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.
Resist The Temptation -
2Pac Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You'll slip and lose your grip and forever fall asleep
The venom is contagious, beware of its spell
What you thought would be heaven, turns out to be hell
I wonder if she knows the devil's taken off her clothes
Deep into her soul, slow, now he's in control
Poppas doing worse, a victim of the deadly curse
The children pay the biggest price
Never get the chance to grow up with a happy life
Blame it on the rock, but we know that's a bunch of crap
Someone's at the top supplying us with much crack
Keep them in a daze, don't let them see the other way
Let 'em all get paid, won't live to see another day
See they never got a breath of the sunshine
Now the kids addicted and only hit it one time
We are destined to be dead as a nation
Don't let it come to this, resist the temptation
Gamble for your soul with the devil
You wonder how low can you go before you reach the lowest level
As everybody sits and stares
There's no use looking in you eyes ?cause there isn't anybody there
And though it may make you wanna cry
Got you stealing from your family and you don't even know why
I guess you think they will understand
You feel cold ?cause you sold your soul to the dope-man
Now there's no turning back, in fact
It's decided that would live and die for the crack
You got no friends ?cause you cheated them all
You feel lonely, low, defeated and small
No one was there when I took the wrong path
And nobody cared if I died in a blood bath
But is this my destiny?
Tell the Lord they got my mind but he can have the rest of me
'Cause I'm ready to end it all
One bullet to the brain, forgive my sins and all
I didn't mean to be a bother
A failure as a son, a husband and a father
I wish I could turn back the time
Go back and let it find why I let it crack my mind
And my only explanation, it came to this
Resist the temptation
The verses in "Resist the Temptation" by Tupac Shakur preach a strong message against the lure of temptation that often leads people down the wrong path. Tupac's lyrics warn listeners against the negative consequences of giving in to drug addiction, and how it can lead to the destruction of their lives and the lives of those around them. The lines "Resist the temptation of the beast, you'll slip and lose your grip and forever fall asleep" portray the danger of succumbing to the addiction, leading to an eternal slumber.
Tupac describes how drug addiction takes away one's reason for living and skews their perception of the world. He talks about how the devil takes control of the victim's soul, leading to a downward spiral. Tupac links addiction with social issues such as poverty and inequality, as he references how the top supply crack while the children pay the highest price. Overall, the song calls for resistance against the temptation of addiction, and for one to not succumb to the false notion of temporary pleasure that it provides.
Line by Line Meaning
Resist the temptation of the beast
Don't give in to the allure of drugs and crime
You'll slip and lose your grip and forever fall asleep
Once you start down the wrong path, it's difficult to change course
The venom is contagious, beware of its spell
Drugs are addictive and can consume your life
What you thought would be heaven, turns out to be hell
Drug use may seem fun at first, but it ultimately leads to a miserable existence
I wonder if she knows the devil's taken off her clothes
Women may fall prey to malevolent forces, like drugs or bad relationships
Deep into her soul, slow, now he's in control
Once the devil has a hold on someone, it's difficult for them to get free
Poppas doing worse, a victim of the deadly curse
2Pac's father, like many black men, was struggling with drug addiction
Wouldn't be the first to leave the ghetto in a hearse and oh, how it hurts
Unhealthy lifestyles and violence are commonplace in impoverished communities
The children pay the biggest price
Children in these communities are often the most negatively impacted by drug use and violence
Never get the chance to grow up with a happy life
Many youth in these communities face significant obstacles to personal growth and development
Blame it on the rock, but we know that's a bunch of crap
Drug dealers and suppliers have a responsibility for the harm their actions cause
Someone's at the top supplying us with much crack
The drug industry is largely controlled by people who don't themselves use drugs
Keep them in a daze, don't let them see the other way
People who profit from drug use want users to remain trapped in their addiction
See they never got a breath of the sunshine
Many people in impoverished communities never experience the opportunities or resources necessary for a better life
Now the kids addicted and only hit it one time
Drug addiction can happen quickly and have profound consequences
We are destined to be dead as a nation
Drug addiction threatens the health and wellbeing of entire communities
Don't let it come to this, resist the temptation
It's crucial to fight against drug use and promote healthy, positive lifestyle choices
Gamble for your soul with the devil
Drug use and other unhealthy behaviors can have serious long-term consequences
You wonder how low can you go before you reach the lowest level
Drug addiction and associated behaviors can bring people to a place of great darkness and despair
As everybody sits and stares
Often, people are apathetic to the struggles of others
There's no use looking in you eyes ?cause there isn't anybody there
Drug use can strip people of their humanity and make them shells of their former selves
And though it may make you wanna cry
The sadness and devastation caused by drugs can be overwhelming
Got you stealing from your family and you don't even know why
Drug addiction often drives people to terrible, desperate actions
I guess you think they will understand
Addicts may believe they are under great duress and that their families will forgive their misdeeds
You feel cold ?cause you sold your soul to the dope-man
Drug dealers are often predatory and take advantage of vulnerable people
Now there's no turning back, in fact
Addicts may feel like they are too far gone to recover from their addiction
It's decided that would live and die for the crack
Drug addiction can consume a person's entire life and existence
You got no friends ?cause you cheated them all
Drug addiction can isolate people and cause them to do harm to those who care for them
You feel lonely, low, defeated and small
Addicts may feel that their addiction has made them hopeless and diminishes their sense of self
No one was there when I took the wrong path
Many drug users feel that they are not to blame for their addiction
And nobody cared if I died in a blood bath
The addictive drug industry is willing to overlook violence and harm in pursuit of profits
But is this my destiny?
Many addicts may feel trapped by their addiction
Tell the Lord they got my mind but he can have the rest of me
Drug addiction can consume a person's entire identity and existence
'Cause I'm ready to end it all
Drug addiction can cause immense psychological anguish and despair
One bullet to the brain, forgive my sins and all
Addicts may feel like they have no way out of their addiction
I didn't mean to be a bother
Addicts may not recognize the harm they are causing
A failure as a son, a husband and a father
Addiction can have a profound impact on personal relationships and responsibilities
I wish I could turn back the time
Many addicts wish they could go back and make different choices
Go back and let it find why I let it crack my mind
Addicts may not understand why they began using drugs and becoming addicted
And my only explanation, it came to this
Addicts may not have a clear understanding of how they reached such a low point in their addiction
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: TUPAC AMARU SHAKUR, JACOB BRIAN DUTTON, DEON EVANS, AMEL E. LARRIEUX, LARU LARRIEUX
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