Who Do You Believe In
2Pac Ft. Yaki Kadafi Lyrics

Let us pray
Beginning with a prayer to God

Heavenly Father, hear a nigga down here
Addressing God as the Heavenly Father and asking for his attention

Before I go to sleep
Asking God for guidance before going to sleep

Tell me, who do you believe in?
Asking God for clarity and guidance on who to believe in

I see mothers in black cryin', brothers in packs dyin'
Observing the sorrow and loss of loved ones in the community

Plus everybody's high, too doped up to ask why
Noticing that drug use is clouding people's judgement and preventing them from questioning their situation

Watchin' our own downfall, witness the end
Observing the decline and destruction of the community

It's like we don't believe in God cause we livin' in sin
Suggesting that the community's disregard for moral values and faith in God is leading to their downfall

I asked my homie on the block why he strapped, he laughed
Questioning a friend's decision to carry a weapon and receiving a dismissive response

Pointed his pistol as the cop car passed and blast
Witnessing a violent act towards the police

It's just another murder, nobody mourns no more
Noticing the desensitization to violence and death in the community

My tear drops gettin' bigger but can't figure what I'm cryin' for
Feeling overwhelmed and emotional but struggling to understand the cause

Is it the miniature caskets, little babies
Wondering if it's the sight of funerals for young victims that is causing the tears

Victims of a stray, from drug dealers gone crazy
Recognizing the harm and destruction caused by drug dealers in the community

Maybe it's just the drugs, visions of how the block was
Considering the possibility that drugs are causing the emotional distress and reflecting on how the community used to be

Crack came and it was strange how it rocked us
Reflecting on the impact of the crack epidemic on the community

Perhaps the underlyin' fact stay high explain genocide
Proposing that addiction and drug use are contributing to the destruction of the community

It's when we ride on our own kind
Noticing that violence and aggression towards people from the same community is causing harm

What is it we all fear, reflections in the mirror
Questioning the root of the community's fear and insecurity

We can't escape fate, the end is gettin' nearer
Acknowledging the inevitability of fate and suggesting that the end is approaching

I put my faith in God, blessed and still breathin'
Expressing a strong belief in God and gratitude for life

And even though it's hard, that's who I believe in
Acknowledging that believing in God can be difficult, but still holding onto that faith

Before I'm leavin', I'm askin' the grievin', who do you believe in?
Before leaving the community, asking those who are grieving and struggling who they believe in

Can't close my eyes cause all I see is terror
Feeling unable to escape the fear and terror of the community

I hate the man in the mirror
Expressing self-hatred and dissatisfaction with his own actions

Cause his reflection makes the pain turn realer
Seeing his own reflection as a reminder and catalyst for his pain

Times of Armageddon, murder in mass amounts
Describing the current state of the community as apocalyptic and full of violence

In this society where only gettin' the cash counts
Observing that the focus is on money and material gain above all else

I started out as a beginner
Reflecting on his past and humble beginnings

Entered the criminal lifestyle became a sinner
Describing the path he took towards a life of crime and wrongdoing

I make my money and vacate, evade prison
Describing the illicit actions he takes to avoid getting caught and going to prison

Went from the chosen one to outcast, unforgiven
Reflecting on how his actions led him to become an outcast and estranged from the community

And all the Hennessy and weed can't hide, the pain I feel inside
Acknowledging that substance use cannot numb the emotional pain and suffering inside

You know, it's like I'm livin' just to die
Feeling as if life is purposeless and leading towards death

I fall on my knees and beg for mercy, not knowin' if I'm worthy
Surrendering to God and asking for mercy despite feeling unworthy of it

Livin' life thinkin' no man can hurt me
Reflecting on the false sense of invincibility that had led him to make dangerous and harmful choices

So I'm askin' -- before I lay me down to sleep
Asking God for guidance and clarification before sleeping

Before you judge me, look at all the shit you did to me, my misery
Challenging others to reflect on the harm and pain they have caused him before judging him

I rose up from the slums, made it out the flames
Reflecting on his journey from poverty and adversity to success

In my search for fame will I change? I'm askin'
Questioning whether his pursuit of fame will lead him to compromise his values and change

Faith in Allah, believe in me and this plastic
Expressing a strong faith in Allah and in his own material possessions

Cause so far I done witnessed to many dead niggas in caskets
Reflecting on the high number of deaths he has seen in his community

With they chest plates stretched like elastic
Describing the physical damage done by violence and murder

And what's worse I'm on front line, holdin' down camp, still mashin'
Acknowledging the danger of his position and the actions he takes to defend himself and his community

Heard my cousin, one of the old heads from the block
Referencing a family member and respected elder from the community

Just came home October of '95 back in Yardsville stuck
Sharing information about his cousin's return from prison and current situation

with a three to five, if he don't act up, now he realize
Describing his cousin's sentence and the realization he has come to

If you don't stay wise, then in this game you fucked
Warning that being foolish or making the wrong choices can lead to negative consequences in the community

Talk to my baby girl, give me the word on what she heard
Asking for information and communication with a loved one

One of the grimmies is snitchin', Diamond a stool pigeon I talked to him
Receiving information about a snitch from a known source

He said he didn't, my man said he did, in fact he's sure
Receiving conflicting information and trying to determine the truth

Cause he just came home off of bail
Sharing information about the person accused of snitching

Now tell me
Asking for input and opinions from others

Is it Buddha, Jehovah, or Jah?
Listing various religious figures and asking who to believe in

Or Allah?
Listing another religious figure to consider

Is it Jesus? Is it God? Or is just yourself?
Listing more options for who to believe in and questioning the role of self-belief

Definitely not to be imposed, being a demon
Rejecting demonic influences and seeking a positive belief system

Because this is the joy of believing!
Celebrating the positive impact of belief and faith

Men, to believe in yourselves
Encouraging others to believe in themselves as a form of strength and empowerment

But for sure, the higher power
Acknowledging the existence of a higher power and its importance

Resides only to ride in the heart of the true
Believing that the truest form of belief and faith comes from within oneself

From the soul, of the man; for truth never has an alibi
Asserting that true belief and truth cannot be denied or excused

In the poetry, or in it's realm
Recognizing the power of poetry and artistic expression in conveying beliefs and truths

That's what pulls all words together
Noting the unifying force of poetry and expression

Just to understand, that every man, is his OWN man
Recognizing the importance of individuality and self-belief

And only man can satisfy the man
Stressing the importance of personal happiness and satisfaction

Only the soul of the man, the feelings of the man
Emphasizing the importance of inner emotions and personal beliefs

The for realness of the man
Stressing the importance of authenticity and realness in personal beliefs

You can't shake the man when you feel the man you know the man
Asserting that true inner beliefs cannot be ignored or dismissed

And you gotta call yourself because you are that man
Encouraging self-reflection and self-belief as an integral part of personal growth and faith