Under Pressure
2pac - Thug Life Lyrics

Ha ha, under pressure, yeah, bay-bay!
The singer acknowledges that they are feeling the pressure and address a companion familiarly.

The pressure's on, Thug Life
Thug Life feels the weight of pressure on their shoulders.

When it's on, it's on
Pressure tends to escalate quickly and the singer notes that once they start feeling it, it has an overwhelming effect.

One of these days I'll, learn, don't fuck with trick-ass niggas
The artist plans to avoid dealing with untrustworthy individuals.

Cause they, turn, into bitch-ass niggas
The artist points out that deceptive people often reveal their true colors in action and become weaklings.

I'm sick of bein' stuck in the county jail
Thug Life is frustrated with being locked up behind bars.

My niggas clown, bring a pound when they postin' bail
The singer's friends come through with drugs to sell in order to bail Thug Life out of jail.

Smokin' blunts in the driveway, my fo'-five
Thug Life spends leisure time smoking marijuana while keeping a gun nearby.

Screamin', "Fuck the police!" when we fly away, thug 'til I die
Thug Life expresses contempt towards law enforcement, even when they are successful in escaping.

You wonder why I'm made this way
The artist is defensive, implying that others question their aggressive behavior.

I wasn't, turned out, I was raised this way
Thug Life argues that their upbringing and environment contributed to their demeanor rather than being a result of being influenced by others.

I'm thinkin' these, are the dreams of a young teen
The artist looks back at what they used to fantasize about as a teenager.

Scheme, to stack cream off of crack fiends
Thug Life had a plan to sell crack cocaine to addicts in order to make money.

One-time can't hold me
The singer finds it hard to be contained by the police.

One of these days, we gotta bust back for the homies
Thug Life feels a duty to retaliate against those who harm their friends.

Locked down in the penitentiary
Thug Life is incarcerated in a long-term prison facility.

I'll, probably lose my mind if the pig sentence me
The artist suggests that lengthy imprisonment would have a negative impact on their mental health.

I'm, stressed, smokin weed, and nicotine
Thug Life turns to drugs to help alleviate stress.

But what a nigga really need, is Thorazine
The singer implies that they require more powerful medications to control their mental state.

Right before I die I'll be cursin the law
The artist plans to express hatred towards authority figures before they pass away.

Reincarnated bitch, even worse than befo'
The artist predicts that they will be reincarnated and more ruthless than their current self.

My fo'-fo' screamin payback
Thug Life's gun is set to enact revenge against their enemies.

My underhanded plan to get them niggas while they laid back
The singer intends to surprise their foes while they are relaxed.

And Big Stretch hit the scene with the mini-14
A friend, Big Stretch, arrives with a gun ready for action.

Servin suckers like dope fiends, empty the whole thing
Thug Life joins forces with their friend and they fire their guns until they're empty.

Never run, throw your gun in the air, oh yeah!
The singer advises to never run and to instead show bravery and fire your weapon.

Nigga bust ain't no time to spare
There's no time to waste, the singer urges to take immediate action.

Cause the ruckus motherfucker and we fuck shit up
Thug Life creates chaos and destruction with their actions.

And with the stainless steel ribbon boy we cuttin' shit up
The artist uses their gun to cause harm and destruction.

Flash then blast a nigga with the quickness
The singer is quick to act with their gun, flashing it and firing it with little warning.

Cock the four pound motherfucker when I spit this and rip this
The singer prepares their gun while rapping and threatens to use it with skill.

Damn, my mind is in the depths of hell
The artist is struggling with mental agony and despair.

But when I'm walking on the street kid my name rings bells
The artist is respected and well-known on the streets.

And I never fell, nigga I stand too tall
Thug Life is confident and resilient to challenges.

I'm just a thug motherfucker who was born to brawl
The singer asserts that they possess a violent nature and enjoys fighting.

Givin' my all, so niggas wanna bring it to me
The artist gives their all and invites others to confront them.

So I'mma sell my cocaine, and lay they ass down G
The singer decides to sell cocaine and start a fight with those who oppose them.

Runnin' wild, I never smiled as a juvenile
The singer reflects on their youth and notes that they were always running around without much happiness.

Even now I keep a frown when I come around
The singer's demeanor remains unsmiling in the present.

Don't ask me 'bout the past, it was all bad
The artist doesn't want to discuss their dark past because it was unpleasant.

Shots blasted, will I last in the wrong path
The artist is aware that they're in a dangerous, criminal lifestyle with a risk of facing violence.

In the dark is where my heart saw the most grief
The singer associates darkness with emotional hardships.

Motherfuckers is gettin' shanked over gold teeth
Thug Life is involved in violent altercations where people are stabbed for their dental gold.

Am I sick, cause I'm addicted to gettin' splifted
The artist questions if they are mentally ill due to their dependence on smoking marijuana.

Watchin' stupid-ass tricks get lifted
Thug Life takes pleasure in observing foolish people getting high from drugs.

Nothing's changed, 'cause in the game it's a steady aim
The violent and illegal lifestyle of Thug Life hasn't changed and requires constant focus and precision.

Fuck friends cause in the danger them niggas change
The singer distrusts their friends because they tend to act differently and renege on loyalty when things become dangerous.

Puff weed, and stuff G's in my sock G
The artist carries marijuana and money in their socks.

Car keys and Hennessy, where the Glock be?
The singer asks for the location of their gun, which they keep close with their alcohol and car keys.

Time's passin', will I last here another day
The singer is aware of the possibility of dying young.

I put my gun away, and grab my AK
The singer decides to switch weapons, from a handgun to an assault rifle.

It's gettin' hectic, I can't call it
The situation is escalating unpredictably and the artist struggles to assess it.

House full of alcoholics, now a nigga's under pressure
The setting is full of intoxicated people which adds more stress and tension to the artist's life.

Yeah, that's right
The singer acknowledges the setting and the situation's pressure.

Under pressure nigga, a nigga's under pressure, yeah!
The singer reiterates the pressure he's experiencing.

When the pressure's on, it's a hit
Thug Life implies that pressure is a trigger for violent action.

Ski mask, extra gats, bring the clips
Preparedness is key, and might require extra guns and ammunition.

Don't nobody move when we walk the streets
The artist warns others not to interfere when Thug Life is walking around with their weapons.

They stay silent, cause talk is cheap
Thug Life's intimidating presence silences others and makes them choose not to speak out against them.