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 CoastโWest 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 Tรบpac Amaru II, the descendant of the last Incan ruler, Tรบpac 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.
Skandalouz
2Pac Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We's gonna talk about these scandalous hoes
I can talk about scandalous b****es
Oh I know you can!
I know you that's why we gonna do it
Daz on the beat
Just drop that s*** like, this here
I met you through my homie now you act like you don't know me
So disappointed cause baby that s*** was so phony
It's not for me, you see no loving from my closest homies
Would of paid you no mind, but baby you was all up on me
While you proceed with precision, you had the table hosed
No, I ain't mad at you baby, go 'head and play them fools
They chose not to listen, so now he stuck inside his house
And can't leave without his b**** permission
The mission's to be a player, my alias is Boss
Drop a top on these jealous n****s, player let me floss
Y'all don't wanna see me in pain
I'll leave that a** like Toni Braxton, "Never breathing again"
It's scandalous, I never liked your back stabbing a**, trick
Used to watch you money grabbing, who you bagging b****?
Ready to bust, in the city you don't know who to trust
But b****es looking scandalous
Scandalous, she's so scandalous, she's so scandalous
She's so scandalous, she's so scandalous, she's so scandalous
Scandalous,she's so scandalous, she's so scandalous
She's so scandalous, she's so scandalous, she's so scandalous
How's it hanging? Cause baby from the back the s*** is banging
I've been stressing in this ghetto game, trying to do my thing
Won't be no bulls***, no a**-kissing
This b****'ll have ya waking up with all your cash missing
I'm asking, as if I'm qualified to analyze
You're looking at a b**** who specialize in telling lies
She got a body make a motherf***er fantasize
Her face ain't never shed a tear through them scandalous eyes
My sister Precious in poverty
Plus I knew she was a freak b**** so why should it bother me?
I'd probably be sprung, addicted to the heat of her tongue
And though I don't where we're going, she's making me come
I've been trained as a boss player, so what you saying?
Let me show you, got some hookers we can toss later
Before I let her get me off guard
Went in the purse took a hundred dollars
N**** I'm so scandalous
Scandalous, she's so scandalous, she's so scandalous
She's so scandalous, she's so scandalous, she's so scandalous
Scandalous,she's so scandalous, she's so scandalous
She's so scandalous, she's so scandalous, she's so scandalous
Dangerous and ambitious, while scheming on getting riches
I'm spitting at tricks cause I'm addicted to pretty b****es
Currency motivated, not easily terminated
Now that we made it, my n****s can never be faded
This is my prophecy, I gotta be paid
All you cowards that try to stop me is begging for early graves
I thought we was cool, I was a fool, thinking you could be true
When I don't f*** with your punk crew
These are the tales for my n****s doing time in the cell
I went from hell, to living well
Busting at n****s who said my name in vain
I got no time for them tricks, I'm heavy in the game
I wanna be a baller, please
But the b****es and the liquor keep on calling me
I'm floating free on the highway, formulating plans
Can't wait til I see L.A., cause it's so scandalous
Scandalous, she's so scandalous, she's so scandalous
She's so scandalous, she's so scandalous, she's so scandalous
Scandalous,she's so scandalous, she's so scandalous
She's so scandalous, she's so scandalous, she's so scandalous
Scandalous, she's so scandalous, she's so scandalous
She's so scandalous, she's so scandalous, she's so scandalous
Scandalous,she's so scandalous, she's so scandalous
She's so scandalous, she's so scandalous, she's so scandalous
Scandalous, she's so scandalous, she's so scandalous
She's so scandalous, she's so scandalous, she's so scandalous
Scandalous,she's so scandalous, she's so scandalous
She's so scandalous, she's so scandalous, she's so scandalous
Hey yo,how the prettiest b**** be the more scandalous the hoe be
You ever peep that s***? (Nah)
A b**** can be like fifteen, f***ing with a n**** 35
Getting him for ends
Hoes these days is way too motherf***ing intelligent
When these n****s get to tricking, it's over then
That's alright though
Keep a n**** heavy in the game, bout so long
Watch them hoes
All you n****s out there
Beware these lying a** scandalous b****es
In "Skandalouz," 2Pac discusses a relationship with a woman who was with him only for his fame and fortune. He is disappointed with her, as she switches up after his success and starts to act like she doesn't know him. He also notes that it's hard to trust women who are scandalous, referring to their dishonesty and disloyalty. Additionally, the song touches on the topic of money and greed, as 2Pac speaks about his aspirations to make it big and get rich. He also warns his listeners to beware of scandalous women who are out to trick men and get their money.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey Nate you know you got to focus on this motherf***er
Addressing Nate Dogg and preparing to speak about scandalous women
We's gonna talk about these scandalous hoes
Intending to discuss deceitful women
I can talk about scandalous b****es
Acknowledging familiarity with the topic
Oh I know you can!
Encouraging further contribution
I know you that's why we gonna do it
Reiterating intention to speak on the subject with Nate Dogg
Daz on the beat
Notifying Daz Dillinger as the producer
Hey Daz, n**** stop f***ing around with the piano n****
Advising Daz to stop playing around and begin the song
Just drop that s*** like, this here
Instructing Daz on how to produce the song
I met you through my homie now you act like you don't know me
Expressing disappointment at being disregarded after meeting through a mutual friend
So disappointed cause baby that s*** was so phony
Displeased by the insincerity of the woman in question
It's not for me, you see no loving from my closest homies
Acknowledging lack of support from friends
Would of paid you no mind, but baby you was all up on me
Asserting that the woman pursued him
While you proceed with precision, you had the table hosed
Recognizing the woman's scheming behavior
No, I ain't mad at you baby, go 'head and play them fools
Accepting the woman's actions as her own folly
They chose not to listen, so now he stuck inside his house
Reflecting on the consequences of engaging with bad company
And can't leave without his b**** permission
Implying a lack of autonomy to leave the house without his partner's approval
The mission's to be a player, my alias is Boss
Aspiring to be a successful womanizer
Drop a top on these jealous n****s, player let me floss
Bringing attention to his own success and success-driven behavior
Y'all don't wanna see me in pain
Warning against confrontation
I'll leave that a** like Toni Braxton, "Never breathing again"
Threatening severe physical harm
It's scandalous, I never liked your back stabbing a**, trick
Addressing the woman's deceitful behavior
Used to watch you money grabbing, who you bagging b****?
Observing the woman's materialistic and opportunistic actions
Ready to bust, in the city you don't know who to trust
Feeling severe paranoia and distrust
But b****es looking scandalous
Noticing the prevalence of deceitful women
Scandalous, she's so scandalous, she's so scandalous
Emphasizing the woman's untrustworthiness
She's so scandalous, she's so scandalous, she's so scandalous
Repeating the prior assertion
Scandalous, she's so scandalous, she's so scandalous
Reiterating the deceitfulness of the woman in question
How's it hanging? Cause baby from the back the s*** is banging
Commenting on the physical attractiveness of women
I've been stressing in this ghetto game, trying to do my thing
Expressing stress and difficulties encountered
Won't be no bulls***, no a**-kissing
Asserting that he won't engage in dishonesty or false flattery
This b****'ll have ya waking up with all your cash missing
Implying the potential danger of certain women
I'm asking, as if I'm qualified to analyze
Admitting a lack of confidence in his own ability to provide advice
You're looking at a b**** who specialize in telling lies
Identifying deceit as a woman's skill
She got a body make a motherf***er fantasize
Commenting on a woman's physical appearance
Her face ain't never shed a tear through them scandalous eyes
Believing that the woman is not emotionally authentic
My sister Precious in poverty
Introducing a personal anecdote about his own family situation
Plus I knew she was a freak b**** so why should it bother me?
Justifying indulgent behavior
I'd probably be sprung, addicted to the heat of her tongue
Admitting the temptation of indulgence
And though I don't where we're going, she's making me come
Acknowledging a lack of direction in his personal life
I've been trained as a boss player, so what you saying?
Identifying as a skilled womanizer
Let me show you, got some hookers we can toss later
Indicating a willingness to engage in further womanizing behavior
Before I let her get me off guard
Preparing to defend against a woman's deceitful behavior
Went in the purse took a hundred dollars
Admitting to theft as retaliation
N**** I'm so scandalous
Showing pride in his own deceitful behavior
Dangerous and ambitious, while scheming on getting riches
Expressing ambitious and determined behavior
I'm spitting at tricks cause I'm addicted to pretty b****es
Reaffirming his womanizing behavior
Currency motivated, not easily terminated
Asserting that financial gain is his primary motivator
Now that we made it, my n****s can never be faded
Showing pride in his success
This is my prophecy, I gotta be paid
Declaring his intention and determination to acquire wealth
All you cowards that try to stop me is begging for early graves
Asserting defiance and an unwillingness to be stopped
I thought we was cool, I was a fool, thinking you could be true
Reflecting on a false sense of camaraderie
When I don't f*** with your punk crew
Distance oneself from certain people and behaviors
These are the tales for my n****s doing time in the cell
Addressing those incarcerated or facing legal consequences
I went from hell, to living well
Emphasizing personal growth and success
Busting at n****s who said my name in vain
Defending his reputation
I got no time for them tricks, I'm heavy in the game
Showing contempt for those who disrespect or doubt him
I wanna be a baller, please
Expressing the desire for wealth and success
But the b****es and the liquor keep on calling me
Acknowledging his temptations
I'm floating free on the highway, formulating plans
Feeling inspired and motivated to pursue goals and success
Can't wait til I see L.A., cause it's so scandalous
Looking forward to a city infused with deceit and temptation
Hey yo,how the prettiest b**** be the more scandalous the hoe be
Observing a trend between a woman's physical beauty and her deceitful nature
You ever peep that s***? (Nah)
Asking an unresponsive listener
A b**** can be like fifteen, f***ing with a n**** 35
Commenting on the age gap in certain relationships
Getting him for ends
Exploiting the man's financial resources
Hoes these days is way too motherf***ing intelligent
Recognizing the savvy and intelligence of certain women
When these n****s get to tricking, it's over then
Implying that some men are easily fooled and taken advantage of
That's alright though
Accepting the situation and its consequences
Keep a n**** heavy in the game, bout so long
Sustaining one's position through long-term involvement
Watch them hoes
Advising others to be wary of deceitful women
All you n****s out there
Addressing the listening audience
Beware these lying a** scandalous b****es
Providing a warning about deceitful women
Lyrics ยฉ Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DELMER DREW ARNAUD, TUPAC SHAKUR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kalibone
โAlthough I donโt know were Iโm going,sheโs making me comeโthat shit was dope ๐๐ฏ
@ant933
Before I let her get me I got her, went in her purse and took 100 dollars ๐คฃ๐คฃ
@kanegretzki6723
Shit so true though! A female can have a man staying in a horrible situation just because she getting his rocks off!๐คฃ
@jaysmith4357
Canโt believe as an 11-12-13 year old I used to skip this lol. At 37 going on 38 this is one of my favs on this classic masterpiece of an album. Rip Pac Rip Nate
@dontheador6649
you might have found it more relatable as you grew older. That's how some songs are like that with me anyway. RIP Pac - a true artist. And Nate, too. He'd put any autotune to shame nowadays, haha.
@meridian10
Our taste in music matures in age
@damienpharrell5834
Real Talk. ๐ฏ
@robertharris6785
Really tho๐ฏ
@TwinLocc
It took some time homie but u here now๐ฏ๐ซก Its one of the best rap songs of all time to me.
@lennon4701
This beat is the most hypnotizing shit ever. Pure Genius.