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.
Niggaz Nature
2Pac Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tupac and Lil' Mo, hmm, how gangsta is that?
Hehe... ooooh - oooh, ooooh - oooh, ooooh - oooh (Mo keeps harmonizing in the background) (2Pac)
One two... to a nigga nature, haha...
No need to cry now, go wipe your tears, be a woman
Why you actin surprised? You saw the bullshit
Comin fake hair, fake nails, fake eyes too
So why you, bound to fuck wit fake guys too
Say you learned, I truly doubt it
I guess you got a problem with affection, kinda loose with the love
Gettin freaky with the thug niggaz up in the club
Ask to buy you a drink, you holla Dom Perignon
Knowin I'm a cash getter still I, remain calm
Let you chill with me; plus you was smilin 'til the bill miss me
That's what you get for tryin to dick me
Missed me with that Buy me this, buy me that syndrome shit
Bitch get a job if you wanna be rich
Gettin mad cause I cursed and I scream I hate'cha
Introduced you to a nigga nature, feel me? (Chorus: Lil' Mo)
Kissed the girls, made them cry
Thuggin life, and gettin high
Why you gangsta, all the time?
That's a thug's nature
Though sometimes, I can deal with it
I realize, that I'm feelin it
It's a love and hate relationship
But that's a thug's nature (add to line four of Chorus first time:) That's a nigga nature (2Pac)
I'm probably too nice at first, I let you kiss me where it hurts
Me and you gettin busy, slingin dick in the dirt
Met you at a pool party it was cool to kick it
See us, tounge - kissin, you was truly with it
Little ecstacy, Hennesey, mix with me
Picture me pay for pussy when the dick's for free
Hey now, where my niggaz at? Tell these hoes
Before I pay; I jerk off, word to Moses
Visions of you sittin there sweaty and wet
Pointin to the places that you want me to hit
Give me room all up in the womb, call the cops
Nigga, hittin walls 'til them bastard drop
Label me Makaveli - thug nigga with bite
Livin life like a rock star's Friday night
Make money, get pussy, always keep a pager
Cell phone in the ride to complete my nature now! (2Pac)
Haha... started as a seed from the semen; straight outta papa's nuts
Lustin for creamin - bitches with big butts
Curves make a nigga cry, tits and shit
When I'm locked down beggin you for porno flicks
Sneak weed in, help a nigga pass the time
Put my name tattoo'd so that ass is mine
Tell everybody; 'Pac put it down for good
A local legend through the whole hood, follow me
I got a gun on me, goin for none on the run baby
You know a nigga need some, is my son crazy?
Why I cry, when I be thuggin til I die
Picture a nigga in heaven, high off weed I fly
Got me missin dead homies wishin phonies would die
Hit the weed and hope it get me high; dear God
Understand my ways, livin major
Blessed with a thug's heart... and a real live nigga nature (add to line four of Chorus:) That's a nigga nature
(add to line eight of Chorus:) Cause that's a nigga nature (add to line four of Chorus:) Hey, just be a nigga nature
(add to line eight of Chorus:) Cause that's a nigga nature (2Pac) It ain't my fault
(Lil' Mo) Hehe, Q. D. , where you be? Ahh
(2Pac) Don't blame me blame my momma, a nigga nature (Lil' Mo)
QD3, and Lil' Mo
Tupac, puttin it down fo' sho' (Cause that's a nigga nature)
I realize, that I'm feelin it
Cause that's a thug nature
Though sometimes I can deal with it
I realize, I'm feelin it
Love and hate, relationship
Cause that's a thug's nature (Cause that's a nigga nature)
Yeah yeah yeah... yeah yeah yeah...
Yeahhh yeah... and that's a thug's nature Where you at? Holla at Cp crew
The song "Niggaz Nature" by 2pac ft Leslie & Amine is a message about the rapper's experiences with women who are only after him for his money and fame. The song is all about how women should not be taken in by the glitz and glamour of the world, and instead, they should value true love and affection.
The song starts with Lil' Mo asking how gangsta it is to have Tupac and her collaborating, followed by 2Pac's lyrics about how women should not be surprised when they encounter fake guys after they have themselves resorted to being fake with their hair, nails, and eyes. 2Pac points out how Affection is something the woman cannot deal with and hence looks for a feeling of love with the thugs up in the club. However, they try to portray themselves to be gold diggers, and when 2Pac shows his anger towards them, they protest and ask him to buy them everything.
2Pac sings about how he lets women kiss him in the wrong places, mixes ecstasy with Hennessey, and even pays for pornographic films. He expresses his views on life by referencing his "thug's nature," which includes getting high and making money while keeping up with the pager and cell phones to feed his wild desires.
Overall, "Niggaz Nature" is a song about the dangers of fake love, gold digging, and the importance of valuing true affection. Tupac highlights how such a relationship can damage a person and how true love requires vulnerability and honesty from both partners.
Line by Line Meaning
No need to cry now, go wipe your tears, be a woman
Stop crying and act like a mature woman
Why you actin surprised? You saw the bullshit
Don't act surprised, you already knew the truth
Comin fake hair, fake nails, fake eyes too
You have fake hair, nails, and eyes
So why you, bound to fuck wit fake guys too
Why do you choose to be with fake men?
Aint nothin' hard about it why you lookin sad? Shoulda though about it
There is nothing difficult about the situation, so why are you sad? You should have thought about this beforehand.
Say you learned, I truly doubt it
You say you learned from your mistakes, but I don't believe you
I guess you got a problem with affection, kinda loose with the love
You have issues with showing affection and are too loose with love
Gettin freaky with the thug niggaz up in the club
You are getting intimate with gangster men in the club
Ask to buy you a drink, you holla Dom Perignon
When a man attempts to buy you a drink, you ask for the most expensive kind
Knowin I'm a cash getter still I, remain calm
Even though you know I have money, I remain calm
Let you chill with me; plus you was smilin 'til the bill miss me
I let you hang out with me and you were happy until the bill came and I paid it
That's what you get for tryin to dick me
That is the result of you trying to use me for my money
Missed me with that Buy me this, buy me that syndrome shit
I don't want to hear you ask for expensive things all the time
Bitch get a job if you wanna be rich
If you want to be wealthy, get a job and work for it
Gettin mad cause I cursed and I scream I hate'cha
You are angry that I curse and yell at you and say that I hate you
Introduced you to a nigga nature, feel me?
I introduced you to the gangster lifestyle, do you understand?
Kissed the girls, made them cry
I kissed girls and made them cry
Thuggin life, and gettin high
Living the gangster lifestyle and doing drugs
Why you gangsta, all the time?
Why are you always trying to act like a gangster?
That's a thug's nature
That is the way a gangster behaves
I'm probably too nice at first, I let you kiss me where it hurts
I was too nice to you in the beginning and let you have your way with me
Me and you gettin busy, slingin dick in the dirt
We were getting intimate and having sex anywhere we could
Met you at a pool party it was cool to kick it
I met you at a pool party and it was fun to hang out with you
See us, tounge - kissin, you was truly with it
We were making out and you were really into it
Little ecstacy, Hennesey, mix with me
We were doing drugs and drinking together
Picture me pay for pussy when the dick's for free
Why would I pay for sex when I can get it for free?
Visions of you sittin there sweaty and wet
I imagine you sitting there sweaty and wet
Pointin to the places that you want me to hit
You are telling me where you want me to touch you sexually
Give me room all up in the womb, call the cops
Let me have sex with you and penetrate deep inside, it feels so good it's like a crime
Nigga, hittin walls 'til them bastard drop
I am hitting your walls (vagina) so hard until you orgasm
Label me Makaveli - thug nigga with bite
I am known as Makaveli - a gangster with a fierce personality
Livin life like a rock star's Friday night
My life is like a rock star's weekend party
Make money, get pussy, always keep a pager
Make money, have sex, and always carry a pager
Cell phone in the ride to complete my nature now!
I have a cell phone in my car to complete my gangster persona
It ain't my fault
I am not responsible
Don't blame me blame my momma, a nigga nature
Don't blame me, blame my upbringing and environment for my gangster behavior
Contributed by London V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Agent Bosconian
on So Many Tears - Live
I fear only God and no human being
Even in the face of danger, I will stay strong
I have cried so much and fear that I might die soon
God, please guide me and take me to heaven if I die
I grew up in a sad, and lonely environment and it affected me in a gravely manner
I was abandoned; all alone and grew up in a community that was doomed to fail
My mind was greatly troubled and I couldn't be able to find my inner peace
I found solace and comfort in adopting a tough and rebellious lifestyle
Do you understand my pain and sorrow? I don't ever dwell on the past memories
To survive in a dangerous environment, you must react aggressively and quickly; in order to stay alive
I will always remember my friend, Kato. A good friend who has tragically died, and is no longer with us, anymore
I witnessed the day Kato perished on the streets and was calling for help
May Kato, and those who died before him, truly find peace in death
Is there really a place in heaven for a gangster like me? Always think and never forget about me
The friends that I once shared my laughter with; are now buried in their graves in the cemetery. I continue to shed countless tears for them; as I grieve for them
As I face many difficulties in the music industry, I will do whatever it takes to overcome it
People call me greedy and selfish for making money, yet they rarely can see me
I feel like I'm being cursed by the world and havin' disturbing; yet horrible premonitions
I have a fear that I will die and lie inside a coffin on a hearse, and want God's guidance and empathy
I want to escape from the problems, stress and the hurting of life
I yearned; longing for happiness and clarity in my troubled life
I'm trapped in jail and my life is in shambles
I feel like I'm doomed to go to Hell, but I don't know why
I'm in denial about my life, and I'm scared of death
If I go to hell, I will be in eternal pain and cry so much
I'm lost and tired, and I've cried so much
I'm contemplating suicide, so stay away from me
I'm intentionally moving towards death
I'm ready to die, and I feel like I have nothing to live for
The streets were ruthless, and I couldn't find peace
I'm on the verge of breaking down, and I long for peace
I lost my soul and my identity, but I was unaware
I had demons in my mind that were taking over
The demons inside me grew and ignited a fire
My head felt like a bomb ready to explode, it was a nasty game
I have no happy memories, only pain and sadness
I imagine my enemies murdering me in my sleep
I wonder if I'll live to see the next day
I ask God to pardon me for my wrongs as death approaches
God knows I tried my best, but I've seen people get killed
I witnessed innocent people, including children, being killed by drive-by shootings
I wonder why these tragedies happen as I pass by
I feel sad as I see the outline of a body on the ground and turn to drugs for comfort
I don't want this life, I want something different
There is no promising future for me; I'm trapped in the cycle of crime and violence
I feel like I'm in a never-ending maze
Alcohol made me act out and lose my mind
I've been disillusioned and now want a family
I want a family to see a better side of myself that isn't tainted by my past
I don't trust my girlfriend because she's been influenced by the negative environment around us
I hear rumors that my girlfriend is cheating on me with my friends, and I can't handle it
I collapse and pray for God to let me into heaven
I've cried countless tears and beg for God's mercy to let me into heaven
I've lost so many years and cried so many tears
God, I lost so many friends and associates, and...
God knows I tried my best, but I've seen people get killed
I witnessed innocent people, including children, being killed by drive-by shootings
I wonder why these tragedies happen as I pass by
I feel sad as I see the outline of a body on the ground and turn to drugs for comfort
I don't want this life, I want something different
There is no promising future for me; I'm trapped in the cycle of crime and violence
I feel like I'm in a never-ending maze
Alcohol made me act out and lose my mind
I've been disillusioned and now want a family
I want a family to see a better side of myself that isn't tainted by my past
I don't trust my girlfriend because she's been influenced by the negative environment around us
I hear rumors that my girlfriend is cheating on me with my friends, and I can't handle it
I collapse and pray for God to let me into heaven
I've cried countless tears and beg for God's mercy to let me into heaven
I've lost so many years and cried so many tears
God, I lost so many friends and associates, and cried so many tears
Aliyu
on 'Pac's Life
Nice
A.Bosconian
on So Many Tears
I am not afraid of anything or anyone other than God.
Even when I am in the darkest of times and places.
I have cried so many tears because of the pain and hardships I have faced in my life.
I ask God to guide me and be with me in my journey through life.
Even as a child in elementary school, I found myself attracted to and surrounded by sadness and hopelessness.
I was abandoned and grew up among a generation of people who were doomed to fail.
My mind was constantly struggling, and I could not find a sense of peace or comfort anywhere.
I found a sense of identity and belonging when I got the tattoo of 'Thug Life' on my chest.
Do you understand the struggles and pain that I have experienced in my life?
I am not dwelling on my past mistakes, and if you want to be successful, you shouldn't be either.
In order to defend yourself and your community from violence, you must be the first one to take action. We should never forget Kato, who was killed due to senseless violence.
Kato is no longer with us and has passed away.
I witnessed violent crimes, and I've seen the aftermath of people being killed on the streets.
I hope Kato, and all those who have passed before him, are resting in peace.
Is there a place in heaven for someone like me, who has lived a life of violence and crime?
Remember me and all of my friends who have died and are now buried in the cemetery.
I address God.
I have experienced a lot of suffering throughout my life.
I have cried so many tears because of the pain and hardships I have faced in my life.
Now that I am struggling in the music industry.
I will do whatever it takes to succeed, even if it means being labeled as greedy and only focused on making money.
Even though I am chasing success, I rarely get to enjoy it or be seen by others.
I feel cursed and have a negative outlook on the world.
I am having visions of dying and leaving this world in a coffin.
I ask God if he can understand what I am going through and help me.
I want to be relieved of all the stress and suffering I feel.
I want to experience happiness again, which has been absent from my life for some time.
I feel like I am losing sight of what's important in my life.
I feel trapped in my current situation, and my quality of life is suffering as a result.
I already feel like I am destined to go to hell, and I question where I went wrong in my life.
I am unable to come to terms with my reality.
When I die, I fear that I will be punished forever in the afterlife.
I feel lost and tired.
I have cried so much that I am now having suicidal thoughts, so please don't be near me.
Everything I do feels like a complicated and difficult step.
To bring me closer to what I want to achieve.
I am prepared to accept death at any moment since I feel like I have nothing to live for.
Things were very rough and merciless on the streets.
I was never able to find peace or rest in that environment.
I am close to falling apart and screaming for peace.
Even though I was empty and lost, I couldn't understand or recognize it at the time.
My mind was plagued with negative thoughts and emotions, which were trying to escape constantly.
The negative thoughts and emotions had been planted long ago and have now taken root, and the flame of negativity is now growing stronger.
Just like a match can light a fire, the negative thoughts in my brain can also do the same, causing pain and suffering.
I have no good memories to comfort me, only sadness and suffering.
I am afraid of being attacked and killed by the people who hate me, even in my sleep.
I wonder if I will survive through the night to see the light of the new day?
I ask God for forgiveness for my past mistakes and wrongdoings.
I am trying to face my problems and come out stronger and better.
The Lord knows I have tried my best, and I have witnessed violent deaths in my community.
Drive-by shootings have resulted in the loss of many lives, including innocent children.
I wonder why these tragedies are happening in my community as I walk around and see the devastation.
I am saddened as I look at the markings on the pavement where someone has been killed, and the only way I can deal with this pain is by getting high.
I understand that this isn't the kind of life that I want for myself, and I want to change it.
I want to change my life for the better.
I feel like there is no future for me, no matter how hard I try to change.
I am trapped in the cycle of crime and violence that exists in my community.
I am lost and confused about how to get out of this situation.
The alcohol has influenced me to act more recklessly and dangerously.
I have lost faith and become cynical about life recently.
I have been wanting to have children and start a family.
I want to see a better version of myself in my children, someone who isn't always involved in negative activities.
I don't fully trust my partner because of the negative influence of our environment.
My partner has also been affected by the negative influences of our environment, and I am hearing strange noises because of how paranoid I am.
I am paranoid that my partner is cheating on me with my friends, and I can't handle the stress anymore.
I am begging God to forgive me and let me into heaven when I die.
I have lost many friends and acquaintances to violence and death.
As a result of these losses, I have cried many tears and experienced a lot of sadness.
I have experienced a lot of pain and suffering throughout my life.
A.Bosconian
on So Many Tears
The lyrics of Tupac Shakur's song "So Many Tears" explore the themes of paranoia, pain, and death. The first verse of the song presents Tupac's fearlessness of men, but not of God. The rapper then describes his life growing up, where he felt like he was surrounded by misery but found a sense of identity and belonging in the Thug Life culture. He mourns the deaths of his friends, particularly Kato, who was murdered in the streets. Tupac questions to himself whether there is heaven for a "G" and reflects on the many homies who died; that are now in the cemetery.
In the second verse, Tupac reveals his struggles in the music industry, where he feels overwhelmed by the pressure and pain. He admits to being greedy and having a vision of dying young. Tupac requests God to free him from the pain and suffering he experiences in life. The final verse of the song sees Tupac lost, weary, and suicidal. He delves into his struggles with addiction, and he starts to hear voices and experience demons in his mind. Tupac desires to change, but he feels trapped in the game, and he is unsure of his lady's loyalty.
Overall, Tupac Shakur's "So Many Tears" is a poignant song that reflects the artist's tumultuous life and his struggles with death and paranoia. The lyrics also tackle the harsh realities of growing up in the ghetto and the impact that violence and loss have on the psyche of an individual.
Gabriel Benard Cote
on California Love - Original Mix (Explicit)
2 pac is the best