Never Say Never
2Pac Featuring The Notorious B.I.G. Lyrics

Now of course I want peace on the streets, but realistically
While I desire peace in the community, I understand the harsh reality of the situation.

Paintin' perfect pictures ain't never worked, my misery
Attempting to create a perfect image or idealistic vision has never alleviated my personal suffering.

Was so deep, couldn't sleep through all my pressures
The depth of my struggles and the pressure I faced prevented me from finding peace and rest.

In my quest for cash I learned fast, usin' violent measures
In my pursuit of money, I quickly realized that resorting to violence was an effective means of survival.

Memories of adolescent years, there was unity
During my teenage years, there was a sense of unity and togetherness.

But after puberty we brought war to our community
However, as we matured, conflict and violence emerged within our community.

So many bodies droppin', it's gotta stop, I wanna help
The increasing number of fatalities is alarming, and I genuinely desire to make a positive difference.

But still I'm steppin', keep my weapon, must protect myself
Despite my intentions to promote peace, I remain cautious and armed for self-defense.

The promise of a better tomorrow ain't never reached me
The hope for a brighter future has never materialized for me personally.

Plus my teachers was too petrified in class to teach me
My educators were too frightened to effectively educate me in class.

Sippin' Thunderbird and grape Kool-Aid, callin' Earl
Drinking cheap alcohol and flavored drinks, seeking temporary relief from the harsh reality of life.

Since my stomach was empty, it seduced me to fuck the world
Due to my constant hunger, I was tempted to turn against society and rebel.

Watch my lil' homies lose they childhoods to guns
Witnessing my young friends lose their innocence and youthful years to gun violence.

Nobody cries no more 'cause we all die for fun
The desensitization to death and violence has led to a lack of emotional expression and joy.

So why you ask me if I want peace, if you can't grant it
Why do you question my desire for peace when you are unable or unwilling to provide it?

Niggas fightin 'cross the whole planet, so it could never be peace
People are engaged in conflicts worldwide, making the achievement of peace impossible.

Will there ever be peace, or are we all just
Is true peace achievable, or are we all simply

Headed for doom, still consumed by the beast
Heading towards destruction, still controlled by our violent and primal instincts.

And I know there'll never be peace (uh-uh)
And I am aware that peace will never exist.

That's why I keep my pistol when I walk the streets
This is why I carry a firearm for protection as I navigate the dangerous streets.

'Cause there could never be peace
Because true peace is an unattainable goal.

Somebody owes me, will they control me? Nah
Someone may owe me something, but I refuse to let them have power over me.

I ain't a hater, player, but I want all you got
I am not envious or resentful, but I desire the material possessions and success that others possess.

Y'all babies had babies now we fightin' each other
Our young generation became parents prematurely, and now we find ourselves engaged in conflicts with one another.

My dawgs got rabies, they bitin' each other
My close companions have become aggressive and hostile, even turning on each other.

And it ain't hard to find a friend like mine
It is not difficult to find a friend similar to mine.

Bigfully is a bully and he don't mind dyin'
Bigfully is a fearless oppressor who is willing to face death.

And I gotta be blind, missed sign after sign
I must be oblivious to have overlooked numerous warning signs and indicators.

Time after time, half the time, have the time
Repeatedly, often, sometimes – a significant portion of the time.

And I don't like nobody, they don't like me more
I do not have affection for anyone, and it seems they reciprocate those feelings towards me.

And I'm good with that finally but they heard it before
I have come to terms with this situation, although others have heard my claims of acceptance before.

Dawg, we livin' in a prison, losin' our religion
Mate, we are trapped in a metaphorical prison, losing our faith and belief system.

On Thanksgiving, we thankful, just for livin' in hell
During Thanksgiving, we express gratitude for merely surviving within this hellish existence.

Damn, homie, I don't mean to be harsh
Wow, my friend, I apologize if my words seem harsh.

But there's a devil in the ghetto tryna tear it apart
Nevertheless, there is an evil force within the impoverished neighborhood attempting to cause destruction and division.

And if we make it up out, we still stuck in the dark
Even if we manage to escape our current circumstances, we will still be trapped in a state of ignorance and despair.

Will there ever be peace? Just a piece of my heart, never
Is peace attainable? Only a fragment of my heart believes so, but it is unlikely.

Yeah, the only peace we got, is the peace of our heart
Indeed, the only peace we possess is the inner peace within our hearts.

Or peace of our mind, or that damn piece
It is either the peace of mind or that damn weapon

That we hold in our waistline
That we carry tucked in our waistband for protection.

You feel me, dawg? Come on, uh
Do you understand my perspective, my friend? Let's go, uh

Thangs is changin', nigga, you better read the signs
Things are rapidly changing, my friend, and it is crucial for you to be aware of the signs.

I'm only concerned about me and mine in these times
During these challenging times, my primary concern is myself and those close to me.

The world is a ghetto and peace is not a part of it
The entire world is akin to a poverty-stricken neighborhood, and peace is not integrated within it.

We all believe God's new plan to make it out of this
We all share the belief that God has devised a new strategy to help us escape this situation.

Niggas spendin' too much time hatin' on each other
People are wasting excessive amounts of time harboring hatred towards one another.

Niggas buyin' guns, loadin' 'em up, aimin' at each other
Individuals are purchasing firearms, loading them, and directing them towards fellow individuals.

And the victim is you and me, it's sick but it's true indeed
Both you and I become victims of this cycle of violence, which is disturbingly true.

The good die, mostly over bullshit, repeatedly
The virtuous individuals often perish due to trivial matters, repeatedly.

Deep in me there's a part that wants nothin' but love
Within me, there is a profound longing for nothing but love and harmony.

But the rest of me know war is what's waitin' for us
However, the remaining part of me is aware that conflict and warfare are inevitable for us.

So I stays ready, keep my pay heavy and boss up
Therefore, I remain prepared, keeping my financial resources abundant and maintaining a position of power.

Stack my funds and my guns, never rely on luck
I accumulate wealth and arm myself, refusing to depend on luck alone.

Asking God to point out the impostor
I beseech God to reveal the true identities of those who deceive and manipulate others.

Never let no weapon formed against me prosper
I never allow any weapon intended to harm me to succeed.

'Cause there'll never be peace, so don't rely on it
Because true peace does not exist, one should not place dependence on it.

Soldiers dyin' for it and in the ghetto
Soldiers are losing their lives in pursuit of peace, yet in the impoverished neighborhoods,

They're cryin' for it, but fuck peace
The residents yearn for peace, but the concept itself is dismissed.

Shit, fuck peace
Damn, to hell with peace.

On the strength 'til my niggas get a piece, we can't have peace
Until my friends and allies attain their fair share, we cannot achieve peace.

How the fuck we gon' live happy when we ain't got nuttin'?
How can we expect to live joyfully when we have nothing?

You muthafuckas are smilin' but I'm mean muggin'
While you hypocrites smile, I remain scowling and distrustful.

Why? 'Cause I gotta be thuggin'
Why? It is because I am forced to adopt a tough and aggressive demeanor.

It seems drugs done turned this whole muthafuckin' hood out
The influence of drugs has corrupted and impacted the entire neighborhood significantly.

All us niggas actin' up, wild-ass, muthafuckin' adolescents
All of us engage in disruptive behavior, behaving like unruly and immature teenagers.

These niggas ain't even got no childhoods no more
These individuals have been robbed of their childhood experiences.

How the fuck can you have a childhood?
How is it even possible to experience a proper childhood in such circumstances?

And you at the funeral every muthafuckin' weekend?
Moreover, you attend funerals nearly every weekend?

Pssh, and you muthafuckas talkin' about peace
Pssh, and you hypocrites have the audacity to discuss peace?

Nigga, it ain't no muthafuckin' peace
No, my friend, there is absolutely no peace to be found.

You ain't seen the news, muthafucka? You ain't heard?
Have you not watched the news, my friend? Are you not aware?

Lil' babies gettin' smoked, muthafuckas killin' they whole family
Innocent children are losing their lives, individuals are murdering their entire families.

Lil' kids gettin' thrown off buildings, muthafuckas gettin' abused
Young children are being thrown off buildings, people are being subjected to abuse.

Peace? Nigga, is you out your fuckin' mind?
Peace? Are you completely insane, my friend?

Fuck peace, we can't never have peace
To hell with peace, we can never attain it.

'Til you muthafuckas clean up this mess you made
Unless you individuals rectify the mess you have created,

Till you fuckin' clean up the dirt you dropped
Until you finally cleanse the filth you have caused,

'Til we get a piece, fuck peace, Westside
Until we obtain our fair share, to hell with peace. This is Westside.