Against All Odds
Makaveli (2 Pac) Lyrics

One love, one love, one thug
Unity amongst those who live a gangster lifestyle

One nation, twenty-one gun salute
Paying homage to the unity and strength of the gangster community

I'm hoping my true motherfuckers know
Addressing those who also live a gangster lifestyle and understand his message

This be the realest shit I ever wrote
Expressing that this song is the most authentic and genuine of his work

Against all odds, up in the studio, getting blowed
Despite the obstacles and challenges he faces, he still commits to producing music while smoking marijuana

To the truest shit I ever spoke
Affirming the authenticity of his message

21 gun salute, dressed in fatigue, black jeans and boots
Donning traditional gangster attire to exude power and strength

Disappeared in the crap, all you seen was troops
Using camouflage clothing to blend and camouflage into the surrounding

This little nigga named Nas thinks he live like me
Calling out Nas for living a lifestyle he doesn't truly understand

Talking bout how he left the hospital took five like me
Referencing Nas' claim that he was shot just like Tupac

You living fantasies, nigga I reject your deposit
Dismissing Nas' claims and rejecting his false image

We shook Dre punk ass, now we out of the closet
Claiming that he and others in the gangsta community showed up and intimidated Dr. Dre until he left the studio, revealing their strength and power

Mobb Deep wonder why nigga blowed them out
Taunting Mobb Deep for not understanding the gangster lifestyle and underestimating Tupac's strength

Next time grown folks talk, nigga close your mouths
Demanding respect from those who don't understand the gangster lifestyle

Peep me, I take this war shit deeply
Expressing his passion and commitment to the gangster lifestyle and the violence that can come with it

I see too many real playas fall to let these bitch niggas to beat me
Acknowledging the violence and tragedy that comes with the gangster lifestyle, but also refuses to let others defeat him

Puffy, lets be honest you a punk
Accusing Puffy of being weak and cowardly

Or you gonna see me with gloves
Threatening to physically harm Puffy with gloves on

Remember that shit you said in vibe about me being a Thug
Calling out Puffy for his negative comments about Tupac

You can tell the people you roll with whatever you want
Suggesting that Puffy is spreading false information and lies about Tupac

But, you and I know what's going on
Asserting that Tupac and Puffy both know the truth behind their conflict

Pay back I knew you bitch niggas from way back
Promising revenge on those who have wronged him for a long time

Witness me strapped with macs knew I wouldn't play that
Bringing attention to his preparedness and commitment to violence

All you old rappers trying to advance
Calling out older rappers for trying to keep relevant and advance their careers

It's all over now, take it like a man
Announcing that his victory is assured and others should accept their defeat

Niggas looking like, Larry Holmes flabby and shit
Dismissing his opponents as weak and out of shape

Trying to player hate on my shit, you eat a fat dick
Accusing those who hate on his success of jealousy and inferiority

Let it be known this is how you made me
Suggesting that his violent and aggressive nature was created by the gangster lifestyle and his experiences

Love it how I got you niggas going crazy, against all odds
Delighting in the fear and apprehension that he evokes in others - even despite the obstacles he faces

I heard he was light skinned, stocky with a Haitian accent
Beginning a story about someone named Haitian Jack - a snitch who betrayed him

Jewelry, fast cars and he's known for flashing (what's his name)
Describing Jack's flashy and materialistic lifestyle

Listen while I take you back and lace this rap
Setting the stage for his story about Haitian Jack

A real live tale, about a snitch named Haitian Jack
Recounting his experience with a snitch named Haitian Jack

Knew he was working for the feds, same crime different trail
Suspecting that Jack was working for the government and committing the same crimes as him

Niggas picture what he said, and did I mention
Alluding to Jack's betrayal and the harm he caused

Promised a payback, Jimmy Henchmen, in due time
Promising to seek revenge against those who betrayed him

I knew you bitch niggas was listening, The World is Mine
Expressing his power and control - even over those who may have betrayed him

Set me up, wet me up, niggas stuck me up
Describing a moment when he was set up and shot

Heard the guns bust, but you tricks never shut me up
Acknowledging the violence he faced, but also boasting about his strength and resilience

Touch one of mine on everything I own
Asserting that he will take revenge for any harm or violence committed against him or his associates

I'll destroy everything you touch, play the game nigga
Warning his enemies that their actions will begin a cycle of violence and destruction

All out warfare, Eye For An Eye
Affirming that revenge and violence are the only acceptable responses

Last words to a bitch nigga, why you lie?
Questioning those who betray him and cause harm

Now you gotta watch your back nigga, watch your front
Threatening those who have caused harm, and warning them to be vigilant

Here we come gunshots to deck, now you stuck
Asserting his strength and power over his enemies

Fuck the rap game nigga, nigga This M.O.B
Dismissing the rap game and indicating that his loyalties lie with his 'family' and associates

So believe me, we enemies, I go, against all odds
Acknowledging the obstacles and enemies he faces - but highlighting that he will persevere regardless

Puffy getting robbed like a bitch, to hide that fact
Accusing Puffy of hiding his own weakness and cowardice

He did some shit he shouldn't have did
Suggesting that Puffy did something morally or ethically wrong and deserves to be punished

So we ride em for that
Promising to seek revenge and justice for Puffy's wrongdoing

And that nigga that was down for me
Referencing someone who was once loyal to him

Resting dead, switch sides
Suggesting that this person has betrayed him and is now dead

Guess his new friends want him dead
Accusing his former allies of recruiting new allies who have harm in mind

Probably be murdered for the shit that I said
Acknowledging the violence and retribution he may receive for expressing these opinions

I bring the real, be a legend or even the dead
Asserting that his message is authentic and real - and will be remembered by those who understand his struggle

Lord listen to me
Asking for divine guidance or support

God don't like ugly It Was Written
Referencing a Bible verse to suggest that those who do wrong will face punishment

Hey Nas your whole damn style is weak
Calling out Nas for not living a genuine or authentic lifestyle

You heard my melody, read about my life in the papers
Asserting that his message is genuine and has been expressed through his art and experiences

All my run-in with authorities, felonious capers
Acknowledging his criminal history and the conflicts he's faced with the law

Now you want to live my life, so what's the deal
Suggesting that Nas is now trying to appropriate his lifestyle and image

Niggas that don't ride right
Calling out those who don't live authentic or genuine gangster lifestyles

You've seen too many movies
Suggesting that Nas isn't living in the real world and is instead drawing from fictionalized depictions of gangsterism

Load 'em up against the wall, close his eyes
Using imagery to suggest the violence and retribution he seeks against his enemies

Since you lie, you die, goodbye
Promising that those who betray him or lie to him will face the ultimate punishment

Let the real life niggas hear the truth from me
Asserting that his message is for those who live genuinely and authentically

What would you do if you was me (nigga), against all odds
Posing a rhetorical question about the struggles he's faced, and highlighting his strength and perseverance despite those challenges

Against all odds
Repeating the title phrase of the song as a final affirmation and statement of strength in the face of adversity