on the past
Reminiscing on my teens
Remembering my teenage years
A young G
A young gangster (thug)
Gettin' paid over dope fiends
Earning money from drug addicts
Fuckin' off cash that I make
Wasting the money I earn
Nigga, what's tha sense of workin' hard
Why bother working hard
If you never get tp play
If you never get to enjoy life
I'm hustlin'
I'm working hard
Stayin' out till it's dawn
Stay out all night
And comin' home
And returning home
At 6 o'clock in tha mornin'
At 6 o'clock in the morning
Hand's on my glock
Hands on my gun
Eye's on tha prize
Focused on the goal
Finger on tha trigga when a nigga rides
Ready to shoot when confronted
Shootin' craps
Playing dice games
Bustin' niggas out tha door
Forcefully removing people from a location
Pick my money off tha floor
Collecting money from the ground
God bless tha tre-four
Wishing good fortune to the gun (tre-four)
Stuck on full, drunk again
Fully intoxicated
Sippin' on Gin
Drinking gin
With a couple of friends
In the company of friends
Sayin' those thug life niggas be like major pimps
Referring to themselves as influential and successful gangsters
Stickin' to tha rules is what made it simp
Adhering to the rules is what made it simple
And if I die
And if I die
Let it be
Accepting death
But when they come for me
But when they come to get me
Bury me a G
Bury me as a gangster
I ain't got time for bitches
I don't have time for women
Gotta keep my mind on my mothafuckin' riches
I need to focus on making money
Even when I die
Even after I die
They won't worry me
They won't bother me
Mama don't cry
Mother, please don't cry
More Trouble than tha average
More problems than the average person
Just made 25 and I'm livin' like a savage
Just turned 25 and living recklessly
Bein a G ain't no easy thing
Being a gangster is not easy
Cause you could fuck around get crossed
Because you could make a mistake and become enemies
And get stuck in tha game
And become trapped in the lifestyle
And for tha rest of your life you will sit and remineise
And for the rest of your life, you will sit and reminisce
Wonder why it had to end like this
Wondering why it had to end in this way
And to tha G's you can feel my pain
And to the gangsters, you can understand my pain
Till tha mothafuckas gets born again
Until the motherfuckers are reborn
You thought I was a game kid
You thought I was playing around, young one
I'm not tha nigga for playin games
I'm not the person to play games with
I let my buckshots rang
I let my gunshots ring out
When I pull tha trigga on my gauge
When I pull the trigger on my shotgun
I'm on tha rampage
I'm in a state of violent rage
Makin' runs for tha devil
Engaging in criminal activities
Ain't nothin' on my mind
I have nothing else on my mind
Will get me in some trouble
That won't get me into trouble
I'm tryin to ride
I'm trying to live this lifestyle
No more loves
No more romantic relationships
For me hard to figure
For me, it's hard to understand
Get a nigga, smoke a blunt
Get a guy, smoke a marijuana cigarette
Or is a jury starts (break that shit)
Or if a legal case starts (break that shit)
I gives a fuck nigga
I don't care, man
Stuck outta luck
Out of luck
When I bust
When I shoot
Pull me to my death
Kill me
But I'm a G to tha enemy
But I remain a gangster to my enemies
I got nothin' ta loose so I choose to be a killer
I have nothing to lose, so I choose to be a murderer
Went from bangin' ta slangin'
Transitioned from gang activity to drug dealing
Now I'm a dope dealer
Now I sell drugs
All my life payed tha price to be tha boss
Throughout my life, I paid the price to be in charge
Back in school
In the past, during my school years
Wrote tha rules on gettin' tossed
Created the rules for getting expelled
Poppin' rocks on tha block was a past time
Using crack cocaine on the street was a common activity
Pack a 9 all the time
Carrying a 9mm handgun at all times
You wanna test mine ?
Do you want to challenge me?
Don't cry
Don't cry
I die before they play me
I would rather die than be disrespected
From the cradle to tha grave
From birth to death
Bury me
Bury me
Straight Thug G
A true, hardcore gangster
Kickin' it with tha homies in tha hood
Hanging out with friends in the neighborhood
Gettin' drunk, smokin' blunts
Getting intoxicated and smoking marijuana cigarettes
A bitch said I was no good
A woman said I was worthless
I gives a fuck
I don't care
I spend my time in tha dope spot
I spend my time in the drug dealing location
Never had no time for no bitch
I never had time for any woman
Instead slangin' rocks
Instead, selling drugs
And bustin' caps on you punk ass marcs
And shooting at you weak-ass rivals
Fake ass G's
Fake gangsters
Bitch niggas with no heart
Cowards with no courage
I'm stayin' real till I'm 6 feet deep
I will remain true until I'm buried in the ground
So when a nigga gone
So when I'm gone
Bury me a G
Bury me as a gangster
Stuck on full
Intoxicated to the maximum
Tangaray got a nigga high
Tanqueray (gin) got me intoxicated
Lord knows I don't need another DUI
God knows I don't need another driving under the influence charge
I led a Thug Life
I lived a life of a gangster
Heartless hustler
Unfeeling, ruthless person who hustles (engages in illegal activities)
Just 'cause I fucked
Just because I had sex
Don't mean I trust her
Doesn't mean I trust her
Now my pagers vibratin'
Now my pager is vibrating
Can't sleep
Can't fall asleep
So I'm mobbin' to tha ho's house
So I'm going to the woman's house
Pumpin' Isely
Playing the music of The Isley Brothers loudly
Is it cool ta fuck is what I'm askin
Is it okay to have sex, that's what I'm asking
Bitch recognize game and start laughen
Woman understands the situation and starts laughing
When I'm all in those guts and shit
When I'm inside her intimately
Prayin' that a nigga don't nut too quick
Hoping I don't ejaculate too quickly
Cause I'll fuck and get up and let ya know
Because I'll have sex, then leave and make it clear
I'll be a 10 minute brotha for a $2 ho
I'll be a quick sexual partner for a cheap prostitute
Lots a ho's get mad and shit
Many prostitutes get angry and upset
I let a trick be a trick
I allow a deceitful person to be deceptive
You can have that bitch
You can have that woman
Cause I doubt if I change
Because I doubt that I will change
Tha games a mothafucker
The game is a son of a bitch
Real niggas turn ta bustas
Authentic gangsters become weak individuals
I got time for bitches, bitches
I have time for women, women
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ERNIE ISLEY, MARVIN ISLEY, O'KELLY ISLEY, RONALD ISLEY, RUDOLPH ISLEY, CHRISTOPHER JASPER, CHRISTOPHER H JASPER, TUPAC AMARU SHAKUR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Agent Bosconian
on So Many Tears - Live
I fear only God and no human being
Even in the face of danger, I will stay strong
I have cried so much and fear that I might die soon
God, please guide me and take me to heaven if I die
I grew up in a sad, and lonely environment and it affected me in a gravely manner
I was abandoned; all alone and grew up in a community that was doomed to fail
My mind was greatly troubled and I couldn't be able to find my inner peace
I found solace and comfort in adopting a tough and rebellious lifestyle
Do you understand my pain and sorrow? I don't ever dwell on the past memories
To survive in a dangerous environment, you must react aggressively and quickly; in order to stay alive
I will always remember my friend, Kato. A good friend who has tragically died, and is no longer with us, anymore
I witnessed the day Kato perished on the streets and was calling for help
May Kato, and those who died before him, truly find peace in death
Is there really a place in heaven for a gangster like me? Always think and never forget about me
The friends that I once shared my laughter with; are now buried in their graves in the cemetery. I continue to shed countless tears for them; as I grieve for them
As I face many difficulties in the music industry, I will do whatever it takes to overcome it
People call me greedy and selfish for making money, yet they rarely can see me
I feel like I'm being cursed by the world and havin' disturbing; yet horrible premonitions
I have a fear that I will die and lie inside a coffin on a hearse, and want God's guidance and empathy
I want to escape from the problems, stress and the hurting of life
I yearned; longing for happiness and clarity in my troubled life
I'm trapped in jail and my life is in shambles
I feel like I'm doomed to go to Hell, but I don't know why
I'm in denial about my life, and I'm scared of death
If I go to hell, I will be in eternal pain and cry so much
I'm lost and tired, and I've cried so much
I'm contemplating suicide, so stay away from me
I'm intentionally moving towards death
I'm ready to die, and I feel like I have nothing to live for
The streets were ruthless, and I couldn't find peace
I'm on the verge of breaking down, and I long for peace
I lost my soul and my identity, but I was unaware
I had demons in my mind that were taking over
The demons inside me grew and ignited a fire
My head felt like a bomb ready to explode, it was a nasty game
I have no happy memories, only pain and sadness
I imagine my enemies murdering me in my sleep
I wonder if I'll live to see the next day
I ask God to pardon me for my wrongs as death approaches
God knows I tried my best, but I've seen people get killed
I witnessed innocent people, including children, being killed by drive-by shootings
I wonder why these tragedies happen as I pass by
I feel sad as I see the outline of a body on the ground and turn to drugs for comfort
I don't want this life, I want something different
There is no promising future for me; I'm trapped in the cycle of crime and violence
I feel like I'm in a never-ending maze
Alcohol made me act out and lose my mind
I've been disillusioned and now want a family
I want a family to see a better side of myself that isn't tainted by my past
I don't trust my girlfriend because she's been influenced by the negative environment around us
I hear rumors that my girlfriend is cheating on me with my friends, and I can't handle it
I collapse and pray for God to let me into heaven
I've cried countless tears and beg for God's mercy to let me into heaven
I've lost so many years and cried so many tears
God, I lost so many friends and associates, and...
God knows I tried my best, but I've seen people get killed
I witnessed innocent people, including children, being killed by drive-by shootings
I wonder why these tragedies happen as I pass by
I feel sad as I see the outline of a body on the ground and turn to drugs for comfort
I don't want this life, I want something different
There is no promising future for me; I'm trapped in the cycle of crime and violence
I feel like I'm in a never-ending maze
Alcohol made me act out and lose my mind
I've been disillusioned and now want a family
I want a family to see a better side of myself that isn't tainted by my past
I don't trust my girlfriend because she's been influenced by the negative environment around us
I hear rumors that my girlfriend is cheating on me with my friends, and I can't handle it
I collapse and pray for God to let me into heaven
I've cried countless tears and beg for God's mercy to let me into heaven
I've lost so many years and cried so many tears
God, I lost so many friends and associates, and cried so many tears
Aliyu
on 'Pac's Life
Nice
A.Bosconian
on So Many Tears
I am not afraid of anything or anyone other than God.
Even when I am in the darkest of times and places.
I have cried so many tears because of the pain and hardships I have faced in my life.
I ask God to guide me and be with me in my journey through life.
Even as a child in elementary school, I found myself attracted to and surrounded by sadness and hopelessness.
I was abandoned and grew up among a generation of people who were doomed to fail.
My mind was constantly struggling, and I could not find a sense of peace or comfort anywhere.
I found a sense of identity and belonging when I got the tattoo of 'Thug Life' on my chest.
Do you understand the struggles and pain that I have experienced in my life?
I am not dwelling on my past mistakes, and if you want to be successful, you shouldn't be either.
In order to defend yourself and your community from violence, you must be the first one to take action. We should never forget Kato, who was killed due to senseless violence.
Kato is no longer with us and has passed away.
I witnessed violent crimes, and I've seen the aftermath of people being killed on the streets.
I hope Kato, and all those who have passed before him, are resting in peace.
Is there a place in heaven for someone like me, who has lived a life of violence and crime?
Remember me and all of my friends who have died and are now buried in the cemetery.
I address God.
I have experienced a lot of suffering throughout my life.
I have cried so many tears because of the pain and hardships I have faced in my life.
Now that I am struggling in the music industry.
I will do whatever it takes to succeed, even if it means being labeled as greedy and only focused on making money.
Even though I am chasing success, I rarely get to enjoy it or be seen by others.
I feel cursed and have a negative outlook on the world.
I am having visions of dying and leaving this world in a coffin.
I ask God if he can understand what I am going through and help me.
I want to be relieved of all the stress and suffering I feel.
I want to experience happiness again, which has been absent from my life for some time.
I feel like I am losing sight of what's important in my life.
I feel trapped in my current situation, and my quality of life is suffering as a result.
I already feel like I am destined to go to hell, and I question where I went wrong in my life.
I am unable to come to terms with my reality.
When I die, I fear that I will be punished forever in the afterlife.
I feel lost and tired.
I have cried so much that I am now having suicidal thoughts, so please don't be near me.
Everything I do feels like a complicated and difficult step.
To bring me closer to what I want to achieve.
I am prepared to accept death at any moment since I feel like I have nothing to live for.
Things were very rough and merciless on the streets.
I was never able to find peace or rest in that environment.
I am close to falling apart and screaming for peace.
Even though I was empty and lost, I couldn't understand or recognize it at the time.
My mind was plagued with negative thoughts and emotions, which were trying to escape constantly.
The negative thoughts and emotions had been planted long ago and have now taken root, and the flame of negativity is now growing stronger.
Just like a match can light a fire, the negative thoughts in my brain can also do the same, causing pain and suffering.
I have no good memories to comfort me, only sadness and suffering.
I am afraid of being attacked and killed by the people who hate me, even in my sleep.
I wonder if I will survive through the night to see the light of the new day?
I ask God for forgiveness for my past mistakes and wrongdoings.
I am trying to face my problems and come out stronger and better.
The Lord knows I have tried my best, and I have witnessed violent deaths in my community.
Drive-by shootings have resulted in the loss of many lives, including innocent children.
I wonder why these tragedies are happening in my community as I walk around and see the devastation.
I am saddened as I look at the markings on the pavement where someone has been killed, and the only way I can deal with this pain is by getting high.
I understand that this isn't the kind of life that I want for myself, and I want to change it.
I want to change my life for the better.
I feel like there is no future for me, no matter how hard I try to change.
I am trapped in the cycle of crime and violence that exists in my community.
I am lost and confused about how to get out of this situation.
The alcohol has influenced me to act more recklessly and dangerously.
I have lost faith and become cynical about life recently.
I have been wanting to have children and start a family.
I want to see a better version of myself in my children, someone who isn't always involved in negative activities.
I don't fully trust my partner because of the negative influence of our environment.
My partner has also been affected by the negative influences of our environment, and I am hearing strange noises because of how paranoid I am.
I am paranoid that my partner is cheating on me with my friends, and I can't handle the stress anymore.
I am begging God to forgive me and let me into heaven when I die.
I have lost many friends and acquaintances to violence and death.
As a result of these losses, I have cried many tears and experienced a lot of sadness.
I have experienced a lot of pain and suffering throughout my life.
A.Bosconian
on So Many Tears
The lyrics of Tupac Shakur's song "So Many Tears" explore the themes of paranoia, pain, and death. The first verse of the song presents Tupac's fearlessness of men, but not of God. The rapper then describes his life growing up, where he felt like he was surrounded by misery but found a sense of identity and belonging in the Thug Life culture. He mourns the deaths of his friends, particularly Kato, who was murdered in the streets. Tupac questions to himself whether there is heaven for a "G" and reflects on the many homies who died; that are now in the cemetery.
In the second verse, Tupac reveals his struggles in the music industry, where he feels overwhelmed by the pressure and pain. He admits to being greedy and having a vision of dying young. Tupac requests God to free him from the pain and suffering he experiences in life. The final verse of the song sees Tupac lost, weary, and suicidal. He delves into his struggles with addiction, and he starts to hear voices and experience demons in his mind. Tupac desires to change, but he feels trapped in the game, and he is unsure of his lady's loyalty.
Overall, Tupac Shakur's "So Many Tears" is a poignant song that reflects the artist's tumultuous life and his struggles with death and paranoia. The lyrics also tackle the harsh realities of growing up in the ghetto and the impact that violence and loss have on the psyche of an individual.
Gabriel Benard Cote
on California Love - Original Mix (Explicit)
2 pac is the best