Who Shot 2Pac
King Lil G Lyrics

It was nine, five
The year was 1995

On your way to death row
2Pac was on his way to prison on charges of sexual assault

Bad boy killas
Refers to the rivalry between 2Pac's crew and The Notorious B.I.G's crew

What you taught me on the West coast
2Pac's influence on King Lil G while living on the West coast

Always screaming out
2Pac's use of the phrase 'Death to my enemies'

Death to my enemies
A phrase used by 2Pac to express his anger towards those who opposed him

A blue devil's
Refers to the blue bandana worn by Crips gang members in California

On your hectic glass of Hennessy
2Pac's love for Hennessy and the hectic lifestyle he lived

Hail Mary, bury you a legend
Reference to 2Pac's song 'Hail Mary' and his status as a legend in rap music

Told the judge you was raised wrong
2Pac's claim that he was a product of his upbringing, and not solely responsible for his actions

And that's why you blaze
2Pac's use of drugs to cope with his struggles

I was only eleven
King Lil G's age when he first heard 2Pac's music

I thought I was the one
King Lil G's belief that 2Pac was speaking directly to him through his music

You were talking to
2Pac's connection to and influence on King Lil G

When you said shorty's gonna be a thug
Referencing the 2Pac song 'Shorty Wanna Be a Thug,' which speaks to life in the ghetto and the desire to escape poverty through violence

I'm writing poetry
King Lil G's use of rap as a form of poetry

Trying to follow your steps dog
King Lil G's attempt to emulate 2Pac's style and message

Trying to motivate
King Lil G's goal of inspiring others through his music

All of my strong single moms
A reference to the struggles faced by single mothers in the ghetto

Baby daddies in prison
The frequent imprisonment of fathers in ghetto communities

The kids tell you they miss 'em
The emotional toll on children of having a parent in prison

They keep sending you pictures
The desire to stay connected to loved ones while incarcerated

Of every lonely Christmas
The pain of spending holidays alone while a family member is in prison

In the ghetto
A reference to the poverty and crime prevalent in ghetto communities

We could still hear the load guns
The constant sound of gun violence in the ghetto

And the government
The systemic issues faced by ghetto communities that are perpetuated by the government

They don't give a fuck about us us
The lack of concern from those in power for the struggles of ghetto communities

Deporting all the immigrants
The deportation of immigrants and the negative impact it has on families and communities

We don't get no love
The lack of support for ghetto communities from those in power

Even with a black president
A commentary on the systemic issues still faced by black communities, despite having a black president

Killuminati all through your body
Reference to 2Pac's belief in a secret society that controls the world

Conspiracies
The prevalence of conspiracy theories in hip-hop culture

I'm paranoid
The paranoia and distrust of those in power felt by many in the ghetto

Avoiding secret societies
A desire to avoid any involvement with secret societies

Hand signs and pyramids
Symbolism often associated with secret societies, and the belief that they are targeting minorities

They wanna target minorities
The belief that secret societies are actively working against minorities

Black people and Mexicans
The struggle faced by black and Mexican communities in the ghetto

I'm blinded by the color of my bandanna
The divide between gang members based on the color of their bandannas, which obscures the larger issues facing the ghetto

And then we wonder
The failure to see the root causes of the problems in the ghetto

Why the government can't stand us
The historical and systemic issues facing ghetto communities that are perpetuated by the government

Running from the police
The fear and distrust of law enforcement in the ghetto

Let me proceed
King Lil G's determination to keep going despite the struggles he faces

A letter to the pen
A reference to writing letters to loved ones in prison

Respect to my OGs
King Lil G's respect for those who came before him in the rap game

I keep saying
A personal mantra to keep going despite the struggles faced

Fuck the music in my radio
A dissatisfaction with the state of mainstream hip-hop and its lack of substance

2pac still bumping in my stereo
A reverence for 2Pac's music and message, and the impact it continues to have on King Lil G

Ballad of a dead soulja
Reference to 2Pac's song of the same name, which speaks to his struggles and eventual death

Put it on ya
A desire to spread 2Pac's message and influence

You came from New York
A reference to The Notorious B.I.G. and the rivalry between him and 2Pac

But you ride for California
Despite being a New York artist, The Notorious B.I.G. became associated with the West coast due to the rivalry

I got the chills when you said
A personal reaction to hearing 2Pac's music

It wouldn't be LA without us
2Pac's belief in his own importance to the West coast rap scene

And that's real in Gangstaville
The impact of 2Pac's music and message on the community

Raps changed like you wouldn't believe
A commentary on the current state of mainstream hip-hop music, and its departure from the substantive messages of artists like 2Pac

Everybody's favorite rapper
The homogenization of mainstream hip-hop, and the lack of diversity in its artists and messages

Is a motherfucker with skinny jeans
A critique of the current trend in hip-hop fashion, and its lack of authenticity

I give a toast to Makaveli the Don
A tribute to 2Pac, using his artistic pseudonym

I'mma drink this Hennessy
A reference to 2Pac's love for Hennessy and its connection to his music

And I'm gone
A recognition of the mortality of artists, and the impact they leave behind