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.
Gangsta Party
2Pac Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Get to actin like a fool, cause ain't no justice for the dog
Got to take it out on all y'all, better read the papers
All my homies goin' crazy baby only God could save us
Got my, min on currency hurry see I ain't worried
It's a gangsta party, so Bad Boy gettin' buried
Snoop Dogg, why they fantasize? (fantasize)
When we ride, it's a must havin sets die, every time
Yes yes y'all, not $hort but Snoop Dogg
And you know it's like that y'all
I'm so smooth about my paper check it just how it's done
I'm servin' any on a platter Snoop Dogg Corleone
Corleone, now do you know what that mean?
A Teflon Don to this hip-hop game, super supreme
It's like what happen can happen but will it stop
Aiyyo patnah, can you feel me?
Why these fools, tryin' ta kill me?
It's so hard to stay focused on my eyes and prize
But if I don't, the Dogg won't survive
We ballin' in my opinion eternal was wild wheel spinnin'
One sip a minute is represented for five minutes
Two of the livest wanted dead or alive
We riders inventers because we ain't quiet and watch the G's ride
Two of Amerikkkaz Most, straight out the West Coast
Bow down fool, this is Death Row
Been waitin' way too long, bust out the pen, now it's on
C'mon, Snoop Dogg, time to bone
Ain't nuttin' changed too down to hang I slang a bang with a rhyme
Me and the homey Pac trippin Death Row on knobs
Gon survive by Eastside of DPG'z
Still creepin' bump through the hood, always involved in the streets
(Westside!) Snoop Doggy Dogg homey, did you forget who I was
The Big Homey to you, there it is and there it was
Now take a look through the eyes of G
And just ride to the rhythm of a gangsta beat
All my homies tellin', me, ain't no love for a real G
You straight cowards all you playa haters kill me
Throw up your hands if you feel me
We gettin' dollars homey Holla If You Hear Me
It's one time for my comrades doin' bad lock down
Fresh out bust the top and bounce drop down
Can you visualize perfection?
'Cause every rider in my set labelled a vet best in their profession
Don't hold your breath, stick to Smith and Wessun
Steady study your lessons to keep the crowd guessin'
Straight gangsta, why'know?
Money to be made, situations get deeper
Niggaz always tryin' ta creep
But I know what time it is
Gangstas, yeah yeah yeah
Yeah, gangstas
Play or stay
Yeah, play or stay
Why'know? Stay a gangsta
All my doggs, all my niggaz on lockdown, Big Dogg
It's for you nigga
We gonna ride this motherfucker til the wheels fall off
Yeah yeah
Play or stay
Yeah, play or stay
Yeah yeah, play or stay
Yeah yeah, Death Row!
Yeah yeah, my nigga 2Pac rest in peace
Dogg Pound
Dippin real hard why'knowhatI'msayin'?
Yeah yeah, stay down
Gangstas gangstas
Foe life, Eastside!
Westside of the coast
Yeah, Eastside!
Mmmm, for all my soldiers
Yeah
Where ya at?
Yeah
Why'know? Yeah
Stay down
For real
Why'know? What it look like?
Mmm, what it feel like?
It ain't easy, why'know? Death Row
The lyrics of 2Pac and Snoop Doggy Dog's "Wanted Dead or Alive" describe the frustration and anger that comes with being a target of unjust treatment. The first verse suggests a sense of hopelessness as the artists feel like they have to take out their frustration on everyone else because there's no justice for them. They don't worry about money, and they're willing to party hard to avoid thinking about their problems. In the second verse, Snoop Dogg boasts about his lifestyle and how he's serving everything he has "on a platter," referring to the fact that he's rich and has nothing to fear. He compares himself to Corleone, the fictional mob boss, and says that he's a "Teflon Don" to the hip-hop game. In the third verse, 2Pac reflects on the difficulty of staying focused on his goals and surviving, but he knows that if he doesn't stay focused, he won't make it as a rapper. He and Snoop Dogg then urge listeners to embrace the gangster lifestyle and to stand up for themselves against those who seek to silence them.
The lyrics suggest a desire to live a flashy lifestyle, even if it means resorting to violence to get what one wants. The song features sexual innuendos, such as the reference to "servin' any on a platter," and it glamorizes the gangster lifestyle, which can have negative consequences on young listeners. However, the sense of camaraderie and loyalty among the artists and their willingness to stand up for themselves and their fellow gangsters creates a sense of belonging that many people can relate to.
Line by Line Meaning
Got me up against the fence, back against the wall
Feeling trapped and desperate, with no way out
Get to actin like a fool, cause ain't no justice for the dog
Acting out because of the frustration of being unfairly treated
Got to take it out on all y'all, better read the papers
Taking out anger on others and expecting retaliation, as reported in the news
All my homies goin' crazy baby only God could save us
Feeling like there's no escape from the violent lifestyle and relying on faith for salvation
Got my, min on currency hurry see I ain't worried
Focused on making money as a priority and not concerned about the consequences
It's a gangsta party, so Bad Boy gettin' buried
Celebrating a violent lifestyle and putting down rival gangs, specifically Bad Boy Records
Snoop Dogg, why they fantasize? (fantasize)
Questioning the obsession that people have with the gangsta lifestyle
When we ride, it's a must havin sets die, every time
Emphasizing the violent consequences of being in a gang and how death is expected
I'm so smooth about my paper check it just how it's done
Confident about making money and doing it in a calculated, polished way
I'm servin' any on a platter Snoop Dogg Corleone
Acting as a dominant and powerful figure, compared to the character of Don Corleone in The Godfather
Corleone, now do you know what that mean?
Challenging the listener's knowledge of gangster culture and references
A Teflon Don to this hip-hop game, super supreme
Being invincible and untouchable in the world of hip-hop music
It's like what happen can happen but will it stop
Acknowledging the reality of violence and danger in the gangster lifestyle, but wondering if it will ever end
Why these fools, tryin' ta kill me?
Expressing frustration and confusion over attempts on his life
It's so hard to stay focused on my eyes and prize
Struggling to keep sight of his goals in the midst of chaos and violence
But if I don't, the Dogg won't survive
Understanding that he must stay focused in order to stay alive
Two of the livest wanted dead or alive
Being recognized as one of the best and most dangerous in the gangster world
We riders inventers because we ain't quiet and watch the G's ride
Taking charge of their own lives and refusing to be passive observers
Bow down fool, this is Death Row
Asserting dominance and control as a member of the Death Row Records label
Don't hold your breath, stick to Smith and Wessun
Advising others to be prepared for danger and refer to their weapons
Steady study your lessons to keep the crowd guessin'
Continuing to learn and adapt to stay ahead of competitors and adversaries in the gangster world
Straight gangsta, why'know?
Proudly identifying as a gangster and celebrating the lifestyle
Money to be made, situations get deeper
Recognizing the power and influence that comes with making money in the gangster world, but acknowledging the risks
But I know what time it is
Being aware of the dangers and challenges of gangster life
All my homies tellin', me, ain't no love for a real G
Hearing from friends that there is no compassion for those living the gangster lifestyle
You straight cowards all you playa haters kill me
Dismissing anyone who opposes the gangster lifestyle as weak and cowardly
We gettin' dollars homey Holla If You Hear Me
Continuing to pursue wealth and success as a priority in the gangster lifestyle
Can you visualize perfection?
Aspiring to reach a level of excellence and mastery in the gangster world
It ain't easy, why'know?
Stating that the gangster world is challenging and difficult to navigate
Foe life, Eastside!
Swearing loyalty and allegiance to the Eastside gang
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: CALVIN BROADUS, DELMAR AMAUD, LARRY TROUTMAN, ROGER TROUTMAN, TUPAC SHAKUR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@taylorsharifzadeh6031
You know you a legend when 20+ plus yrs after your death, your music is still the best music around.
@benritchybruno5967
Helll yeah
@evilnick7384
Yeeeeeeee🤑👌🏿😎💰🔥
@marknealy4780
Memories I swear I was born at the right time!!!
@gadzokrokodyl8998
Facts!!!!🔥🔥🔥
@katrinamarsai8933
Hello
@sirscrotum
Worlds best rapper: Tupac
Worlds 2nd best rapper: Hologram Tupac
@Technobeep
+sirscrotum Worlds 3rd Best rapper: Tupac, if he Was still Alive..
@kusmijnklotemetdiezever7836
No man you see there is no best rapper , there WERE some more at that time like biggie , big L , eazy e
@calebjones4797
+Kusmijnklote Metdiezever I love Eazy, but he was a fucking garbage rapper.