Outlaw is an acronym for Operating Under Thug Laws As Warriors. In the Earlier years of the Outlawz they were known as Dramacydal. Dramacydal first appeared on the 2Pac's 1995 Me Against the World album, the Outlawz were on the title track "Me Against The World" & "Outlaw". Dramacydal was composed of:
* K-Dog - Later name changed to Kastro
* Young Hollywood - Later name changed to Yaki Kadafi
* Big Malcolm - Later name changed to E.D.I. Mean
When he signed to Death Row upon his release from prison, Shakur recruited his stepbrother Mopreme Shakur and Big Syke. Bruce Washington and Mutah Beale were also added, and together they formed the original lineup, which debuted on 2Pac's multi-platinum smash All Eyez on Me , on the song "When We Ride ". Other times members of the Outlawz appear on the record, they are still credited as "Dramacydal".
The idea behind the group was for each member to have a rap name coinciding with the names of various tyrants or enemies of America, past and present.
* Tupac Shakur, stage name 2Pac, was the leader of the group, and gave himself the title of Makaveli after Italian political philosopher Niccolò Machiavelli; his was the only pseudonym which wasn't taken from a dictator, though Machiavelli was a philosopher for dictatorship.
* Yaki Kadafi, Real name Yafeu Fula, Godbrother and childhood friend of 2Pac, was given the name Yaki Kadafi after Lybian Colonel Gadaffi.
* Kastro, Real name Katari Cox, Cousin of 2Pac, was given the alias Kastro after Cuban president Fidel Castro.
* E.D.I. Mean, Real Name Malcolm Greenridge, was given the alias E.D.I. Mean after Ugandian president Idi Amin.
* Hussein Fatal, Real Name Bruce Washington, Introduced to 2pac by childhood friend Yaki Kadafi, given the name Hussein Fatal after former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein.
* Napoleon, Real Name Mutah Beale, Childhood friend of Kadafi, was given the name Napoleon after French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte.
* Mussolini, Real name Tyruss Himes. Previously known as Big Syke. Was in 2Pac's first group, Thug Life. Joined the Outlawz under the alias Mussolini, after former Italian president Benito Mussolini.
* Komani, Real name Mopreme Shakur. Tupac's stepbrother and previously in 2Pac's first group, Thug Life. Joined the Outlawz under the alias Komani, after Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.
* Young Noble, Last official member.
Y
2Pac & Outlawz 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
In the song "Y" by 2Pac and Outlawz, they talk about how people don't know who they truly are and how they have been misrepresented by the media. They start the song by addressing those who don't know them, bluntly stating "That you obviously don't know me or my homies." They then remind listeners that they are "O-U-T Lawz" and that they don't associate with fake people. In the chorus, they emphasize that no matter what happens, they will never fall and that they will always be remembered as some young muthafucka soldiers.
The verses describe the hardships they have faced and the dangers of living in their neighborhood, where they have had to share everything. They also talk about the negative attention they receive, and how rumors can spread about them. They seem to believe that the only way to survive in their world is to be tough, but they also maintain that they are spiritual and lyrical. Despite their aggressive posturing, they seem threatened by those who lack authenticity, telling them "y'all don't know us."
Line by Line Meaning
Yo, I can see
I can sense that you are not familiar with me or my companions.
That you obviously don't know me or my homies
It is clear that you are not acquainted with me or my friends.
We O-U-T Lawz, fuck the phonies
We are the Outlawz, and we have no respect for those who pretend to be something they are not.
A wise hustler once told me, it's on you
A smart crook once advised me that my fate is in my own hands.
Though it was dreams when he first told me Now it's true
While it may have sounded like a pipe dream initially, now I believe it to be true.
I got love for you only to a certain extend
While I care for you, my affection has its limits.
Niggas ain't worth shit
People are worthless and untrustworthy.
Cops and ride dick permits
Police officers are hypocrites who protect corrupt politicians.
I heard this and heard that
I have heard many things.
About them O-you-T Lawz
Rumors about the Outlawz.
Some of them soldiers got shot
Some Outlawz members were killed.
Some of them soldiers fell off
Some Outlawz members lost their way.
Fuck y'all now everybody tied to us
Now everyone claims to be associated with us.
Hollering out a nigga name
Shouting out someone's name.
But never said what up
But never actually greeted them.
That shit critical, despicable, unforgivable
This behavior is harmful, shameful, and unforgivable.
I too like Hot?
I don't understand what you are trying to say.
Your own fan won't remember you
Your own supporters won't remember you in the long run.
Thuggin' but we still spiritual, clear lyrical
We may be gangsters, but we are still mindful and honest in our rhymes.
I'm like the fuckin' Deff Squad
I am as skilled and respected as the Deff Squad rap group.
My ears ain't hearin' y'all
I am ignoring what you have to say.
Pump fearin' y'all
I am intimidating you.
But damn I ain't even wantin' to scare y'all
But I don't even want to frighten you.
Listen to what I tell y'all
Pay attention to what I am saying.
Fuck the world,
I can't stand society.
Your baby moms and your baby girl
I don't care about your family.
You muthafuckas so fake,
You are all so phony.
Yo they made me want to earl
You make me want to vomit.
Blake, hate snakes thug hatin' the degree
Blake despises deceitful people and criminal behavior.
Outlawz on a paper chase
The Outlawz are trying to make money.
Can you relate thug niggas
Can you understand the lifestyle of a gangster?
We will never fall
We, the Outlawz, will never fail.
Through it all, we'll always stand tall
Despite the hardships, we will always remain strong.
'Cause in the end we'll be remembered as some young muthafucka soldiers
We will be remembered as brave young men who fought for what they believed in.
And if you believe in that shit that you heard
If you trust the rumors you heard.
Y'all don't know us, y'all don't know us
You don't understand who we really are.
Now I been trapped down
I have been in a difficult situation.
And fucked since day one
And have been struggling from the very beginning.
This instructional style of mine ain't no fun
My way of speaking is not lighthearted.
Where I'm from
In my hometown.
You sure to see about 10 niggas in a bedroom
It is common to see many people living in a small space.
Eating off the same spoon
They have to share resources like one family.
It's hazard, it's you don't want yo life
Danger is everywhere, and if you aren't careful, your life is at risk.
Well give me grab it
So I will grab everything I can.
I was born inside a love zone
I was born in a place where there is love and warmth.
With a glock-nine young marriage
I got married at a young age and had to arm myself for protection.
It's critical
It is a serious matter.
Then one of them sat down living so
One of them sat down and started living a normal life.
Mystikal and impious
Mixed of mystery and unholy behavior.
With a heart full of anger it's so ridiculous
It is ridiculous how angry and resentful I have become.
So give me some with 21-gun soldier salute
Give me a military farewell with 21-gun salute.
With a 19-inch black handle snake knife in my boots
I have a 19-inch snake knife with a black handle in my boots.
I'm straight from the strong, thug to your life
I come from the tough neighborhood where being a thug is a way of living.
Right to yo wrong, I'll put the good to your evil
I will put good in your evil ways.
I'm the shells to your chrome, you dig that?
I am like the bullet to your gun, you understand?
I'm life, I'll bring the moon to your night
I am vitality and will bring light in your darkness.
I'll put the dick to your wife
I will have sex with your wife.
And I'm the Jesus of your Christ
I am the savior of your faith.
You dig that? respect this
Do you understand that? Respect that.
I'll bring the end to your claw
I will destroy your weapon.
I'll bring the loc to your heart
I will cause a disturbance in your heart.
And I'll put the snoop on yo dogs
I will put surveillance on you.
You hear me?
Do you understand me?
We follow, this little bullet so hollow
We continue to follow the path of this bullet, which carries little substance.
I can promise that ecstasy ain't promised tomorrow
I can assure you that happiness is not guaranteed to be there tomorrow.
With this two man mades
With these homemade guns.
Me and my soul death astrayed
Me and my doomed soul have gone astray.
I watch my parents get blowed away
I witnessed my parents being killed.
Now look what it made
Now look at what that experience made me.
I'm something to face
I am someone to be reckoned with.
This lunacy then with me, then with chemistry
This madness is in me, it's part of me.
Got my eyes on you, the first time you cross me
I am keeping a close eye on you. If you cross me, I will remember.
I'll be frying you, cause y'all don't know me
I'll be punishing you, because you don't truly understand me.
We will never fall (Never)
We will always stand tall and never falter.
See ya soon, uh
I will see you soon, uh.
Lyrics © Songtrust Ave
Written by: KAMIL BEALE, MALCOLM GREENIDGE, MUNTAQIM FARID, MUTAH W. BEALE, RUFUS LEE COOPER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind