Runnin'
2pac Ft The Notorious B.I.G Lyrics
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You know, I wonder if they'll laugh when I am 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 I 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
Choppin' rocks overnight
The nigga Biggie Smalls tryin' ta turn into the black Frank White
We had to grow dreads to change our description
Two cops on the milk box missin'
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
Laid back, I got some money to make, motherfucker
[Chorus]
And still I'm havin' memories of high speeds, when the cops crashed
As I laugh pushin' the gas when my glocks blast
We was young, and we was dumb but we had heart
In the dark when we survived through the bad parts
Many dreams is what I had, and plenty wishes
No hesitation in extermination of these snitches
And these bitches they still continue to pursue me
A couple of movies now the whole world tryin' to screw me
Even the cops tried to sue me so what can I do
But stay true, sippin' 22's a brewin'now the medias tryin'
To test me got the press askin' questions, tryin' to stress me
Misery is all I see, that's my mind's state
My history with the police is shakin' the crime rate
Ma main man had two strikes, slipped, got arrested and flipped
He screamed, "Thug Life" and emptied a clip
Gots tired of runnin' from the police
[Chorus]
The lyrics to "Runnin'" by 2Pac featuring The Notorious B.I.G. address the complex emotions of a young black man growing up in poverty and violence, and who is grappling with the reality that life seems to hold very little promise. The chorus mournfully questions why the singer would fight to live when he feels that he is just living to fight and ultimately to die. The first verse speaks to the way that many young black men in America are introduced to "the game" of dealing drugs, as represented by 2Pac being given an ounce of drugs and the way in which he "blew up" after that. He then describes the violence and struggle that he and Biggie faced as they dealt with the police and those who sought to eliminate them due to their skin color or because of their success.
The second verse elaborates on the dangers they faced, such as high-speed car chases and shootings, but also on the way in which they never lost their courage and were fueled by their dreams and their loyalty to one another. 2Pac also reveals his awareness of the fact that the media and the police were trying to vilify him and take him down, but that he was committed to staying true to himself at any cost. The lyrics paint a picture of a young man who is simultaneously resilient and anguished, whose life has been shaped by forces beyond his control and who is fighting to stay alive and pursue his dreams in the face of overwhelming obstacles.
Line by Line Meaning
You know, I wonder if they'll laugh when I am dead
I fear being ridiculed after my passing
Why am I fighting to live, if I'm just living to fight
What's the point of struggling to survive if life is always a battle
Why am I trying to see, when there ain't nothing in sight
Why am I bothering to search for hope when my future looks bleak
Why I am I trying to give, when no one gives me a try
Why should I bother being kind when nobody is willing to return it
Why am I dying to live, if I'm just living to die
What's the point of fighting for survival if it only leads to death
Check it, I grew up a fuckin' screw up
I had a rough childhood full of mistakes
Got introduced to the game, got a ounce and fuckin' blew up
I started dealing drugs and quickly rose to success
Choppin' rocks overnight
I spent countless nights cutting and packaging cocaine
The nigga Biggie Smalls tryin' ta turn into the black Frank White
My friend Biggie was aspiring to be a notorious criminal like Frank White
We had to grow dreads to change our description
We altered our appearance with dreadlocks to avoid being identified by the police
Two cops on the milk box missin'
The police were searching for two of their own who were killed
Show they toes you know they got stepped on
The cops were killed and exposed for their wrongdoing
A fist full of bullets a chest full of Teflon
We had powerful guns and armor to protect ourselves from retaliation
Run from the police picture that, nigga I'm too fat
I can't run from the cops because I'm overweight
I fuck around and catch a asthma attack
I might have an asthma attack from the stress of running
That's why I bust back, it don't phase me
I shoot back at the cops without fear of retaliation
When he drop, take his glock, and I'm Swayze
I steal the cop's gun after he's killed and flee the scene
Celebrate, my escape, sold the glock, bought some weight
I celebrate my survival, sell the gun, and buy more drugs
Laid back, I got some money to make, motherfucker
Now that I'm safe, I can focus on making money
And still I'm havin' memories of high speeds, when the cops crashed
I still have vivid memories of car chases with the police
As I laugh pushin' the gas when my glocks blast
I laugh as I speed away and shoot at the cops
We was young, and we was dumb but we had heart
We were naive and reckless, but we were brave
In the dark when we survived through the bad parts
We persevered through tough times even when hope seemed lost
Many dreams is what I had, and plenty wishes
I had big dreams and aspirations for the future
No hesitation in extermination of these snitches
I have no qualms about killing informants
And these bitches they still continue to pursue me
Women still want to be with me despite my criminal lifestyle
A couple of movies now the whole world tryin' to screw me
My popularity from movies has led to increased scrutiny from the media
Even the cops tried to sue me so what can I do
The police have even tried to legally pursue me
But stay true, sippin' 22's a brewin' now the medias tryin'
I remain loyal to my lifestyle and enjoy drinking cheap alcohol while the media looks for faults
To test me got the press askin' questions, tryin' to stress me
The media asks me difficult questions to test my patience and mental state
Misery is all I see, that's my mind's state
I am consumed by despair and negativity
My history with the police is shakin' the crime rate
My past confrontations with the police have caused unrest in the community
Ma main man had two strikes, slipped, got arrested and flipped
My close friend had two prior convictions, got arrested again, and confessed to crimes
He screamed, 'Thug Life' and emptied a clip
He yelled 'Thug Life' and fired his gun at the police
Gots tired of runnin' from the police
He was tired of being on the run from the law
[Chorus]
Repeats the opening stanza
Lyrics Ā© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
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