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.
Holla At Me
2Pac Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They try to playa hate
But they can't fade us tho'
We be mobbin' through the neighborhood, yeah
With that funky sound so funky
We be throwin' down
This goes out to you playa
Gotta be careful, can't let the evil of the money trap me
So when you see me nigga
You better holla at me
Gotta be careful, can't let tha evil of the money trap me
So when you see me nigga
You better holla at me
Gotta be careful, can't let the evil of the money trap me
So when you see me nigga
You better holla at me
Are you confused?
You wonder how it feels to walk a mile inside the shoes
Of a nigga who don't have a thing to loose
When me and you was homies
No one informed me it was all a scheme
You infiltrated my team and sold a niggas dreams
How could you do me like that?
I took your family in
I put some cash in your pocket
Made you a man again
And now you let the fear put your ass in a place
Complicated to escape, it's a fools fate
Without your word, you're a shell of a man
I lost respect for you nigga
We can never be friends
I know I'm runnin' through your head now
What could you do, if it was up to you
I'd be dead now
I let the world know nigga you a coward
You could never be live until you die
See the mothafuckin' bitch in your eye
Type of Nigga, that let the evil of the money trap me
When you see me nigga
You better holla at me (holla at me)
Can't let the evil of the money trap me
So when you see me nigga
You better holla at me
(You better beware where you lay
We better not find where you stay)
So I gotta be careful, can't let the evil of the money trap me
So when you see me nigga, you better holla at me
(You better beware where you lay
We better not find where you stay)
Curious spittin' lyrics, on the verge of furious
I'm addicted to currency, nigga that's why we're doin' this, I got set up
I surprised the niggas the way I got up and then
I hit the studio it's time to blow the block up
No hesitation this information got you contemplatin'
Heartbreakin' and eliminatin' with this conversation
Break him and let him see the face of a mental patient it's a celebration
Of my criminal elevation, more participation
I want members across the fifty states
We keep the nation anticipatin' until we break
Will I be great, is it my fate ?
To live the life of luxury, some niggas bought my tapes
So much jealousy it scares me
So be prepared 'cause only the strong survive
Life isn't fair (fair)
Probably never knew the way it feels to die
So you figure fuck with me, I give that ass a try
Nigga, holla at me
Gotta be careful, can't let the evil of the money trap me
So when you see me nigga
You better holla at me
You better beware where you lay
We better not find where you stay
Now I gotta be careful, can't let the evil of the money trap me
So when you see me nigga
You better holla at me
You better beware where you lay
We better not find where you stay
I shoulda saw the signs, I was blinded
Criminal minds of a young black brotha doin' time
So many brothers framed in this dirty game
It's a shame, so much pressure on my brain, while she blame me
Secrets in the dark, only her and I know
Now I'm sittin' in the state pen, doin' time slow
Guess she made a bad decision, that got me livin'
Just like an animal, I'm caged up in state prison
My niggas dissin' 'cause
Hell have no fury like a woman scorn
A cemetery full of motherfuckers got not knowin'
Picture my prophecy the cops are attacking me, on top of me
I'm runnin' from the coppers, but never let'em stop me 'cause I'm a soldier
Hell, ever since I was a little nigga havin' fantasies of one day getting older
Niggas is paranoid, trust a no no
Love is a mystery, fuck the po po
Holla at me
So when you see me nigga
You better holla at me
You better beware where you lay
We better not find where you stay
Gotta be careful, can't let the evil of the money trap me
So when you see me nigga
You better holla at me
You better beware where you lay
We better not find where you stay
A nigga gotta be careful, can't let the evil of the money trap me
So when you see me nigga
You better holla at me
You better beware where you lay
We better not find where you stay
Niggas out there jealous 'cause we be bailin' with Death Row
They try to playa hate
But they can't fade us tho'
We be mobbin' through the neighborhood
Yeah
With that funky sound (so funky)
We be throwin' down
Gotta be careful, can't let the evil of the money trap me
So when you see me nigga
You better holla at me
You better beware where you lay
We better not find where you stay
Gotta be careful, can't let the evil of the money trap me
So when you see me nigga
You better holla at me
You better beware where you lay
We better not find where you stay, oh oh
Oh! Oh no no no
In "Holla At Me," Tupac addresses those who try to play him in the music industry, particularly those who are jealous of his affiliation with Death Row Records. He warns about the temptation and danger of money and the importance of staying true to oneself. Tupac emphasizes the need to be careful and to not let the evil of money trap oneself, making sure to give a warning to those who may be trying to deceive him. He raps about his experiences with betrayal and the pain of being used by people he once trusted. Tupac's story is one of resilience and determination, as he continues to pursue his dreams even in the face of adversity.
One interesting fact about "Holla At Me" is that it features a sample from Jimi Hendrix's "Digital Love Child." Another fact is that some of the lyrics from this song were later used in Tupac's "Hit 'Em Up" diss track aimed at the Notorious B.I.G. Tupac references the "death" of "Biggie Smalls" earlier in "Holla at Me" and accuses him of a lack of loyalty in "Hit 'Em Up." Additionally, it is said that Tupac wrote and recorded the song in just one night, as he was known for his prolific songwriting and recording.
Line by Line Meaning
Niggas out there jealous 'cause we be bailin' with Death Row
People are envious of us because we have a connection with Death Row
They try to playa hate
They try to hate on us, but it doesn't affect us
But they can't fade us tho'
Their actions don't impact us negatively
We be mobbin' through the neighborhood, yeah
We are moving through the neighborhood with a sense of pride and belonging
With that funky sound so funky
Our music is unique and catchy
We be throwin' down
We are giving our best in everything we do
This goes out to you playa
This is a message dedicated to a person who is trying to play us
You know you know who you are
This person is aware of their identity and their actions
Gotta be careful, can't let the evil of the money trap me
I need to be cautious and not let money change who I am
So when you see me nigga
When you see me, you should talk to me
You better holla at me
You better acknowledge me and talk to me
Are you confused?
Do you not understand what I am saying?
You wonder how it feels to walk a mile inside the shoes
You are curious about how it feels to be in my shoes
Of a nigga who don't have a thing to loose
Of a person who has nothing to lose and is fearless
When me and you was homies
When we were close friends
No one informed me it was all a scheme
No one told me that our friendship was fake
You infiltrated my team and sold a niggas dreams
You joined my group and sold false hopes to us
How could you do me like that?
How could you betray me?
I took your family in
I helped your family in their time of need
I put some cash in your pocket
I gave you money to help you out
Made you a man again
I helped you get back on your feet
And now you let the fear put your ass in a place
Now, you are afraid and in a tough situation
Complicated to escape, it's a fools fate
It's tough to get out of the complicated situation, and it's a foolish thing to be in that situation in the first place
Without your word, you're a shell of a man
If you don't keep your promises, you lose your identity
I lost respect for you nigga
I don't respect you anymore
We can never be friends
Our friendship is lost forever
I know I'm runnin' through your head now
You are thinking about what I said
What could you do, if it was up to you
What would you have done differently if you were in my position?
I'd be dead now
I would be dead if I had done what you did
I let the world know nigga you a coward
I made it public that you are a coward
You could never be live until you die
You will never be brave unless you are willing to die for what you believe in
See the mothafuckin' bitch in your eye
I can see that you are a coward just by looking at your eyes
Can't let the evil of the money trap me
I must not let the negative influence of money change me into a bad person
(You better beware where you lay
You should be cautious of where you go and stay
We better not find where you stay)
We will look for you if we need to
Curious spittin' lyrics, on the verge of furious
I am spitting lyrics that are interesting and make people curious, and I am becoming angry
I'm addicted to currency, nigga that's why we're doin' this
I am addicted to making money, which is why we're in this business
I got set up
I was tricked
I surprised the niggas the way I got up and then
I astonished people with the way I recovered from the setback
I hit the studio it's time to blow the block up
I went to the studio to make music that will be popular
No hesitation this information got you contemplatin'
I am giving you the facts, and it's making you think
Heartbreakin' and eliminatin' with this conversation
I am addressing some tough topics and breaking hearts with this conversation
Break him and let him see the face of a mental patient it's a celebration
I will defeat my rivals and show them that I am mentally strong, which will be a cause for celebration
Of my criminal elevation, more participation
As my criminal activities increase, more people are getting involved
I want members across the fifty states
I want people to join my gang from all states
We keep the nation anticipatin' until we break
We will keep the nation in suspense until we achieve our goals
Will I be great, is it my fate ?
I wonder if success and greatness is what awaits me
To live the life of luxury, some niggas bought my tapes
Some people are buying my music to support me and my extravagant lifestyle
So much jealousy it scares me
I am scared of how much jealousy is directed towards me
So be prepared 'cause only the strong survive
You must stay strong to survive
Life isn't fair (fair)
Life is not always just or fair
Probably never knew the way it feels to die
You probably have never experienced a near-death situation
So you figure fuck with me, I give that ass a try
If you mess with me, I will fight back
You better beware where you lay
You need to be careful about where you go and stay
We better not find where you stay
We will look for you if need be
I shoulda saw the signs, I was blinded
I should have noticed the warning signs, but I was unaware
Criminal minds of a young black brotha doin' time
I am a young black man who is about to go to prison
So many brothers framed in this dirty game
Many people have been unfairly charged in this game
It's a shame, so much pressure on my brain, while she blame me
It's sad, and I am under a lot of pressure, and she is blaming me
Secrets in the dark, only her and I know
Only she and I know about the secrets we share
Now I'm sittin' in the state pen, doin' time slow
Now, I am in prison and time is moving slowly
Guess she made a bad decision, that got me livin'
She made a bad decision that left me in this situation
Just like an animal, I'm caged up in state prison
I feel like an animal that has been locked up in state prison
My niggas dissin' 'cause
My friends are insulting me because of my current situation
Hell have no fury like a woman scorn
A woman's anger can be intense when she feels betrayed
A cemetery full of motherfuckers got not knowin'
Many people have died without knowing the truth or being able to resolve their problems
Picture my prophecy the cops are attacking me, on top of me
I imagine that the police are trying to attack me and overpower me
I'm runnin' from the coppers, but never let'em stop me 'cause I'm a soldier
I am running from the police, but they cannot stop me because I am a fighter
Hell, ever since I was a little nigga havin' fantasies of one day getting older
I have had dreams of becoming a successful adult since I was young
Niggas is paranoid, trust a no no
People are suspicious and untrusting of others now
Love is a mystery, fuck the po po
Love is a mystery, and I don't care about the police
Holla at me
Talk to me
A nigga gotta be careful, can't let the evil of the money trap me
I must be careful not to let money's negative influence take over me
We be mobbin' through the neighborhood
We are moving through the neighborhood with a sense of pride and belonging
Yeah
With that funky sound (so funky)
We have a unique and catchy sound
We better not find where you stay, oh oh
We will hunt you down if we need to
Oh! Oh no no no
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BOBBY ERVIN, BOBBY F ERVIN, TUPAC AMARU SHAKUR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@deathitself6985
@@juniorried7703 So many brothers framed in this dirty game
It's a shame, so much pressure on my brain, while she blame me
Secrets in the dark, only her and I know
Now I'm sittin' in the state pen, doin' time slow
Guess she made a bad decision, that got me livin'
Just like an animal, I'm caged up in state prison
My niggas dissin' 'cause
Hell have no fury like a woman scorn
A cemetery full of motherfuckers got not knowin' He talking bout Ayanna and hoes that use rape to frame niggaz in general when they get mad over something. Also that Cant let the evil of the money trap me is to himself aswell as BIG the hoe and Stretch Pac even said in an interview that they fucked up "not because they are bad people but because money is evil if you lose your composure you could do anything" Perhaps that Big didnt have his back when he started coming up when Pac put him on game gave him his first show etc.. To me just the fact that Badboy released "Who shot ya" at the time Pac was going thru it is sick had Pac died in quad he would be like a stepping stone for Biggies stardom that shit would get to anybody especially when its one of your homies that used to roll with you
@avolution1660
Can't listen to one PAC song. It's gone be a marathon.
@shotz1874
Real talk
@damoredamerrier1605
You can ask my neighbors. Lol straight facts👍💯
@GAZERGAZER-mk8iv
Hahaha Ye
@MarvaLuss1
Preach!
@kennethdantzler7132
I'm currently going through that now
@christophergargaro959
One of the most criminally underrated Pac songs there is. The uptempo flow, deep rhymes and beat make this one an absolute banger.
@YesNo-bo6rj
Been saying this for years. His uptempo flow like this one, fits his style so very well. Just amazing. His flow in combination with his emitions on this raw track and offcourse the hook. Makes its an BANGER indeed. Btw Pac’s 2nd verse is just absolutely perfect.
@vittoriopompa9204
Right
@matthewli4840
"so when you see me - you better holla at me" hits hard af