Thug Life
Consisting of Tupac Shakur, Rated R, Macadoshis, Mopreme Shakur, Big Syke, and with production and appearances by Stretch the album was originally supposed to be titled Thug Life: Out On Bail. The album was advertised on the liner notes of the single for Shakur's "Papaz Song". The single included the first song by Thug Life titled "Cradle to the Grave". The version that appeared on the "Papaz Song" single was not accepted by Interscope Records as a single and forced Thug Life to submit a remix. The remix was later on used for the album and the video. The title song, "Out on Bail" was rejected and the album's title Thug Life: Volume 1. The Notorious B.I.G. appeared on the track called "Runnin from the Police", which was supposed to be track 5 of the album. It was on the Thug Life: Vol. 1 promo version that was given to press outlets for review and reviews from the time still make reference to the song. The track was replaced with "Stay True" for the LP. The group eventually released their debut album, Thug Life: Volume 1, in September 1994 after it was rejected multiple times by Interscope. It only had ten tracks when dozens more were recorded during the sessions.
Promotion was lacking. The album didn't sell because few mainstream rap fans knew of it's existence. When Shakur was shot and incarcerated later that year, it forced Rated R and Macadoshis to part ways and the group quickly disbanded, although all remain on good terms and often collaborate on each other's projects.
Mopreme and Big Syke continued to rap with Shakur after his prison time while he was signed to Death Row. At the end of Shakur's life he and Big Syke were working on Thug Life: Volume 2, which was to be released on Makaveli Records.
Philosophy of Thug Life
As detailed in the film Tupac: Resurrection the concept of "Thug Life" was viewed by Shakur as a philosophy for life. Shakur developed the word into an acronym standing for "The Hate U Gave Little Infants Fucks Everybody." Also "Nigga" was interpreted as, "Never Ignorant Getting Goals Accomplished." He declared that the dictionary definition of a "thug" as being a rogue or criminal was not how he used the term, but rather he meant someone who came from oppressive or squalid background and little opportunity but still made a life for themselves and were proud.
"I didn't create Thug Life, I diagnosed it." - Tupac Shakur.
Thug Life became a calling card for how Shakur viewed his influence on society. He had people from all walks of life -- criminals in jail, white kids in the suburbs, poor black kids in the ghetto -- wanting to know how they could be a part of his movement. Shakur admitted this sudden power he had over people frightened him. But he used the idea of Thug Life to transform the desires of these people into something he viewed as positive, a way to reach out to the poor, the disenfranchised, and the oppressed. Gang members instituted what was called the Code of Thug Life, and gangs from New York to Chicago to Los Angeles claimed to abide by it. Examples of the rules in this Code of Ethics were that civilians were not to be targets in gang warfare, and that children in schools should not be indoctrinated by gang propaganda.
Shakur's philosophy of Thug Life was met with harsh criticism from most of the leaders in government and politics, including many notables in the black community.
Bury Me A G
Thug Life Lyrics
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Thug Life
You feel me?
Thinkin' back, reminiscin' on my teens
A young G gettin' paid over dope fiends
Fuckin' off cash that I made
Nigga, what's the sense of workin' hard if you never get to play?
And comin' home at six o'clock in the mornin'
Hand's on my Glock, eyes on the prize
Finger on the trigger when a nigga ride
Shootin' craps, bustin' niggas out the door
Pick my money off the floor, God bless the tre-four
Stuck on full, drunk again
Sippin' on gin with a couple of friends (haha)
Say them Thug Life niggas be like major pimps
Stickin' to the rules was a major sin (biatch)
And if I die, let it be
But when it come for me, bury me a G (sing)
I ain't got time for bitches
Gotta keep my mind on my motherfuckin' riches
Even when I die, they won't worry me
Mama, don't cry, bury me a G (c'mon)
I ain't got time for bitches
Gotta keep my mind on my motherfuckin' riches (hahaha)
Even when I die, they won't worry me
Mama, don't cry, bury me a G
More trouble than the average
Just made twenty five and I'm livin' like a savage
Being a G, it ain't no easy thing
'Cause you could fuck around, get crossed and get stuck in the game
And for the rest of your life you will sit and reminisce
Wonder why it had to end like this
And to the G's you can feel my pain
Until the motherfucker gets born again
You thought it was a game kid, I'm not the nigga for playin' game
I let my buckshots ring when I pull the trigger on my gauge
I'm on the rampage makin' runs for the devil
Ain't nothin' on my mind but gettin' in some trouble
I'm tryna ride no more loves for me hard to figure
Get a nigga, smoke a blunt or it's a jury starts (break yo self)
I gives a fuck nigga stuck outta luck when I bust
Pull me to my death but I'm a G to the enemy (bury me)
I ain't got time for bitches
Gotta keep my mind on my motherfuckin' riches
Even when I die, they won't worry me
Mama, don't cry, bury me a G
Sing, "I ain't got time for bitches" (hahaha)
Gotta keep my mind on my motherfuckin' riches
Even when I die, they won't worry me
Mama, don't cry, bury me a G
I got nothin' to lose so I choose to be a killer
Went from bangin' to slangin', now I'm a dope dealer
All my life paid the price to be the boss
Back to school, broke the rules on gettin' tossed
Poppin' rocks on the block was a past time
Pack a .9 all the time, you wanna test mine?
Don't cry, I die before they play me
From the cradle to the grave, bury me G
Straight thug kickin' it with the homies in the hood
Gettin' drunk, smokin' blunts, my bitch said I'm no good
I gives a fuck I spend my time in the dope spot
Never had no time for no bitch instead slangin' rocks
And bustin' caps on you punk ass marks
Fake ass G's, bitch niggas with no heart
I'm stayin' real 'til I'm six feet deep
So when a nigga gone, just bury me a G
Ain't got time for bitches (haha)
Gotta keep my mind on my motherfuckin' riches
Even when I die, they won't worry me (motherfuck)
Mama, don't cry, bury me a G (killer)
Say, "I ain't got time for bitches"
Gotta keep my mind on my motherfuckin' riches (all you real motherfuckers)
Even when I die, they won't worry me (this is what you need to be singin', nigga)
Mama, don't cry, bury me a G (fuck them ? shit)
Stuck on full, Tanqueray got a nigga high
Lord knows I don't need another DUI
I led a Thug Life, heartless hustler
Just 'cause I fuck don't mean I trust her
Now my pagers vibratin', can't sleep
So I'm mobbin' to the hoe's house, bumpin' Isley
"Is it cool to fuck?" is what I'm askin'
Bitch recognize game and started laughin'
Now, I'm all in the guts and shit (nigga, you crazy)
Prayin' that a nigga don't nut too quick
'Cause I'll fuck and get up, I'll let you know (biatch)
I'll be a ten minute brother for a two dolla ho
Lots of hoes get mad and shit (haha)
I let a trick be a trick, you can have that bitch
'Cause I doubt if I change, the game's a motherfucker
Real niggas turn to busters, bury me a G
I ain't got time for bitches
Gotta keep my mind on my motherfuckin' riches
Even when I die, they won't worry me
Mama, don't cry, bury me a G
'Cause I ain't got time for bitches (hey)
Gotta keep my mind on my motherfuckin' riches
Even when I die, they won't worry me
Mama, don't cry, bury me a G (c'mon, say Thug Life)
Say I ain't got time for bitches (yeah, nigga)
Gotta keep my mind on my motherfuckin' riches
Even when I die, they won't worry me (yeah)
Mama, don't cry, bury me a G (c'mon, c'mon, c'mon)
Say I ain't got time for bitches
Gotta keep my mind on my motherfuckin' riches
Even when I die, they won't worry me (make money, nigga)
Mama, don't cry, bury me a G
'Cause I ain't got time for bitches
Gotta keep my mind on my motherfuckin' riches
Even when I die, they won't worry me
Mama, don't cry, bury me a G (don't cry, don't cry)
'Cause I ain't got time for bitches
Gotta keep my mind on my motherfuckin' riches (fuck your bitches, you know)
Even when I die, they won't worry me (them hoes could die for all I care)
Mama, don't cry, bury me a G
Reminisce, and I ain't got time for bitches, bitches hahaha
Thug Life's "On Me" is a reflection on the hard life of a gangsta rapper. It speaks to the duality of the persona of a money-hungry, gun-toting gangster versus the vulnerable, reflective human being that lies beneath. The lyrics suggest the singer had a troublesome upbringing that led him to a life of drugs and violence. He hustles, stays out until dawn, comes home at six in the morning, and deals with the tension of living life in the fast lane. The lyrics suggest that the gangster lifestyle is tough and dangerous, and that one false move can lead to losing everything, including one's life.
The phrase "bury me a G" is repeated many times throughout the song, which means to die as a gangster. It is a common phrase in the hip hop culture and is often used to communicate a sense of street cred or toughness. The song speaks about not worrying about women, instead focusing on money, power, and respect above all else.
The song also hints at the loneliness that comes with the gangster life. The singer suggests that he has trust issues and struggles to find genuine connections with others. The song is a complex statement on the harsh realities of inner-city life, where the line between life and death can be a blur.
Line by Line Meaning
(Yeah) bury me a G (well, well, well)
I want to be buried like a true gangster
Thinkin' back, reminiscin' on my teens
Reflecting on my youth
A young G gettin' paid over dope fiends
I was a young gangster making money off drug users
Fuckin' off cash that I made
Wasting the money I earned
Nigga, what's the sense of workin' hard if you never get to play?
Why work hard if you can't enjoy the money you make?
I'm hustlin', stayin' out 'til it's dawn
Working hard all night
And comin' home at six o'clock in the mornin'
Returning home early in the morning
Hand's on my Glock, eyes on the prize
Always vigilant, ready to defend myself
Finger on the trigger when a nigga ride
Ready to shoot if someone threatens me
Shootin' craps, bustin' niggas out the door
Gambling and fighting others who try to cheat
Pick my money off the floor, God bless the tre-four
Picking up my winnings and thanking God for my gun
Stuck on full, drunk again
Drunk and unable to think straight
Sippin' on gin with a couple of friends (haha)
Having drinks with my buddies
Say them Thug Life niggas be like major pimps
People say we're like successful players
Stickin' to the rules was a major sin (biatch)
Breaking the rules was seen as a sign of strength
And if I die, let it be
I'm not afraid to die
But when it come for me, bury me a G (sing)
But if I die, I want to go out like a true gangster
I ain't got time for bitches
I don't have time for women
Gotta keep my mind on my motherfuckin' riches
I need to focus on making money
Even when I die, they won't worry me
Even after I die, I'm not concerned with what others think
Mama, don't cry, bury me a G (c'mon)
Mom, I want to be buried like a true gangster
More trouble than the average
I'm not just an ordinary person, I'm trouble
Just made twenty five and I'm livin' like a savage
I'm living wildly after making a lot of money
Being a G, it ain't no easy thing
Being a gangster is not an easy lifestyle
'Cause you could fuck around, get crossed and get stuck in the game
You can easily get trapped in the dangerous world of gangs
And for the rest of your life you will sit and reminisce
You'll spend the rest of your life thinking about the past
Wonder why it had to end like this
Questioning why things ended up this way
And to the G's you can feel my pain
Other gangsters can understand my suffering
Until the motherfucker gets born again
Until I'm reincarnated, I'll always be a gangster
You thought it was a game kid, I'm not the nigga for playin' game
You underestimated me, don't try to play games with me
I let my buckshots ring when I pull the trigger on my gauge
I shoot my gun with deadly accuracy
I'm on the rampage makin' runs for the devil
I'm causing chaos and destruction
Ain't nothin' on my mind but gettin' in some trouble
I'm constantly thinking about causing trouble
I'm tryna ride no more loves for me hard to figure
I'm done with romantic relationships, it's hard to understand why
Get a nigga, smoke a blunt or it's a jury starts (break yo self)
I'll attack anyone who threatens me or doesn't let me smoke marijuana
I gives a fuck nigga stuck outta luck when I bust
I don't care if someone is unlucky and gets hurt when I shoot
Pull me to my death but I'm a G to the enemy (bury me)
My enemies can kill me, but I'll still die a gangster
Sing, "I ain't got time for bitches" (hahaha)
Singing that I don't have time for women
I got nothin' to lose so I choose to be a killer
I have nothing to lose, so I choose to be a murderer
Went from bangin' to slangin', now I'm a dope dealer
I used to be a gangster, now I sell drugs
All my life paid the price to be the boss
I sacrificed everything to be in charge
Back to school, broke the rules on gettin' tossed
I went back to school and broke rules by getting into fights
Poppin' rocks on the block was a past time
Using drugs was a regular activity
Pack a .9 all the time, you wanna test mine?
I always have my gun with me, do you want to see if I have it?
Real niggas turn to busters, bury me a G
True gangsters become weak, but I'll always be a gangster at heart
Stuck on full, Tanqueray got a nigga high
Drunk on Tanqueray gin
Lord knows I don't need another DUI
I don't need another driving under the influence charge
I led a Thug Life, heartless hustler
I lived a life of crime, with no remorse
Just 'cause I fuck don't mean I trust her
Just because I have sex with someone doesn't mean I trust them
Now my pagers vibratin', can't sleep
I can't sleep because my pager keeps buzzing
So I'm mobbin' to the hoe's house, bumpin' Isley
I'm driving to my sexual partner's house, listening to The Isley Brothers
"Is it cool to fuck?" is what I'm askin'
I'm asking if it's okay to have sex
Bitch recognize game and started laughin'
She recognized that I was just playing her and laughed
Now, I'm all in the guts and shit (nigga, you crazy)
Now, I'm having sex with her (you're crazy)
Prayin' that a nigga don't nut too quick
Hoping I don't ejaculate too quickly
'Cause I'll fuck and get up, I'll let you know (biatch)
I'll have sex and leave, and you'll know it (slang for bitch)
I'll be a ten minute brother for a two dolla ho
I'll have quick sex with a cheap prostitute
Lots of hoes get mad and shit (haha)
Lots of women get angry when I use them
I let a trick be a trick, you can have that bitch
I let someone else have that woman, I don't want her
I'm stayin' real 'til I'm six feet deep
I'll always be true to myself, even after death
So when a nigga gone, just bury me a G
So when I die, bury me like a true gangster
Lyrics © STREETROPICAL MEDIA, LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Tupac Amaru Shakur, Randy Walker, Ernest Isley, Marvin Isley, O'kelly Jr. Isley, Ronald Isley, Rudolph Bernard Isley, Chris Jasper, Walter Burns, Maurice S. Harding, Tyruss Gerald Himes, Diron Rivers
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