So Much Pain
2Pac Lyrics

Rest in peace to my nigga Stretch, my nigga 'Pac
Honoring and paying respects to the dearly departed friends

So much pain
Feeling burdened by the constant struggles and hardships in life

All my, niggas.. so much pain
Recognizing that everyone around them is also feeling the weight of the struggles they face

They'll never take me alive, I'm gettin' high with my fo'-five
Defiantly proclaiming that they will not be brought down by their enemies, and instead choosing to seek refuge in drugs and guns

Cocked on these niggas time to die
Aborting any chance of negotiation and preparing to attack their enemies

Even as a lil' nigga, you could picture me hot gun in the rain
Recalling how even from a young age, their violent tendencies were visible

I shed the tear, cause this nigga here inherits the pain
Feeling emotional because of all the struggles they have inherited throughout their life

And now I'm labeled as a thug nigga, you know the game
Acknowledging that due to their actions and experiences, society sees them as a criminal

Smokin' weed, fuckin' hoes, slangin' things, that's the life I live
Describing the rough lifestyle they have become accustomed to living, filled with sex, drugs, and crime

Even if I tried to go back I'd get lost (come back)
Realizing that they have become so used to their rough lifestyle that there is no other way out

And everything I seem to love I done lost
Feeling that despite their efforts, everything they hold valuable in life is slipping away

Fuck the world if they can't understand me
Rejecting society's judgment and refusing to conform to its expectations

What else could I do? I had to feed my fuckin family
Justifying their actions by explaining that they had to take care of their loved ones

Yo' lies is my truth, so I'm a drug to your youth
Rejecting the mainstream view of the world in favor of their own, and acknowledging that their influence on the younger generation is seen as negative

And you don't want 'em nowhere near me, now that they can hear me
Recognizing that their rough image and lifestyle is not something parents want their children exposed to

I spits razors, never been a stranger to homicide
Boasting about their violent tendencies and lack of remorse for killing

My city's full of tote-slangers and chalk lines
Describing the grim reality of their city, with gunfights and murder scenes being commonplace

Why do we die at an early age?
Questioning the unfairness of life, and why people are forced to die young

Nigga so young, but still a victim of a twelve-gauge
Reflecting on the senseless violence that young people fall victim to

Feel the rage this world has bestowed upon me
Feeling angry at how the world has dealt them a losing hand in life

And I don't give a fuck 'cause they don't give a fuck 'bout me
Stating that they no longer care about society's expectations, since society does not care about them

I'm tired of the strain and the pain (so much pain)
Expressing exhaustion and frustration over the constant struggles they face in life

Years and years of strugglin' all my life
Reflecting on how they have had to endure suffering for a long time

Runnin' wild as a kid, grew up blazin' 'em right
Detailing their upbringing and how they were introduced to violent behavior from a young age

It's been a, givin' me hell and my heart is screamin', "Don't enter"
Describing how their negative experiences have made them wary of letting others get close to them

I've been cursed, for what it's worth I feel dead
Feeling as though they have been cursed and cannot escape the suffering they have endured

Spittin' to you, I know I'm in way over my head
Admitting that they know they are in deep trouble and cannot handle it alone

But Lord hear me, I believe in your "7 Day Theory"
Turning to religion and expressing faith that a higher power will help them overcome their struggles

Three souls done sent this whole world teary (can you hear me?)
Reflecting on the tragic deaths of their friends, and questioning whether anyone is listening to their cries for help

Too hot for you to stand near me
Boasting about how they are too dangerous for others to handle or be around

But my, grimiest grimeys got love for me
Acknowledging that even though they are seen as a dangerous criminal, they still have friends who appreciate and support them

They're blazin', sendin' shotguns up above for me
Describing the loyalty of their friends, and how they are willing to risk their own lives to help and protect you

My face in, Hennessy with no chaser
Detailing their self-destructive behavior of drinking straight alcohol with no mixer

Coke rises on every way in, keep us hustlin' nigga
Referencing the drug trade that plays a major role in their lifestyle, and how it drives them to keep hustling

Me and my man got a plan to get this paper nigga
Explaining how they have a business venture with their friend to make money

So if you owe nigga, look for the gauge to blow nigga
Threatening anyone who owes them money, and indicating that violence may be necessary to resolve the issue

I figured I'd be considered a killer
Accepting that their actions and reputation have resulted in them being seen as a murderer

Doin' crime excited my mind and leadin' the blind
Admitting that they find committing crimes exhilarating, and acknowledging that they may be leading others down a negative path by example

I, can't express my compassion, my satisfaction
Acknowledging that they struggle to show empathy or satisfaction due to their rough image

For gettin' fucked up and blastin', we all been there
Justifying their violent behavior by pointing out that many others have gone through similar hardships and may have reacted in the same way

Taught from young to shoot, show no fear and lie
Revealing that they were exposed to violence and deceit from a young age, and that it became a normal part of their lifestyle

And wipe the tears from yo' mother's eyes - so much pain
Acknowledging the pain that their mother and loved ones must feel by seeing them living such a dangerous and potentially lethal lifestyle

They got me mobbin' like I'm, loc'd and ready to get my slug on
Feeling restless and ready to attack their enemies

I ain't scared to blast on these suckers if they test me
Asserting that they are unafraid to use their weapon to defend themselves

Trust, I got my glock cocked, playa if they press me
Assuring others that they are prepared and willing to use their gun if necessary

Bust on motherfuckers with a, passion
Describing how they would attack their enemies with strong emotion and violence

Better duck 'cause I ain't lookin' when I'm, blastin'
Warning others to be cautious when they hear them shooting, as they may not be taking care to avoid hitting innocent bystanders

And everyday is just a struggle, steady thuggin' on the streets
Acknowledging that everyday is filled with challenges and danger, and that their rough lifestyle is constantly testing them

I was born to raise, hell, a nigga from the gutter, word to mother
Stating that their rough personality and lifestyle is an inherent part of them, and that they were born into their challenging circumstances

I'm on the scene steady muggin' mean, until they kill me
Describing how they are always looking mean and angry to project an intimidating image, and acknowledging that their lifestyle puts them at risk of dying at any moment

I'll be livin' this life, I know you feel me
Expressing that they know others can relate to their struggles and lifestyle, and that they are not alone in feeling the pain and burden of it all

Oh, pain
Summing up the overarching feeling of the song, which is one of suffering and hardship