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 CoastโWest 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 Tรบpac Amaru II, the descendant of the last Incan ruler, Tรบpac 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.
Cause I Had To
2Pac Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
[2Pac & Govenor]
G: Why'd you slang crack
P: I had to
G: Why'd you pack the straps
P: Cause I had to)
G: Why'dd you jack the scratch
G: Say what, say what
P: A nigga got to pay the fuckin' rent
Pac
You certified crazy
[2Pac]
I got to work with what you gave me
Claiming' I'm a criminal and you the one that made me
They got me trapped in this slavery
now I'm lost in this Holocaust headed for my grave G
I told Sam he could fuck the war
and got a busted jaw for sayin' fuck the law
and if you wonder why I'm mad check the record
What's a nigga got to do to get respected?
Sometimes I think I'm gettin' tested
And if I don't say yes a nigga's quick to get arrested
That's the reason I stay zested
I keep a vest on my chest in case the cops are gettin' restless
Walk around ready to light shit up
And since my life is fucked, some say I'm slightly nuts
Buck, buck is the sound as I move up
Other niggas pay attention when I'm fool, bust
They make a nigga be a killer I used to be a dealer
But they wanted to see who's realer
Now them same mothafuckas wanna murder me
And I wonder If the Lord ever heard of me (uh)
I need loot so I'm doin' what I do
And don't say shit until you've walked in my shoes
There was no other destiny to choose
I had nothin' left to lose so I'm singin' nigga blues
[Chorus: 2Pac & Govenor]
Can't you see, we're raised to all be thugs
Make's us do the things we do
Got to let a Outlaw make moves
(A nigga got to pay the fuckin' rent)
Why did you slang crack (Cause I had to)
Why did you pack straps (Cause I had to)
Why did you jack the scratch (Cause I had to)
A nigga got to pay the fuckin' rent
[2Pac]
Poppa need brand new shoes
but what the fuck can a nigga do
My little boy got to eat too
So why must I sock a fella
Just to live large like Rockafella?
And did you ever stop to think
I'm old enough to go to war
But I ain't old enough to drink
Cops want to hit me with the book
And you're hooked on my eye don't give a fuck look
Make your rules I'm a break 'em
No matter how much you make 'em
You show me bacon I'm a take 'em
So don't you ever tempt me
I'm a fool for mine nigga and my pockets stay empty
to my brothers In the barrio
You livin' worse than the niggas In the ghetto so
I give a fuck about your language or complexion
You got love from the niggas in my section
Got love, you got problems with the punk police
Don't run from the chumps get the pump from me
We ain't free I'll be damned if I played a trick
For a blonde hair blue-eyed Caucasian bitch (Bitch!)
Down with my homeboy Rich
Fuck a snitch and a groupie ass bitch
And the nigga with a cellular phone
Leave his baby at home so he can go out and bone (That ain't right)
And you wonder why we blazin' niggas
Cause you punks havin' babies can't raise the niggas (What's up kid)
And they bound to be fuckups too
Drinkin' forties of brew singin' nigga blues
(Hey Pac, say what?)
[Chorus: 2Pac & Govenor]
Why did you slang crack (Cause I had to)
Why did you pack straps (Cause I had to)
Why did you jack the scratch (Cause I had to)
Come on, Come on Now I'm headin' for the mothafuckin' penn
[2Xs]
[Outro: 2Pac & Govenor] 4x
Can't you see we're raised to all be thugs
Makes us do the things we do you got to let a Outlaw
Make moves and get a grip
That's to you
In "Cause I Had To," 2Pac and Govenor engage in a conversation about why 2Pac was involved in illegal activities. Govenor questions him about selling crack, carrying guns, and stealing money, to which 2Pac responds, "cause I had to." The song speaks to the idea that societal factors push individuals to engage in criminal behavior to survive. 2Pac also touches on issues of police brutality, racism, socioeconomic inequalities, and the need for self-defense in the face of systemic oppression. The song highlights the struggles that young people, particularly young Black people, face as they try to navigate a world that is stacked against them, pushing them into a life of crime.
Throughout the song, 2Pac expresses his frustration with the system that conditions people to become criminals, making them choose between a life of poverty, hunger, and homelessness or a life of crime. He acknowledges that some of his choices were not ideal, but he did what he had to do. The song also reflects on the desperation of poverty and how it can lead people to make choices that they wouldn't have otherwise made.
The chorus reinforces the themes of the song: "Can't you see, we're raised to all be thugs/ Make's us do the things we do/ Got to let an Outlaw make moves." The song ends on a note of defiance, with 2Pac refusing to bow down to the system and instead choosing to do whatever it takes to survive.
Line by Line Meaning
Why'd you slang crack
Why did you sell drugs?
I had to
I had no other choice to make money.
Why'd you pack the straps
Why did you carry weapons?
Cause I had to)
I needed it for protection and survival purposes.
Why'd you jack the scratch
Why did you steal money?
Cause I had to
I was broke and needed the money to survive.
A nigga got to pay the fuckin' rent
I had bills to pay and no other means to make money.
I got to work with what you gave me
I had limited options and had to work with the circumstances presented to me.
Claiming' I'm a criminal and you the one that made me
The system labeled me a criminal, yet it was their actions that led me to the lifestyle I live.
They got me trapped in this slavery
I feel like I'm stuck in a cycle of poverty and crime, unable to escape.
now I'm lost in this Holocaust headed for my grave G
The situation I'm in is like a genocide, and I feel like I'm going to die because of it.
I keep a vest on my chest in case the cops are gettin' restless
I wear a bulletproof vest because I fear the police and their treatment toward me.
There was no other destiny to choose
I had no other future prospects or options.
Poppa need brand new shoes
My father figure needs new shoes, and I am the one responsible for providing for him.
but what the fuck can a nigga do
As someone who is impoverished and has limited opportunities, I am left with few options.
So why must I sock a fella
Why do I have to resort to violence or crime to make money?
Cops want to hit me with the book
The police want to charge me with crimes and punish me to the fullest extent of the law.
I give a fuck about your language or complexion
I don't care about superficial differences between people, we are all struggling in similar ways.
Got love, you got problems with the punk police
You may have issues with the police, and I feel that way too.
We ain't free I'll be damned if I played a trick
We aren't truly free - I'd rather face the consequences of being honest than try to manipulate the system.
Drinkin' forties of brew singin' nigga blues
Drinking cheap beer and feeling down and hopeless about life.
Can't you see we're raised to all be thugs
Due to systemic injustices and poverty-stricken conditions, many individuals are raised in environments that make it easy to resort to a life of crime.
Makes us do the things we do you got to let a Outlaw
Our experiences and situations can drive us to behave in ways that are not traditionally socially acceptable.
Make moves and get a grip
We have to take control of our lives and make things happen for ourselves.
Contributed by Mackenzie W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Leonardo Copeland
Off the Genius App
[2Pac &ย Govenor]
Why'd you slang crack
I had to
Why'd you pack the straps
'Cause I had to
Why'd you jack the scratch
'Cause I had to
Say what, say what
A nigga got to pay the fuckin' rent
'Pac
You certified crazy
[Verse 1: 2Pac]
I got to work with what you gave me
Claiming' I'm a criminal and you the one that made me
They got me trapped in this slavery
Now I'm lost in this Holocaust headed for my grave G
I told Sam he could fuck the war
And got a busted jaw for sayin' fuck the law
And if you wonder why I'm mad check the record
What's a nigga got to do to get respected?
Sometimes I think I'm gettin' tested
And if I don't say yes a nigga's quick to get arrested
That's the reason I stay zested
I keep a vest on my chest in case the cops are gettin' restless
Walk around ready to light shit up
And since my life is fucked, some say I'm slightly nuts
Buck, buck is the sound as I move up
Other niggas pay attention when I'm fool, bust
They make a nigga be a killer I used to be a dealer
But they wanted to see who's realer
Now them same mothafuckas wanna murder me
And I wonder If the Lord ever heard of me (uh)
I need loot so I'm doin' what I do
And don't say shit until you've walked in my shoes
There was no other destiny to choose
I had nothin' left to lose so I'm singin' nigga blues
[Hook: 2Pac & Govenor]
Can't you see, we're raised to all be thugs
Make's us do the things we do
Got to let a Outlaw make moves
(A nigga got to pay the fuckin' rent)
Why did you slang crack ('Cause I had to)
Why did you pack straps ('Cause I had to)
Why did you jack the scratch ('Cause I had to)
A nigga got to pay the fuckin' rent
[Verse 2: 2Pac]
Poppa need brand new shoes
But what the fuck can a nigga do
My little boy got to eat too
So why must I sock-a-fella
Just to live large like Rockefeller?
And did you ever stop to think
I'm old enough to go to war
But I ain't old enough to drink
Cops want to hit me with the book
And you're hooked on my eye don't give a fuck look
Make your rules I'm a break 'em
No matter how much you make 'em
You show me bacon I'ma take 'em
So don't you ever tempt me
I'm a fool for mine nigga and my pockets stay empty
To my brothers In the barrio
You livin' worse than the niggas In the ghetto so
I give a fuck about your language or complexion
You got love from the niggas in my section (Got love)
You got problems with the punk police
Don't run from the chumps get the pump from me
We ain't free I'll be damned if I played a trick
For a blonde hair blue-eyed Caucasian bitch (Bitch!)
Down with my homeboy Rich
Fuck a snitch and a groupie ass bitch
And the nigga with a cellular phone
Leave his baby at home so he can go out and bone (That ain't right)
And you wonder why we blazin' niggas
'Cause you punks havin' babies can't raise the niggas (What's up kid)
And they bound to be fuckups too
Drinkin' forties of brew singin' nigga blues
(Hey Pac, say what?)
[Hook: 2Pac & Govenor]
Why did you slang crack ('Cause I had to)
Why did you pack straps ('Cause I had to)
Why did you jack the scratch ('Cause I had to)
Come on, Come on Now I'm headin' for the mothafuckin' 'pen
[2Xs]
[Outro: 2Pac & Govenor] 4x
Can't you see we're raised to all be thugs
Makes us do the things we do you got to let a Outlaw
Make moves and get a grip
That's to you
Leon King
"And did you ever stop to think, am old enough to go to war, but I ain't old enough to drink..." This line is a jewel
DazH
Reason for that, it's they need more people for it and it has to be young to endure it and the only reason they wage those, it's to make money for the rich, not for ideals, not to defend anyone, on the contrary, it's to subjugate other countries. You just need to see the reality out there and how people lives, while also learn history to see what those at the top did inside and outside the U.S.
Djim Thiam
A very short life but a phenomenal work. When I listen to Pac's music and read all comments below that come straight from your hearts guys, I can't stop feeling my eyez resisting to retain tears. I feel connected to y'all and all you are writing it's what I'm feeling when I listen Pac. Eternal 2Pac. Rest In Peace.
Ali Alwash
2pac is exactly like that like ur comment and what u said hes an icon and more than that we grew up like heโs our big brother
Emmanuel Owino
I feel the same bro.
Rihhano Flex
Yes men true story โค
tommy vivo aqui
same wtf. tupac is almost like religion. always fell connected to y'all
Sansa Vision
โค
Richard Carpe
One of my favorite unreleased pac tracks . His Lyrics are so chill and too real . Why'd he create this track?.....cuz he had 2 ..!
David Coles
I had this song back in 98 on one of those makaveli mixtapes