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.
Y'all Don't Know Us
2Pac Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That you obviously don't know me or my homies
We O-U-T Lawz, fuck the phonies
A wise hustler once told me, it's on you
Though it was dreams when he first told me Now it's true
I got love for you only to a certain extend
Niggas ain't worth shit
I heard this and heard that
About them O-you-T Lawz
Some of them soldiers got shot
Some of them soldiers fell off
Fuck y'all now everybody tied to us
Hollering out a nigga name
But never said what up
That shit critical, despicable, unforgivable
I too like Hot?
Your own fan won't remember you
Thuggin' but we still spiritual, clear lyrical
I'm like the fuckin' Deff Squad
My ears ain't hearin' y'all
Pump fearin' y'all
But damn I ain't even wantin' to scare y'all
Listen to what I tell y'all
Fuck the world,
Your baby moms and your baby girl
You muthafuckas so fake,
Yo they made me want to earl
Blake, hate snakes thug hatin' the degree
Outlawz on a paper chase
Can you relate thug niggas
We will never fall
Through it all, we'll always stand tall
'Cause in the end we'll be remembered as some young muthafucka soldiers
And if you believe in that shit that you heard
Y'all don't know us, y'all don't know us
Now I been trapped down
And fucked since day one
This instructional style of mine ain't no fun
Where I'm from
You sure to see about 10 niggas in a bedroom
Eating off the same spoon
Sweeping with the same broom
It's hazard, it's you don't want yo life
Well give me grab it
I was born inside a love zone
With a glock-nine young marriage
It's critical
Then one of them sat down living so
Mystikal and impious
With a heart full of anger it's so ridiculous
So give me some with 21-gun soldier salute
With a 19-inch black handle snake knife in my boots
I'm straight from the strong, thug to your life
Right to yo wrong, I'll put the good to your evil
I'm the shells to your chrome, you dig that?
I'm life, I'll bring the moon to your night
I'll put the dick to your wife
And I'm the Jesus of your Christ
You dig that? respect this
I'll bring the end to your claw
I'll bring the loc to your heart
And I'll put the snoop on yo dogs
You hear me?
We follow, this little bullet so hollow
I can promise that ecstasy ain't promised tomorrow
With this two man mades
Me and my soul death astrayed
I watch my parents get blowed away
Now look what it made
I'm something to face
This lunacy then with me, then with chemistry
Got my eyes on you, the first time you cross me
I'll be frying you, cause y'all don't know me
We will never fall
Through the war, we'll always stand tall (Why)
Cause in the end we'll be remembered as some young muthafucka soldiers
When we was kids, the loving felt good
But of course have the respect
Though it's even better
Now for this cheddar
Niggas is laying deader
Then Malcom and Martin put together
Oh Lord only knows where we'll end up
Remember what 'Pac said
Watch the fuckin' signs
But we wasn't listening
Too busy trippin' off his shine
Now one time for my muthafuckin' Outlawz
Napoleon, Noble, and Kastro
May we all roll
And if you don't know
We got the rap game petro
Scared cause we bout to release
Like heavy metal
Nationwide, underground
We running the ghettos
Stealing all of ya fan base like we klepto's
Bitch I can't let go
I been strugglin' too long, thuggin' too long
And niggas is stealing my shit
And busting it wrong
Hot shots holla back when you get 'em
Outlawz'll sic 'em, bustin' back at the system
Military wisdom
Preparing myself for Armageddon
Breaking my balls at this game
Knowing it's a dead end
And my only weapon
Is my believe that I'm superior
Yeah we the muthafuckas
That you niggas is leery off
Controlling my steam
Knowing my team to deserve more
Fuck the re-frame
Stick to the game and earn more
Holding my head, rolling the head with focus
Laughing inside
'Cause deep inside y'all don't know us
We will never fall
Through it all, we'll always stand tall (Why)
'Cause in the end we'll be remembered as some young muthafucka soldiers
And if you believe in that shit that you heard
Y'all don't know us, y'all don't know us
We will never fall (Never)
Through the war, we'll always stand tall
Cause in the end we'll be remembered as some young muthafucka soldiers
And if you believe in that shit that you heard
Y'all don't know us, y'all don't know us
Ain't never know niggas like us boy
They don't make niggas like us no more
Thug in Peace, to all my niggas (Never)
See ya soon, uh
The lyrics of 2Pac and Outlawz's song Y'all Don't Know Us depict the struggles and hardships of the members of the Outlawz, who feel misunderstood and misjudged by society. Their lyrics portray an image of a group of young soldiers who are united in their fight against a system that they believe is rigged against them. They are unapologetically themselves and remain true to who they are, despite the trials they face along the way.
The lyrics of the song express the Outlawz's resentment towards society for marginalizing them and not acknowledging their struggle. They feel that their trials and tribulations make them stronger, and they will never fall or be forgotten. The lyrics show that they are not afraid to speak up for themselves and assert their presence in a world that seems to want to silence them. The song also speaks to the Outlawz's sense of loyalty and brotherhood towards one another, as they stand together and persevere.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo, I can see
I can tell that you don't know me or the people I associate with.
That you obviously don't know me or my homies
It's clear that you do not understand or have any familiarity with me or my close friends.
We O-U-T Lawz, f*** the phonies
We are the Outlawz and we only associate with genuine people, not fake individuals.
A wise hustler once told me, it's on you
An experienced individual previously advised me that I am responsible for my own actions and decisions.
Though it was dreams when he first told me Now it's true
At first, it seemed like a figment of my imagination, but now I can see that it is a reality.
I got love for you only to a certain exstend
I care about you, but only to a certain extent.
N****s ain't worth s***
Many people are not worth much or not valuable.
Cops and ride dick permits
Some police officers are not authentic and have hidden intentions.
I heard this and heard that
I have heard various rumors and stories about others.
About them O-you-T Lawz
Specifically about the Outlawz.
Some of them soldiers got shot
Some of the members of our group were victims of gun violence.
Some of them soldiers fell off
Some members of the Outlawz have lost their way or lost focus.
F*** why'all now everybody tied to us
I don't care about these people now when they weren't associated with us before.
Hollering out a n**** name
People are calling out a name or trying to get our attention.
But never said what up
Despite yelling our name, these people never actually said anything to us or greeted us.
That s*** critical, despicable, unforgivable
This behavior is extremely serious, reprehensible, and cannot be forgiven.
I too like Hot ??
This line is difficult to interpret and does not provide a coherent message.
Your own fan won't remember you
Your biggest supporter or fan will forget about you in the future.
Thuggin but we still spriutual, clear lyrical
Even though we may be involved in street life, we still maintain our spirituality and have powerful lyrics.
I'm like the f***in Deff Squad
I am like the highly respected Deff Squad music group.
My ears ain't hearin' why'all
I am not listening to you or what you have to say.
Pump fearin' why'all
You are scared or intimidated of me or my group.
But damn I ain't even wantin' to scare why'all
I don't even want to scare you, that's not my intention.
Listen to what I tell why'all
Pay attention to what I am saying to you.
F*** the world,
I don't care about anything in the world.
Your baby moms and your baby girl
I don't even care about your children or the mother of your children.
You muthaf***as so fake,
You and many others are not genuine or authentic.
Yo they made me want to earl
Your 'fakeness' makes me want to vomit.
Blake, hate snakes thug hatin the degree
This line is difficult to interpret and does not provide a coherent message.
Outlawz on a paper chase
The Outlawz are striving to earn more money and attain success.
Can you relate thug n****z
Can you understand the struggle of street life and relate to us?
[Chorus] We will never fall Through it all, we'll always stand tall 'Cause in the end we'll be remembered as some young muthaf***a soldiers And if you believe in that s*** that you heard Y'all don't know us, why'all don't know us
We will not be defeated and will always remain strong. We will be remembered as powerful individuals, even if you doubt our abilities or knowledge.
Now I been trapped down And f***ed since day one This instructional style of mine ain't no fun Where I'm from You sure to see about 10 n****z in a bedroom Eating off the same spoon Sweeping with the same broom
I have been struggling since the very beginning of my life. Where I come from, it's common to have a lot of people living in one small room and sharing everything, even utensils and cleaning equipment.
It's hazard, it's you don't want yo life Well give me grab it I was born inside a love zone With a glock-nine young marriage
Living in these surroundings is dangerous and can threaten your life. If you don't want it, I'll take it. I was born in a place with a lot of love, but then ended up getting married at a young age with a glock-9 (gun).
It's critical Then one of them sat down living so Mystikal and empoious With a heart full of anger it's so redicilous
This situation is important and serious. One of my close friends became reflective and thoughtful, reminding me of the musicians Mystikal and Eminem. Despite having so much anger, it's almost ridiculous.
So give me some with 21-gun soldier salute With a 19-inch black handle snake knife in my boots I'm straight from the strong, thug to your life Right to yo wrong, I'll put the good to your evil I'm the shells to your chrome, you dig that? I'm life, I'll bring the moon to your night I'll put the dick to your wife And I'm the Jesuz of your Christ You dig that? respect this I'll bring the end to your claw I'll bring the loc to your heart And I'll put the snoop on yo dogs You hear me?
Give me a 21-gun soldier salute with a 19-inch knife in my boots. I am strong and involved in street life and can balance good and evil. I align with your desires and will provide. I am greater than a religious savior. You must respect me. I can bring an end to your schemes. I will strike your heart and stop your associates (referring to Snoop Dogg). Are you listening?
We follow, this little bullet so hollow I can promise that estacy ain't promised tomorrow With this two man mades Me and my soul death astrayed I watch my parents get blowed away Now look what it made I'm something to face
We are like little, empty bullets that will follow and strike our targets. I know that we cannot guarantee happiness, even if it feels like ecstasy now. I am with another person who is doomed to die. I witnessed my parents being shot and killed, but I still became a strong individual.
This ludacy then with me, then with chemistry Got my eyes on you, the first time you cross me I'll be frying you, cause why'all don't know me
My craziness is with me all the time, as is my chemistry with my surroundings. If you cross me, I will kill you because you do not understand me.
[Young Noble Chorus] Through the war, we'll always stand tall (Why)
We will remain strong and resilient, even in the midst of conflict.
[E.D.I] When we was kids, the loving felt good But of course have the respect Though it's even better Now for this chedder N****z is laying deader Then Malcolm and Martin put together Oh Lord only knows where we'll end up Remember what Pac said Watch the f***in signs But we wasn't listening Too busy trippin off his shine Now one time for my muthaf***in' Outlawz Napoleon, Noble, and Kastro May we all roll And if you don't know We got the rap game petro Scared 'cause we bout to release Like heavy metal Nationwide, underground We running the ghettos Stealing all of ya fan base like we kleptos B**** I can't let go I been strugglin' too long, thuggin' too long And n****z is stealing my s*** And busting it wrong Hot shots holla back when you get 'em Outlawz'll sic 'em, bustin back at the system Military wisdom Preparing myself for armegeddom Breaking my balls at this game Knowing it's a dead end And my only weapon Is my believe that I'm superior Yeah we the muthaf***as That you n****z is liery off Controlling my steam Knowing my team to deserve more F*** the reframe Stick to the game and earn more Holding my head, rolling the head with focus Laughing inside 'Cause deep inside why'all don't know us
When we were younger, we used to love music and had a lot of respect. Now, it's even better because we are making more money. Many people are dying, more than even leaders like Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. Oh Lord, only knows where we will end up. We should have listened to Tupac's words, but we were too busy admiring him. Shout out to the Outlawz members Napoleon, Noble, and Kastro. We have the rap game in our hands and will soon release it like heavy metal music. We are taking fans from others like we are thieves. I cannot give up because I have been struggling for too long and others are stealing and misusing my music. Outlawz will fight back against the system and use military wisdom. I am preparing myself for a possible end to the world. I am working hard at this game even though it may seem pointless. My only weapon is my belief in myself. We are the people who you have doubted and lied about. I will remain calm and focused. Even though I am laughing inside, you still do not understand me or my team.
[Chorus] We will never fall Through it all, we'll always stand tall 'Cause in the end we'll be remembered as some young muthaf***a soldiers And if you believe in that s*** that you heard Y'all don't know us, why'all don't know us
We will not be defeated and will always remain strong. We will be remembered as powerful individuals, even if you doubt our abilities or knowledge.
[E.D.I Talking] Ain't never know n****z like us boy They don't make n****z like us no more Thug in Peace.. to all my n****z (Never) See ya soon.. uhh
There will never be people like us again. Rest in Peace to our friends in street life. See you later.
Lyrics © Songtrust Ave
Written by: KAMIL BEALE, MALCOLM GREENIDGE, MUNTAQIM FARID, MUTAH W. BEALE, RUFUS LEE COOPER
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