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.
Nothing To Lose
2Pac Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Stuck in the middle of the game to get the pain out
Pray to my God everyday but he don't listen
The poverty bothers me but mama's working wonders in the kitchen
Listen I can hear her crying in the bedroom
Praying for money we never think would she be dead soon
Am I wrong for wishing I was somewhere else
At 13 can't feed myself
Wish he would've helped me
Too much like him 'til my mama don't love me
On my own at a early age gettin' paid
And I'm strapped so I'll never be afraid
Where did I go astray I'm hanging in the back streets
Running with G's and dope fiends will they jack me?
Can't turn back my eyes on the prize
I got nothing to lose
Everybody gotta die
Say good-bye to the bad guy
That one you fucked when you passed by
Buck buck from a Glock
Tempered glass fly
Do or Die walk a mile in my shoes
And you'd be crazy too
With nothing to lose
I got nothing to lose (That's why I got gang related)
Got nothing to lose
Nothing to lose
I thank the Lord for my many blessings
Though I'm stressin' keep a vest for protection
From the barrel of the Smith & Wesson
And all my niggas in the pen'
Here we go again
Ain't nothing separating us from a mack 10
Born in the ghetto as a hustla' older
Straight soldier bucking at them bustas
No matter how you try niggas never die
We just retaliate with hate then we multiply
See me striking down the block hittin' co'ners
Mobbin' like a motherfucka' livin' like I want to
Ain't no stoppin' at the red lights I'm sideways
Thug Life muthafucka crime pays
Let the cops put they lights on
Chase me niggas
Zig-zaggin' through the freeway
Race me nigga
In a high speed chase with the law
The realest muthafucka that you ever saw
I'm livin' raw 'til they bury me don't worry me
I'm high livin' like I ain't afraid to die
And you could walk a mile in my shoes
And you'd be crazy too
I got nothing to lose (That's why I got gang related)
Got nothing to lose
Nothing to lose
Ain't no escape from a deadly fate
And everyday there's a million black bodies put away
I'm startin' to lose hope
It seems everybody's on dope
Mama told me to leave 'cause she was broke
Sometimes I choke on the indo
Peepin' out the window alone on my own
I'm a criminal
Got no love from the household I'm out cold
In the streets give me motherfuckin' peace
I got nothing to lose
And something to prove
What do I do live Thug Life nigga stay true
I wonder when they kill me
Is there a Heaven for a real G
Lord forgive me if you feel me
'Cause all my life I was dirt broke
With no hope lil' skinny muthafucka wantin' dough
I hated cutting suckers with my razor blade
But everyday it's a struggle to get major paid
Anyway it's so hard on a nigga in this city
No pity and ain't no love for the scrubs that be buyin' time
If you could walk a mile in my shoes you'd be crazy too
With nothing to lose
I got nothing to lose (That's why I got gang related)
Got nothing to lose
Nothing to lose
It was a what type nigga be a Thug Life nigga
We be the craziest, motherfucka'!
You know!
It was a what type nigga be a Thug Life nigga
We be the craziest!
2Pac's song "Nothing To Lose" delves into the difficult life of a young man growing up in poverty, with a missing father figure and a mother struggling to make ends meet. He laments that despite praying regularly, he still finds himself stuck in a difficult situation with no respite. He listens to his mother crying in the bedroom, wishing for more money, and feels conflicted about his own desire to leave and make something of himself. The singer constantly questions his decisions and morality, wondering if he's wrong for wishing he was somewhere else or if he can blame his absent father for his troubles. Despite these hardships, he has nothing to lose and embraces the life of a gangster, willing to retaliate with hate and violence.
The lyrics of "Nothing To Lose" shed light on the harsh realities of life in impoverished neighborhoods. It shows how a lack of economic resources, coupled with a broken family structure, can push young people into the fringes of society. The singer's desire to escape his current life is palpable, but he finds himself stuck in a cycle of poverty, violence, and heartbreak. The song's powerful imagery and stark honesty illustrates the struggles and challenges faced by millions of young people growing up in disadvantaged neighborhoods around the world.
Line by Line Meaning
The only way to change me is maybe blow my brains out
I'm so stuck in my ways that the only way to get me to change is to kill me.
Stuck in the middle of the game to get the pain out
I'm in a difficult position in life and the only way to cope is to numb my pain.
Pray to my God everyday but he don't listen
I try to find solace in religion, but it feels like there's no one listening.
The poverty bothers me but mama's working wonders in the kitchen
I hate being poor and struggling, but my mom is doing her best to make things better for us.
Listen I can hear her crying in the bedroom
I can hear my mom crying and it's heartbreaking.
Praying for money we never think would she be dead soon
My mom is always praying for money to take care of us, but we never realize how close she is to death.
Am I wrong for wishing I was somewhere else
I often wish I could escape my difficult life and find happiness elsewhere.
At 13 can't feed myself
I'm young and unable to provide for myself.
Can I blame daddy 'cause he left me
I struggle with the fact that my dad abandoned me when I needed him the most.
Wish he would've helped me
I wish my dad had been there for me when I needed him.
Too much like him 'til my mama don't love me
I'm afraid that I'm becoming too much like my dad and it's causing my mom to resent me.
On my own at a early age gettin' paid
I'm young, but I have to make my own money to survive.
And I'm strapped so I'll never be afraid
I carry a gun with me for protection so I'll never have to feel scared.
Where did I go astray I'm hanging in the back streets
I'm lost and don't know where I went wrong as I wander around the dangerous streets.
Running with G's and dope fiends will they jack me?
I hang out with gang members and drug addicts, and I worry they might rob or kill me.
Can't turn back my eyes on the prize
I can't afford to take my eyes off my goals, even if it means risking my safety.
I got nothing to lose
I'm in such a bad place in life that I feel like I have nothing to lose.
Everybody gotta die
Death is inevitable for everyone.
Say good-bye to the bad guy
I'm a bad guy and I know my time is coming.
That one you fucked when you passed by
I'm the kind of person you would hurt or take advantage of if you saw me on the street.
Buck buck from a Glock
The sound of gunshots from my gun.
Tempered glass fly
The glass on a car window shatters as I shoot at someone.
Do or Die walk a mile in my shoes
You can't judge me until you've experienced the hardship I've endured.
And you'd be crazy too
If you went through what I did, you'd be just as crazy as me.
I thank the Lord for my many blessings
Despite all my struggles, I'm grateful for the good things in my life.
Though I'm stressin' keep a vest for protection
Even though I'm stressed, I still try to protect myself with a bulletproof vest.
From the barrel of the Smith & Wesson
I protect myself from the gun with a gun.
And all my niggas in the pen' Here we go again
My friends who are incarcerated are constantly dealing with the same issues over and over again.
Ain't nothing separating us from a mack 10
There's nothing protecting us from being killed by a powerful gun.
Born in the ghetto as a hustla' older
Growing up, I had to hustle to survive because I was born in the ghetto.
Straight soldier bucking at them bustas
I'm a warrior fighting against the people trying to bring me down.
No matter how you try niggas never die
We may suffer and struggle, but we keep fighting and never truly die.
We just retaliate with hate then we multiply
When people hurt us, we respond with anger and the cycle of violence only continues.
See me striking down the block hittin' co'ners
You'll find me walking around the neighborhood looking for trouble.
Mobbin' like a motherfucka' livin' like I want to
I'm living recklessly and don't care what anyone thinks of me.
Ain't no stoppin' at the red lights I'm sideways
I ignore traffic laws and other rules because I don't care that much about consequences.
Thug Life muthafucka crime pays
I embrace the thug lifestyle, and it's the way I make my living.
Let the cops put they lights on
I don't care if I attract police attention because I have nothing to lose.
Chase me niggas Zig-zaggin' through the freeway
I don't want to be caught by the cops so I drive recklessly and try to escape.
Race me nigga
I challenge the cops to catch me, as I continue to speed away recklessly.
In a high speed chase with the law
I'm in a dangerous situation where the police are pursuing me at high speeds.
The realest muthafucka that you ever saw
I'm the most authentic and genuine person you'll ever meet.
I'm livin' raw 'til they bury me don't worry me
I live my life unapologetically and I'm not afraid to die.
I'm high livin' like I ain't afraid to die
I live my life on the edge and I'm not afraid of what might happen to me.
And you could walk a mile in my shoes
Only if you go through what I've gone through, can you understand me.
Ain't no escape from a deadly fate
Death comes for everyone, and there's nothing we can do about it.
And everyday there's a million black bodies put away
Millions of black people are sent to jail or killed every day.
I'm startin' to lose hope
I'm losing faith in the possibility of things getting better for me.
It seems everybody's on dope
Everyone seems to be struggling and using drugs to cope with their problems.
Mama told me to leave 'cause she was broke
My mom told me to leave home because she couldn't take care of me.
Sometimes I choke on the indo
I smoke weed to try to numb the pain, but it sometimes makes it worse.
Peepin' out the window alone on my own
I often spend my time alone, watching the world go by through a window.
I'm a criminal
I've committed crimes to survive, and that's how I perceive myself.
Got no love from the household I'm out cold
My family doesn't show me any affection, and I feel estranged and alone.
In the streets give me motherfuckin' peace
The only place where I can feel at peace and free is on the streets.
And something to prove
I need to prove myself to others and show them that I'm strong.
What do I do live Thug Life nigga stay true
I embrace the thug life and stay true to myself no matter what.
I wonder when they kill me
I often think about when I'll die, and how it might happen.
Is there a Heaven for a real G
I wonder if there is a place in heaven for someone like me, who lived a tough and violent life.
Lord forgive me if you feel me
If I did wrong, I hope God can forgive me.
'Cause all my life I was dirt broke
I've always been poor and it's shaped who I am today.
With no hope lil' skinny muthafucka wantin' dough
Despite everything I've been through, I still dream of making money and living a better life.
I hated cutting suckers with my razor blade
While it was necessary for my survival, I hated resorting to violence to make money.
But everyday it's a struggle to get major paid
Making money is always a struggle, and it's tough to make a lot of money.
Anyway it's so hard on a nigga in this city
Living in the city is tough and it's especially difficult for people like me.
No pity and ain't no love for the scrubs that be buyin' time
People like me who are struggling don't get any sympathy or love from those who are more fortunate and just buying time.
If you could walk a mile in my shoes you'd be crazy too
If you had to endure the same struggles as me, you'd be as crazy as I am.
It was a what type nigga be a Thug Life nigga
I became a thug life nigga because I had to survive in the harsh reality of the ghetto.
We be the craziest, motherfucka'! You know!
We are the craziest people out here, and everyone knows it.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Anthony D. Wheaton, Dwayne Nettlesbey, George Bernard Worrell, George Jr. Clinton, Lorenzo Jerald Patterson, O'Shea Jackson, Randy Walker, Tracy Lynn Curry, Tupac Amaru Shakur, William Earl Collins
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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