Runnin'
2Pac ft Notorious B.I.G Lyrics
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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
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?
The lyrics for 2Pac ft Notorious B.I.G's song, Runnin', are reflective of the struggle and conflict that many individuals, particularly those in marginalized communities, face in their daily lives. The questioning of whether one's existence is worth fighting for or if it is merely a fight for survival is a common theme throughout the verses. The refrain, "Why am I dying to live, if I'm just living to die?" highlights this conflict, questioning the purpose of life if it is just a constant battle.
The first verse, delivered by Notorious B.I.G, speaks to his rise to fame and success within the rap game. However, he also acknowledges the danger and violence that comes with it. He describes having to change his appearance by growing dreadlocks to avoid police harassment, and his paranoia over being targeted by those who seek to harm him. He speaks to the reality of gun violence and the necessity to defend oneself in his community, stating that when he shoots back, he is unaffected by the consequences.
The second verse, delivered by 2Pac, delves deeper into the psychological impact of this constant struggle. He speaks to the trauma of high-speed chases and police brutality, laughing as he recalls a dangerous situation. He acknowledges the envy and hate that comes with success and the many people who tried to bring him down, including the media and law enforcement. Despite this, he remains steadfast in his commitment to being true to himself and his community, using alcohol as a coping mechanism.
In summary, the lyrics of Runnin' provide a window into the harsh realities of life in marginalized communities, where violence, poverty and oppression are daily struggles, and where success often does not guarantee safety or happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
And I wonder if they'll laugh when I'm dead?
I worry if people will mock me after I pass away.
Why am I fighting to live, if I'm just living to fight?
I don't understand why I'm trying to survive if I'm constantly battling.
Why am I trying to see, when there ain't nothing in sight?
I question why I bother searching when there's no hope for a better outcome.
Why am I trying to give, when no one gives me a try?
I don't know why I attempt to be generous when nobody wants to give me a chance.
Why am I dying to live, if I'm just living to die?
I'm struggling to comprehend why I'm trying so hard to survive if it's all for a inevitable doom.
Check it, I grew up a fuckin' screw-up
Listen up, I had a rough upbringing.
Got introduced to the game, got a ounce and fuckin' blew up
I entered the world of drug dealing, got a small amount of drugs, and quickly became successful.
Choppin' rocks overnight
I spent my nights breaking down and selling drugs.
The nigga Biggie Smalls trying to turn into the black Frank White
My friend Biggie Smalls was attempting to become a powerful gangster like the movie character Frank White.
We had to grow dreads to change our description
To avoid being suspected of crime, we grew dreadlocks to change our appearance.
Two cops is on the milk box missing
Two police officers are missing and being searched for.
Show they toes you know they got stepped on
If a dead body is found with their feet showing, it's clear they were murdered.
A fist full of bullets a chest full of Teflon
I'm armed with a gun loaded with bullets that can pierce through bulletproof vests.
Run from the police picture that, nigga I'm too fat
I'm too overweight to run away from the police so I'll fight back.
I fuck around and catch a asthma attack
I might have an asthma attack if I try to escape the police.
That's why I bust back, it don't phase me
That's why I shoot back at the police, it doesn't scare me.
When he drop, take his Glock, and I'm Swayze
When a police officer is killed, I'll take their gun and disappear.
Celebrate my escape, sold the Glock, bought some weight
I'm happy I got away from the police, so I sold my gun and bought more drugs.
Lay back, I got some money to make, motherfucker
I'll relax now that I have more drugs to sell and money to make.
It's on me
I'm the one responsible for my actions.
But still I'm having memories of high speed when the cops crashed
I can't forget the times when the police chased us and got in a car accident.
As I laugh, pushing the gas while my Glocks blast
I laugh while accelerating and shooting my gun.
We was young and we was dumb, but we had heart
We were foolish and inexperienced, but we had courage.
In the dark, will we survive through the bad parts
In tough situations, we had to rely on our instincts to survive.
Many dreams is what I had, and plenty wishes
I had many aspirations and desires in my life.
No hesitation in extermination of these snitches
I don't hesitate to kill people who betray us and cooperate with the police.
Envious bitches, they still continue to pursue me
Jealous women still attempt to get involved in my life.
A couple of movies, now the whole world's trying to screw me
After appearing in some films, everyone is trying to take advantage of me.
Even the cops tried to sue me, so what can I do?
The police even filed a lawsuit against me, so I feel trapped.
But stay true, sipping 22's of brew
Despite the chaos, I try to remain loyal to myself and enjoy some beer.
And now media is trying to test me
The media is purposely trying to provoke me.
Got the press asking questions, trying to stress me
Reporters are asking difficult and stressful questions.
Misery is all I see, that's my mind state
All I see is sadness and discomfort, that's my mental state.
My history with the police will shake the crime rate
My past interactions with the police will influence the overall crime rate.
My main man had two strikes, slipped, got arrested and flipped
My close friend had two previous convictions, made a mistake, got caught, and turned on me.
He screamed "thug life" and emptied the clip
He yelled "thug life" and fired all his bullets.
Got tired of running from the police
We were exhausted from constantly fleeing from the police.
Lyrics Ā© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group, 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
@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
Š”Š»Š¾Š¶Š½Š¾ Š±ŃŠ°Ń
@krystalford300
@@CrackZulu sssssssss
@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