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.
Under Pressure
2Pac Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The pressure's on, Thug Life
When it's on, it's on
One of these days I'll, learn, don't fuck with trick-ass niggas
Cause they, turn, into bitch-ass niggas
I'm sick of bein' stuck in the county jail
My niggas clown, bring a pound when they postin' bail
Screamin', "Fuck the police!" when we fly away, thug 'til I die
You wonder why I'm made this way
I wasn't, turned out, I was raised this way
I'm thinkin' these, are the dreams of a young teen
Scheme, to stack cream off of crack fiends
One-time can't hold me
One of these days, we gotta bust back for the homies
Locked down in the penitentiary
I'll, probably lose my mind if the pig sentence me
I'm, stressed, smokin weed, and nicotine
But what a nigga really need, is Thorazine
Right before I die I'll be cursin the law
Reincarnated bitch, even worse than befo'
My fo'-fo' screamin payback
My underhanded plan to get them niggas while they laid back
And Big Stretch hit the scene with the mini-14
Servin suckers like dope fiends, empty the whole thing
Under pressure nigga, haha, that's right!
Never run, throw your gun in the air, oh yeah!
Nigga bust ain't no time to spare
Cause the ruckus motherfucker and we fuck shit up
And with the stainless steel ribbon boy we cuttin' shit up
Flash then blast a nigga with the quickness
Cock the four pound motherfucker when I spit this and rip this
Damn, my mind is in the depths of hell
But when I'm walking on the street kid my name rings bells
And I never fell, nigga I stand too tall
I'm just a thug motherfucker who was born to brawl
Givin' my all, so niggas wanna bring it to me
So I'mma sell my cocaine, and lay they ass down G
Uhh, under pressure
Yeah, look here though
Runnin' wild, I never smiled as a juvenile
Even now I keep a frown when I come around
Don't ask me 'bout the past, it was all bad
Shots blasted, will I last in the wrong path
In the dark is where my heart saw the most grief
Motherfuckers is gettin' shanked over gold teeth
Am I sick, cause I'm addicted to gettin' splifted
Watchin' stupid-ass tricks get lifted
Nothing's changed, 'cause in the game it's a steady aim
Fuck friends cause in the danger them niggas change
Puff weed, and stuff G's in my sock G
Car keys and Hennessy, where the Glock be?
Time's passin', will I last here another day
I put my gun away, and grab my AK
It's gettin' hectic, I can't call it
House full of alcoholics, now a nigga's under pressure
Yeah, that's right
Under pressure nigga, a nigga's under pressure, yeah!
When the pressure's on, it's a hit
Ski mask, extra gats, bring the clips
Don't nobody move when we walk the streets
They stay silent, cause talk is cheap
When the pressure's on, it's a hit
Ski mask, extra gats, bring the clips
Don't nobody move when we walk the streets
They stay silent, cause talk is cheap
When the pressure's on, it's a hit
Ski mask, extra gats, bring the clips
Don't nobody move when we walk the streets
They stay silent, cause talk is cheap
When the pressure's on, it's a hit
Ski mask, extra gats, bring the clips
Don't nobody move when we walk the streets
They stay silent, cause talk is cheap
When the pressure's on, it's a hit
Ski mask, extra gats, bring the clips
Don't nobody move when we walk the streets
They stay silent, cause talk is cheap
When the pressure's on, it's a hit
Ski mask, extra gats, bring the clips
Don't nobody move when we walk the streets
They stay silent, cause talk is cheap
When the pressure's on, it's a hit
Ski mask, extra gats, bring the clips
Don't nobody move when we walk the streets
They stay silent, cause talk is cheap
When the pressure's on, it's a hit
Ski mask, extra gats, bring the clips
Don't nobody move when we walk the streets
They stay silent, cause talk is cheap
When the pressure's on, it's a hit
Ski mask, extra gats, bring the clips
Don't nobody move when we walk the streets
They stay silent, cause talk is cheap
When the pressure's on, it's a hit
Ski mask, extra gats, bring the clips
Don't nobody move when we walk the streets
They stay silent, cause talk is cheap
When the pressure's on, it's a hit
Ski mask, extra gats, bring the clips
Don't nobody move when we walk the streets
They stay silent, cause talk is cheap
In "Under Pressure," 2Pac discusses the difficulties and pressures that come with thug life. He declares that he is tired of being locked up and wants to get revenge for his incarcerated homies. Pac’s lyrics reveal the violence and harsh reality of life in the streets, where betrayal can come from those you thought were your closest friends. He talks about his addiction to smoking weed and his desire for drugs and money, and ultimately his readiness to fight and kill to survive. Throughout the song, 2Pac remains firm in his "Thug Life" mentality, ready to face any pressures that come his way.
One of the most interesting facts about "Under Pressure" is that it was one of the last songs 2Pac recorded before he was shot and killed in 1996. He had recorded the song only a few days before the drive-by shooting in Las Vegas that took his life.
The song was produced by one of 2Pac's close friends and longtime collaborators, Stretch, also known as Randy Walker. Stretch had been the subject of rumors that he had played a role in 2Pac's shooting, although these claims were never proven.
The song was originally included on a mixtape called "The Lost Tapes: Circa 1989," which was released in 2000, four years after 2Pac's death. It was later officially released on the album "Loyal to the Game" in 2004.
At the time of its release, "Under Pressure" was controversial for its violent and profane lyrics. It was one of the many 2Pac songs that drew criticism from politicians and the media who claimed that his music was promoting violence and gang culture.
The song's opening line, "Ha ha, under pressure, yeah, bay-bay!" is a nod to David Bowie and Queen's hit song "Under Pressure," which was released in 1981.
Aside from the opening line, there is no direct connection between 2Pac's "Under Pressure" and Bowie and Queen's "Under Pressure." The two songs have different lyrics, themes, and musical styles.
The chorus of "Under Pressure" features a sample from another hip-hop song, "Ill Street Blues" by Kool G Rap & DJ Polo. The sample can be heard in the line "When the pressure's on, it's a hit."
"Under Pressure" was originally recorded as a collaboration between 2Pac and the hip-hop group Tha Dogg Pound, which included rappers Kurupt and Daz Dillinger. Kurupt and Dillinger were both signed to Death Row Records, the same label as 2Pac.
The song features a prominent bassline that was played by musician Norman Whitfield Jr. Whitfield's father, Norman Whitfield, was a prominent songwriter and producer who worked with Motown and made major contributions to the development of funk and soul music in the 1960s and 1970s.
Chords: The chord structure is not present in the lyrics, as it is a rap song.
Line by Line Meaning
Ha ha, under pressure, yeah, bay-bay!
Laughing under pressure, but acknowledging its presence
The pressure's on, Thug Life
Acknowledging the pressure that comes with the thug life
When it's on, it's on
Once the pressure is present, it can't be avoided
One of these days I'll, learn, don't fuck with trick-ass niggas
Learning from experience not to associate with deceitful people
Cause they, turn, into bitch-ass niggas
Deceitful people can become weak and cowardly
I'm sick of bein' stuck in the county jail
Feeling fed up with being imprisoned
My niggas clown, bring a pound when they postin' bail
Friends bring drugs to celebrate when they are released from jail
Smokin' blunts in the driveway, my fo'-five
Smoking marijuana while holding a 45 pistol
Screamin', "Fuck the police!" when we fly away, thug 'til I die
Expressing anger towards the police while leaving the scene, committed to living as a thug
You wonder why I'm made this way
People question why he acts and thinks the way he does
I wasn't, turned out, I was raised this way
He wasn't influenced by others, but rather he was brought up to behave this way
I'm thinkin' these, are the dreams of a young teen
His actions are the result of youthful aspirations
Scheme, to stack cream off of crack fiends
Desiring to make money from drug addicts
One-time can't hold me
The police can't keep him detained for long
One of these days, we gotta bust back for the homies
They must take revenge for their friends
Locked down in the penitentiary
Imprisoned in a high-security facility
I'll, probably lose my mind if the pig sentence me
He will likely become insane if he is given a lengthy prison sentence by the police
I'm, stressed, smokin weed, and nicotine
Feeling anxious and using drugs to cope
But what a nigga really need, is Thorazine
He requires medication to treat his mental illness
Right before I die I'll be cursin the law
He will blame the authorities for his death
Reincarnated bitch, even worse than befo'
He will come back as someone even more vicious after death
My fo'-fo' screamin payback
Using a 44 pistol to take revenge
My underhanded plan to get them niggas while they laid back
Planning a secret attack on his enemies when they are relaxed
And Big Stretch hit the scene with the mini-14
Big Stretch arrives with a semi-automatic rifle
Servin suckers like dope fiends, empty the whole thing
Killing his enemies ruthlessly and violently
Never run, throw your gun in the air, oh yeah!
Do not run away from danger but fight back instead
Nigga bust ain't no time to spare
Act quickly and aggressively to defeat opponents
Cause the ruckus motherfucker and we fuck shit up
Instigate chaos and destroy everything
And with the stainless steel ribbon boy we cuttin' shit up
Using a sharp-edged weapon to cause destruction
Flash then blast a nigga with the quickness
Using sudden movements and gunfire to attack people quickly
Cock the four pound motherfucker when I spit this and rip this
Preparing a pistol while rapping, ready to use it if necessary
Damn, my mind is in the depths of hell
Feeling tormented and tortured mentally
But when I'm walking on the street kid my name rings bells
Having a reputation that invokes fear and respect from others
And I never fell, nigga I stand too tall
He never wavers or backs down, always remains strong
I'm just a thug motherfucker who was born to brawl
His personality and upbringing make him predisposed to fighting and violence
Givin' my all, so niggas wanna bring it to me
Exerting all of his energy and effort, making others want to fight him
So I'mma sell my cocaine, and lay they ass down G
Selling cocaine to earn money, using that money to kill his enemies
Runnin' wild, I never smiled as a juvenile
Disruptive and unhappy as a young person
Even now I keep a frown when I come around
Continuing to display an unhappy expression in his current life
Don't ask me 'bout the past, it was all bad
Refusing to discuss his past because it was full of negative experiences
Shots blasted, will I last in the wrong path
Worried that he will not survive if he continues down the wrong path
In the dark is where my heart saw the most grief
Experiencing intense pain and sadness during difficult times
Motherfuckers is gettin' shanked over gold teeth
People are being killed over valuable dental work
Am I sick, cause I'm addicted to gettin' splifted
Wondering if he has a problem because he enjoys getting high
Watchin' stupid-ass tricks get lifted
Observing people easily getting deceived and taken advantage of
Nothing's changed, 'cause in the game it's a steady aim
The rules of the game remain consistent, precision is crucial
Fuck friends cause in the danger them niggas change
Betrayal is common when risky situations arise
Puff weed, and stuff G's in my sock G
Smoke marijuana and carry large amounts of money in his socks
Car keys and Hennessy, where the Glock be?
Having alcohol and car keys but more importantly, knowing where the pistol is stored
Time's passin', will I last here another day
Wondering if he will survive for another day
I put my gun away, and grab my AK
Retracting the pistol and picking up a more powerful gun
It's gettin' hectic, I can't call it
The situation is unpredictable and chaotic, making it difficult to make decisions
House full of alcoholics, now a nigga's under pressure
Being surrounded by abusive and dependent people exacerbates stress and anxiety
Yeah, that's right
Affirmation that everything he said is true
Under pressure nigga, a nigga's under pressure, yeah!
Repeating previous statements to emphasize the presence of pressure
When the pressure's on, it's a hit
When there's pressure, it's time to make a move
Ski mask, extra gats, bring the clips
Wearing a ski mask and carrying extra guns and ammunition
Don't nobody move when we walk the streets
Creating fear and making everyone stay still when he's around
They stay silent, cause talk is cheap
People aren't speaking up because they don't want to take action
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: RANDY WALKER, 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