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.
Black Jesuz
2Pac & The Outlawz Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sportin' jewels and shit, you know what I mean?
Straight tatted up, no doubt, no doubt
Young Kadafi in this bitch, set it off nigga, what?
I do my shootin's on a knob, prayin' to God for my squad
Stuck in a nightmare, hopin' he might care
Though times is hard, up against all odds, I play my cards
Got me bailin' to stacks more green
Gods ain't tryin' to be trapped on no block slangin'
No rocks like bean pies brainstorm on the beginnin'
Wonder how shit like the Qu'ran and the Bible was written
What is religion? Gods words all cursed like crack
Shaitan's way of gettin' us back or just another
One of my Black Jesus traps
Who's got the heart to stand beside me?
I feel my enemies creepin' up in silence
Dark prayer, scream violence demons all around me
Can't even bend my knees just a lost cloud, Black Jesus
Give me a reason to survive, in this earthly hell
'Cause I swear, they tryin' to break my well
I'm on the edge lookin' down at this volatile pit
Will it matter if I cease to exist? Black Jesus
All hail, the pressure no endeavor can fail
Some missin souls turn to hoes when exposed to jail
In times of war we need somebody raw, rally the troops
Like a Saint that we can trust to help to carry us through
Black Jesus, ha ha ha ha ha
He's like a Saint that we can trust to help to carry us through
Black Jesus
Outlawz we got our own race, culture, religion
Rebellin' against the system, commence to lynchin'
The President ain't even listenin' to the pain of the youth
We make music for eternity, forever the truth
Political prisoner, the two choices that they givin' us
Ride or die, for life they sentence us
Oh Black Jesus, please watch over my brother Shawn
Soon as the sky get bright, it's just another storm
Brothers gone, now labeled a statistic
Ain't no love for us ghetto kids, they call us nigglets
History repeats itself, nuttin' new in school I knew
E'rything I read wasn't true, Black Jesus
To this click I'm dedicated, criminal orientated
An Outlaw initiated, blazed and faded
Made for terror, major league niggaz pray together
Bitches in they grave while my real niggaz play together
We die clutchin' glasses, filled with liquor bomblastic
Cremated, last wishes nigga smoke my ashes
High sigh why die wishin', hopin' for possibilities
I'll mob on, why they copy me sloppily
Cops patrol projects, hatin' the people livin' in them
I was born an inmate, waitin' to escape the prison
Went to church but don't understand it, they underhanded
God gave me these commandments, the world is scandalous
Blast til they holy high, baptize they evil minds
Wise, no longer blinded, watch me shine trick
Which one of y'all wanna feel the degrees?
Bitches freeze facin' Black Jesus
All hail, the pressure no endeavor can fail
Some missin' souls turn to hoes when exposed to jail
In times of war we need somebody raw, rally the troops
Like a Saint that we can trust to help to carry us through
Black Jesus
Some say, some day, some how, some way, we gon' fail
And it ain't hard to tell, we dwell in hell
Trapped, black, scarred and barred
Searching for truth, where it's hard to find God
I play the Pied Piper, and to this Thug Life, I'm a lifer
Proceed, to turn up the speed, just for stripes
My Black Jesus, walk through this valley with me
Where we, so used to hard times and casualties
Indeed, it hurt me deep to have to sleep on the streets
And haven't eaten in weeks, so save a prayer for me
And all the young thugs, raised on drugs and guns
Blazed out and numb, slaves to this slums this ain't livin' Jesus
We believed in You everything You do
Just wanna let you know, how we feel
Black Jesus
Searchin' for Black Jesus
It's hard, it's hard we need help out here
So we searchin's for Black Jesus
It's like a Saint, that we pray to in the ghetto, to get us through
Somebody that understand our pain
You know maybe not too perfect, you know
Somebody that hurt like we hurt
Somebody that smoke like we smoke
Drink like we drink
That understand where we coming from
That's who we pray to we need help y'all
The song "Black Jesuz" by Tupac Shakur and Outlawz is a reflection of the struggles and hardships that African Americans face in America. Tupac searches for a black Jesus who understands their pain and experiences. He questions the existence of religion and wonders if it's just another trap to keep black people oppressed. He talks about the pressure of living in a society that doesn't care about the pain of the youth, the struggle of surviving in an earthly hell, and the feeling of being trapped.
The lyrics are a call for someone to stand beside him and rally the troops to fight against the system that isn’t listening to their pain. He pleads for a reason to survive, and that they've been sentenced to life by the ones meant to protect them. The song emphasizes the pain and suffering of being a political prisoner and the two choices they offer to either ride or die.
Tupac and the Outlawz dedicated this song to the struggle of African Americans and other minorities, whose voices go unheard. They express the pain, frustrations, and hopelessness felt by many, and their search for a black Jesus to help them through it all.
Line by Line Meaning
Searching for Black Jesus, oh yeah
We are looking for someone who can understand our pain and provide us help as we struggle in the harsh conditions of the ghetto.
Sportin' jewels and shit, you know what I mean?
Wearing expensive jewelry to show our wealth and display dominance in our community.
Straight tatted up, no doubt, no doubt
Completely covered in tattoos, there's no question about it.
Young Kadafi in this bitch, set it off nigga, what?
Kadafi is here and he's ready to start things off with a bang.
I do my shootin's on a knob, prayin' to God for my squad
I use my gun to protect my team and pray for their safety.
Stuck in a nightmare, hopin' he might care
We're in a terrible situation and hoping that God will take pity on us.
Though times is hard, up against all odds, I play my cards
Even though we're facing difficult circumstances and obstacles, I try to make the best choices I can.
Like I'm jailin', shots hittin' up my spot like midnight rains hailin'
I'm trapped in a dangerous situation and bullets are raining down on me like a storm.
Got me bailin' to stacks more green
I'm running away to make more money.
Gods ain't tryin' to be trapped on no block slangin'
God wouldn't want to be stuck selling drugs on the streets.
No rocks like bean pies brainstorm on the beginnin'
Instead of selling drugs, we should come up with new ideas and start fresh.
Wonder how shit like the Qu'ran and the Bible was written
I'm curious about how religious texts like the Qu'ran and the Bible were created.
What is religion? Gods words all cursed like crack
I wonder what religion really is, because it seems like God's message is being warped and corrupted.
Shaitan's way of gettin' us back or just another
Is this Satan's way of getting revenge on us, or is it something else?
One of my Black Jesus traps
Black Jesus is a way for me to deal with this difficult life.
Who's got the heart to stand beside me?
Who is brave enough to support me in this dangerous lifestyle?
I feel my enemies creepin' up in silence
I sense my enemies approaching me quietly and sneakily.
Dark prayer, scream violence demons all around me
I'm praying for help, but it feels like violence and evil are closing in on me from every direction.
Can't even bend my knees just a lost cloud, Black Jesus
I can't even pray properly because I feel so lost and disconnected from God.
Give me a reason to survive, in this earthly hell
I'm asking Black Jesus to give me a purpose to keep living in this hellish existence.
'Cause I swear, they tryin' to break my well
I feel like people are trying to destroy my mental and emotional stability.
I'm on the edge lookin' down at this volatile pit
I'm teetering on the edge of a dangerous situation, looking down into a dark pit.
Will it matter if I cease to exist? Black Jesus
Is there any point in me continuing to live if my life doesn't matter to anyone?
All hail, the pressure no endeavor can fail
We await the arrival of someone who can help us deal with the overwhelming challenges and pressure of our lives.
Some missin souls turn to hoes when exposed to jail
Some people turn to sex work when they're incarcerated and have no other options.
In times of war we need somebody raw, rally the troops
During a crisis, we need someone strong and capable to lead us and motivate us to fight.
Like a Saint that we can trust to help to carry us through
We need someone who is trustworthy and dependable to help us get through tough times.
Outlawz we got our own race, culture, religion
As Outlawz, we have created our own distinct identity that is different from mainstream society.
Rebellin' against the system, commence to lynchin'
We are resisting and fighting against the oppressive societal and governmental systems that seek to control us.
The President ain't even listenin' to the pain of the youth
The people in power are ignoring the struggles and difficulties that young people face.
We make music for eternity, forever the truth
Our music will last forever and will always tell the truth about our lives and experiences.
Political prisoner, the two choices that they givin' us
We're trapped in a cycle of being either a political prisoner or a criminal, with no other options.
Ride or die, for life they sentence us
We're expected to either stick with the cause or die for it, even if it means a lifelong sentence.
Oh Black Jesus, please watch over my brother Shawn
I'm praying for Black Jesus to protect and care for my friend Shawn.
Soon as the sky get bright, it's just another storm
Even when things start to seem better, another crisis or difficult situation arises.
Brothers gone, now labeled a statistic
My friends have died and are just seen as numbers and data instead of human beings.
Ain't no love for us ghetto kids, they call us nigglets
We're treated with disdain and disrespect because we're from the ghetto.
History repeats itself, nuttin' new in school I knew
I learned in school that history tends to repeat itself, and my experiences corroborate that.
E'rything I read wasn't true, Black Jesus
I've learned that everything I've been taught isn't necessarily true, and I'm looking to Black Jesus for guidance.
To this click I'm dedicated, criminal orientated
I am committed to this group and our criminal lifestyle.
An Outlaw initiated, blazed and faded
As an Outlaw, I am proudly initiated and often under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Made for terror, major league niggaz pray together
We are built for the fear and danger that comes with our lifestyle, and we often pray together for strength and guidance.
Bitches in they grave while my real niggaz play together
Women who get involved with our lifestyle often end up dead while the men continue to live recklessly.
We die clutchin' glasses, filled with liquor bomblastic
When we die, we clutch empty glasses that were once filled with explosive liquor.
Cremated, last wishes nigga smoke my ashes
If I die, I want my ashes to be smoked by my friends as a final tribute.
High sigh why die wishin', hopin' for possibilities
Why should we resign ourselves to death when we could be hoping and striving for something better?
I'll mob on, why they copy me sloppily
I'll keep moving forward while others try to copy me unsuccessfully.
Cops patrol projects, hatin' the people livin' in them
Police officers often patrol poor neighborhoods and target the people living there.
I was born an inmate, waitin' to escape the prison
I've always felt trapped and confined, like I'm waiting to escape from a metaphorical prison.
Went to church but don't understand it, they underhanded
I've tried going to church but don't really understand it, and I suspect that some of the people there are being deceitful.
God gave me these commandments, the world is scandalous
I believe that God has given us commandments, but the world is full of scandal and immorality.
Blast til they holy high, baptize they evil minds
I'll keep fighting and blasting until the people who embody evil are defeated and replaced with holy, righteous individuals.
Wise, no longer blinded, watch me shine trick
I've become wise and enlightened, and I will show off my new knowledge and insight.
Which one of y'all wanna feel the degrees?
Who wants to experience the intense emotions and experiences we're going through?
Bitches freeze facin' Black Jesus
People are shocked and afraid when they face the reality of our dangerous lifestyle.
Some say, some day, some how, some way, we gon' fail
Some people believe that we are destined to fail no matter how hard we try.
And it ain't hard to tell, we dwell in hell
It's obvious that we're living in a hellish existence.
Trapped, black, scarred and barred
We're stuck, we're black, we're traumatized, and we're imprisoned by our circumstances.
Searching for truth, where it's hard to find God
We're trying to discover the truth in a place where it's difficult to find God.
I play the Pied Piper, and to this Thug Life, I'm a lifer
I'm a leader and a motivator, and my commitment to Thug Life is permanent.
Proceed, to turn up the speed, just for stripes
We're going to work harder and faster, even if it means taking risks, just to prove ourselves.
My Black Jesus, walk through this valley with me
I'm asking Black Jesus to help me through this difficult journey and be by my side.
Where we, so used to hard times and casualties
We're so accustomed to difficult situations and deaths in our community.
Indeed, it hurt me deep to have to sleep on the streets
It really hurts me to have to sleep on the streets and endure such difficult circumstances.
And haven't eaten in weeks, so save a prayer for me
I haven't been able to eat in a long time, so I'm asking for people to pray for me.
And all the young thugs, raised on drugs and guns
All of us young people who grew up surrounded by drugs and guns are struggling to survive.
Blazed out and numb, slaves to this slums this ain't livin' Jesus
We're constantly high and emotionally numb, and we're trapped in this cycle of poverty and violence that is not really living at all.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BRUCE WASHINGTON, DONNA T. HUNTER, KATARI T. COX, LEROY JR. WILLIAMS, RUFUS LEE COOPER, TUPAC AMARU SHAKUR, TYRONE J. WRICE, VAL YOUNG, YAFEU FULA
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