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.
Cradle 2 The Grave
Thug Life Lyrics
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Life ain't never been easy, livin' in the ghetto
From the cradle to the grave
Life ain't never been easy
June 16th, 1971,
Mama gave birth to a hell-raisin heavenly son
See the doctor tried to smack me but I smacked him back
I'm bustin' on these motherfuckers ballin'
Listen you can hear my mini fourteen callin'
From out the window of my drop top, I got my Glock cocked
Bustin' at niggas, when will it stop?
Now tell me are you scared of the dark?
Can't close my eyes I see visions
And even with this thug livin, will I escape prison?
Penitentiary chances was an all day thang
The only way to advance; and if you slang
Then you'd better have yo' Nike's on - cause when we fight
It's in the middle of the night with no lights on, hey!!
There must be a God cause I feel lucky
Paranoid out my mind, cause motherfuckers tryin' to rush me
Am I goin' to jail? Look at me bailin'
Comin' out the court house, all about my mail and bank
Never, never die I'll be a hustler motherfuckers
And makin' thugs out you suckers from the cradle to the grave
From the cradle to the grave
Life ain't never been easy, livin' in the ghetto
From the cradle to the grave since a little bitty child
I've been known to get ill and kinda buck wild
Pop pop! Just like the part that's in my walk with street talk
I'm runnin' up the block in the dark where lead spark
Surveillance on a nigga every day
Waitin' on my daddy just to take his ass away
Now Mama always workin' tryin' to make ends meet
So now a young nigga's bein' raised by the streets
And then the only other one that ever showed me love
Was my dope fiend uncle strung out on drugs
A straight - thug; just me, my mama out here on our own
So I got two gats - one black and one of chrome
Now I don't wanna hurt nobody but I must defend mine!
It's all the fuck I got, so stop and walk a thin line
Young niggas be brave
And keep on thuggin' from the cradle to the grave
From the cradle to the grave
From the cradle to the grave
Life ain't never been easy, livin' in the ghetto
From the cradle to the grave
I'm glad to say, I made it this far
Many G's died hogs and all they got was they name hit up on a wall
It's sad thinkin' about the times
Life goes on, I'm steady lost in this land
That's the war zone, I gots no home, don't have no friends neither
It's just me by my lonely so I married my nina
I keeps her wherever I go, I love my ho
Never leave home with out my sugar, I'm hafta plug a nigga
Mama told me not to trust no punks
And kick his ass if he lay a hand on me since then I been knowin'
Sometimes I think my own self stupid
Cause I stay shootin at marks, get twisted up in police reports
Since the cradle, I've been ungrateful
My first toy was a gun I got sprung and learned to love weapons
But now I'm through with money, and through with street fame
Somebody peeled my cap, and put me in my grave
From the cradle to the grave
Life ain't never been easy, livin' in the ghetto
From the cradle to the grave
Life ain't never been easy, livin' in the ghetto
March 18th, a rainy day my mama gave birth
To a baby boy trapped in hell on Earth
From day one it wasn't fun I never had a crumb
Daddy worked two jobs and Mama won't stop drinkin' rum
I tried to cope loc, but my family's broke
And my pocket's short so now I got ta slang dope
In the game filled with pain it's a fuckin' shame
The white man got a motherfucker slangin 'caine
So now it's on from dusk to dawn I'm gettin my serve on
Always in the spot with my Glock slingin rocks at the Rox
The shit don't stop, I'm steady dodgin cops
I never flip-flop, hear my Glock cock, thug 'til I drop
And if I hit the pen I gotta do my time
Sittin' on my bunk reminiscin' bout the good times
It's fucked up a nigga gotta grow up doin' dirt
But from the cradle to the grave I'ma put in work
From the cradle to the grave
Life ain't never been easy, livin' in the ghetto
From the cradle to the grave
Life ain't never been easy, livin' in the ghetto
Time's movin' fast, will I last another day?
So I pray and I lay with my A-K
Did I sell my soul as a young kid?
All the things I did wishin' someone held me but they never did
I can't take it, will I make it to my older age?
Before I'm shot up or locked up in a fuckin' cage
Lord help me, guide me, save me!
Cause that's the way that Daddy raised me, crazy
Do or die, nigga pull the trigger don't give a fuck
You'd rather be in jail than get yo' ass bucked
Nobody cares, it's me against the world
Keepin' murder on my mind and my tec-9
I got nothin' to lose, payin dues, nigga you wanna die?
I get high and then my mission is a walk-by
You'd better jet when I hit your set cause I'm comin'
Start runnin' yellin' "evil mind" as I'm gunnin'
One in the chamber for the anger that I build inside
For the mothers that cried, for my homies that died
The beginning is an ending, am I just a slave?
So I got to be brave from the cradle to the grave
From the cradle to the grave
Life ain't never been easy, livin' in the ghetto
From the cradle to the grave
Life ain't never been easy, livin' in the ghetto
The song Cradle 2 The Grave was released by the rap group Thug Life in 1994, and the lyrics express the struggles of growing up in a violent, poverty-stricken environment. They paint a picture of a world where survival is the most important thing, and where violence and drugs are the only way to get ahead. The lyrics chart the journey of a young child, who grows up surrounded by violence and drugs, and who becomes caught up in the criminal underworld.
Throughout the lyrics, Thug Life expresses a deep distrust of authority and an almost fatalistic view of life. The group portrays the violence and poverty of their environment as a fact of life, and they are determined to succeed in spite of it. The lyrics of Cradle 2 The Grave are a powerful expression of the struggle for survival in the face of overwhelming odds. They are a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, even in the most difficult of circumstances.
Overall, Cradle 2 The Grave is a powerful and poignant song that speaks to the experience of millions of people around the world who struggle to overcome poverty, violence, and discrimination. It is a testament to the power of music to bring people together and to give voice to the struggles of the oppressed and marginalized.
Line by Line Meaning
From the cradle to the grave
Throughout my entire life, from birth until death
Life ain't never been easy, livin' in the ghetto
Life has always been difficult and challenging in the impoverished neighborhood where I grew up
June 16th, 1971, Mama gave birth to a hell-raisin heavenly son
On June 16th, 1971, my mother gave birth to a rebellious yet deeply meaningful child
See the doctor tried to smack me but I smacked him back
Even as a newborn, I resisted authority and fought back against the doctor's attempts to control me
My first words was 'Thug for life,' and 'Papa pass the Mac.'
My initial words were a declaration of my commitment to a life of defiance and crime, while also expressing a desire for my father's weapon
I'm bustin' on these motherfuckers ballin'
I am violently attacking and shooting at those who enjoy a wealthy and luxurious lifestyle
Listen you can hear my mini fourteen callin'
If you pay attention, you can hear the sound of my firearm, a mini fourteen rifle, beckoning for violence
From out the window of my drop top, I got my Glock cocked
Sitting in my convertible car with the top down, I have my Glock pistol ready and loaded
Bustin' at niggas, when will it stop?
Continuously shooting at people, I wonder when this cycle of violence will ever end
Now tell me are you scared of the dark?
I question if you possess fear or trepidation when faced with the unknown and dangerous situations that arise in the darkness
Can't close my eyes I see visions
I am plagued by disturbing visions that prevent me from closing my eyes and finding peace
And even with this thug livin, will I escape prison?
Despite my criminal lifestyle, I wonder if it's possible for me to avoid imprisonment
Penitentiary chances was an all day thang
The possibility of ending up in prison was something I had to deal with every day
The only way to advance; and if you slang
Engaging in drug dealing was the only way for me to progress and improve my circumstances
Then you'd better have yo' Nike's on - cause when we fight
If you're involved in this dangerous lifestyle, you need to be prepared to run away quickly because conflict often arises unexpectedly
It's in the middle of the night with no lights on, hey!!
The physical altercations usually occur during the darkness of night, in places where there are no lights illuminating the surroundings
There must be a God cause I feel lucky
I believe in the existence of a higher power because I consider myself fortunate to have survived the dangerous situations I've encountered
Paranoid out my mind, cause motherfuckers tryin' to rush me
I am constantly anxious and suspicious because there are individuals who are actively seeking to harm or surprise attack me
Am I goin' to jail? Look at me bailin'
Will I end up in prison? I'm already contemplating my escape strategy
Comin' out the court house, all about my mail and bank
After leaving the courthouse, I am focused on my financial affairs, such as collecting mail and managing my bank accounts
Never, never die I'll be a hustler motherfuckers
I will continue to thrive and make a living as a determined and resourceful individual, despite the dangers and risks involved
And makin' thugs out you suckers from the cradle to the grave
I am not only surviving, but also influencing and shaping others within this criminal lifestyle from birth until death
From the cradle to the grave since a little bitty child
Since I was a very young child, I have been exposed to the struggles and hardships of life in the ghetto
I've been known to get ill and kinda buck wild
I have gained a reputation for getting angry and behaving recklessly
Pop pop! Just like the part that's in my walk with street talk
I carry myself with an intimidating demeanor, both in my physical appearance and the way I communicate in the streets
I'm runnin' up the block in the dark where lead spark
I am sprinting through the neighborhood streets in the darkness, where gunshots and conflict often occur
Surveillance on a nigga every day
I am constantly under the watchful eye and scrutiny of law enforcement and authorities
Waitin' on my daddy just to take his ass away
I am eagerly anticipating the day when my father is arrested and removed from my life
Now Mama always workin' tryin' to make ends meet
My mother is constantly employed, struggling to earn enough money to cover our basic needs
So now a young nigga's bein' raised by the streets
As a result, I, a young black individual, am essentially being raised and influenced by the dangerous environment of the streets
And then the only other one that ever showed me love
Besides my mother, the only other person who has shown me affection and care
Was my dope fiend uncle strung out on drugs
Is my drug-addicted uncle, who is heavily dependent on narcotics
A straight - thug; just me, my mama out here on our own
I am a genuine thug, struggling alongside my mother, with no support or assistance from others
So I got two gats - one black and one of chrome
Therefore, I possess two handguns - one with a black finish and the other with a chrome finish
Now I don't wanna hurt nobody but I must defend mine!
I have no intention of causing harm to anyone, but I am compelled to protect myself and my loved ones
It's all the fuck I got, so stop and walk a thin line
This is all I have left, so I advise others to approach cautiously and refrain from crossing boundaries
Young niggas be brave
I encourage young black individuals to display courage and face the challenges they encounter
And keep on thuggin' from the cradle to the grave
Continuously living a life of criminality and defiance, from birth until death
I'm glad to say, I made it this far
I am grateful to declare that I have survived and reached this point in my life
Many G's died hogs and all they got was they name hit up on a wall
A significant number of gangsters have died senselessly, and their only recognition is their name being spray-painted on a memorial wall
It's sad thinkin' about the times
It is quite distressing to reflect on the difficult and tragic moments that have occurred
Life goes on, I'm steady lost in this land
While life continues to progress, I find myself constantly disoriented and adrift in this unforgiving environment
That's the war zone, I gots no home, don't have no friends neither
This is a war-torn area, and I have no place to call home or anyone I can truly consider a friend
It's just me by my lonely so I married my nina
I am completely alone, so I've formed a deep bond with my firearm, which I refer to as my nina
I keeps her wherever I go, I love my ho
My firearm is constantly with me wherever I travel, and I have strong affection for it
Never leave home with out my sugar, I'm hafta plug a nigga
I never leave my residence without my gun, and if necessary, I'm prepared to harm or kill someone
Mama told me not to trust no punks
My mother warned me not to trust anyone who displays weakness or acts like a coward
And kick his ass if he lay a hand on me since then I been knowin'
Furthermore, she advised me to physically assault anyone who dares to harm or touch me, and I have embraced this mentality ever since
Sometimes I think my own self stupid
Occasionally, I question my own intelligence and judgment
Cause I stay shootin at marks, get twisted up in police reports
This is because I frequently engage in gunfights with adversaries, resulting in me being mentioned in numerous police reports
Since the cradle, I've been ungrateful
Throughout my entire life, I have failed to express gratitude for the opportunities and blessings I've received
My first toy was a gun I got sprung and learned to love weapons
My initial source of amusement and fascination was a firearm, and from there, I became obsessed with weaponry
But now I'm through with money, and through with street fame
However, I have grown tired of chasing wealth and pursuing reputation in the streets
Somebody peeled my cap, and put me in my grave
Unfortunately, someone has shot me in the head, causing my death and burial
Time's movin' fast, will I last another day?
Time is passing by swiftly, and I question if I will survive for yet another day
So I pray and I lay with my A-K
In order to find solace and safety, I resort to prayers and sleep next to my AK-47 assault rifle
Did I sell my soul as a young kid?
When I was a young child, did I inadvertently give up my morality and integrity?
All the things I did wishin' someone held me but they never did
Reflecting on my past actions, I longed for someone to offer me guidance and support, but unfortunately, that never occurred
I can't take it, will I make it to my older age?
Feeling overwhelmed by my circumstances, I question if I will live long enough to experience old age
Before I'm shot up or locked up in a fuckin' cage
I hope to escape being fatally wounded or imprisoned for the rest of my life
Lord help me, guide me, save me!
I call upon a higher power, the Lord, to provide assistance, guidance, and salvation
Cause that's the way that Daddy raised me, crazy
My father has raised me to be mentally unstable and prone to violent behavior
Do or die, nigga pull the trigger, don't give a fuck
In life-or-death situations, I have no hesitation in pulling the trigger of my firearm, without any remorse or concern
You'd rather be in jail than get yo' ass bucked
I imply that it is better to be incarcerated than to face the inevitable consequence of being shot or killed
Nobody cares, it's me against the world
No one shows any concern or empathy for my struggles, leaving me to fend for myself in a hostile and unforgiving environment
Keepin' murder on my mind and my tec-9
I constantly contemplate the act of killing and carry a Tec-9 semi-automatic handgun with me at all times
I got nothin' to lose, payin' dues, nigga you wanna die?
With nothing left to lose and the burden of past mistakes, I pose a question to those who threaten me: are you willing to face death?
I get high and then my mission is a walk-by
I consume drugs to alter my state of mind, and then I proceed to carry out my mission of shooting someone at close range, typically in a drive-by shooting
You'd better jet when I hit your set cause I'm comin'
You should quickly flee when I arrive at your territory or neighborhood, as I will come for you with aggression and violence
Start runnin' yellin' 'evil mind' as I'm gunnin'
As I begin shooting, you will hear me shouting 'evil mind,' signifying the malicious thoughts and intentions driving my actions
One in the chamber for the anger that I build inside
Before engaging in violence, I have one round loaded in the chamber of my firearm, representing the anger and rage that has built up within me
For the mothers that cried, for my homies that died
I commit acts of violence as retribution for the grieving mothers and fallen friends who have suffered due to the violence in our community
The beginning is an ending, am I just a slave?
I reflect upon the cyclical nature of life, where every beginning leads to an eventual end, and question if I am merely trapped in an endless cycle of servitude and oppression
So I got to be brave from the cradle to the grave
With this realization, I recognize the need to exhibit courage and resilience throughout my entire life, from birth until death
Life ain't never been easy, livin' in the ghetto
Living in the impoverished neighborhood has always been a challenging and difficult experience
Lyrics © STREETROPICAL MEDIA, LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DIRON RIVERS, JAMES D. GASS, MAURICE S. HARDING, TUPAC AMARU SHAKUR, TYRUSS GERALD HIMES, WALTER BURNS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@joedematteo5163
Some of Pacs strongest verses were blessed on this album. Classics forever!
@kimnamjoon3331
2Pac wasn't just rapping. He was was educating us
@Sst.n.
❤❤
@neverhungryagain2187
@Stefana Nikolova yooo
@charlita25
Fax 💯💯💯💯
@Srt_srt8ty
Facts
@mafia_dave32
About how to die young ?
@MrSimpleton28
I'm still sad that he gone, but he left us so many sick tracks to listen to. I can easily ignore today's mumble crap
@Jay-qn1cs
I don't even listen to new school "rap". Nice beats but the lyrics are garbage and repetitive 🙄. Nate Dogg and 2Short are on my Playlist!! No noobs...
@monilaninetynine3811
He's all I need to get by