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.
Teardrops And Closed Caskets
2Pac & The Outlawz Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's like all we got left - teardrops and closed caskets
(Throw it up fool, hey nigga, haha)
Tell me how you feel homey
(Yeah, it took a week to go down)
You recollects and see how crasy it sounds
The whole town's on a mission, adolescents (penitentiary bound)
(Now introducin' Young Trigga)
Just anotha wild-ass nigga
(But he was fiendin' for Precious) What?
(But Precious was a ghetto girl)
Couldn't be no sex without that gold Lexus
(But Lil' Trigga was heartbroken, he had to get his papers)
Seein' visions of people smokin' and niggas catchin' vapors
Got his man from around the corner (we'll call him Lil' Mo)
(Been in so many reform schools they had to let him go)
(Here's where the plot thickens)
They got a plot to make a profit with they glocks spittin'
(They call the squad, hittin' blocks with they guns blowin')
(Somebody's gonna die tonight)
Still no one's knowin', so they kept goin
Catchin' dealers comin' out they cars (will they survive?)
(Two semi-automatic nines, them niggas died)
(Plus nobody in the hood cries, it's like they celebrate
To death and wish they could die) So peep the lesson
But wait a minute back to Precious
She's snortin' dope in the back seat of Trigg's Lexus
Teardrops and closed caskets!
Will I, forever be alone
Teardrops and closed caskets
Teardrops and closed caskets!
Will I, forever be alone
Teardrops and closed caskets
(Don't let these ghetto streets get you, Precious)
(Was the victim, from a dime to a nickel)
Hopin' God's blessings stick with ya
Picture the neighborhood kingpin, who's gettin bigger
Familiar face, but a man now, it's Lil' Trigga
Now Lil' Mo was a soldier to the fullest
Down for his homies, always the first to spit bullets
(All he wanted was to be a thug)
Never pictured his truest homeboy would fall in love
(Here's where it gets ya)
Now Precious is pregnant, Lil' Trigga is happy
He wants to marry her now (not knowin' he ain't the daddy)
But Precious was lonely while Lil' Trigga was makin' dough
She's slippin' in secret places and gettin' with Lil' Mo
The neighborhood's buzzin, now people are talkin'
Lil' Trigga's gettin' pictures of the both of 'em walkin'
(Hand in hand, couldn't understand)
How his baby's mama could disappear with another man
(And his best friend)
Now jealousy's dangerous, and if you don't believe me
Then watch the way that this story ends and maybe you'll see
There ain't no heroes or villains, ain't no pleasure in killin'
Just the smoke from the cap peelin' a man with no feelings
Teardrops and closed caskets!
Will I, forever be alone
Teardrops and closed caskets
Bury you dead and look ahead
A man with no feelings
Teardrops and closed caskets!
Will I, forever be alone
Teardrops and closed caskets
That's all we got left, that's all
Now with the problems of poverty
And the tricks to these tales
How many people'll die
How many'll live to tell
Although best friends before
Lil' Trigga and Mo
(They in an all out war, over a fiend they ain't know)
Behind the curtains their privacy lust is already laid down
The results is the same with different names and it turns out
Y'all know how it is, same old thing in the same old town
Lil' Trigg got his nose wide open on this one trick, now he's played out
Think it's Lil' Mo (was plottin' plans on gettin' bigger)
(Precious was his way to put his hands on Lil' Trigga)
All the while let's look at Precious
Too dumb to see what's goin' down (too doped up to ask questions)
Used to be comrades (but now we blast on sight)
What could be so bad (God, will we last tonight?)
From misdemeanors to felonies, small-time to sellin' Ki's
I can't believe the shit they tellin' me
They open fire, three bodies drop, so call the cops
(Precious, Lil' Mo and Trigg)
Teardrops and closed caskets!
Will I, forever be alone
Ey QB III in this motherfucker
Teardrops and closed caskets
We dedicate this to all the fallen comrades (that's right)
All the homies that didn't make it to see this day (rest in peace)
Will I, forever be alone
Yaknahmean? I know it's hard out there, hehe
With teardrops and closed caskets
It's like that's all we got to look forward to these days
Murders, brothers dyin, funerals
Will I, forever be alone
Shit, it's like I done ran out of suits homey
I done ran out of tears
Know we gon' have to do somethin y'all
We gon' have to do somethin
Will I, forever be alone
'Cause I know all these mothers is tired of seein the same thing (rest in peace)
Teardrops and closed caskets
I send this out to M'thulu Geronimo
And to, all the fallen comrades, all the soldiers
Will I, forever be alone (to the homey Boonie, rest in peace nigga)
All the homies that fell, all the homies
May God bless your families
May you always live in the motherfuckin' heart
Will I, forever be alone
In a thug niggas heart forever (that's right)
Rest in peace nigga
May your enemies be deceased, dead on the streets
We can't have peace til the niggas get a piece
Will I
The song Teardrops and Closed Caskets by 2Pac & The Outlawz starts strong with the idea that in their world, all they have left is teardrops and closed caskets. The lyrics, which are poetic and insightful, then tell the story of Lil' Trigga and Lil' Mo, two friends who turned against each other over a girl named Precious. The lyrics speak about how easy it is for jealousy to take over and how damaging it can be. The song is emotionally charged, and the lyrics are meant to make the listener think.
The lyrics are a commentary on the world that 2Pac & The Outlawz grew up in. A world of poverty, violence, and drugs. A world where people are killed over simple things like jealousy, money or love. The lyrics take on these difficult themes and manage to convey a message of hope in the face of adversity. The song is a tribute to the many fallen comrades who died in the violent streets of America.
Overall, the song is a statement about the harsh realities of the streets, and the importance of staying true to oneself and being aware of one's surroundings. The lyrics are powerful, and the message is clear. It's a song that speaks to those who have lived through similar experiences and those who are still living through them today.
Line by Line Meaning
(Ha, hahaha) Hehe, word
Introductory laughter before diving into the harsh reality of life in the inner city
It's like all we got left - teardrops and closed caskets
The bleak reality of life in the ghetto, where death is commonplace and funerals are frequent
(Throw it up fool, hey nigga, haha) Tell me how you feel homey
Casual conversation between friends in the midst of a dangerous environment
(Yeah, it took a week to go down) You recollects and see how crasy it sounds
Reflecting on recent events and realizing the absurdity of the violent and tragic circumstances
The whole town's on a mission, adolescents (penitentiary bound)
Young people in the community are caught up in a cycle of poverty, crime, and incarceration
(Now introducin' Young Trigga) Since birth, eyes set on gettin bigger
Introducing a character who is determined to succeed and will do whatever it takes to rise above his surroundings
Just anotha wild-ass nigga
Despite his ambition, Young Trigga is still seen as just another reckless young man by some in the community
(But he was fiendin' for Precious) What?
Young Trigga is obsessed with a particular girl, which sets many events in motion
(But Precious was a ghetto girl) Couldn't be no sex without that gold Lexus
The girl Young Trigga desires is materialistic and will only have a relationship with him if he has the right flashy possessions
(But Lil' Trigga was heartbroken, he had to get his papers) Seein' visions of people smokin' and niggas catchin' vapors
Despite his heartbreak, Young Trigga knows he needs to focus on making money and success so he can escape the dangers and violence of the ghetto
Got his man from around the corner (we'll call him Lil' Mo) (Been in so many reform schools they had to let him go)
Young Trigga's friend Lil' Mo has also had a rough upbringing and is known to be a troublemaker
(Here's where the plot thickens) They got a plot to make a profit with they glocks spittin'
Young Trigga and Lil' Mo plan a dangerous and lucrative crime to make money and rise above their circumstances
(They call the squad, hittin' blocks with they guns blowin') (Somebody's gonna die tonight) Still no one's knowin', so they kept goin
The plan goes wrong and leads to violence, but they continue with their criminal activity despite the danger and risks involved
Catchin' dealers comin' out they cars (will they survive?) (Two semi-automatic nines, them niggas died)
The violent and deadly consequences of the crime that Young Trigga and Lil' Mo have committed
(Plus nobody in the hood cries, it's like they celebrate To death and wish they could die) So peep the lesson
The lack of empathy and humanity in the community towards those who have died tragically, highlighting the bleak reality of life in the inner city
But wait a minute back to Precious She's snortin' dope in the back seat of Trigg's Lexus
The girl Young Trigga desires is involved with drugs and is not loyal to him, further complicating their relationship and adding to his disappointment and heartbreak
(Don't let these ghetto streets get you, Precious) (Was the victim, from a dime to a nickel) Hopin' God's blessings stick with ya
Young Trigga hopes that Precious can escape the dangers of the ghetto and find a better life, acknowledging the harshness of her reality and the risks she faces
Picture the neighborhood kingpin, who's gettin bigger Familiar face, but a man now, it's Lil' Trigga
Young Trigga has achieved some success and has made a name for himself in the community as someone who is rising up and getting ahead
Now with the problems of poverty And the tricks to these tales How many people'll die How many'll live to tell
Reflecting on the harsh reality of life in the inner city and the dangers and risks that come with trying to rise above it
(Although best friends before Lil' Trigga and Mo) (They in an all out war, over a fiend they ain't know) Behind the curtains their privacy lust is already laid down The results is the same with different names and it turns out
The complicated and tragic circumstances that have arisen between Young Trigga and Lil' Mo due to their criminal activity and their relationships with Precious
(That's all we got left, that's all) Teardrops and closed caskets! Will I, forever be alone
The recurring theme of death and grief in the community, where funerals and mourning are all too common
Bury you dead and look ahead A man with no feelings
Dealing with the tragic loss of loved ones while trying to move forward and survive in a harsh and unforgiving environment
(Ey QB III in this motherfucker) Teardrops and closed caskets We dedicate this to all the fallen comrades (that's right) All the homies that didn't make it to see this day (rest in peace)
Paying tribute to those who have died tragically in the community and acknowledging the impact that these losses have on those left behind
(Yaknahmean? I know it's hard out there, hehe) With teardrops and closed caskets It's like that's all we got to look forward to these days Murders, brothers dyin, funerals
Acknowledging the harsh reality of life in the inner city, where death and violence are all too common and mourning is a regular occurrence
(Shit, it's like I done ran out of suits homey) I done ran out of tears Know we gon' have to do somethin y'all We gon' have to do somethin
Despite the overwhelming sadness and grief in the community, there is a sense of determination to change things and make a difference
May your enemies be deceased, dead on the streets We can't have peace til the niggas get a piece
The frustration and anger that arises from the poverty and violence in the community, and the desire to fight back against those who have contributed to this reality
(to the homey Boonie, rest in peace nigga) All the homies that fell, all the homies May God bless your families May you always live in the motherfuckin' heart
Effectively ending the song with a heartfelt tribute to those who have died tragically in the community, and acknowledging the impact that these losses have on those left behind
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: YAFEU FULA, TUPAC AMARU SHAKUR, MUTAH W. BEALE, KATARI T. COX, MALCOLM GREENIDGE, QUINCY DELIGHT III JONES, SKIP SCARBOROUGH, NATE DOGG, VAL YOUNG
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