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.
Picture Me Rollin'
2Pac Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Clear enough for ya? Yeah right
Yeah
Why niggas look mad?
Y'all supposed to be happy I'm free
Y'all niggas look like y'all wanted me to stay in jail
Ho bustas
I got no love for these niggas, there's no need to be friends
They got me under surveillance, that's what somebody be tellin'
Know there's dope bein' sold, but I ain't the one sellin'
Don't want to be another number
I gotta puff a gang of weed to keep from goin' under
The federales wanna see me dead
Niggas put prices on my head
Now I got two Rottweilers by me bed, I feed 'em lead
Now I'm released, how will I live?
Will God forgive me for all the dirt a nigga did, to feed kids?
One life to live, it's so hard to be positive
When niggas shootin' at your crib
Mama, I'm still thuggin', the world is a war zone
My homies is inmates, and most of them dead wrong
Full grown, finally a man, just schemin' on ways
To put some green inside the palms of my empty hands
Just picture me rollin'
Flossin' a Benz on rims that isn't stolen
My dreams is censored, my hopes are gone
I'm like a fiend that finally sees when all the dope is gone
My nerves is wrecked, heart beatin' and my hands are swollen
Thinkin' of the G's I'll be holdin', picture me rollin'
Can you see me now? (oh, picture me rollin')
Move to the side a little bit so you can get a clear picture
Can you see it?
Picture me rollin' (picture me rollin')
Yeah, nigga
Ayy, but peep how my nigga Syke do it to you
Guess who's back?
I got keys comin' from overseas
Cost a nigga two hundred G's
I'm a street commando, Nino for example
This lavish lifestyle is hard to handle
So I got to floss 'cause I'm more like a boss player
Thug, branded to be a women-layer
So many player haters, imitators steady swangin'
Make me wanna start back bangin'
So I'm caught up in the game, dress code changed
Packin' 40-Glocks, contain em or rearrange
All that jealousy and envy comin' from my enemies
While I'm sippin' on Remy
In front of black Lexus, Chevy's on the roam
'96 big body, sittin' on chrome
As we head up out the zone, stone-facin' is on
You can admire, but don't look too long
I'm livin' a dream with triple beams and my pockets bulgin'
It's hard to imagine picture me rollin'
Picture, picture me rollin'
Rollin', picture me rollin'
Wheelin', picture me rollin'
Picture me yea yeah
I gots to get the fuck up in it (word)
Formulate a caper (caper)
'Cause a nigga straight sufferin' from lack of havin' paper (paper)
My bitch fin' to have a bastard, see?
So I needs to hit a lick, drastically (shit)
I see some ballin' ass niggas, and they slippin' in my spot
And, uh, diggin' the plots (so what?)
Checkin' in the park, 'Pac
We caught 'em sleepin', he didn't peep you niggas creepin'?
This how we do it every weekend
I dump for madness, it's time to count the profit
CPO, we got the bomb spot, nigga, time to clock it
I get the liquor, and you could get the females
This crooked shit that we inflictin' gettin' street sales
Move smooth as a motherfucker, me and my .9
I'm as cool as a motherfucker, I'ma get mine
Now we satisfied, got the pockets on swollen
Boss Hog and this 'Pac nigga, picture us rollin'
Rollin'
Picture me rollin'
Picture me
Picture me rollin'
Is y'all ready for me?
Picture me rollin' roll call
You know there's some muh'fuckers out there
I just could not forget about
I wanna make sure they can see me
Number one on my list Clinton Correctional Facilities
All you bitch ass C.O.'s
Can you niggas see me from there?
Ballin' on y'all punk ass, hahaha
Picture me rollin', baby
Yeah
All them niggas up in them cell blocks
I told y'all niggas when I come home it's on
That's right nigga, picture me rollin'
Oh, I forgot, the D.A
Yeah, that bitch had a lot to talk about in court
Can the ho see me from here?
Can you see me, ho?
Picture me rollin'
And all you punk police
Can you see me?
Am I clear to you?
Picture me rollin' nigga, legit
Free like O.J. all day
You can't stop me
You know I got my niggas up in this motherfucker
Manute, Pain, Syke, Cochran, Mopreme
It's sad dog
Can you picture us rollin'?
Can you see me ho?
Is y'all ready for me?
We up out this bitch
Any time y'all wanna see me again
Rewind this track right here, close your eyes
And picture me rollin'
The song "Picture Me Rollin'" by 2Pac is a reflection on the rapper's life after being released from prison. The opening lyrics suggest that people wanted him to fail and return to jail but he has defied their expectations. The chorus paints a vivid picture of his life and living in luxury, rolling in a Benz. However, the second verse highlights the struggles faced by him along the way. He talks about being under constant police surveillance and having a price on his head. He delves into his fears, how having no hope left, makes it hard to stay positive in a world where his friends are either in jail or dead. The third verse uses the acronym CPO referencing his group, Thug Life, and speaks of illegal activities he needs to do to provide for his family. He also talks of seeking revenge on his enemies. The song ends with a boastful tone as he takes a subtle dig at everyone who doubted or tried to stop him.
One interesting fact about the song is that despite its title, 2Pac never mentioned ‘rollin’’ in a Benz in the original demo version. The ‘500-Benz’ line was later added by Daz Dillinger, who produced the beat.
The beat of ‘Picture Me Rollin’ is based around a sample of “Computer Love” by the band Zapp & Roger, who were popular during the 1970s and 80s.
Dr. Dre, the producer and rapper, was a big influence on 2Pac's life, and therefore, much of his production can be heard in the backing track of 'Picture Me Rollin'.
‘Picture Me Rollin’ was also the title of a popular book by former drug dealer-turned-author, Jasmine Waters. The book is about their time dealing drugs and running from the law, emphasizing the dangers of the street life.
2Pac demonstrates his love for the East Coast/West Coast hip-hop rivalry with a dig at the East Coast rap scene in the lyrics “All that jealousy and envy comin’ from my enemies, while I’m sippin’ on Remy”.
2Pac refers to his friend and fellow rapper Snoop Dogg, in the lines ‘Chevy’s on the roam, ’96 big body sittin’ on chrome,’ referencing Dogg’s hit song ‘Gin & Juice.’
The song also features uncredited vocals from Val Young, who previously worked with Dr. Dre.
A 2016 hit single, “Rollin,” by Calvin Harris and Future used the chorus of this song with the addition of a few new verses.
At the end of the song, DJ King Assassin played an audio clip from an interview by Tiffany Haddish, which discussed the influence of 2Pac after his death.
The song's instrumental is used in the movie "Mrs. Doubtfire," during the dinner scene as Pierce Brosnan's character leaps up to rescue the kids from the kitchen which is aflame.
The chords of the song are not clear as the track is a hip-hop instrumental with no guitar or bass parts. It contains various samples and beats mixed with synthesizers, traditional percussion sounds, and drum patterns.
Line by Line Meaning
Picture me rollin' in my 500-Benz
Imagine me cruising in my luxurious 500-Benz car
I got no love for these niggas, there's no need to be friends
I have no affection or respect for these individuals, so there is no reason for us to be friends
They got me under surveillance, that's what somebody be tellin'
There are rumors that I am being closely watched and monitored
Know there's dope bein' sold, but I ain't the one sellin'
I am aware that drugs are being sold, but I am not involved in that illegal activity
Don't want to be another number
I don't want to be just another statistic or casualty
I gotta puff a gang of weed to keep from goin' under
I have to smoke a significant amount of marijuana to cope and prevent myself from sinking into despair
The federales wanna see me dead
The federal authorities desire my death
Niggas put prices on my head
People have placed bounties on me, offering rewards to anyone who kills me
Now I got two Rottweilers by me bed, I feed 'em lead
Now I have two Rottweilers guarding my bed, and I am prepared to shoot anyone who threatens my safety
Now I'm released, how will I live?
Now that I am free, I contemplate how I will navigate and survive in the world
Will God forgive me for all the dirt a nigga did, to feed kids?
I wonder if God will grant me forgiveness for the immoral things I did in order to provide for my children
One life to live, it's so hard to be positive
With only one life to live, it is extremely challenging to maintain a positive outlook on life
When niggas shootin' at your crib
When people are firing shots at your home
Mama, I'm still thuggin', the world is a war zone
Mother, I am still participating in criminal activities, as the world is a dangerous and hostile place
My homies is inmates, and most of them dead wrong
My friends are incarcerated, and many of them have made poor choices or embraced a criminal lifestyle
Full grown, finally a man, just schemin' on ways
Now that I am an adult, I am constantly plotting and devising strategies to improve my situation
To put some green inside the palms of my empty hands
To acquire money and wealth to fill the emptiness in my life
Flossin' a Benz on rims that isn't stolen
Showing off a Mercedes-Benz with expensive rims that I legitimately own, as opposed to acquiring them unlawfully
My dreams is censored, my hopes are gone
My aspirations are restricted and my optimism has faded away
I'm like a fiend that finally sees when all the dope is gone
I am like a drug addict who suddenly realizes the extent of their addiction when they run out of drugs
My nerves is wrecked, heart beatin' and my hands are swollen
I am extremely anxious, with my heart racing and my hands swollen due to stress and pressure
Thinkin' of the G's I'll be holdin', picture me rollin'
Contemplating the significant amounts of money I will possess, envision me triumphing and prospering
Can you see me now? (oh, picture me rollin')
Are you able to perceive my current state and visualize my success?
Move to the side a little bit so you can get a clear picture
Shift your position slightly to obtain a more distinct and accurate understanding
Ayy, but peep how my nigga Syke do it to you
Pay attention to and observe the way my associate Syke presents himself
I got keys comin' from overseas
I have connections for illegal drugs being transported from other countries
Cost a nigga two hundred G's
It costs me two hundred thousand dollars for those illicit substances
I'm a street commando, Nino for example
I am a skilled and respected figure in the streets, similar to the character Nino Brown from the movie 'New Jack City'
This lavish lifestyle is hard to handle
Managing and coping with this extravagant way of life is challenging
So I got to floss 'cause I'm more like a boss player
Therefore, I am compelled to flaunt my wealth and success, as I consider myself a dominant and influential figure
Thug, branded to be a women-layer
I have a reputation as a thug and womanizer, known for my ability to attract and manipulate women
So many player haters, imitators steady swangin'
There are numerous individuals who harbor jealousy and animosity towards me, as well as imitators who try to emulate me
Make me wanna start back bangin'
These circumstances compel me to consider returning to a violent and criminal lifestyle
So I'm caught up in the game, dress code changed
I am deeply involved in the street life, resulting in changes to my appearance and style of dress
Packin' 40-Glocks, contain em or rearrange
Carrying powerful firearms, either to control situations or resort to violence if necessary
All that jealousy and envy comin' from my enemies
The jealousy and envy directed towards me originates from individuals who oppose or dislike me
While I'm sippin' on Remy
While I indulge in drinking Remy Martin cognac
In front of black Lexus, Chevy's on the roam
Positioned in front of my black Lexus, with my Chevrolet vehicles patrolling the area
'96 big body, sittin' on chrome
A 1996 large luxury car, displaying shiny chrome rims
As we head up out the zone, stone-facin' is on
As we depart from this neighborhood, we adopt a cold and fearless expression
You can admire, but don't look too long
You are welcome to appreciate and marvel, but avoid excessive and extended observation
I'm livin' a dream with triple beams and my pockets bulgin'
I am living a surreal existence with ample amounts of drugs to sell and overflowing pockets of cash
It's hard to imagine picture me rollin'
It is difficult to grasp and comprehend the extent of my success and prosperity
I gots to get the fuck up in it (word)
I must actively engage and involve myself in the situation
Formulate a caper (caper)
Develop and devise a plan, particularly one involving criminal activities
'Cause a nigga straight sufferin' from lack of havin' paper (paper)
Because I am experiencing severe difficulties and hardships due to a dearth of money
My bitch fin' to have a bastard, see?
My female partner is about to have an illegitimate child, you understand?
So I needs to hit a lick, drastically (shit)
Therefore, I urgently need to commit a robbery or theft in order to obtain a large sum of money (expressing frustration)
I see some ballin' ass niggas, and they slippin' in my spot
I have noticed some wealthy individuals who are being careless and vulnerable in my territory
And, uh, diggin' the plots (so what?)
And, well, observing and analyzing their actions and intentions (sarcastically asking 'so what?' as if it doesn't matter)
Checkin' in the park, 'Pac
Scoping out the situation and assessing potential targets, 'Pac
We caught 'em sleepin', he didn't peep you niggas creepin'?
We surprised them while they were unaware, didn't they notice you approaching stealthily?
This how we do it every weekend
This is our regular routine, executing similar plans every weekend
I dump for madness, it's time to count the profit
I engage in reckless behavior, taking risks, as it is time to evaluate and calculate the financial gain
CPO, we got the bomb spot, nigga, time to clock it
Crazy Players Only (my crew), we have secured a prime location for criminal activities, it is time to exploit it
I get the liquor, and you could get the females
I will acquire the alcohol, and you can handle seducing and attracting women
This crooked shit that we inflictin' gettin' street sales
The illegal and dishonest activities we engage in are generating substantial profits on the streets
Move smooth as a motherfucker, me and my .9
We move with incredible ease and grace, armed with our 9mm guns
I'm as cool as a motherfucker, I'ma get mine
I am extremely calm and composed, and I will ensure that I am successful and obtain what I desire
Now we satisfied, got the pockets on swollen
Now that we are content, we have enormous amounts of money filling our pockets
Boss Hog and this 'Pac nigga, picture us rollin'
Boss Hog (a nickname for myself) and this 'Pac (referring to 2Pac) individual, envision us triumphantly and confidently moving forward
Is y'all ready for me?
Are you all prepared and prepared to accept my presence and impact?
All you bitch ass C.O.'s
This is directed at all the weak and ineffectual correctional officers
Can you niggas see me from there?
Are you able to perceive and acknowledge my presence and dominance from your position?
Ballin' on y'all punk ass, hahaha
I am flaunting my wealth and success, demonstrating superiority over you, with a mocking laugh
I just could not forget about
I cannot overlook or disregard
I wanna make sure they can see me
I want to ensure that these individuals are aware of and recognize my actions and achievements
Number one on my list Clinton Correctional Facilities
At the top of my list is Clinton Correctional Facilities, where I was imprisoned
Yeah, that bitch had a lot to talk about in court
Yes, that female prosecutor had a considerable amount of criticism and accusations to present in court
Can the ho see me from here?
Is the woman able to perceive me and witness my current status from her location?
Can you see me, ho?
Are you able to observe and comprehend my presence and accomplishments?
And all you punk police
This is directed at all the weak and corrupt police officers
Can you see me?
Are you able to perceive and recognize my power and influence?
Am I clear to you?
Is my message and intentions evident and comprehensible to you?
Picture me rollin' nigga, legit
Envision me triumphantly and confidently moving forward, being recognized as a legitimate figure
Free like O.J. all day
I am free from imprisonment, similar to how O.J. Simpson was acquitted and released
You can't stop me
You are powerless and incapable of preventing my success and progress
You know I got my niggas up in this motherfucker
You are aware that I have my loyal friends and associates with me in this situation
Manute, Pain, Syke, Cochran, Mopreme
These are the names of my trusted comrades and partners: Manute, Pain, Syke, Cochran, and Mopreme
It's sad dog
It is a pity or unfortunate, my friend
Can you picture us rollin'?
Can you envision and imagine us triumphantly and confidently moving forward?
Can you see me ho?
Are you able to perceive and acknowledge my presence and dominance, woman?
Is y'all ready for me?
Are you all prepared and ready to accept my presence and impact?
We up out this bitch
We are leaving this place or situation
Any time y'all wanna see me again
Whenever any of you desire to witness my presence once more
Rewind this track right here, close your eyes
Go back to the beginning of this song and listen again, while shutting your eyes
And picture me rollin'
Envision and imagine me triumphantly and confidently moving forward
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Robert Bell, Ronald Bell, George Brown, Vince Pka Edwards, Tyruss Himes, Johnny Jackson, Robert Mickens, Otha Nash, Tupac Shakur, Claydes Smith, Dennis Thomas, Richard Westfield
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@bodaleedalo
Like in you’re listening in 2024.🎉
@AbleRecords2013
all eyes on me
until the end of time
r u still down
press play and that's it..
no need to skip one track.
let's not forget strictly for my
me against the world
thug life
@SalFuentes-he3uv
I liked
@xAntPlayZ
Hell ya
@bodaleedalo
@@AbleRecords2013hell yeah
@cashblox_1010
😍
@OB1_Kenobi8
If you listen to Tupac in 2023, you’re a TOP G for life!!
@drjordanj7568
STILL
@SapphireJewels24
Damn this sh!t has me stressin, missing the 90's 😨
@olfan92
ill be listening Tupac next year too...until i die.