Runnin'
Notorious B.I.G./2 Pac Lyrics
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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 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
The nigga Biggie Smalls trying to turn into the black Frank White
We had to grow dreads to change our description
Two cops is on the milk box missing
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
Lay back, I got some money to make, motherfucker
And I wonder if they'll laugh when I'm 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 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?
It's on me
But still I'm having memories of high speed when the cops crashed
As I laugh, pushing the gas while my Glocks blast
We was young and we was dumb, but we had heart
In the dark, will we survive through the bad parts
Many dreams is what I had, and plenty wishes
No hesitation in extermination of these snitches
Envious bitches, they still continue to pursue me
A couple of movies, now the whole world's trying to screw me
Even the cops tried to sue me, so what can I do?
But stay true, sipping 22's of brew
And now media is trying to test me
Got the press asking questions, trying to stress me
Misery is all I see, that's my mind state
My history with the police will shake the crime rate
My main man had two strikes, slipped, got arrested and flipped
He screamed "thug life" and emptied the clip
Got tired of running from the police
And I wonder if they'll laugh when I'm 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 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?
The lyrics to Notorious B.I.G. and 2pac's song "Runnin'" are contemplative and reflective. In the first stanza, the singer asks a series of rhetorical questions that seem to express his frustration, doubt, and existential anxiety. He wonders if people will laugh when he's dead, why he's fighting to live, seeing when there's nothing in sight, and giving when no one gives him a try. These questions imply a sense of futility and hopelessness about his life.
In the second stanza, both Notorious B.I.G. and 2pac recount their experiences growing up in poverty, crime, and violence. They describe how they got introduced to drug dealing and how they had to change their physical appearance to avoid racial profiling. They also touch on police brutality and run-ins with the law. Both rappers fuse their rhymes with gritty realism, vivid imagery, and aggressive delivery to convey their anger, defiance, and determination to survive.
Overall, "Runnin'" is a powerful and haunting song that reflects the turbulent and tragic lives of two of the most iconic and influential rappers in the history of hip hop. The song's raw emotions, complex themes, and effortless flow make it a classic that still resonates with audiences today.
Line by Line Meaning
And I wonder if they'll laugh when I'm dead?
Will people ridicule me even after I'm gone?
Why am I fighting to live, if I'm just living to fight?
What's the point of struggling to survive if it's just to battle with others?
Why am I trying to see, when there ain't nothing in sight?
Why am I striving for something that doesn't exist or is unattainable?
Why am I trying to give, when no one gives me a try?
Why do I keep giving my best when nobody gives me a chance?
Why am I dying to live, if I'm just living to die?
What's the point of living life to the fullest when death is inevitable?
Check it, I grew up a fuckin' screw-up
Listen to my story, I had a rough childhood
Got introduced to the game, got a ounce and fuckin' blew up
I got caught up in the drug game and quickly became successful
Choppin' rocks overnight
I worked hard to make drugs to sell
The nigga Biggie Smalls trying to turn into the black Frank White
I'm trying to become a rich and powerful drug dealer like the character Frank White from the movie King of New York
We had to grow dreads to change our description
We had to alter our appearance to avoid the police
Two cops is on the milk box missing
Two cops are dead or missing because of us
Show they toes you know they got stepped on
If someone shows off their shoes, you know they were involved in a crime
A fist full of bullets a chest full of Teflon
We carry guns loaded with bullets that can pierce a vest made of Kevlar
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
If I run too much, I might have an asthma attack
That's why I bust back, it don't phase me
I shoot at the cops without hesitation, it doesn't scare me
When he drop, take his Glock, and I'm Swayze
When the cop falls, I take his gun, like Patrick Swayze in the movie Road House
Celebrate my escape, sold the Glock, bought some weight
I celebrate evading the police by selling my gun and buying more drugs to sell
Lay back, I got some money to make, motherfucker
I'm going to relax because I have more money to make from selling drugs
It's on me
I'm responsible for what happens next
But still I'm having memories of high speed when the cops crashed
I still remember the time the police chased us and crashed their car
As I laugh, pushing the gas while my Glocks blast
I laugh as I drive away and shoot at the police with my gun
We was young and we was dumb, but we had heart
Although we were foolish and inexperienced, we had courage
In the dark, will we survive through the bad parts
Will we be able to make it through the tough times?
Many dreams is what I had, and plenty wishes
I had many ambitions and aspirations
No hesitation in extermination of these snitches
I have no problem killing those who might betray me
Envious bitches, they still continue to pursue me
Even women who are jealous of my fame and success try to get with me
A couple of movies, now the whole world's trying to screw me
After becoming famous from my music, everyone is trying to take advantage of me
Even the cops tried to sue me, so what can I do?
The police have even tried to take legal action against me, I don't know what else to do
But stay true, sipping 22's of brew
I'll remain loyal to myself and drink beer
And now media is trying to test me
Journalists are trying to provoke me with their questions
Got the press asking questions, trying to stress me
Reporters are asking me difficult questions to make me appear unstable or agitated
Misery is all I see, that's my mind state
I only see sadness and negativity in my life right now
My history with the police will shake the crime rate
My past interactions with the police will impact the rate of crime in the area
My main man had two strikes, slipped, got arrested and flipped
My close friend had two prior arrests, made a mistake, got caught and turned against me
He screamed 'thug life' and emptied the clip
He yelled out 'thug life' and emptied his gun
Got tired of running from the police
We grew tired of constantly being chased and fleeing from the police
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
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
Сложно брат
@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