Anthem
2pac Ft DMX Lyrics

Uh
Introducing the song, setting the tone for what's about to come

Somethin' new
This is a fresh and unique track that listeners should pay attention to

Stop, drop, shut 'em down, open up shop
Taking control and asserting dominance, handling any obstacles that come in the way

Oh, no
Reacting to the challenges and opposition faced with seriousness and determination

That's how Ruff Ryders roll
This is the way the Ruff Ryders crew operates, with power and authority

Niggas wanna try (what?)
Some people want to challenge and test us

Niggas wanna lie (what?)
Others try to deceive and manipulate us

Then niggas wonder why (what?)
They question why they face consequences for their actions

Niggas wanna die (what?)
Those who mess with us are risking their lives

All I know is pain (what?)
My life is filled with suffering and struggle

All I feel is rain (what?)
Emotionally, all I experience is sorrow and sadness

How can I maintain (what?)
In such a difficult situation, how can I keep going?

With mad shit on my brain? (What?)
Dealing with numerous problems and burdens that occupy my mind

I resort to violence (what?)
As a reaction to my circumstances, I turn to aggression and confrontations

My niggas move in silence (what?)
My crew operates discreetly and quietly

Like you don't know what our style is (what?)
We carry ourselves in a way that is unpredictable and hard to understand

New York niggas the wildest (what?)
People from New York, like us, are known for being the most unruly and fierce

My niggas is wit' it (what?)
My friends are ready and willing to take action

You want it? Come and get it (what?)
If you desire conflict, then face us and take the consequences

Took it, then we split it (what?)
After obtaining something, we divide and distribute it amongst ourselves

You fuckin' right, we did it (what?)
No doubt, we accomplished what we set out to do

What the fuck you gon' do (what?)
What actions will you take in response to our aggression?

When we run up on you? (What?)
When we confront and approach you unexpectedly, catching you off guard

Fuckin' wit' the wrong crew (what?)
You made a mistake by messing with us, the Ruff Ryders crew

Don't know what we goin' through (what?)
You have no understanding of the struggles and hardships we face

I'ma have to show niggas (what?)
I will demonstrate and make others understand

How easily we blow niggas (what?)
We have the ability to cause harm and destruction effortlessly

Lemme find out there's some more niggas (what?)
If I discover the presence of additional individuals aligned with you

That's runnin' with your niggas (what?)
Who are associated with your group

Nothin' we can't handle (what?)
There is nothing we aren't capable of dealing with

Break it up and dismantle (what?)
Disrupt and dismantle the unity and power you possess

Light it up like a candle (what?)
We will ignite conflict and aggression, escalating the situation

Just 'cause I can't stand you (what?)
Simply because I strongly dislike you and can't tolerate your presence

Put my shit on tapes (what?)
I record and release my music

Like you bussin' grapes (what?)
Similar to squeezing grapes to make juice, I put my efforts into creating something valuable

Think you holdin' weight? (What?)
You believe you have significance and power?

Then you haven't met the apes (what?)
You have no idea what you are about to face, the ruthless individuals like us

Is y'all niggas crazy? (What?)
Are you people out of your minds?

I'll bust you and be Swayze (what?)
I will harm and dominate you to the point of no return, resembling the actor Patrick Swayze's role in the movie 'Road House'

Stop actin' like a baby (what?)
Quit behaving immaturely and foolishly

Mind your business, lady (what?)
Stay out of our affairs, woman

Nosy people get it too (what?)
Those who are overly curious and intrusive can also face consequences

When you see me spit at you (what?)
When you witness me insulting and disrespecting you verbally

You know I'm tryin' to get rid of you (what?)
You are aware that I want to eliminate you from my life

Yeah, I know it's pitiful (what?)
I understand that it may seem sad and pathetic

That's how niggas get down (what?)
This is how we operate and handle things

Watch my niggas split rounds (what?)
Observe as my crew fires multiple shots

Make y'all niggas kiss ground (what?)
Force you and your associates to lie on the ground in submission

Just for talkin' shit, clown (what?)
Merely for engaging in disrespectful and boastful speech, you are now considered a fool

Oh, you think it's funny (what?)
You perceive the situation as humorous

Then you don't know me, money (what?)
If you find amusement in antagonizing me, you clearly don't understand who I am

It's about to get ugly (what?)
The situation is about to turn unpleasant and violent

Fuck it, dog, I'm hungry (what?)
I don't care anymore, I am eager and determined to take what I want

I guess you know what that mean (what?)
I assume you understand the implications and consequences of my actions

Come up off that green (what?)
Give up and hand over your money

Rob niggas on Ravine (what?)
Steal from individuals in the area of Ravine

Don't make it a murder scene (what?)
Avoid escalating the situation to the point of a fatal outcome

Give a dog a bone (what?)
Provide some form of reward or gratification

Leave a dog alone (what?)
Do not bother or interfere with someone who can be dangerous

Let a dog roam (what?)
Allow someone with a volatile nature to freely move and act

And he'll find his way home (what?)
Eventually, that person will bring destruction upon themselves

Home of the brave (what?)
Referring to America as the nation where courage resides

My home is a cage (what?)
For me, home feels like confinement and restriction

And yo, I'm a slave (what?)
In my circumstances, I feel trapped and controlled

'Til my home is the grave (what?)
My only escape from this captivity is death

I'ma pull capers (what?)
I will carry out criminal activities

It's all about the papers (what?)
The main focus is acquiring money

Bitches caught the vapors (what?)
Women are becoming infatuated and attracted to our wealth and status

And how they wanna rape us (what?)
They desire to take advantage of us and exploit our resources

Look what you done started? (What?)
See the consequences and turmoil that you initiated?

Asked for it, you got it (what?)
You brought this upon yourself, and now you have to face it

Had it, should have shot it (what?)
You had a chance to eliminate the problem, but you missed it

Now you're dearly departed (what?)
Now you are dead, and we mourn your loss sarcastically

Get at me, dog, did I rip shit? (What?)
Come at me and see the damage I can cause, did I impress you?

With this one here, I flip shit (what?)
With this particular song, I completely change the dynamic and energy

Niggas know when I kick shit (what?)
People are aware of the impact and intensity when I express myself

It's gonna be some slick shit (what?)
Expect clever and sophisticated lyrics from me

What was that look for (what?)
Why did you give me that expression, what do you mean by it?

When I walked in the door? (What?)
The moment I entered, you seemed to have a reaction

Oh, you thought you was raw? (What?)
Oh, you believed yourself to be tough and powerful?

Boom, not anymore (what?)
I just destroyed that perception, you are no longer a threat

'Cause now you on the floor (what?)
Your arrogance led to your downfall, now you are lying on the ground

Wishin' you'd never saw (what?)
Regretting the moment you encountered me

Me walk through that door (what?)
When I entered the room and disrupted your illusions of power

With that four-four (what?)
Carrying a .44 caliber handgun

Now it's time for bed (what?)
It is now the moment of your demise

Two more to the head (what?)
Two additional shots fired into your skull

Got the floor red (what?)
Your blood is now staining the ground

Yeah, that nigga's dead (what?)
Confirming that you are deceased

Another unsolved mystery (what?)
Yet another crime that will go unanswered and unresolved

Is goin' down in history (what?)
This act of violence will become part of the records of past events

Niggas ain't never did shit to me (what?)
I have never received any harm or disrespect from others

Bitch ass niggas can't get to me (what?)
Weak and cowardly individuals can't affect me emotionally

Gots to make a move (what?)
I have to take action and make progress

Got a point to prove (what?)
I have an objective and message to demonstrate

Gotta make 'em groove (what?)
I must make the audience enjoy and connect with my music

Got 'em all like "ooh" (what?)
Everyone is impressed and captivated by what I do

So 'til the next time (what?)
Until we meet again

You hear this nigga rhyme (what?)
When you listen to me rap

Try to keep your mind (what?)
Try to focus and stay attentive

On gettin' pussy and crime (what?)
On engaging in sexual activity and criminal behavior

Talk is cheap, motherfucker
Words have little value, actions speak louder