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.
Runnin
2Pac Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Why am I fighting to live, if I'm just living to fight?
Why am I trying to see, when there ain't nothing in sight?
Why am I trying to give, when no one gives me a try?
Why am I dying to live, if I'm just living to die?
Check it, I grew up a fuckin' screw-up
Got introduced to the game, got a ounce and fuckin' blew up
The nigga Biggie Smalls trying to turn into the black Frank White
We had to grow dreads to change our description
Two cops is on the milk box missing
Show they toes you know they got stepped on
A fist full of bullets a chest full of Teflon
Run from the police picture that, nigga I'm too fat
I fuck around and catch a asthma attack
That's why I bust back, it don't phase me
When he drop, take his Glock, and I'm Swayze
Celebrate my escape, sold the Glock, bought some weight
Lay back, I got some money to make, motherfucker
And I wonder if they'll laugh when I'm dead?
Why am I fighting to live, if I'm just living to fight?
Why am I trying to see, when there ain't nothing in sight?
Why am I trying to give, when no one gives me a try?
Why am I dying to live, if I'm just living to die?
It's on me
But still I'm having memories of high speed when the cops crashed
As I laugh, pushing the gas while my Glocks blast
We was young and we was dumb, but we had heart
In the dark, will we survive through the bad parts
Many dreams is what I had, and plenty wishes
No hesitation in extermination of these snitches
Envious bitches, they still continue to pursue me
A couple of movies, now the whole world's trying to screw me
Even the cops tried to sue me, so what can I do?
But stay true, sipping 22's of brew
And now media is trying to test me
Got the press asking questions, trying to stress me
Misery is all I see, that's my mind state
My history with the police will shake the crime rate
My main man had two strikes, slipped, got arrested and flipped
He screamed "thug life" and emptied the clip
Got tired of running from the police
And I wonder if they'll laugh when I'm dead?
Why am I fighting to live, if I'm just living to fight?
Why am I trying to see, when there ain't nothing in sight?
Why am I trying to give, when no one gives me a try?
Why am I dying to live, if I'm just living to die?
The lyrics of "Runnin'" by 2Pac and The Notorious B.I.G. revolve around the struggles they face while living as rappers. The song starts with 2Pac asking questions that reflect his state of mind - he wonders if people will laugh when he's dead, why he's fighting to live if he's just living to fight, and why he's trying to give when no one gives him a try. These lines reflect the insecurities and doubts that often cloud the minds of successful individuals who fear losing their position in the industry.
The song then switches to The Notorious B.I.G. reflecting on his experiences growing up and getting involved in the drug trade. He talks about how he "blew up" after getting an ounce of drugs and quickly became successful. The lyrics reflect the harsh realities of living in low-income neighborhoods where crime is rampant and illegal activities are often the only way to make a living.
As the song progresses, both rappers talk about their experiences with the police and the media. They reflect on how the cops chased them, how they faced lawsuits, and how the media often portrayed them in negative ways. The lyrics reflect the systemic racism that Black people face in America, even when they become successful. In the end, the song talks about how they are tired of running from the police and how they wonder if they're living just to die.
Line by Line Meaning
And I wonder if they'll laugh when I'm dead?
I am questioning if people will mock me when I pass away.
Why am I fighting to live, if I'm just living to fight?
I am asking myself why I am struggling to survive when my life seems to be constant battles.
Why am I trying to see, when there ain't nothing in sight?
I am questioning why I am putting in effort to understand what is going on, when things seem to be so unclear.
Why am I trying to give, when no one gives me a try?
I am wondering why I bother to offer my talents and abilities, when no one seems interested in giving me a chance.
Why am I dying to live, if I'm just living to die?
I am questioning why I am struggling so hard to live, if ultimately everyone will die anyway.
Check it, I grew up a fuckin' screw-up
Listen to me, I had a tough childhood.
Got introduced to the game, got a ounce and fuckin' blew up
I got involved in the drug trade, got an ounce of drugs and became successful overnight.
Choppin' rocks overnight
I was quickly cutting and selling drugs.
The nigga Biggie Smalls trying to turn into the black Frank White
The rapper Biggie Smalls is attempting to become a powerful figure in the drug trade.
We had to grow dreads to change our description
We grew our hair into dreadlocks to avoid looking like stereotypical drug dealers.
Two cops is on the milk box missing
Two police officers are missing and presumed dead.
Show they toes you know they got stepped on
If someone is found dead with their shoes off, it is likely they were killed for stepping on someone's toes in the drug trade.
A fist full of bullets a chest full of Teflon
I carry a lot of bullets and wear a bulletproof vest.
Run from the police picture that, nigga I'm too fat
I am too overweight to run from the police.
I fuck around and catch a asthma attack
I might have an asthma attack from the physical exertion of running away from the police.
That's why I bust back, it don't phase me
This is why I shoot at the police, I am not afraid of them.
When he drop, take his Glock, and I'm Swayze
When I shoot a police officer and they fall, I take their gun and act like Patrick Swayze in the movie 'Point Break.'
Celebrate my escape, sold the Glock, bought some weight
After getting away from the police, I celebrate by selling my stolen gun and buying more drugs to sell.
Lay back, I got some money to make, motherfucker
Now I can relax and focus on making some more money.
It's on me
I am responsible for whatever happens.
But still I'm having memories of high speed when the cops crashed
I cannot forget the times when I had to drive fast in order to evade the police, and the crashes that sometimes occurred.
As I laugh, pushing the gas while my Glocks blast
I sometimes find it amusing to speed away from the police while shooting my gun.
We was young and we was dumb, but we had heart
When we were younger and inexperienced, we were still courageous and determined.
In the dark, will we survive through the bad parts
Even in difficult and dangerous situations, we will persevere.
Many dreams is what I had, and plenty wishes
I had many aspirations and hopes for my future.
No hesitation in extermination of these snitches
I have no qualms about killing those who betray me or turn informant to the police.
Envious bitches, they still continue to pursue me
Jealous women are still trying to seduce me even though I am a notorious criminal.
A couple of movies, now the whole world's trying to screw me
After becoming famous through movies about my life, now everyone is trying to take advantage of me.
Even the cops tried to sue me, so what can I do?
The police have even brought lawsuits against me, so I feel like I am constantly under attack.
But stay true, sipping 22's of brew
I remain loyal to myself and my lifestyle, drinking beer and staying true to who I am.
And now media is trying to test me
The media is attempting to provoke me and see how I will react.
Got the press asking questions, trying to stress me
Reporters are asking me difficult and intrusive questions, attempting to make me uncomfortable and agitated.
Misery is all I see, that's my mind state
I find myself in a state of constant sadness and hopelessness.
My history with the police will shake the crime rate
My notorious reputation and history of violence with the police will have a significant impact on crime rates in the area.
My main man had two strikes, slipped, got arrested and flipped
My close friend had two prior convictions, but made a mistake and got caught again, and then turned informant against me.
He screamed 'thug life' and emptied the clip
My friend declared his loyalty to our criminal lifestyle and shot his gun until it was empty.
Got tired of running from the police
We eventually became fatigued and disillusioned with constantly evading the police.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: EDGAR WINTER, CHRISTOPHER WALLACE, OSTEN HARVEY, MARSHALL B III MATHERS, LUIS RESTO, TUPAC AMARU SHAKUR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@apblolol
"Why am i dying to live, if im just living to die." Hits me every time
@CrackZulu
Not alone
@Smash896
Word up
@lauriecook7128
Same here
@user-wg1bj6mi4c
Сложно брат
@krystalford300
@@CrackZulu sssssssss
@haloskaterkid
A friendship destroyed by media intervention. Two poets gone before their time like many others that came before them. RIP pac and big, your influence and message lives on
@quest6264
adrift dam that got me thinking KINGS RESTING NOW
@omgman2248
Brad favor with Tupac Shakur
@MHWRESTLIN
quest 626 no the friendship was destroyed by Pac getting shot and rumours that bad boy set it up and biggie knew but never warned him