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.
Can
2Pac Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Of a million pairs of eyes
Lookin' hard but won't realize
That they will never see
The P
(You must be goin' blind)
And lace my bitches with nine figures
Real niggas fingers on nickel plated nine triggas
Must see my enemies defeated
I catch 'em
While they coked up and weeded
Open fire
Now them niggas bleedin'
See me in flesh
And test
And get your chest blown
Straight out the west, don't get blown
My adversaries cry like hoes
Open and shut like doors
Is you a friend or foe?
Nigga, you ain't know?
They got me stressed out on Death Row
I've seen money
But baby, I got to gets mo'
You scream and go
2Pac
And I ain't stoppin'
'Til I'm well paid
Bails paid
Now nigga, look what hell made
Visions of cops and sirens
Niggas open fire
Bunch of Thug Life niggas on the rise
Until I die
Ask me why I'm a boss player gettin' high
And when I'm rollin' by
Niggas can't see me
The stares of a million pairs of eyes
And you'll never realize
You can't see me
Been gettin' word that these square motherfuckers with nerves
Sayin' they can get with us
But picture me gettin' served
My own mama say I'm thugged out
My shit be bumpin' out the record store
As if it was a drug house
My lyrics bang like a Crip or Blood
Nigga, what?
It ain't nothin' but a party when we thug
And there I was
A young nigga with heart
Ain't had shit to lose
Pullin' my pistol on them fools
You know the rules
D-R-E, you got me heated
My words like a penitentiary dick
Hittin' bitches where it's most needed
Money and weed
Alizé and Hennessy
To my Thug niggas in lock down
Witness me
Bail on these hoe's in floss mode
The life of a boss player
Fuck what you thought though
My enemies deceased
Die like a bitch
When my album hit the streets
Niggas can't see me
Niggas can't see me
(Y'all niggas especially)
(Niggas can't see me)
Which way did he go George?
Which way did he go? (oh)
Which way did he go?
Which way did he go?
You niggas made a mistake
You should've never put my rhymes with Dre
Them Thug niggas have arrived and it's Judgement Day
Hey homie, if ya feel me
Tell them tricks that shot me
That they missed
They ain't killed me
I can make a motherfucka shake
Rattle and roll
I'm full of liquor
Thug nigga
Quick to jab at them hoes
And I can make you jealous niggas famous
Fuck around with 2Pac and see how good a niggas aim is
I'm just a rich motherfucka from the way
If this rappin' bring me money
Then I'm rappin' 'til I'm paid
I'm gettin' green like I'm supposed to
Nigga, I holla at these hoes
And see how many I can go through
Look to the star
And visualize my debut
Niggas know me, playa
I gotta stay true
Don't be a dumb motherfucka
Because it's crazy after dark
Where the true thug niggas see your heart
Niggas can't see me
Yo, check this out, stay off his dick
(Niggas can't see me)
Right before your eyes, I'll disappear from here (you niggas can't see me, hahaha)
You can't see me
(I know it's hard, nigga, I'm all up in your face)
(But you still can't see me)
You can't see me
(All up in your range, but niggas can't see me)
20/20 vision won't visualize
(I'm in the flesh baby, but you can't see me)
All those glasses won't help you realize
(You blinded, you blinded, you can't see me)
You can't see me
(Thug Life, baby)
(Don't believe everything you read)
(Alizé and weed)
You can't see me, right before your very eyes
You won't even visualize
Right before your very eyes (you can't see me)
You won't even visualize
(Dr. Dre all day, 2Pac)(you can't see me)
Niggas can't see me, hahahahaha
(I dedicate this to you punk motherfuckas, hahahah)
(This one's for you, BIG baby, hahahaha)
('Cause you bitch-ass niggas can't see me)
(Niggas can't see me)
Oh, oh, you can't see me
(You can't see)
See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil
You won't see me
Yeah (you can't see me)
First, see me, now you don't
Wanna see me, but you won't
Come to see me, but you can't
Oh, you can't see me, you can't see me (you can't, you can't see me)
Right between your eyes and you'll never realize
Right before your eyes, you won't even realize (you can't, you can't see me)
Visualize what you can't see (you can't, you can't see me)
The lyrics of "Can't C Me" by 2Pac feat. George Clinton mainly center on the theme of being unseen or unknown to the public. The phrase "The blind stares of a million pairs of eyes" highlights how people can look at a person without truly understanding them or their journey. The song talks about Tupac's desire for money, his hatred towards his enemies, and his status as a boss player as he is determined to be successful. He speaks of a party atmosphere and the rules of the street while also acknowledging the dangers of living that lifestyle by mentioning his enemies using drugs and being killed.
Tupac uses clever wordplay and metaphors in the song to convey his message. He uses the metaphor "Money and weed, Alizé and Hennessy" to describe how he deals with his problems in a nonchalant way. This reflects Tupac's tendencies to mask his inner pain through alcohol and drug abuse. Overall, the song serves as a reminder of Tupac's iconic image as a gangsta rapper with his crafted rhymes and delivery.
Line by Line Meaning
The blind stares
People are looking but they are unable to truly see and understand
Of a million pairs of eyes
There are countless individuals observing, but none truly comprehend
Lookin' hard but won't realize
They are observing intently, but fail to grasp the truth
That they will never see
They are incapable of perceiving and understanding
The P
The true essence of 2Pac
Give me my money in stacks
Provide my earnings in large quantities
And lace my bitches with nine figures
Bestow my women with great wealth
Real niggas fingers on nickel plated nine triggas
Genuine individuals have their fingers on guns for protection
Must see my enemies defeated
It is essential that my adversaries are vanquished
I catch 'em
I apprehend them
While they coked up and weeded
When they are under the influence of drugs and weed
Open fire
Begin shooting at them
Now them niggas bleedin'
Now those individuals are suffering and losing blood
See me in flesh
Witness me in physical form
And test
Come forward to challenge me
And get your chest blown
And have your chest penetrated by a bullet
Straight out the west, don't get blown
Representing the west coast, don't be killed
My adversaries cry like hoes
My enemies weep like weak individuals
Open and shut like doors
Easy to defeat and close the situation quickly
Is you a friend or foe?
Are you a supporter or an enemy?
Nigga, you ain't know?
You are unaware, my friend
They got me stressed out on Death Row
They have placed me in a state of extreme pressure while incarcerated
I've seen money
I have witnessed wealth
But baby, I got to gets mo'
But darling, I must acquire more
You scream and go
You shout and depart
2Pac
This is the presence of 2Pac
And I ain't stoppin'
And I will not cease
'Til I'm well paid
Until I receive substantial compensation
Bails paid
Bail amounts have been fulfilled
Now nigga, look what hell made
Now, my friend, observe what chaos has produced
Visions of cops and sirens
Imagery of law enforcement and emergency signals
Niggas open fire
Individuals unleash their gunfire
Bunch of Thug Life niggas on the rise
Group of rebellious individuals advancing in life
Until I die
Until my demise
Ask me why I'm a boss player gettin' high
Inquire about my status as a confident individual indulging in substances
And when I'm rollin' by
And when I am driving past
Niggas can't see me
Individuals are incapable of perceiving my presence
Been gettin' word that these square motherfuckers with nerves
Receiving information that weak individuals are attempting to challenge me
Sayin' they can get with us
Asserting that they can compete with our group
But picture me gettin' served
But imagine me being defeated
My own mama say I'm thugged out
Even my mother acknowledges my tough demeanor
My shit be bumpin' out the record store
My music is in high demand
As if it was a drug house
As if it were a location for illicit substances
My lyrics bang like a Crip or Blood
My powerful lyrics resonate like the rival gangs Crips and Bloods
Nigga, what?
What do you think about that?
It ain't nothin' but a party when we thug
We have a lively celebration when engaging in criminal activities
And there I was
And at that moment, I witnessed
A young nigga with heart
A courageous young individual
Ain't had shit to lose
Who had nothing to lose
Pullin' my pistol on them fools
Drawing my firearm on those foolish individuals
You know the rules
You are aware of the established guidelines
D-R-E, you got me heated
Dr. Dre, you have made me angry
My words like a penitentiary dick
My words have the power to control and dominate
Hittin' bitches where it's most needed
Affecting women in the areas that will have the greatest impact
Money and weed
Wealth and marijuana
Alizé and Hennessy
Alcoholic beverages Alizé and Hennessy
To my Thug niggas in lock down
To my criminal associates currently incarcerated
Witness me
Observe my existence
Bail on these hoe's in floss mode
Abandoning these promiscuous women while displaying wealth
The life of a boss player
The lifestyle of a confident individual
Fuck what you thought though
Disregard your previous assumptions
My enemies deceased
My adversaries have met their demise
Die like a bitch
Perishing like a coward
When my album hits the streets
Once my musical work is released to the public
Niggas can't see me
People are incapable of perceiving my presence
Niggas can't see me
Individuals are unable to truly see and comprehend
(Y'all niggas especially)
(All of you individuals, especially)
(Niggas can't see me)
(People are incapable of perceiving my presence)
Which way did he go George?
In which direction did he escape, George?
Which way did he go? (oh)
Which direction did he go? (oh)
Which way did he go?
In which direction did he escape?
Which way did he go?
In which direction did he go?
You niggas made a mistake
You individuals have made an error in judgment
You should've never put my rhymes with Dre
You should not have associated my lyrics with Dr. Dre
Them Thug niggas have arrived and it's Judgement Day
We, the rebellious individuals, have arrived and it is the day of reckoning
Hey homie, if ya feel me
Hey my friend, if you understand and relate to my message
Tell them tricks that shot me
Inform those individuals who attempted to end my life
That they missed
That they failed to succeed
They ain't killed me
They did not succeed in taking my life
I can make a motherfucka shake
I have the ability to make someone tremble with fear
Rattle and roll
Feel intense fear and agitation
I'm full of liquor
I have consumed a substantial amount of alcohol
Thug nigga
A rebellious individual
Quick to jab at them hoes
Swift to verbally attack those promiscuous women
And I can make you jealous niggas famous
And I have the power to make envious individuals well-known
Fuck around with 2Pac and see how good a niggas aim is
Interact recklessly with 2Pac and witness the accuracy of an individual's aim
I'm just a rich motherfucka from the way
I am simply a wealthy individual from my neighborhood
If this rappin' bring me money
If this form of musical expression brings me wealth
Then I'm rappin' 'til I'm paid
Then I will continue rapping until I have received my desired compensation
I'm gettin' green like I'm supposed to
I am acquiring money as expected
Nigga, I holla at these hoes
I communicate with these promiscuous women
And see how many I can go through
And determine the quantity of women I can engage with
Look to the star
Gaze at the celestial body
And visualize my debut
And imagine my initial appearance
Niggas know me, playa
Individuals are familiar with me, my friend
I gotta stay true
I must remain loyal
Don't be a dumb motherfucka
Do not be an ignorant individual
Because it's crazy after dark
As things become chaotic during the nighttime
Where the true thug niggas see your heart
Where the genuine rebellious individuals observe your true intentions
Yo, check this out, stay off his dick
Listen to this, cease from obsessively following and supporting him
(Niggas can't see me)
(People are incapable of perceiving my presence)
Right before your eyes, I'll disappear from here
I will vanish from this location in plain sight
You can't see me
You are unable to perceive my presence
(I know it's hard, nigga, I'm all up in your face)
(I understand it is challenging, my friend, as I am directly confronting you)
(But you still can't see me)
(However, you are still incapable of perceiving my presence)
You can't see me
You are unable to perceive my presence
(All up in your range, but niggas can't see me)
(In close proximity to you, but individuals are unable to perceive my presence)
20/20 vision won't visualize
Perfect vision cannot comprehend
All those glasses won't help you realize
Even with corrective eyewear, you cannot understand
You can't see me
You are unable to perceive my presence
(Thug Life, baby)
(The rebellious lifestyle, my friend)
(Don't believe everything you read)
(Do not believe everything you read)
(Alizé and weed)
(Alcoholic beverage Alizé and marijuana)
You can't see me, right before your very eyes
You are unable to perceive my presence, despite being in plain sight
You won't even visualize
You will not even comprehend
Right before your very eyes (you can't see me)
Directly in front of you (you are unable to perceive my presence)
You won't even visualize
You will not even comprehend
(Dr. Dre all day, 2Pac)(you can't see me)
(Dr. Dre continuously, 2Pac)(you are unable to perceive my presence)
Niggas can't see me, hahahahaha
People are incapable of perceiving my presence, hahahahaha
(I dedicate this to you punk motherfuckas, hahahah)
(I dedicate this to you cowardly individuals, hahahah)
(This one's for you, BIG baby, hahahaha)
(This one is for you, BIG baby, hahahaha)
('Cause you bitch-ass niggas can't see me)
(Because you weak individuals are unable to perceive my presence)
(Niggas can't see me)
(People are incapable of perceiving my presence)
Oh, oh, you can't see me
Oh, oh, you are unable to perceive my presence
(You can't see)
(You are unable to perceive)
See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil
Avoiding any involvement in immoral actions
You won't see me
You are unable to perceive my presence
Yeah (you can't see me)
Yes (you are unable to perceive my presence)
First, see me, now you don't
Initially observe my presence, now you do not
Wanna see me, but you won't
Desire to perceive my presence, but you will not
Come to see me, but you can't
Attempt to observe my presence, but you are unable
Oh, you can't see me, you can't see me (you can't, you can't see me)
Oh, you are unable to perceive my presence, you are unable to perceive my presence (you are unable, you are unable to perceive my presence)
Right between your eyes and you'll never realize
Directly in front of you, and you will never understand
Right before your eyes, you won't even realize (you can't, you can't see me)
In plain sight, you will not even comprehend (you are unable, you are unable to perceive my presence)
Visualize what you can't see (you can't, you can't see me)
Imagine that which you are unable to perceive (you are unable, you are unable to perceive my presence)
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: George Clinton, Tupac Amaru Shakur, Andre Romell Young
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Thug Theory
RIP 2Pac 🙏🏽👑 Prod. by Dizzla D Beats:
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Visuals used from GalilHD & AM Label
Dizzla D Beats - R&B Beats | Rap Instrumental | Hip Hop Beat
❤ Would you ride for me..
Alexandre Eugenio
✌️✌️
Gino Meulens
Nice piece At 01:24 That☝🏾is A blow up mind. Dope
Herrera Fredy
😮
Sue
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
nona
I am Arab and I have loved 2Pac ever since I was little and I am only 45. He is the undisputed king of rap, a song that is a message of peace to everyone.
Řìçķÿ ɓ ɓùffāļö ĥíì
You got that right. A legendary man who’s music is better than this latest generation of rap crap.
Brenna b
Amen
Sin Gapore
Respect yo. BUT how does this song come out ? I thought the OG pass away already.