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.
Thug 4 Life
2Pac Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can't you read the signs?
Fuck it man
Whatchu doin'? Mobbin' like a motherfucker stuck
Can you put your middle finger
Out the window gettin' fucked off, liquor?
Get loaded can't control it
You get the bones act to the whole stack, that's fo sho black
To be a mack and keep your dough fat
And tell me what does it take to be a G?
I started with a quarter ounce and bounced to a key
You gotta watch your back stay strapped, be alert
Started as a young muthafucka doin' dirt
And now I'm in the rap game like the crack game, I got enemies
Can't pretend to see my friends are not my enemies
And even thug muthafuckas wanna have fun
Stuck it, buckin' my muthafuckin' Magnum, what does it take to be a G?
Silence is a must, violence is a plus, plus, shots at my adversaries
Dem niggaz scary best it's time to be buried
'Cause I'll be buckin' in a fuckin' hurry
Tell 'em thug for life, high till I die
When 'em stupid ass bitches ask why
Tell 'em thug for life, high till I die
When 'em stupid ass bitches ask why
Tell 'em thug for life, high till I die
When 'em stupid ass bitches ask why, tell 'em
Game, thicker than most of these tricks
I got my mind on makin' money
But you stuck on these fake bitches
And jealous muthafuckas can't see
That it's the fame that caught
These stupid bitches, pass the pussy free
So tell me why you sweatin' a muthafucka like me?
A young nigga tryin' to a hustle up some G's
You pussy ass playa hatin' hoes speakin' down on niggas
Jumpin' around at the shows
And your the first muthafucka to jump
To the trunk when it's time for fun
Little trick ass punk
Thug muthafuckas don't die we get high and we multiply
Muthafucka
Give a holla to my niggas in the bay
I'm livin' in L.A. still clutchin' on my AK
Tell 'em thug for life, high till I die
When 'em stupid ass bitches ask why
Tell 'em thug for life, high till I die
When 'em stupid ass bitches ask why
Tell 'em thug for life, high till I die
When 'em stupid ass bitches ask why, tell 'em
Tell 'em thug for life, high till I die
When 'em stupid ass bitches ask why
Tell 'em thug for life, high till I die
When 'em stupid ass bitches ask why
Tell 'em thug for life, high till I die
When 'em stupid ass bitches ask why, tell 'em
Thug for life, bitch
Yeah nigga, thug life, from now till the muthafuckin' ever
Have notz in this muthafucka
Yeah, no doubt
In the song "Thug 4 Life" by Tupac (2Pac), the lyrics tell the story of a young man's rise to power as a gangster, from selling drugs to becoming a successful rapper. The first verse starts with him driving around, smoking weed, and drinking alcohol, seemingly without a care in the world. He talks about his journey to becoming a successful gangster and the need to stay alert and stay strapped. The chorus repeats the phrase, "thug for life," which is a declaration of loyalty to the gangster lifestyle.
In the second verse, the lyrics address the haters and fake people who try to bring him down. He sees through their jealousy and knows that they're just chasing fame and fortune. He also touches on the idea that violence is a necessary part of his life and even boasts about his ability to intimidate others. He ends the song with a reference to his connection to the Bay Area and Los Angeles and reiterates his loyalty to the thug life.
Overall, "Thug 4 Life" is a classic example of Tupac's artistry, combining vivid storytelling, catchy hooks, and stark imagery to create a vivid picture of his life as a young gangster.
Line by Line Meaning
Thug for life nigga
I am a thug for life, and I embrace it as my identity
Can't you read the signs?
My lifestyle and my demeanor clearly reflect my thug mentality
Fuck it man
I don't care about any societal norms or consequences, I'm living my life as a thug
Whatchu doin'? Mobbin' like a motherfucker stuck
What are you doing? I am aggressively living my life on my own terms
Can you put your middle finger
Can you express your rebellion towards society as strongly as I do?
Out the window gettin' fucked off, liquor?
Drinking alcohol and indulging in vices without any restraint or care for the outcome
Get loaded can't control it
I am so deep into my thug lifestyle that I cannot control my vices
Nigga pass me the blunt and let me roll it
Give me the weed and let me roll my own blunt, just like how I am living my life on my own terms
You get the bones act to the whole stack, that's fo sho black
If you act thug and keep your money, you'll become successful just like me
To be a mack and keep your dough fat
To be successful at being a thug and keeping your finances in check
And tell me what does it take to be a G?
What does it take to be a true gangsta/thug?
I started with a quarter ounce and bounced to a key
I started small in the drug game, but climbed the ladder to success
You gotta watch your back stay strapped, be alert
You have to be vigilant and prepared at all times to stay safe in the thug lifestyle
Started as a young muthafucka doin' dirt
I began my thug life at an early age by indulging in illegal activities
And now I'm in the rap game like the crack game, I got enemies
Just like in the drug game, I now have enemies in the rap game due to my thug attitude
Can't pretend to see my friends are not my enemies
I cannot ignore the fact that my friends may become my enemies in the thug lifestyle
And even thug muthafuckas wanna have fun
Even other thugs want to be able to let loose and enjoy themselves
Stuck it, buckin' my muthafuckin' Magnum, what does it take to be a G?
I'm showing off my tough exterior by firing my gun and questioning what it takes to be a true gangsta
Silence is a must, violence is a plus, plus, shots at my adversaries
I have to stay silent and be ready to use violence against my enemies to maintain my thug status
Dem niggaz scary best it's time to be buried
My enemies should be scared of me, as it may be their time to die
'Cause I'll be buckin' in a fuckin' hurry
I'll shoot my enemies quickly and ruthlessly
Game, thicker than most of these tricks
I am more experienced in the thug game than most others
I got my mind on makin' money
I am always focused on making more money as a thug
But you stuck on these fake bitches
You are stuck on women who are not real or genuine
And jealous muthafuckas can't see
Other jealous people cannot see the success I have achieved as a thug
That it's the fame that caught
People do not realize that my success came from the fame I attained through my thug lifestyle
These stupid bitches, pass the pussy free
These women are worthless and give away their bodies too easily to be worth my time or attention
So tell me why you sweatin' a muthafucka like me?
Why are you so worried about me, a true thug who has made it in life?
A young nigga tryin' to a hustle up some G's
I am a young thug trying to make some money
You pussy ass playa hatin' hoes speakin' down on niggas
You are cowards who hate on other people and bring them down with your words and criticism
Jumpin' around at the shows
You are just pretending to be happy around me, but your hate is evident through your actions
And your the first muthafucka to jump
You are hypocritical, as you are the first person to indulge in criminal activity when it is convenient for you
To the trunk when it's time for fun
You immediately resort to violence or criminal activity when you want to have fun
Little trick ass punk
You are nothing but a cowardly and deceitful person
Thug muthafuckas don't die we get high and we multiply
Thugs do not die, but instead they live life to the fullest without fear, spreading their influence and reproducing constantly
Give a holla to my niggas in the bay
Shout out to my friends in the bay area, who are also true thugs
I'm livin' in L.A. still clutchin' on my AK
Even though I am living in L.A. now, I am still armed and ready for any thug activity
Thug for life, bitch
I will always be a thug, and I embrace it with pride
Yeah nigga, thug life, from now till the muthafuckin' ever
I am a thug for life, I will never change
Have notz in this muthafucka
I don't care about anything else in my life, all that matters is my thug status
Yeah, no doubt
Definitely, without question
Lyrics ยฉ Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JOHNNY LEE JACKSON, LUIS EDGARDO RESTO, MARSHALL B. III MATHERS, TUPAC AMARU SHAKUR
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