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
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Thinkin' back
Reminiscing on my teens
A young G
Gettin' paid over dope fiends
Fuckin' off cash that I make
Nigga, what's tha sense of workin' hard
I'm hustlin'
Stayin' out till it's dawn
And comin' home
At 6 o'clock in tha mornin'
Hand's on my glock
Eye's on tha prize
Finger on tha trigga when a nigga rides
Shootin' craps
Bustin' niggas out tha door
Pick my money off tha floor
God bless tha tre-four
Stuck on full, drunk again
Sippin' on Gin
With a couple of friends
Sayin' those thug life niggas be like major pimps
Stickin' to tha rules is what made it simp
And if I die
Let it be
But when they come for me
Bury me a G
I ain't got time for bitches
Gotta keep my mind on my mothafuckin' riches
Even when I die
They won't worry me
Mama don't cry
Bury me a G
I ain't got time for bitches
Gotta keep my mind on my mothafuckin' riches
Even when I die
They won't worry me
Mama don't cry
Bury me a G
More Trouble than tha average
Just made 25 and I'm livin' like a savage
Bein a G ain't no easy thing
Cause you could fuck around get crossed
And get stuck in tha game
And for tha rest of your life you will sit and remineise
Wonder why it had to end like this
And to tha G's you can feel my pain
Till tha mothafuckas gets born again
You thought I was a game kid
I'm not tha nigga for playin games
I let my buckshots rang
When I pull tha trigga on my gauge
I'm on tha rampage
Makin' runs for tha devil
Ain't nothin' on my mind
Will get me in some trouble
I'm tryin to ride
No more loves
For me hard to figure
Get a nigga, smoke a blunt
Or is a jury starts (break that shit)
I gives a fuck nigga
Stuck outta luck
When I bust
Pull me to my death
But I'm a G to tha enemy
I ain't got time for bitches
Gotta keep my mind on my mothafuckin' riches
Even when I die
They won't worry me
Mama don't cry
Bury me a G
I ain't got time for bitches
Gotta keep my mind on my mothafuckin' riches
Even when I die
They won't worry me
Mama don't cry
Bury me a G
I got nothin' ta loose so I choose to be a killer
Went from bangin' ta slangin'
Now I'm a dope dealer
All my life payed tha price to be tha boss
Back in school
Wrote tha rules on gettin' tossed
Poppin' rocks on tha 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 tha cradle to tha grave
Bury me
Straight Thug G
Kickin' it with tha homies in tha hood
Gettin' drunk, smokin' blunts
A bitch said I was no good
I gives a fuck
I spend my time in tha dope spot
Never had no time for no bitch
Instead slangin' rocks
And bustin' caps on you punk ass marcs
Fake ass G's
Bitch niggas with no heart
I'm stayin' real till I'm 6 feet deep
So when a nigga gone
Bury me a G
I ain't got time for bitches
Gotta keep my mind on my mothafuckin' riches
Even when I die
They won't worry me
Mama don't cry
Bury Me a G
I ain't got time for bitches
Gotta keep my mind on my mothafuckin' riches
Even when I die
They won't worry me
Mama don't cry
Bury Me a G
Stuck on full
Tangaray got a nigga high
Lord knows I don't need another DUI
I led a Thug Life
Heartless hustler
Just 'cause I fucked
Don't mean I trust her
Now my pagers vibratin'
Can't sleep
So I'm mobbin' to tha ho's house
Pumpin' Isely
Is it cool ta fuck is what I'm askin
Bitch recognize game and start laughen
When I'm all in those guts and shit
Prayin' that a nigga don't nut too quick
Cause I'll fuck and get up and let ya know
I'll be a 10 minute brotha for a $2 ho
Lots a ho's get mad and shit
I let a trick be a trick
You can have that bitch
Cause I doubt if I change
Tha games a mothafucker
Real niggas turn ta bustas
Bury Me a G
I ain't got time for bitches
Gotta Keep my mind on my mothafuckin' riches
Even when I die
They won't worry me
Mama don't cry
Bury me a G
I ain't got time for bitches
Gotta Keep my mind on my mothafuckin' riches
Even when I die
They won't worry me
Mama don't cry
Bury me a G
I ain't got time for bitches
Gotta Keep my mind on my mothafuckin' riches
Even when I die
They won't worry me
Mama don't cry
Bury me a G
I ain't got time for bitches
Gotta Keep my mind on my mothafuckin' riches
Even when I die
They won't worry me
Mama don't cry
Bury me a G
I ain't got time for bitches, bitches
The lyrics to Thug Life's "Bury Me A G" paint a vivid picture of the life of a young G from his teen years to his untimely death. The song begins with the singer reminiscing on his past as a young G getting paid over dope fiends and spending money as fast as he makes it. He hustles hard, staying out till dawn and coming home at 6 in the morning, with his hands on his Glock and his eyes on the prize. He shoots craps and busts niggas out the door, picking up his money off the floor.
He reflects on how being a G isn't easy and how he's been in more trouble than the average person. He's had to pay the price to be the boss and has written the rules on getting tossed back in school. He's gone from banging to slangin to being a dope dealer. He's a heartless hustler who doesn't trust anyone just because he's fucked them, but he spends his time in the dope spot instead of chasing bitches.
The song speaks to the idea of living fast and dying young, of being a G until the very end. The singer declares that even when he dies, they won't worry him, and he asks his mother not to cry but to bury him a G.
Line by Line Meaning
Thinkin' back
Reflecting on my past experiences
Reminiscing on my teens
Remembering my adolescence
A young G
A young gangster
Gettin' paid over dope fiends
Earning money from drug addicts
Fuckin' off cash that I make
Wasting the money I earn
Nigga, what's tha sense of workin' hard
What's the point of working if you can't enjoy yourself
If you never get to play
If you never get to have fun
I'm hustlin'
I'm working hard to make money
Stayin' out till it's dawn
Staying out until sunrise
And comin' home
Returning home
At 6 o'clock in tha mornin'
At 6 AM
Hand's on my glock
Holding my handgun
Eye's on tha prize
Focused on achieving my goals
Finger on tha trigga when a nigga rides
Ready to shoot when I'm in danger
Shootin' craps
Playing a dice game
Bustin' niggas out tha door
Escaping from difficult situations
Pick my money off tha floor
Collecting my money
God bless tha tre-four
I'm grateful for my weapon
Stuck on full, drunk again
Intoxicated and unable to think clearly
Sippin' on Gin
Drinking gin
With a couple of friends
In the company of my friends
Sayin' those thug life niggas be like major pimps
I'm claiming that thug life individuals are like influential pimps
Stickin' to tha rules is what made it simp
Following the rules is what made it simple
And if I die
In the event of my death
Let it be
Accept it without resistance
But when they come for me
When they come to get me
Bury me a G
Bury me as a true gangster
I ain't got time for bitches
I don't have time for women
Gotta keep my mind on my mothafuckin' riches
I need to focus on making money
Even when I die
Even after my death
They won't worry me
They won't bother me
Mama don't cry
Mother, please don't cry
More Trouble than tha average
More difficulties than most
Just made 25 and I'm livin' like a savage
I just turned 25 and I'm living recklessly
Bein a G ain't no easy thing
Being a gangster isn't easy
Cause you could fuck around get crossed
Because you can easily get betrayed
And get stuck in tha game
And become trapped in the criminal lifestyle
And for tha rest of your life you will sit and remineise
And for the rest of your life, you'll sit and reminisce
Wonder why it had to end like this
Wondering why it had to end in such a way
And to tha G's you can feel my pain
To my gangster comrades, you can understand my suffering
Till tha mothafuckas gets born again
Until our enemies are reborn
You thought I was a game kid
You thought I was playing around
I'm not tha nigga for playin games
I'm not the type of person who plays games
I let my buckshots rang
I let my gunshots ring
When I pull tha trigga on my gauge
When I pull the trigger on my shotgun
I'm on tha rampage
I'm in a state of violent rage
Makin' runs for tha devil
Carrying out criminal activities for personal gain
Ain't nothin' on my mind
I have nothing else to think about
Will get me in some trouble
Will lead me into trouble
I'm tryin to ride
I'm trying to survive
No more loves
No more love affairs
For me hard to figure
It's difficult for me to understand
Get a nigga, smoke a blunt
Find a person to rob, smoke marijuana
Or is a jury starts (break that shit)
Or the police start an investigation
I gives a fuck nigga
I don't care, man
Stuck outta luck
Unfortunate
When I bust
When I shoot
Pull me to my death
Lead me to my death
But I'm a G to tha enemy
But I remain a true gangster to my enemies
I got nothin' ta loose so I choose to be a killer
I have nothing to lose, so I choose to be a murderer
Went from bangin' ta slangin'
Transitioned from gang activities to drug dealing
Now I'm a dope dealer
Now I sell drugs
All my life payed tha price to be tha boss
Throughout my life, I have paid the price to be in control
Back in school
During my time in school
Wrote tha rules on gettin' tossed
Established the guidelines for getting expelled
Poppin' rocks on tha block was a past time
Using crack cocaine on the street was a common activity
Pack a 9 all the time
Carry a 9mm handgun at all times
You wanna test mine ?
Do you want to challenge me?
Don't cry
Don't shed tears
I die before they play me
I'd rather die than let them disrespect me
From tha cradle to tha grave
From birth to death
Bury me
Lay me to rest
Straight Thug G
A true hardcore gangster
Kickin' it with tha homies in tha hood
Hanging out with my friends in the neighborhood
Gettin' drunk, smokin' blunts
Getting intoxicated, smoking marijuana cigars
A bitch said I was no good
A woman said I was worthless
I gives a fuck
I don't care
I spend my time in tha dope spot
I spend my time at the drug dealing location
Never had no time for no bitch
I never had any time for women
Instead slangin' rocks
Instead, I sell drugs
And bustin' caps on you punk ass marcs
And shooting at you weak and inferior individuals
Fake ass G's
Fake gangsters
Bitch niggas with no heart
Cowardly individuals with no courage
I'm stayin' real till I'm 6 feet deep
I will remain true until I'm buried six feet under
So when a nigga gone
So when I'm gone
Bury me a G
Bury me as a true gangster
Stuck on full
Intoxicated
Tangaray got a nigga high
Drinking Tanqueray gin got me intoxicated
Lord knows I don't need another DUI
God knows I don't need another drunk driving charge
I led a Thug Life
I lived a life of crime and violence
Heartless hustler
A ruthless and determined individual
Just 'cause I fucked
Just because I had sex
Don't mean I trust her
Doesn't mean I trust her
Now my pagers vibratin'
Now my pager is vibrating
Can't sleep
I can't sleep
So I'm mobbin' to tha ho's house
So I'm going to the prostitute's house
Pumpin' Isely
Listening to music by the Isley Brothers
Is it cool ta fuck is what I'm askin
Is it acceptable to have sex, that's what I'm asking
Bitch recognize game and start laughen
The woman realizes my intentions and starts laughing
When I'm all in those guts and shit
When I'm having sex with her
Prayin' that a nigga don't nut too quick
Hoping that I won't ejaculate too soon
Cause I'll fuck and get up and let ya know
Because I'll have sex and leave without any attachment
I'll be a 10 minute brotha for a $2 ho
I'll be a brief sexual partner for a cheap prostitute
Lots a ho's get mad and shit
Many prostitutes get angry and upset
I let a trick be a trick
I allow a foolish person to act foolishly
You can have that bitch
You can have that woman
Cause I doubt if I change
Because I doubt that I'll change
Tha games a mothafucker
Because the game is difficult
Real niggas turn ta bustas
Genuine individuals become weak
Bury Me a G
Bury me as a true gangster
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ERNIE ISLEY, MARVIN ISLEY, O'KELLY ISLEY, RONALD ISLEY, RUDOLPH ISLEY, CHRISTOPHER JASPER, CHRISTOPHER H JASPER, TUPAC AMARU SHAKUR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind