Runnin
2Pac ft. Notorious BIG Lyrics


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And I wonder if they'll laugh when I'm dead?
Why am I fighting to live, if I'm just living to fight?
Why am I trying to see, when there ain't nothing in sight?
Why am I trying to give, when no one gives me a try?
Why am I dying to live, if I'm just living to die?

Check it, I grew up a fuckin' screw-up
Got introduced to the game, got a ounce and fuckin' blew up
Choppin' rocks overnight
The nigga Biggie Smalls trying to turn into the black Frank White
We had to grow dreads to change our description
Two cops is on the milk box missing
Show they toes you know they got stepped on
A fist full of bullets a chest full of Teflon
Run from the police picture that, nigga I'm too fat
I fuck around and catch a asthma attack
That's why I bust back, it don't phase me
When he drop, take his Glock, and I'm Swayze
Celebrate my escape, sold the Glock, bought some weight
Lay back, I got some money to make, motherfucker

And I wonder if they'll laugh when I'm dead?
Why am I fighting to live, if I'm just living to fight?
Why am I trying to see, when there ain't nothing in sight?
Why am I trying to give, when no one gives me a try?
Why am I dying to live, if I'm just living to die?

It's on me
But still I'm having memories of high speed when the cops crashed
As I laugh, pushing the gas while my Glocks blast
We was young and we was dumb, but we had heart
In the dark, will we survive through the bad parts
Many dreams is what I had, and plenty wishes
No hesitation in extermination of these snitches
Envious bitches, they still continue to pursue me
A couple of movies, now the whole world's trying to screw me
Even the cops tried to sue me, so what can I do?
But stay true, sipping 22's of brew
And now media is trying to test me
Got the press asking questions, trying to stress me
Misery is all I see, that's my mind state
My history with the police will shake the crime rate
My main man had two strikes, slipped, got arrested and flipped
He screamed "thug life" and emptied the clip
Got tired of running from the police

And I wonder if they'll laugh when I'm dead?
Why am I fighting to live, if I'm just living to fight?
Why am I trying to see, when there ain't nothing in sight?




Why am I trying to give, when no one gives me a try?
Why am I dying to live, if I'm just living to die?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to 2Pac Ft. Notorious BIG's "Runnin" speaks of a life of crime and the struggle for survival amidst the harsh realities of the street. This powerful song portrays the thought-provoking existential question, "Why am I fighting to live if I'm just living to fight?" as the artists aim to make sense of their experiences.


Throughout the song, the artists grapple with the police, racism, and the politics of the streets. They talk about the unfair treatment they received just because of the color of their skin and the way society perceives them.


The line "why am I trying to give, when no one gives me a try?" highlights the numerous struggles the Black community faced in overcoming systemic racism, poverty, and lack of opportunities. It is a poignant reminder of the obstacles people of color face despite seeking to uplift themselves and their families.


The following line, "why am I dying to live, if I'm just living to die?" highlights the grim hopelessness that often plagues people who see no way out but continue to struggle as it resonates around our daily existence.


In essence, the lyrics to "Runnin" represent a cry for help and an urgent call to transform not only the individual lives of those caught up in the struggle but to bring about a radical cultural shift in the larger society.


Line by Line Meaning

And I wonder if they'll laugh when I'm dead?
I question whether people will mock me after my passing.


Why am I fighting to live, if I'm just living to fight?
I question why I continue to struggle for survival if all I do is fight.


Why am I trying to see, when there ain't nothing in sight?
I question why I still seek out a vision for my life when there's nothing visible to me.


Why am I trying to give, when no one gives me a try?
I question why I attempt to give to others when no one will give me a chance.


Why am I dying to live, if I'm just living to die?
I question why I'm so desperate to keep living when ultimately, we all end up dying.


Check it, I grew up a fuckin' screw-up
Listen, I had a difficult childhood.


Got introduced to the game, got a ounce and fuckin' blew up
I learned about the drug culture and quickly became successful.


Choppin' rocks overnight
I spent countless hours cutting drugs into smaller pieces for sale.


The nigga Biggie Smalls trying to turn into the black Frank White
Biggie Smalls wants to emulate a notorious criminal boss named Frank White.


We had to grow dreads to change our description
We had to change our physical appearance in order to avoid detection by the authorities.


Two cops is on the milk box missing
Two police officers have gone missing and their pictures are on milk cartons.


Show they toes you know they got stepped on
If we see the bodies of the missing cops, we know that they were killed.


A fist full of bullets a chest full of Teflon
We carry guns loaded with Teflon bullets to penetrate bulletproof vests.


Run from the police picture that, nigga I'm too fat
I can't run from the police because I'm too overweight.


I fuck around and catch a asthma attack
I might suffer from an asthma attack while running from the police.


That's why I bust back, it don't phase me
I shoot back at the police because I'm not afraid of them.


When he drop, take his Glock, and I'm Swayze
When a police officer falls, I take his gun and disappear like Patrick Swayze in the movie 'Ghost.'


Celebrate my escape, sold the Glock, bought some weight
I celebrate my successful escape, sell the stolen gun, and buy more drugs.


Lay back, I got some money to make, motherfucker
Now that I've escaped the police, I relax and focus on making money in my drug business.


It's on me
I'm responsible for my own actions.


But still I'm having memories of high speed when the cops crashed
I still remember the high-speed chase when the police crashed their car.


As I laugh, pushing the gas while my Glocks blast
I laughed and accelerated while firing my guns at the police.


We was young and we was dumb, but we had heart
We were young and foolish, but we were brave.


In the dark, will we survive through the bad parts
We don't know if we'll make it through the difficult times.


Many dreams is what I had, and plenty wishes
I used to have many hopes and desires.


No hesitation in extermination of these snitches
I have no hesitation in killing those who betray our criminal activities.


Envious bitches, they still continue to pursue me
Jealous women still try to be with me, even though I'm a notorious criminal.


A couple of movies, now the whole world's trying to screw me
After appearing in some films, now everyone wants to take advantage of me.


Even the cops tried to sue me, so what can I do?
Even the police have tried to take legal action against me, so I don't know what to do.


But stay true, sipping 22's of brew
I remain loyal to myself and drink 22-ounce bottles of beer.


And now media is trying to test me
Now the media is trying to provoke me.


Got the press asking questions, trying to stress me
Reporters are constantly asking me questions in order to stress me out.


Misery is all I see, that's my mind state
I'm constantly surrounded by negativity and depression.


My history with the police will shake the crime rate
My notorious history with the police will increase crime rates in the area.


My main man had two strikes, slipped, got arrested and flipped
My friend had two previous convictions, made a mistake, and was arrested and turned into a police informant.


He screamed 'thug life' and emptied the clip
My friend declared his allegiance to the criminal lifestyle and fired all his bullets.


Got tired of running from the police
My friend grew tired of constantly running from the police and decided to cooperate with them.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: EDGAR WINTER, CHRISTOPHER WALLACE, OSTEN HARVEY, MARSHALL B III MATHERS, LUIS RESTO, TUPAC AMARU SHAKUR

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@apblolol

"Why am i dying to live, if im just living to die." Hits me every time

@CrackZulu

Not alone

@Smash896

Word up

@lauriecook7128

Same here

@user-wg1bj6mi4c

Сложно брат

@krystalford300

@@CrackZulu sssssssss

74 More Replies...

@haloskaterkid

A friendship destroyed by media intervention. Two poets gone before their time like many others that came before them. RIP pac and big, your influence and message lives on

@quest6264

adrift dam that got me thinking KINGS RESTING NOW

@omgman2248

Brad favor with Tupac Shakur

@MHWRESTLIN

quest 626 no the friendship was destroyed by Pac getting shot and rumours that bad boy set it up and biggie knew but never warned him

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