Starin' Through My Rear View
2Pac Lyrics

Starin' at the world through my rearview
Reflecting on the world from a higher perspective.

Just lookin' back at the world
Gazing at past events and experiences.

From another level, ya know what I mean?
Looking at the world from a different perspective.

Starin'
Continuing to gaze at the past.

Multiple gunshots fill the block, the fun stops
Gun violence disrupts the community.

Niggas is callin' cops, people shot, nobody stops
People are injured, but no one intervenes.

I wonder when the world stopped carin', last night
Questioning when people stopped caring about violence.

Two kids shot while the whole block starin'
Children are victims to violence despite bystanders.

I will never understand this society
Puzzling over modern society.

First they try to murder me then they lie to me
Fighting against deception and violence.

Product of a dyin' breed
Belonging to an endangered group of people.

All my homies tryin' weed
Experimenting with drugs.

Now the little baby's crazed raised off Hennessy
Young people are influenced by substance abuse.

Tell me, will my enemies flee when they see me?
Questioning the reactions of opposition.

Believe me, even thugs gotta learn to take it easy
Living life recklessly can have consequences.

Listen, through the intermissions search your heart for a plan
During the breaks in life, strategize.

And we turnin' bad boys to grown men, it's on again
The group is teaching boys to become mature men.

I give a holla to my niggas in the darkest corners
Greeting the ones in the most dangerous places.

Roll a perfect blunt, and let me spark it for ya
Sharing a marijuana joint with others.

One love from a thug nigga
Expressing affection from a tough guy.

Rollin' with a posse full of paranoid drug dealers
Being in the company of nervous drug dealers.

To the end, my friend
Remaining loyal until death.

I'm seein' nothin' but my dreams comin' true
Having positivity for the future.

Now I was raised as a young black male
Growing up with a particular identity.

In order to get paid, forced to make crack sales
Making money through illegal drug sales because of a lack of opportunities.

Caught a nigga so they send me to these overpacked jails
Being imprisoned due to criminal activity.

Do you feel me?
Asking if others can understand and relate.

Keys to ignition, use at your discretion
Having control to start and stop a vehicle.

Roll with a 12 gauge pump for protection
Carrying a shotgun for defense.

Niggas hate me in the section from years of chin-checkin'
Other people in the community do not like the singer.

Turn to Smith and Wesson war weapons
Choosing a well-known gun brand.

Heavenly Father, I'm a soldier
Viewing oneself as a warrior.

I'm gettin' hotter 'cause the world's gettin' colder
Feeling more pressure because of a worsening world.

Baby, let me hold ya
Asking for intimacy and support.

Talk to my guns like they fly bitches
Treating firearms as if they are alive.

All you bustas best to run, look at my bitches!
Threatening those who oppose.

Back in the days we hustled for sneakers and beepers
Recalling earlier hustling experiences.

Nine-six for Glocks 'cause fiends hittin' up blocks with street sweepers
Using guns in response to violent behavior.

Bless myself when knowin' rules to these streets
Remaining religious in spite of of the rough streets.

Somethin' I learned in school
Implementing knowledge picked up inside the educational system.

On some Million Man March shit for the peace, true that
Participating in nonviolent demonstrations for a cause.

Only one life to lead, a fast life of greed
Feeling pressured to live life to the fullest, even if it means compromising morals.

Criminally addicted, infested since a seed
Having a history of criminal behavior, developing from childhood.

We all die, breed bleed like humans
Reminding that all are mortal and fragile creatures.

Towns run by young guns, Outlawz and truants
Society is swayed by rebellious youth and rebels.

Shit's deep, turn eighteen, burn my will when I go
Understanding how life can be perilous, especially when young.

Burnt my body with my shotty, or choosin' my dough
Preferring to die with money rather than losing the game.

So while you reminiscin' all nights out with the crew
While others look back on past fun with friends.

Smoke a blunt for me too, I'm starin' through your rearview
Asking others to appreciate the singer's reflection on the past.

You ain't knowin' what we mean by starin' through the rearview
Not comprehending the singer's introspective musings.

So since you ain't knowin' what we mean let me break down understandin'
Providing a breakdown so others can comprehend.

The world, the world is behind us
Realizing that the past is behind, and the present is the only thing that matters.

Once a motherfucker get an understandin' on the game
Once someone understands the rules of life.

And what the levels and the rules of the game is
Knowing how to navigate and succeed in life.

Then the world ain't no trick no more, the world is a game to be played
Life is not a trap, but rather a game to be won.

So now we lookin' at the world, from like, behind us
Looking ahead and moving forward.

Niggas know what we gotta do
Knowing what is necessary to succeed.

Just gotta put our mind to it and do it
Just need determination to make it happen.

It's all about the papers, money rule the world
Money is the ultimate power.

Bitches make the world go round
Women hold significant influence.

Real niggas do they wanna do
True individuals follow their own path.

Bitch niggas do what they can
Cowards submit to the will of others.

And we'll be starin' at the world through my rearview
Continuing to reflect and learn from the past.

Scream to God, he can't hear you
No one can be held responsible for the world's problems.

Heart beatin' fast, time to die
Life is unpredictable and fleeting.

Watchin' time fly
Witnessing the quick passage of time.