California Love (original vers
2Pac Lyrics

California love!
The love and appreciation for California are celebrated in this song.

California, knows how to party
California is well-known for its lively parties, vibrant nightlife, and entertainment.

California (west coast) knows how to party (yes they do)(that's right)
The west coast of California is renowned for its party culture.

In the city of L.A. (city of L.A.)
Los Angeles is a city where people party and have fun.

In the city of good ol' Watts (good ol' Watts)
Watts is a neighborhood in Los Angeles that also knows how to have a good time.

In the city, the city of Compton (city of Compton)
Compton is yet another place that is included in the list of fun cities in California.

We keep it rockin! We keep it rockin! (come on, come on, come on)
The party spirit is kept alive in California.

Now let me welcome everybody to the wild, wild west
The song is paying tribute to the western side of the United States and its culture.

A state that's untouchable like Elliot Ness
The state of California is unbeatable, much like the famous lawman Elliot Ness.

The track hits ya eardrum like a slug to ya chest
The music of this song is so powerful that it hits the listener's eardrum like a sudden strike to the chest.

Pack a vest for your Jimmy in the city of sex
Carrying protection is necessary in the promiscuous and sexually-charged atmosphere of some areas of California.

We in that sunshine state with a bomb ass hemp beat
The music of California is heavily influenced by its sunny weather and its love for marijuana (which is referenced through the mention of hemp in the song).

The state where ya never find a dance floor empty
Californians are always in the mood for dancing and entertainment.

And pimps be on a mission for them greens, Lean mean money-makin-machines serving fiends
Hustlers and pimps take advantage of the Californian lifestyle to make money by serving their clients.

I been in the game for ten years making rap tunes
The artist Tupac has been actively producing rap music for ten years before the release of this song.

Ever since honeys was wearing Sassoon
Tupac has been producing music since the time when trendy Sassoon jeans were popular.

Now it's '95 and they clock me and watch me
The year this song was released is 1995, and Tupac is now receiving more attention and scrutiny for his work.

Diamonds shinin', lookin' like I robbed Liberace
The extravagance and luxury associated with this line reference Liberace, an iconic and flamboyant pianist known for his showmanship.

It's all good, from Diego to the Bay
Everything is great in California, from San Diego to the San Francisco Bay Area.

Your city is the bomb if your city making pay
If a person's city is successful and profitable, then it's celebrated as the 'bomb.'

Throw up a finger if ya feel the same way
'Throwing up a finger' is a gesture of agreement and celebration.

Dre putting it down for Californ-I-a
Another artist, Dr. Dre, is also expressing his support and love for California through his music and contributions to the song.

Out on bail fresh outta jail, California dreaming
This line references Tupac's criminal history and how he found solace in his dreams of California while being incarcerated.

Soon as I stepped on the scene, I'm hearing hoochies screamin
Tupac's fame and popularity attracted several women who were excited to be around him.

Fiendin for money and alcohol
The lifestyle depicted in California is materialistic and associated with drugs and alcohol.

Only in Cali where we riot not rally to live and die
Even though the people of California and the United States have the freedom to practice democracy, California is unique since individuals become vocal through protests and riots.

In L.A. we wearing Chucks not Ballies (that's right, uh)
Californians easily dress up in comfortable Converse sneakers than expensive designer shoes like Bally's.

Dressed in Locs and khaki suits and ride is what we do
The Californian fashion is influenced by clothing such as Locs and khaki suits, reflecting an urban and casual style.

Famous cause we program worldwide
The Californian culture is globally recognized and has positively impacted many people across countries.

Let'em recognize from Long Beach to Rosecrans
California culture influences people from Long Beach, California, to Rosecrans, a street location in the Los Angeles metropolitan area.

Bumping and grinding like a slow jam, it's west side
West side California is famous for slow and sensual music called slow jam, and people dance to it by grinding and enjoying themselves.

So you know the row won't bow down to no man
The people of California are known to be rebellious and do not tolerate authority.

Say what you say
This line conveys that people may say anything they want, but the West side of California will continue to do what they do best.

But give me that bomb beat from Dre
People love Dr. Dre's music and want to hear more of his high-quality beats.

Let me serenade the streets of L.A.
Tupac wants to perform his music in the streets of Los Angeles as a way of showing respect and love for his hometown.

From Oakland to Sactown
This line suggests that the love for Californian culture exists across the cities of California, including Oakland and Sacramento.

The Bay Area and back down
The Bay Area is considered a hub for culture and entertainment in California, and this line refers to the happiness and contentment people feel while enjoying themselves there.

Cali is where they put they mack down
The Californian lifestyle is associated with attitudes of confidence, often called 'macking.'

Cali-love
This line is a term used to describe the passionate love that people have for California.

Shake it shake it baby (uh)
This line is a call to enjoy oneself through dancing and enjoying the West coast culture.

Shake it shake it, shake it baby (yeah)
Enjoy the flow and rhythm of the music and move the body to the beat.

Shake it shake it mama
A reference to women who dance and move their bodies to the rhythm of the music.

Shake it Cali (shake it Cali)
A call out to people in California to start dancing and enjoying themselves.

Shake it shake it baby (shake it Cali)
Same as the previous line, an invitation to people in California to enjoy the music and dance.

Shake it shake it, shake it shake it mama (west-coast) shake it Cali
A call to all mothers or women to shake it and dance the West Coast way in California.

Uh, yeah, uh, long beach in the house, uh yeah Oaktown, Oakland definitely in the house
A shout out to two cities, Long Beach and Oakland, by Tupac to celebrate their culture, people and lifestyle.

Frisko, Frisko Hey, you know LA is up in this Pasadena, where you at
Tupac is referencing several Californian cities, including San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Pasadena, to acknowledge the presence of Californian culture across the state.

Yeah, Inglewood, Inglewood always up to no good
Inglewood is known to have a reckless and adventurous culture.

(Tupac) Even Hollywood trying to get a piece baby
Even Hollywood, the hub of the entertainment industry, wants to experience the fun and exciting culture of California.

Sacramento, Sacramento where ya at? yeah
This line is a call out to the city of Sacramento asking if they are participating with the fun and entertaining atmosphere that the West Coast provides.

Throw it up y'all, throw it up, Throw it up (I can't see ya!) California Love!
This is a call to throw up hands or arms, signaling that everyone should dance and become a part of the West Coast entertainment culture.

Let's show these fools how we do this on that west side Cause you and I know it's the best side
Tupac confidently expresses his belief that the West side of California is the best and should be celebrated and embraced by all Californians.