Runnin'
The Notorious B.I.G. & 2Pac 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 The Notorious B.I.G. and 2Pac’s song Runnin’ describe the struggles of living a dangerous and violent lifestyle. The chorus raises several existential questions about the purpose of life and death. The singer wonders if anyone will remember him when he dies and why he’s fighting to live if he’s constantly fighting to stay alive. He also questions his motivations to see and give, when he only encounters darkness and takes on the weight of the world without anyone giving him a chance. The rapper is dying to live, but it seems he’s only living to die.
The verses of the song provide a deeper insight into the singer’s life. The first verse describes his rise to power in the drug trade, where he blew up and made a fortune overnight. He embraced his new persona and adopted the name of Black Frank White, a character played by Christopher Walken in King of New York. The second verse details his violent encounters with the police and the constant attempts on his life by snitches and bitches. He sees no escape from the misery of his life, and the media only exacerbates his problems.
The song Runnin’ was released in 1997, a year after 2Pac was fatally shot in Las Vegas. The song originally featured a different instrumental and was an underground hit before being released on the posthumous album R U Still Down? (Remember Me). After 2Pac’s death, several versions of the song were released with the instrumental from the group The Pharcyde’s song of the same name. The chorus was also used in Jay-Z’s song “Soon You’ll Understand” and has been sampled in several other songs.
The song’s music video was directed by Hype Williams and features footage of 2Pac and Biggie Smalls. The video was made after both rappers were killed and intended to promote peace between the East and West coasts. The video ends with the text “This video is dedicated to the memory of Tupac Shakur and Christopher Wallace. May they rest in peace.”
In 2007, the song was featured in the video game Grand Theft Auto IV on the in-game radio station “The Classics 104.1.” The song also appeared in the HBO drama The Sopranos.
Line by Line Meaning
You know, I wonder if they'll laugh when I am dead
I contemplate if people will mock me when I die
Why am I fighting to live, if I'm just living to fight
Why go through the struggle of surviving if life is just a constant battle
Why am I trying to see, when there ain't nothing in sight
Why make an effort to understand when there's nothing worth seeing
Why I am I trying to give, when no one gives me a try
Why attempt to be helpful when nobody gives me a chance
Why am I dying to live, if I'm just living to die
Why bother fighting for survival if death is inevitable
Check it, I grew up a fuckin' screw up
Listen up, I had a rough upbringing
Got introduced to the game, got a ounce and fuckin' blew up
Became familiar with the drug trade and suddenly became successful
Choppin' rocks overnight
Breaking down crack cocaine into smaller pieces to sell
The nigga Biggie Smalls tryin' ta turn into the black Frank White
I, Biggie Smalls, am attempting to emulate Frank White, a fictional drug lord
We had to grow dreads to change our description
We had to alter our appearance by growing dreadlocks to avoid being identified by the police
Two cops on the milk box missin'
Two police officers are missing and being searched for
Show they toes you know they got stepped on
The police officers were likely killed and their bodies were found with their shoes and socks removed
A fist full of bullets a chest full of Teflon
The shooter had a full hand of bullets protected by a Teflon vest
Run from the police picture that, nigga I'm too fat
I can't outrun the police due to my weight
I fuck around and catch a asthma attack
Running from the police could cause me to have an asthma attack
That's why I bust back, it don't phase me
I shoot back at the police because I am not afraid of them
When he drop, take his glock, and I'm Swayze
If the police officer falls, I will take his gun and disappear like Patrick Swayze in the movie Ghost
Celebrate, my escape, sold the glock, bought some weight
After getting away from the police, I sold the gun and bought more drugs to sell
Laid back, I got some money to make, motherfucker
I am chilling and focused on making more money
And still I'm havin' memories of high speeds, when the cops crashed
I still remember the times when I would speed away from the police and they would crash
As I laugh pushin' the gas when my glocks blast
I feel amused as I hit the gas pedal and my gun fires
We was young, and we was dumb but we had heart
Although we were foolish and reckless, we were brave and determined
In the dark when we survived through the bad parts
We managed to stay alive during difficult times
Many dreams is what I had, and plenty wishes
I had many aspirations and desires
No hesitation in extermination of these snitches
I have no problem getting rid of people who betray us and work with the police
And these bitches they still continue to pursue me
These women are still trying to get with me despite my reputation
A couple of movies now the whole world tryin' to screw me
After being portrayed in movies, everyone is against me and trying to harm me
Even the cops tried to sue me so what can I do
Even the police are trying to take legal action against me
But stay true, sippin' 22's a brewin', now the medias tryin' to test me
I will remain faithful to myself and enjoy drinking 22-ounce beers while the media tries to challenge me
Got the press askin' questions, tryin' to stress me
The media is constantly questioning me and trying to put pressure on me
Misery is all I see, that's my mind's state
All I can see is negative and depressing things, that is the state of my mind
My history with the police is shakin' the crime rate
My past interactions with the police are having an effect on the city's crime statistics
Ma main man had two strikes, slipped, got arrested and flipped
My close friend had two prior convictions, made a mistake, got caught and turned against me
He screamed, 'Thug Life' and emptied a clip
He shouted 'Thug Life' and used up all of his bullets
Gots tired of runnin' from the police
He got tired of constantly fleeing from the police
Why am I fighting to live, if I'm just living to fight
Repetition of the first line in the chorus, expressing the same sentiment
Why am I trying to see, when there ain't nothing in sight
Repetition of the third line in the chorus, expressing the same sentiment
Why I am I trying to give, when no one gives me a try
Repetition of the fourth line in the chorus, expressing the same sentiment
Why am I dying to live, if I'm just living to die
Repetition of the fifth line in the chorus, expressing the same sentiment
Lyrics © 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
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