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.
Secretz Of War
2Pac & The Outlawz Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's as simple as that for me and my niggas
You either ride wit' us, or collide wit' us
It's as simple as that for me and my niggas
War Time
War Time, it's either yours or mine
Outlawz be on a grind, and a mission to shine
Set it straight, regulate
Wit' a bomb I'm about to detonate (Boom!)
Hesitate, aw, now you know what
Y'all niggas were here to go
If you know it was good for ya
Buncha toy souljahs all dressed in fatigue
But I'm Edi Amin on a mission to make em bleed
Nigga what? Nigga who?
It was cool? And at you? What the fuck is gone do?
Barbecue and boo-hoo
Ride or die, get money all at the same time
Split the pie with the homie, ball at the same time
Any nigga splippin', fall at the same time
We all links in the chain, tryin' to gain, do time
We all see the sunshine
But when you could do yours, we'll bring these muthafuckas war
You either ride wit' us, or collide wit' us
It's as simple as that for me and my niggas
You either ride wit' us, or collide wit' us
It's as simple as that for me and my niggas
You either ride wit' us, or collide wit' us
It's as simple as that for me and my niggas
As I approach the scene, from smokin' green
Got my eyes closed, niggas so cold on my foes
I make em' die froze
Watch me make em' bleed, make em' G's
Lord help me wit' it
Got me paintin' pictures of a mil-ticket
Help me get it
See me and pray for options
But the pressures nonstop
Niggas get the pistol poppin'
And watch they body drop
I'm a lethal threat, watch me hit your set
Flash on, blast on them bitch-made niggas wit' my mask on
Do it for profit, plus I'm, lookin for punks to bust on
If you ain't screamin' WestSide, you can get the fuck on
I'm seein' demons hittin' weed
Got me hearin' screamin'
Scared to go to sleep, watch the scene like a dope-fiend
Probably be punished for it, though you can't ignore it
I live the life of a thug nigga, and die for it
Niggas pass the clip and watch me bring em to the floor
I got some shit that they ain't ready for (What you got?)
I got the Secretz of War
You either ride wit' us, or collide wit' us
It's as simple as that for me and my niggas
You either ride wit' us, or collide wit' us
It's as simple as that for me and my niggas
You either ride wit' us, or collide wit' us
It's as simple as that for me and my niggas
You either ride wit' us, or collide wit' us
It's as simple as that for me and my niggas
We do this thug life shit, like 4, 5, 6, dick em'
Down wit' no rounds left up in the pound when the sounds (Here we go)
Squeeze the lead off, I blow his muthafuckin' head off
Signal all the other Outlawz to get this shit set off
Yaki Kadafi, it ain't a cop here to stop me
These streets is black hockey and raw we get sloppy
Put a pamper on your silly ass pre-style grammar
Locked in the slammer, while I'm laid cocked back like a hammer
Y'all newly weds that in honey moons, times bout up
Y'all, that means I leave no trace found with you face, bounce, stuck
Your pig scanners can't come close touch or even hit me
Doin' my dirt, puttin' in work, you see shit, what you gonna do?
You either ride wit' us, or collide wit' us
It's as simple as that for me and my niggas
You either ride wit' us, or collide wit' us
It's as simple as that for me and my niggas
You either ride wit' us, or collide wit' us
It's as simple as that for me and my niggas
You either ride wit' us, or collide wit' us
It's as simple as that for me and my niggas
Yo, we go to war
We check the murder rate percentage
Niggas is finished
Get blood checks from clinics
This thug shit is in us
Flowin' through my system, you a victim
Blunts, I twist em', fuck the whole world
It's us against them
You got some heat? Pull it out
Cock the hammer if you wit' it, don't make
No difference here, with the 25 to life sentence
We already doin' life on the streetz
Like algae, niggas be heated, when they walkin' the beat
This shit is flaky, makin' backs shaky, niggas hate me
Scared to face me, knowin' that the Outlawz blase me
Pull me up on game, put me up on a hustle
Once I suck my money muscle, all the G's got devils
Movin' shit like a dollar, beatin' niggas like Rodney
Turn a killa' like Kadafi, and a nuke stream to stop me
You either ride wit' us, or collide wit' us
It's as simple as that for me and my niggas
You either ride wit' us, or collide wit' us
It's as simple as that for me and my niggas
You either ride wit' us, or collide wit' us
It's as simple as that for me and my niggas
You either ride wit' us, or collide wit' us
It's as simple as that for me and my niggas
You either ride wit' us, or collide wit' us
It's as simple as that for me and my niggas
You either ride wit' us, or collide wit' us
It's as simple as that for me and my niggas
We go to war
You either ride wit' us, or collide wit' us
It's as simple as that for me and my niggas
You either ride wit' us, or collide wit' us
It's as simple as that for me and my niggas
Bring it on
And all you lil' young ass souljahs
You play this shit back about fifteen times
You'll have enough game to roll up in a club or somethin'
Teach these bitches a lil' somethin', you know what I mean?
Secretz of muthafuckin' War
In the song "Secretz of War," 2Pac and The Outlawz are declaring that you either ride with them or collide with them. They are on a grind and a mission to shine, and they are not afraid to ride and leave their enemies stuck and fucked from the gate. They are regulating with a bomb that's about to detonate, and they're not hesitating. They're all dressed in camouflage, but they're serious about making their enemies bleed. 2Pac portrays himself as a lethal threat and says that he's looking for punks to bust on. He says that he's seeing demons and is constantly hearing screams.
The song is a declaration of 2Pac's and The Outlawz's gangster lifestyle, which involves aggression and violence. They're not afraid to go to war with anyone who tries to cross them. The song's message is that the listener needs to choose sides because there are no grey areas in this world. One either rides with them or collides with them.
Line by Line Meaning
You either ride wit' us, or collide wit' us
You must choose to align with us or face conflict
It's as simple as that for me and my niggas
This decision is straightforward and clear for us and our crew
War Time
We are in a time of conflict
War Time, it's either yours or mine
In this war, only one side will emerge victorious
Outlawz be on a grind, and a mission to shine
The Outlawz are actively working hard to succeed and make their mark
And ride on em', leave em' stuck and fucked from the gate
We will attack our enemies, leaving them in a helpless and vulnerable state
Set it straight, regulate
We aim to establish control and enforce order
Wit' a bomb I'm about to detonate (Boom!)
With an explosive action, I am about to wreak havoc
Hesitate, aw, now you know what
If you hesitate, you'll face the consequences
Y'all niggas were here to go
You were destined to be defeated
If you know it was good for ya
It would have been in your best interest to align with us
Buncha toy souljahs all dressed in fatigue
You foolish soldiers think you're prepared, but you're inexperienced
But I'm Edi Amin on a mission to make em bleed
I am like the ruthless dictator Edi Amin, determined to inflict pain and suffering
Nigga what? Nigga who?
Who do you think you're dealing with?
It was cool? And at you? What the fuck is gone do?
You thought it was fine to come at us? What are you going to do now?
Barbecue and boo-hoo
You will face destruction and sorrow
Ride or die, get money all at the same time
We are loyal and dedicated, striving for wealth and success simultaneously
Split the pie with the homie, ball at the same time
We share our riches with our close friends, all while enjoying the good life
Any nigga splippin', fall at the same time
If anyone makes a mistake, we will all face the consequences together
We all links in the chain, tryin' to gain, do time
Each of us is a vital part of the group, striving for success and willing to endure hardships
We all see the sunshine
We are all aware of the potential rewards and brighter days
But when you could do yours, we'll bring these muthafuckas war
While you focus on your achievements, we will initiate conflict with our enemies
As I approach the scene, from smokin' green
As I arrive at the location, having consumed marijuana
Got my eyes closed, niggas so cold on my foes
With my eyes shut, I remain calm and detached from my adversaries
I make em' die froze
I cause them to meet their demise in a state of fear and shock
Watch me make em' bleed, make em' G's
Witness as I make them suffer and transform them into gangsters
Lord help me wit' it
I seek guidance and assistance from a higher power
Got me paintin' pictures of a mil-ticket
I am envisioning scenarios where I am earning millions of dollars
Help me get it
Aid me in achieving this goal
See me and pray for options
Observe and wish for alternatives in my situation
But the pressures nonstop
Yet the demands and stress never cease
Niggas get the pistol poppin'
Enemies start shooting their guns
And watch they body drop
And observe their lifeless bodies falling to the ground
I'm a lethal threat, watch me hit your set
I am a dangerous and formidable adversary, capable of invading your territory
Flash on, blast on them bitch-made niggas wit' my mask on
Swiftly attack and eliminate weak individuals, concealed behind a mask
Do it for profit, plus I'm, lookin for punks to bust on
I engage in acts of violence for financial gain, and seek out targets to confront and defeat
If you ain't screamin' WestSide, you can get the fuck on
If you're not expressing loyalty to the West Side, you are not welcome here
I'm seein' demons hittin' weed
I am witnessing evil entities while under the influence of marijuana
Got me hearin' screamin'
I am experiencing auditory hallucinations of screaming
Scared to go to sleep, watch the scene like a dope-fiend
Afraid to fall asleep, I remain vigilant and observe my surroundings like a drug addict
Probably be punished for it, though you can't ignore it
I will likely face consequences for my actions, although they cannot be disregarded
I live the life of a thug nigga, and die for it
I embrace the lifestyle of a gangster, willing to sacrifice my life for it
Niggas pass the clip and watch me bring em to the floor
My comrades provide me with ammunition and witness as I defeat our enemies
I got some shit that they ain't ready for (What you got?)
I possess weapons and tactics that our opponents are unprepared for
I got the Secretz of War
I possess the hidden knowledge and strategies of warfare
We do this thug life shit, like 4, 5, 6, dick em'
We engage in this gangster lifestyle wholeheartedly, without hesitation
Down wit' no rounds left up in the pound when the sounds (Here we go)
Fully committed, without any ammunition left in the firearm when the situation intensifies
Squeeze the lead off, I blow his muthafuckin' head off
I pull the trigger, causing his head to explode
Signal all the other Outlawz to get this shit set off
I communicate with the rest of the Outlawz to initiate the planned actions
Yaki Kadafi, it ain't a cop here to stop me
Even the law enforcement cannot prevent me from carrying out my actions
These streets is black hockey and raw we get sloppy
The streets are filled with danger and violence, and we become uncontrollable
Put a pamper on your silly ass pre-style grammar
Silence your foolish and boastful manner of speaking
Locked in the slammer, while I'm laid cocked back like a hammer
While I am free, relaxing and ready for action, you are imprisoned
Y'all newly weds that in honey moons, times bout up
Your time of happiness and joy is coming to an end
Y'all, that means I leave no trace found with you face, bounce, stuck
I will ensure that no evidence is left connecting me to your demise
Your pig scanners can't come close touch or even hit me
Law enforcement's surveillance and tracking devices cannot locate or harm me
Doin' my dirt, puttin' in work, you see shit, what you gonna do?
I am carrying out illegal activities and making significant progress, forcing you to decide how to respond
We check the murder rate percentage
We monitor and assess the frequency of killings
Niggas is finished
Our enemies are on the brink of defeat
Get blood checks from clinics
We receive regular medical examinations due to our violent nature
This thug shit is in us
We have a natural inclination for this gangster lifestyle
Flowin' through my system, you a victim
The thug mentality runs deep in me, and you are now a target
Blunts, I twist em', fuck the whole world
I roll marijuana cigars, expressing my disregard for society
It's us against them
We are united as a group and opposed to the rest of the world
You got some heat? Pull it out
If you possess a weapon, reveal it
Cock the hammer if you wit' it, don't make
Prepare your firearm if you are willing to engage, don't hesitate
No difference here, with the 25 to life sentence
Our actions will result in a lengthy prison sentence, but we are unafraid
We already doin' life on the streetz
We are already living a life characterized by crime and violence
Like algae, niggas be heated, when they walkin' the beat
Just like algae, we are constantly growing and thriving, causing concern among law enforcement
This shit is flaky, makin' backs shaky, niggas hate me
Our presence causes instability and fear, leading others to despise us
Scared to face me, knowin' that the Outlawz blase me
They fear the consequences of confronting me, aware that the Outlawz endorse my actions
Pull me up on game, put me up on a hustle
Educate and guide me on street knowledge and money-making strategies
Once I suck my money muscle, all the G's got devils
After accumulating wealth, other gangsters become envious and resentful
Movin' shit like a dollar, beatin' niggas like Rodney
Operating swiftly and efficiently, defeating opponents just as Rodney King was beaten
Turn a killa' like Kadafi, and a nuke stream to stop me
I transform into a ruthless murderer like Kadafi, and nothing can halt my progress
Bring it on
I am ready to face any challenge or confrontation
And all you lil' young ass souljahs
Addressing the young individuals who are involved in this lifestyle
You play this shit back about fifteen times
Listen to this song repeatedly, absorbing its message
You'll have enough game to roll up in a club or somethin'
You will acquire enough knowledge to confidently navigate social situations
Teach these bitches a lil' somethin', you know what I mean?
Educate and enlighten these women, understand my perspective?
Secretz of muthafuckin' War
This song reveals the hidden tactics and strategies of warfare
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, ENTERTAINMENT ONE U.S. LP, OLE MEDIA MANAGEMENT LP
Written by: BRUCE WASHINGTON, JOHNNY LEE JACKSON, MALCOLM GREENIDGE, RUFUS LEE COOPER, TUPAC AMARU SHAKUR, YAFEU FULA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind