The song captures 2Pac zoning out the violence and negativity surrounding him, praying to God, and him making biblical reference to his own John 3:16 and likely making reference to Mary Magdalene too, "Hail Mary" appeared on Shakur's Greatest Hits in 1998. A remix of the song was also featured on the album Nu-Mixx Klazzics in 2003.
This song was played as a tribute to 2Pac at the Up In Smoke Tour, in 2000. Rap artists Dr. Dre & Snoop Dogg played this song as one of 3 songs they did, for and a tribute to 2Pac, with the crowd singing the chorus.
On April 15, 2012, this song was played as part of a performance incorporating a projection of 2Pac alongside live performers Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. The song his projection opened with at Coachella. The track moved 13,000 downloads that week for a 1,530% sales increase.
The song was played in the film Baby Boy, in which 2Pac himself was supposed to play the lead. The film was released in 2001 by John Singleton, but because 2Pac was no longer alive, Singleton had him reaplaced by Tyrese Gibson. The song was played when Jody, the lead, had a dream about being gunned down by the police or being locked up in prison with his girlfriend and son visiting him. While the song is playing, 2Pac's picture is seen in Jody's room.
Hail Mary
2Pac Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Killuminati, all through your body
The blow's like a twelve gauge shotty
Uh, feel me (come with me)
And God said he should send his one begotten son (Hail Mary nigga, run quick, see)
To lead the wild into the ways of the man
(What do we have here, now? Do you want to ride or die?)
Follow me (la, da-da-da, la-la, la-la)
Come with me
Hail Mary, nigga, run quick, see
What do we have here now?
Do you want to ride or die?
La, da-da-da, la-la, la-la
I ain't a killer, but don't push me
Revenge is like the sweetest joy next to gettin' pussy
Picture paragraphs unloaded, wise words bein' quoted
Peeped the weakness in the rap game and sowed it
Bow down, pray to God, hopin' that he's listenin'
Seein' niggas comin' for me, through my diamonds when they glistenin'
Now pay attention, bless me please Father, I'm a ghost
In these killin' fields, Hail Mary, catch me if I go
Let's go deep inside the solitary mind of a madman
Screams, in the dark, evil lurks, enemies, see me flee
Activate my hate, let it break to the flame
Set trip, empty out my clip, never stop to aim
Some say the game is all corrupt and fucked in this shit
Stuck, niggas is lucky if we bust out this shit
And plus mama told me never stop until I bust a nut
Fuck the world if they can't adjust
It's just as well, Hail Mary
Come with me
Hail Mary, nigga, run quick, see
What do we have here now?
Do you want to ride or die?
La, da-da-da, la-la, la-la
Come with me
Hail Mary, nigga, run quick, see
What do we have here now?
Do you want to ride or die?
La, da-da-da, la-la, la-la
Penitentiaries is packed with promise-makers
Never realize the precious time that bitch niggas is wastin'
Institutionalized, I live my life a product made to crumble
But too hardened for a smile, we're too crazy to be humble
We ballin' catch me father please, cause I'm fallin'
In the liquor store pass the Hennessy, I hear ya callin'
Can I get some more?
Hell, 'til I reach Hell, I ain't scared
Mama checkin' in my bedroom, I ain't there
I got a head with no screws in it, what can I do?
One life to live but I got nothin' to lose
Just me and you on a one way trip to prison
Sellin' drugs, we all wrapped up in this livin' life as thugs
To my homeboys in Clinton Max doin' their bid
Raise hell to this real shit and feel this
When they turn out the lights, I'll be there in the dark
Thuggin' eternal through my heart
Now Hail Mary, nigga
Come with me
Hail Mary, nigga, run quick, see
What do we have here now?
Do you want to ride or die?
La, da-da-da, la-la, la-la
Come with me
Hail Mary, nigga, run quick, see
What do we have here now?
Do you want to ride or die?
La, da-da-da, la-la, la-la
They got a A-P-B out on my thug family
Since the Outlawz run these streets like these scandalous freaks
Our enemies die now, walkin' 'round half dead
Head down, K-blasted off of Hennessy and Thai
Chronic, mixed in, now I'm twisted, blistered and high
Visions of me, thug-livin', gettin' me by
Forever live, and I multiply, survived by thugs
When I die they won't cry unless they comin' with slugs
Peep the whole scene and whatever's goin' on around me
Brain kind of cloudy, smoked out, feelin' rowdy
Ready to wet the party up, and whoever in that motherfucker
Nasty new street slugger, my heat seeks suckers
On the regular, mashin' in a stolen Black Ac' Integra
Cocked back, sixty seconds 'til the draw, that's when I'm deadin' ya feet first
You've got a nice gat but my heat's worse
From a thug to preachin' church, I gave you love, now you eatin' dirt
Needin' work and I ain't the nigga to put you on
'Cause word is bond, when I was broke I had to hustle 'til dawn
That's when sun came up, it's only one way up
Hold your head, stay up
To all my niggas, get your pay and weight up
If it's on then it's on, we rape beat-breaks
Outlawz on a paper chase, can you relate?
To this shit I don't got be the shit I gotta take
Dealin' with fate, hopin' God don't close the gate
If it's on then it's on, we rape beat-breaks
Outlawz on a paper chase, can you relate?
To this shit I don't got be the shit I gotta take
Dealin' with fate, hopin' God don't close the gate
Come with me
Hail Mary, nigga, run quick, see
What do we have here now? (we've been travelin' on this weary road)
Do you want to ride or die?
La, da-da-da, la-la, la-la (sometimes life can take a heavy load)
Come with me (but we ride, ride it like a bullet)
Hail Mary, nigga, run quick, see (Hail Mary, Hail Mary, Hail Mary)
What do we have here now? (we won't worry, everythin' well curry)
Do you want to ride or die?
La, da-da-da, la-la, la-la (free like the bird in the tree)
Come with me (we won't worry, everythin' well curry)
Hail Mary, nigga, run quick, see (yes, we free like the bird in the tree)
What do we have here now? (we runnin' from the penitentiary)
Do you want to ride or die? (this is the time for we liberty, Hail Mary)
La, da-da-da, la-la, la-la (Hail Mary)
Come with me
Hail Mary, nigga, run quick, see
What do we have here now?
Do you want to ride or die?
La, da-da-da, la-la, la-la
Westside, Outlawz
Makaveli the Don, Solo
Killuminati, The 7 Days
The song "Hail Mary" by Tupac Shakur, also known as Makaveli, is a powerful and controversial track that addresses the rapper's worldview and experiences. The lyrics are full of religious imagery, violent imagery, and a sense of impending doom. Throughout the song, Tupac references both the Bible and the world of gangsta rap, creating a unique fusion of sacred and profane themes.
The opening lines of "Hail Mary" are a play on words, with Tupac referring to himself as "Makaveli in this, Killuminati." This is a reference to Niccolo Machiavelli, a political philosopher who wrote "The Prince." The Killuminati is a play on words that combines Machiavelli with the Illuminati, a secret society that some believe has a sinister influence on world events. Tupac uses this word to suggest that he is part of a secret society that is killing the rap game.
The chorus of the song features the phrase "Hail Mary," which is a reference to the Catholic prayer. Tupac uses this phrase to suggest that he is about to die, and that he is praying for forgiveness for his sins. The line "Do you want to ride or die?" is a question that Tupac often asked his listeners, suggesting that they too were in danger and had to make a choice between life and death.
The verse that begins with "Penitentiaries is packed with promise-makers" is a reference to the low social mobility and high incarceration rates of young black men in America. Tupac suggests that the gang lifestyle is a trap that many young men fall into out of a sense of desperation and a lack of other opportunities.
Line by Line Meaning
Makaveli in this
I am present in this life as Makaveli (2Pac's alter ego)
Killuminati, all through your body
The power and influence of the Illuminati (a secret society) is pervasive and affects everyone
The blow's like a twelve gauge shotty
The impact of my words and actions is as powerful as a shotgun blast
Uh, feel me (come with me)
Understand and connect with my message and come along with me on this journey
And God said he should send his one begotten son (Hail Mary nigga, run quick, see)
God decided to send his only son, just like 2Pac is announcing his arrival with the phrase 'Hail Mary, nigga, run quick, see'
To lead the wild into the ways of the man
The chosen son will guide those who have lost their way back to a righteous path
(What do we have here, now? Do you want to ride or die?)
(The question is) What is happening right now? Are you willing to stick with me through the challenges, even if it means risking your life?
Follow me (la, da-da-da, la-la, la-la)
Emulate my actions and teachings, even though the journey may be filled with struggles (represented by the vocalizations)
Eat my flesh, flesh and my flesh
Absorb my words, teachings, and experiences as if you are consuming my very essence
I ain't a killer, but don't push me
I am not naturally inclined to be violent, but I have my limits
Revenge is like the sweetest joy next to gettin' pussy
Revenge can provide immense satisfaction, comparable to the pleasure of sexual conquest
Picture paragraphs unloaded, wise words bein' quoted
I express my thoughts and wisdom through my lyrical abilities, delivering impactful messages
Peeped the weakness in the rap game and sowed it
I noticed the vulnerabilities and flaws in the music industry and exploited them
Bow down, pray to God, hopin' that he's listenin'
I humble myself before God, praying and hoping that He is attentive to my pleas
Seein' niggas comin' for me, through my diamonds when they glistenin'
I can perceive the envy and threats coming towards me, even through the shine of my luxurious jewelry
Now pay attention, bless me please Father, I'm a ghost
Listen carefully, bestow your blessings upon me, Father, as I navigate through life feeling disconnected and unseen like a ghost
In these killin' fields, Hail Mary, catch me if I go
Amidst these dangerous circumstances, Hail Mary, if I were to fall, save me
Let's go deep inside the solitary mind of a madman
Let's delve into the thoughts and psyche of an isolated individual who has been driven to madness
Screams, in the dark, evil lurks, enemies, see me flee
Screams echo through the darkness, as enemies and malevolence strive to harm me and witness me trying to escape
Activate my hate, let it break to the flame
I unleash my anger and let it fuel the fire that burns within me
Set trip, empty out my clip, never stop to aim
I engage in conflicts, firing my weapon without hesitation or taking the time to aim precisely
Some say the game is all corrupt and fucked in this shit
There are those who believe the music industry is entirely corrupt and messed up
Stuck, niggas is lucky if we bust out this shit
We, as black men, are trapped and fortunate if we manage to break free from this oppressive system
And plus mama told me never stop until I bust a nut
Furthermore, my mother instilled in me the mentality to never quit until I have achieved success
Fuck the world if they can't adjust
If the world cannot adapt to my desires or accept me, then I have no regard for it
It's just as well, Hail Mary
It doesn't matter, I will still proceed as planned, invoking the power of Hail Mary
Penitentiaries is packed with promise-makers
Prisons are overcrowded with individuals who made promises they couldn't fulfill
Never realize the precious time that bitch niggas is wastin'
They fail to comprehend the value of the time they waste engaging in disloyal and unproductive activities
Institutionalized, I live my life a product made to crumble
I have become conditioned by the system, living a life that is destined to collapse
But too hardened for a smile, we're too crazy to be humble
Although we have hardened ourselves emotionally, we are also too wild and rebellious to possess humility
We ballin' catch me father please, cause I'm fallin'
We are living extravagantly, so Father, please catch me because I am descending into chaos
In the liquor store pass the Hennessy, I hear ya callin'
In the liquor store, I am drawn to the allure of Hennessy, succumbing to its temptation
Can I get some more? Hell, 'til I reach Hell, I ain't scared
I ask for more alcohol, as I am not afraid until I eventually reach the depths of hell
Mama checkin' in my bedroom, I ain't there
My mother looks for me in my room but I am absent, leaving her concerned
I got a head with no screws in it, what can I do?
My mind is in disarray, lacking stability and logical thinking, leaving me feeling helpless
One life to live but I got nothin' to lose
Although I have only one life, I have nothing left to lose, allowing me to take risks without hesitation
Just me and you on a one way trip to prison
It is just you and me, facing a journey towards imprisonment with no possibility of return
Sellin' drugs, we all wrapped up in this livin' life as thugs
We are deeply involved in the drug trade, becoming entangled in the criminal lifestyle
To my homeboys in Clinton Max doin' their bid
I send my regards to my friends who are serving their sentences in Clinton Maximum Security Prison
Raise hell to this real shit and feel this
Let's rebel against society and mainstream culture, embracing this genuine and raw expression
When they turn out the lights, I'll be there in the dark
Even in moments of darkness and despair, I will be present, representing the essence of thug life
Thuggin' eternal through my heart
The spirit of thuggery resides within me eternally and forms an integral part of my being
They got a A-P-B out on my thug family
There is an all-points bulletin issued for my gangster family, indicating we are wanted individuals
Since the Outlawz run these streets like these scandalous freaks
The Outlawz (2Pac's rap group) dominate the streets, resembling scandalous individuals
Our enemies die now, walkin' 'round half dead
Our rivals are on the verge of defeat, walking around in a weakened state
Head down, K-blasted off of Hennessy and Thai
Their heads are lowered, devastated due to the effects of Hennessy (alcohol) and Thai (marijuana strain)
Chronic, mixed in, now I'm twisted, blistered and high
I have combined potent marijuana (Chronic) with other substances, leaving me disoriented, intoxicated, and euphoric
Visions of me, thug-livin', gettin' me by
My visions of the thug lifestyle sustain me and keep me going during difficult times
Forever live, and I multiply, survived by thugs
I will live on eternally through my music and multiply my influence, leaving behind a legacy embraced by fellow thugs
When I die they won't cry unless they comin' with slugs
My death will not elicit sadness from others unless they are willing to avenge me and engage in acts of violence
Peep the whole scene and whatever's goin' on around me
Pay close attention to the entirety of the situation and the events occurring in my vicinity
Brain kind of cloudy, smoked out, feelin' rowdy
My mind is clouded due to the influence of drugs, feeling rebellious and ready to cause trouble
Ready to wet the party up, and whoever in that motherfucker
I am prepared to wreak havoc and attack anyone present at the gathering
Nasty new street slugger, my heat seeks suckers
I am a ruthless and aggressive street fighter, with my weapon ready to target enemies
On the regular, mashin' in a stolen Black Ac' Integra
Frequently, I am involved in criminal activities, driving recklessly in a stolen black Acura Integra
Cocked back, sixty seconds 'til the draw, that's when I'm deadin' ya feet first
I prepare my weapon, counting down from sixty seconds, until the moment I shoot you, leaving you dead and falling to the ground
You've got a nice gat but my heat's worse
Although you may possess a formidable firearm, my weapon is even more powerful and deadly
From a thug to preachin' church, I gave you love, now you eatin' dirt
As someone who has transitioned from a thug to a religious messenger, I previously showed you love, but now you are facing punishment
Needin' work and I ain't the nigga to put you on
If you are looking for opportunities or help, I am not the person to rely on
'Cause word is bond, when I was broke I had to hustle 'til dawn
Because my word is my bond, when I was financially struggling, I had to work tirelessly until dawn
That's when sun came up, it's only one way up
As the sun rose, I realized there is only one path for me to follow: upward and towards success
Hold your head, stay up
Stay strong and resilient in the face of adversity
To all my niggas, get your pay and weight up
I encourage all my fellow black individuals to increase their financial worth and physical strength
If it's on then it's on, we rape beat-breaks
If a confrontation occurs, we intensively dominate musical beats
Outlawz on a paper chase, can you relate?
The Outlawz are relentlessly pursuing money, can you understand their drive and ambition?
To this shit I don't got be the shit I gotta take
I must endure and overcome the difficulties and challenges that come with this lifestyle
Dealin' with fate, hopin' God don't close the gate
I am constantly confronted by destiny, praying that God doesn't shut the door on me
Come with me (Hail Mary, Hail Mary, Hail Mary)
Join me on this risky path, invoking the power of Hail Mary to guide and protect us
What do we have here now? (we runnin' from the penitentiary)
What is the situation we find ourselves in now? (we are evading capture and imprisonment)
Do you want to ride or die? (this is the time for we liberty, Hail Mary)
Are you willing to face the dangers and risks with me? (this is the moment where we can achieve freedom, invoking the power of Hail Mary)
La, da-da-da, la-la, la-la (Hail Mary)
(Vocalizations that express the intensity and energy of the moment)
Westside, Outlawz
I am representing the West Coast, together with the Outlawz (my rap group)
Makaveli the Don, Solo
I am Makaveli, the Don, and I am standing alone as a powerful and influential figure
Killuminati, The 7 Days
I am declaring my intention to eradicate the Illuminati, the secret society that maintains control, within the span of seven days
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Tyrone J. Wrice, Tupac Amaru Shakur, Rufus Lee Cooper, Katari T. Cox, Joseph Paquette, Yafeu A Fula, Bruce Washington
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@RustyHaggis
Still vibing to this shit frm 96 - 23! ALWAYS WILL! 👊🏻🎵
So many great leasons learned frm this mans lyrics, poetry & Life the good & the bad! 🤙🏻
Pac 4 Life youngins plz never let his music & legacy die!!
Tupac Amaru Shakur aka Makaveli
The Rose That Grew From Concrete
One Love, One Nation ❤
Peace, Rusty out ✌🏻🏴
@jamesdean7794
Dear Children...This is Real Hip-Hop🔥
@kaylupbaltierra5143
Ik right
@mikeoxhard_695
This is gangsta rap, good hip hop is the real ogs of rap , e.g. grandmaster flash wonder Mike etc
@LiLgPnoy15
yes, thank you! Not this mumble rap trash
@elissatemple-orr6270
Facts! So proud my 16 year old daughter loves this!
@Bumpyfn250
There different type of hip hop this is og hip hop there's still gangster rap but hope you don't think all the new rappers are like 69
Miss the OGS
TUPAC
EAZY E
BIGGIE
SNOOP DOGG
JAY Z
DMX
50 CENT
ETC
@millanomics3271
Tupac 👑 recorded over 713 songs, acted in 7 movies between 1991 and 1996, sold 75 million records without internet, had 9 platinum albums, and when he left he left 7 albums ready to be released. All this with 25 years but only 5 years in the entertainment industry. Greatest Rapper In History! 🐐💯
@gregorymayberry2546
Real talk
@BlastKetchup
Achieved so much in so little time 🙌
@akeemhusbands4169
Facts 🤌🏾