Runnin
Dramacydal 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
Got introduced to the game, got a ounce and fuckin' blew 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

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

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

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

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Runnin" by Dramacydal featuring The Notorious B.I.G. and 2Pac are powerful and layered with meaning. The song is a reflection on life, death, and the struggles faced by young black men growing up in inner-city neighborhoods.


The opening lyrics express a sense of existential crisis, wondering if life is worth fighting for if it only leads to death. This is a common theme found in the music of both The Notorious B.I.G. and 2Pac, who both faced an untimely death.


The next verse moves to a reflection on the harsh realities of growing up in the hood, with Biggie Smalls rapping about blowing up after getting an ounce of drugs and 2Pac reflecting on the violence and danger he faced with his friends. The line "We had to grow dreads to change our description" speaks to the racism and profiling faced by young black men.


The chorus ties all of the themes together, wondering why the fight to live is so difficult when it feels like no one is giving them a fair shake. The song ends on a note of defiance, with 2Pac proclaiming that he's tired of running from the police and will stay true to himself no matter what.


Overall, "Runnin" is a powerful commentary on the struggles faced by young black men in America, with poetic lyrics that delve deep into themes of life, death, and social justice.


Line by Line Meaning

You know, I wonder if they'll laugh when I am dead
I wonder if people will find humor in my death.


Why am I fighting to live, if I'm just living to fight
Why am I struggling to stay alive if all I experience is constant battle?


Why am I trying to see, when there ain't nothing in sight
Why am I putting effort into something that seems impossible to achieve?


Why I am I trying to give, when no one gives me a try
Why am I giving my all when no one is willing to give me a chance?


Why am I dying to live, if I'm just living to die
Why am I struggling so hard to survive when life is inevitably leading me towards death?


Check it, I grew up a fuckin' screw up
Listen to me, I had a tough upbringing.


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


Choppin' rocks overnight
I spent nights cutting up and packaging drugs to sell.


The nigga Biggie Smalls tryin' ta turn into the black Frank White
Biggie Smalls wanted to become a notorious gangster like Frank White.


We had to grow dreads to change our description
We had to alter our appearance to avoid being identified by the police.


Two cops on the milk box missin'
Two police officers were killed and their faces put on milk cartons.


Show they toes you know they got stepped on
If someone is found dead with their shoes off, it's a sign they were murdered.


A fist full of bullets a chest full of Teflon
I carry bullets that can pierce through bulletproof vests.


Run from the police picture that, nigga I'm too fat
I refuse to run from the police because I'm too overweight to escape them.


I fuck around and catch a asthma attack
I might have an asthma attack if I exert myself too much.


That's why I bust back, it don't phase me
That's why I shoot at the police, it doesn't intimidate me.


When he drop, take his glock, and I'm Swayze
When an enemy falls, I take their gun and celebrate like Patrick Swayze in a movie.


Celebrate, my escape, sold the glock, bought some weight
I celebrate getting away from the police by selling my gun and buying more drugs to sell.


Laid back, I got some money to make, motherfucker
I'm relaxed now that I have money to earn.


And still I'm havin' memories of high speeds, when the cops crashed
I still remember speeding away from the police and causing them to crash.


As I laugh pushin' the gas when my glocks blast
I laugh as I accelerate away from the police while shooting my gun.


We was young, and we was dumb but we had heart
We were inexperienced in life, but we were brave.


In the dark when we survived through the bad parts
We persevered through difficult times even when things seemed hopeless.


Many dreams is what I had, and plenty wishes
I had a lot of hopes and dreams for my future.


No hesitation in extermination of these snitches
I have no hesitation in killing people who snitch or inform on me.


And these bitches they still continue to pursue me
Women still try to pursue me even though I'm a criminal.


A couple of movies now the whole world tryin' to screw me
After some fame, now the whole world is trying to bring me down.


Even the cops tried to sue me so what can I do
The police have even tried to take legal action against me, so I feel helpless.


But stay true, sippin' 22's a brewin'
I'll remain authentic to myself, and continue to drink my 22 oz bottles of beer.


now the medias tryin' To test me got the press askin' questions, tryin' to stress me
The media is attempting to challenge me; reporters are interrogating me to put me under extreme pressure.


Misery is all I see, that's my mind's state
I see nothing but sadness and hardship around me, and that's all that fills my mind.


My history with the police is shakin' the crime rate
My past relationship with the police is affecting how much criminal activity is occurring in the area.


Ma main man had two strikes, slipped, got arrested and flipped
My closest friend had two strikes against him, slipped up, got arrested, and turned against me.


He screamed, "Thug Life" and emptied a clip
He shouted "Thug Life" and fired all of the bullets in his magazine.


Gots tired of runnin' from the police
I became exhausted from constantly running away from the police.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: TUPAC AMARU SHAKUR

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@o3198two

[Intro]
[Stretch:] One time, one time, nigga, one time! (Where?)

Runnin' from the police (Yeah, I know what you mean)
No matter what I do, they got a nigga
Still runnin' from the police
(Put them motherfucking Nike's on tight and get ghost y'all)

[Verse 1: Dramacydal]

[Young Hollywood]
I ain't got nuttin' on my mind, but gettin' in some trouble
Licking shots to they block, leavin' bloody blood puddles
For some ridah's delight, now we in a gunfight
I can shoot the gauge pebbles at the devils or die tonight
It's on me, but if I die, bury me a motherfucking G
A open casket on them bastards so they all remember me
With my vest on my chest, my tools and my piece
Thug Life motherfucker, got me runnin' from the police

[K-Dogg]
Nigga, you know that's true
Catch a nigga like K-Dog, chillin' with a crew
Every damn day parlay with my glass of Re
The O.J. and it's all okay
To that fuckin' fake cop, got to play the man
Ran me down the block with my glass in my hand
Damn, I hope it don't spill
Nigga chill, shit is real, cock back my steel

[Big Malcolm]
Still runnin' from the police, I gets no sleep
I got you peepin' in my window, while I'm smokin' indo
But I ain't no motherfucking track star, pigs got a jeep
Like Big Malcolm, runnin' through motherfucker's backyards
So I grabs my piece before I flee
And instead of me runnin', these bitches is runnin' from me
Lick shots hit spots off on my piece
'Cause a nigga like Big Malcolm is through runnin' from the police

[Hook: Buju Banton]
Now it's war, me trying to sell, runnin' from the punk po-lice
They try to cock me, but them can't gun store
What about they come to hold up me north
Pulled up the park, I left school and let's buck
Look around, look around, punk po-lice
Run as fast as you can, but you can't catch me
Look around, look around, punk police
Me have to blast back, 'cause they blast at me

[Verse 2]
[Stretch]
Yo I was, schemin' and fiendin' for loots and took the crooked route to
Ghetto fame I felt the pains and now I run the game
The insane brain, cold gettin' fly like a plane
On them suckers with my nigga Biggie Smalls causin' ruckus

[The Notorious B.I.G.]
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 tryin' to turn into the black Frank White

[Stretch]
And we got the workers choppin' rock, fiends by the flock
And we gettin' it, the dirty cop is jealous so they sweatin' it
I'm lettin' off smoke, hope they don't play me for no joke
And provoke the homicide, so just let the drama slide
We keepin' it real, fuck how you feel, Biggie pass the steel
Let's serve these motherfuckers, slugs as a fuckin' meal

[The Notorious B.I.G.]
We had to grow dreads to change our description
Two cops is 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

[Hook: Buju Banton]
Now it's war, me trying to sell, runnin' from the punk po-lice
They try to cock me, but them can't gun store
What about they come to hold up me north
Pulled up the park, I left school and let's buck
Look around, look around, punk po-lice
Run as fast as you can, but you can't catch me
Look around, look around, punk police
Me have to blast back, 'cause they blast at me

[Verse 3: 2Pac]
They got me runnin' from the five-o
Duckin' and dodgin' and my survival
Depends on when I let off with my nine, ho
I'm movin' swifter than the next nigga, no time for sex
'Cause in my mind all I wonder is who's next
Nigga, my homie slipped and now he pays the price
He did a drive-by, sixteen, now he's doin' triple life
Tell me is it me or my upbringin'
I spit that thug shit
Nigga, motherfuck singin'
I hope you got your Timberlands on tight
'Cause I ain't givin' up
I'd rather duck these motherfuckers all night
I'm runnin' through the projects, biatch
They'll never catch me
'Cause I'm loc'ed and trigger happy on the, sniatch
Don't say you never heard of me, til they murder me
I'm a legend
Do thug niggas go to heaven?
I'm rollin' with the Thoro Headz
We gettin' ghost on them hoes and yo
I got no love for the five-o
I'm runnin' from the police

[Hook: Buju Banton]
Now it's war, me trying to sell, runnin' from the punk po-lice
They try to cock me, but them can't gun store
What about they come to hold up me north
Pulled up the park, I left school and let's buck
Look around, look around, punk po-lice
Run as fast as you can, but you can't catch me
Look around, look around, punk police
Me have to blast back, 'cause they blast at me



All comments from YouTube:

@biancasamaniego4665

I remember buying this CD … playing it all day damn day and night … omg loved this version and still do … rap today don’t even compare

@danielarismendiz5783

Facts. I remember this song as a young shorty

@tahnabi3498

Same here.

@titorios1416

This version doesn't bleep the swears

@gk951

🎉

@user-jo2rs5dy3q

I bought the CD too when it first came out

@nvanguy6868

This is the original and best version the way pac wanted it. We used to blast this over and over back in 96.

@titorios1416

At that time we never had this uncut version,it always bleeped the swears

@lisafan6365

@@titorios1416 I know right. And uploader is using a picture from a release that also bleeps out stuff

@santino7910

When Pac says, "till they murder me I'ma legend" I get the chills! RuffRugged&Raw OUTLAW

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