Against All Odds
2Pac (aka Makaveli) Lyrics

One love, one love, one thug
Unity and loyalty among true friends and comrades

One nation, twenty-one gun salute
Honoring fallen soldiers who sacrificed their lives

I'm hopin my true motherf***ers know
Expressing hope that loyal individuals understand

This be the realest s*** I ever wrote
Acknowledging the profound authenticity of the song

Against all odds, up in the studio, gettin blowed
Creating amidst adversity, inspired by true experiences

To the truest s*** I ever spoke
Delivering the most honest and sincere message

Twenty-one gun salute, dressed in fatigue, black jeans and boots
Paying tribute, fully prepared for battle and resistance

Disappeared in the crowd, all you seen was troops
Blending into a unified force, leaving a powerful visual impact

This little n**** named Nas thinks he live like me
A critique of Nas' claims to emulate his lifestyle

Talkin bout he left the hospital took five like me
Exposing Nas' false claims of similarity in experiences

You living fantasies, n**** I reject your deposit
Rejecting Nas' fabricated narratives and inauthenticity

We shook Dre punk a**, now he out of the closet
Bringing Dr. Dre's true character to light and exposing him

Mobb Deep wonder why n**** blowed them out
Questioning the actions that led to Mobb Deep's downfall

Next time grown folks talk, n**** close your mouth
Advising others to speak only when they have something valuable to say

Peep me, I take this war s*** deeply
Highlighting his deep involvement and dedication to the ongoing conflict

Done seen too many real players fall to let these b**** n****s beat me
Refusing to be defeated by those who lack authenticity and integrity

Puffy lets be honest you a punk or you will see me with gloves
Challenging Puff Daddy's character and suggesting physical confrontation

Remember that s*** you said to Vibe about me bein a thug
Recalling Puff Daddy's derogatory comments towards his reputation

You can tell the people you roll with whatever you want
Acknowledging Puff Daddy's ability to manipulate public perception

But you and I know what's going on
Asserting that they both understand the true nature of their conflict

Payback, I knew you b**** n****s from way back
Seeking revenge against long-time adversaries

Witness me strapped with Macs, knew I wouldn't play that
Asserting his readiness for combat and refusal to back down

All you old rappers trying to advance
Calling out older rappers who attempt to progress forward

It's all over now, take it like a man
Implying the end of their relevance and the need to accept it

N****s lookin like Larry Holmes, flabby and sick
Criticizing their appearance and decline in talent

Tryin to player hate on my s***, you eat a fat dick
Dismissing their attempts to undermine his success

Let it be known this is how you made me
Acknowledging the role his adversaries played in shaping him

Lovin how I got you n****s crazy
Enjoying the chaos and frustration he causes them

I heard he was light skinned, stocky with a Haitian accent
Describing the individual he is about to expose

Jewelery, fast cars and he's known for flashing (What's his name???)
Highlighting the person's extravagant lifestyle and asking for identification

Listen while I take you back (N**** SAY HIS NAME!) and lace this rap
Inviting the listener to pay attention while he reveals the truth

A real live tale about a snitch named Haitian Jack
Recounting the story of a notorious informant named Haitian Jack

Knew he was working for the FED's, same crime, different trials
Aware of his collaboration with the authorities, facing legal consequences

N****, picture what he said, and did I mention
Imagining the informant's testimony and underscoring its significance

Promised a payback, Jimmy Henchman, in due time
Seeking vengeance against Jimmy Henchman at the right moment

I know you b**** n****s is listenin, The World Is Mine
Addressing his enemies and asserting his dominance and power

Set me up, wet me up, n****s stuck me up
Being framed, attacked, and betrayed by his own associates

Heard the guns bust but you tricks never shut me up
Despite the attempt on his life, he remains unbroken and unafraid

Touch one of mine, on everything I love
Threatening severe consequences for harm done to his loved ones

I'll destroy everything you touch, play the game n****
Promising to ruin the lives of those who oppose him

All out warfare, eye for eye
Declaring a relentless battle, seeking revenge for every offense

Last words to a b**** n****, 'Why you lie?'
Challenging his enemy's dishonesty and deception

Now you gotta watch your back, now watch your front
Warning his adversary to be vigilant from all directions

Here we come, gunshots to Tut, now you stuck
Threatening violent retaliation, leaving them trapped and helpless

F*** the rap game, n**** this M-O-B
Rejecting the superficiality of the rap industry, prioritizing loyalty

So believe me we enemies, I go against all odds
Acknowledging the existence of conflict, defying all expectations

Puffy getting robbed like a b****, to hide that fact
Revealing Puff Daddy's vulnerability and his attempts to conceal it

He did some s*** he shouldn't have did, so we ridin for that
Seeking revenge for Puff Daddy's actions and holding him accountable

And that n**** that was down for me, restin dead
Referring to a former ally who betrayed him and is now deceased

Switch sides, guess his new friends wanted him dead
Highlighting the consequences of betrayal and the loyalty of his associates

Probably be murdered for the s*** that I said
Anticipating retaliation for his outspokenness and exposing the truth

I bring the real, be a legend, breathing or dead
Bringing genuine authenticity and striving to leave a lasting legacy

Lord listen to me
Seeking guidance and divine support in his endeavors

God don't like ugly, It Was Written
Referring to the consequences faced by those who engage in deceitful acts

(ey yo Nas) Nas, your whole damn style is bitten
Directly addressing Nas and accusing him of plagiarism and lack of originality

You heard My Melody, read about my life in the papers
Claiming that Nas gained inspiration from his own music and personal experiences

All my run-ins with authorities, felonious capers
Recalling his encounters with law enforcement and criminal activities

Now you wanna live my life, so what's a Hausa Nas?
Questioning Nas' sudden desire to mimic his lifestyle and identity

N****s that don't rhyme right, you've seen too many movies
Criticizing Nas' lack of lyrical skill and reliance on fictional narratives

Load em up against the wall, close his eyes
Suggesting a violent end for those who deceive and betray

Since you lie you die, GOODBYE
Condemning those who perpetuate falsehoods and bidding them farewell

Let the real live n****s hear the truth from me
Desire to expose the truth to those who value authenticity

What would you do if you was me n****
Challenging others to consider the implications of walking in his shoes

One love to my true thug n****s (Outlaw! Outlaw! Outlaw!)
Showing respect and solidarity to loyal and rebellious individuals

Twenty-one gun salute to my n****s that die in the line of duty
Honoring fallen comrades who sacrificed their lives for a cause

Representin to the fullest bein soldiers with military minds
Embodying resilience and strategic thinking like dedicated soldiers

That play the rules of the game, twenty-one gun salute
Recognizing those who abide by the unwritten laws of the streets

I salute you my n****s, stay strong
Offering admiration and encouragement to his fellow warriors

I ride for you, I rhyme for you, I roll for you, it's all for you
Dedicating his actions and art to the cause and his loyal supporters

To all you b**** made n****s, I'm comin for you
Promising to confront and retaliate against weak and disloyal individuals

Against all odds, I don't care who the f*** you is, n****
Challenging anyone, regardless of their status or reputation

You touch me I'm at you
Warning that any aggression towards him will result in immediate retaliation

I know you motherf***ers think that I forgot
Addressing the perception of forgetfulness and reminding them otherwise

Hell no I ain't forgot n****
Asserting with certainty that he has not forgotten

I just remember what you told me
Retaining memories of their past conversations and interactions

You said don't go to war unless I got my money behind me
Recalling their advice to only engage in conflict with sufficient resources

Aight, I got my money right here, now I want war
Demonstrating readiness for war as he possesses the necessary funds