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.
M.O.B.
Thug Life Lyrics
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And you know we keep it money over bitches
M.O.B., nigga 'cause we mob on you tricks
And you know we keep it money over bitches
Thugs known to bust on sight
God bless my crazy life la vida loca homie livin' that thug life
Came with the homies and learned to kick it until we die
Boss players you wonder why
I live the life of a ghetto kingpin, just let me ride
Bitches and niggas in penitentary suits
I send 'em letters and money orders and make 'em my troops
As for you females, I got no time, I gotta get mine
You cannot blind me addicted to a life of crime
My time as shorty was full of car chases
While runnin' with John Gotti's and Scarface's
Niggas knew, I'd be the Don in my own crew
A million niggas with automatics who swarm through
You wonder who shot me here's a clue, stay alert
'Cause we comin' for you, and keep it money over bitches
M.O.B., nigga 'cause we mob on you tricks
And you know we keep it money over bitches
I blow you up on the spot, these glocks hot 'til you drop
All you wannabe cops, you don't want to see shots
I beef deep with the police peep what these streets do to me
Actin all new to me I creep on you like puberty
You don't want to see the bad image of this scrimmage
From here to East Greenwich through every state with a sentence
Frozen weight in the cooter, ten plates to soup ya
1 2's we oughta cruise right by the state troopers
When I'm drinkin Cristal, start thinkin' 'bout Al
Bacardi coverin my body at the wink and a smile
Bag a hottie or two, 'cause butter shotties for you
I got more bodies then Drew, I drink Mynotti on New, fuck your crew
This type of shit I do for a petty hobby
Fuck the world it's Fatal dog against everybody
M.O.B., nigga 'cause we mob on you tricks
And you know we keep it money over bitches
My shit's phenomenal, droppin' like domino
Comin' with the real yo and fuck what you feel yo
This is not for all the freaks in short skirts
This is for my niggas nationwide doin' work, get your feelings hurt
Lose mo' faith than a composure, money and the doja
Bitches is a cobra with deadly venom
Move as smooth as I get 'em, stackin G's
My niggas crosstown got ki's
Hoes get diseased and fleas, for these enemies money over bitches
(Nigga!)
M.O.B., nigga 'cause we mob on you tricks
And you know we keep it money over bitches
I'm hittin' sixteen switches, my money over bitches
The struggle continues I'll miss you on my road to riches
I'm contribed to strive never laggin
Disappear in the night with my 64 dragon, rag flaggin'
As I get 'em up and leave 'em stuck
Pager blowin up but I don't give a fuck
I'm fully stocked on the block, pockets full of rocks sellin''
Loc'ers and smokers engaged twenty-fo'/seven
So what can you do for me and what can I do for you
But stay true, and do the things that we do
Blinded evil-minded no option for my offspring
Reminded can't find it complications what the future brings
Losin' my mind why you sweatin' me all the time
I'm caught in a bind, quality time on my grind
Rather be lonely honey and dodge you like snitches
I'm 'bout my riches, money over bitches
M.O.B., nigga 'cause we mob on you tricks
And you know we keep it money over bitches
That's from the time a nigga close his eyes I'm hopin', I hope he awoken
Payin' my own that's tokin' chokin' off-a glocks smokin'
Money and power watch these bitches 'cause they skanless
Gettin' niggas fucked ''n' stuck from Timbuk' to Los Angeles
Ain't a nigga ruggeder than this grimy Heine' guzzler
Cowards better duck before my calibers start rubbin ya
Me and my troops play blocks in groups, runnin' in flocks
Deuce-deuce in my socks keepin' a watch out for cops
Gettin' kicked, I keep my mind on my riches
While uncontrolled schemes keep me choosin my money over all my bitches
M.O.B., nigga 'cause we mob on you tricks
And you know we keep it money over bitches
M.O.B., nigga 'cause we mob on you tricks
And you know we keep it money over bitches
That's right nigga
Money over motherfuckin' bitches
M.O.B. on 'em nigga
Keep your motherfuckin' mind on your money, fuck these hoes
(Thug life baby) You don't need no motherfuckin' bitches
You need some motherfuckin' money
Get your mind right nigga, keep your game tight
Play right play by the rules and you'll get paid fuck the fools
We up out of this bitch here
Biatch!
The song "M.O.B." by Thug Life is an anthem for the street life, outlining a belief in the necessity of putting money before anything else, including people. The titular acronym stands for "Money Over Bitches," and the song is full of lyrics expressing violence both against the police and other criminals. Tupac Shakur, the leader of Thug Life and a legendary rapper in his own right, crafted these lyrics as a way of bringing forth an ideology popular in urban areas, where people had been disenfranchised for years. The opening lines express the group's willingness to assert themselves and their power despite any consequences, while the rest of the song outlines their belief that wealth and power are more important than anything else.
One of the interesting facts about the song is that Thug Life was a short-lived group, lasting only from 1993-1994, but they were incredibly influential on the hip-hop scene in their brief existence. Tupac Shakur, the group's founder, went on to have an incredibly successful solo career before being murdered in 1996. Another interesting fact is that "M.O.B." was released as the lead single from Thug Life's only album featuring 2Pac, titled "Thug Life: Volume 1." In addition, the rapid-fire rapping style of the song was indicative of a style that was becoming more popular in the early '90s, with rappers trying to cram as many words into a sentence as possible. Overall, the song has become a classic of the genre, and it speaks to the ongoing belief in the importance of material wealth even in dire circumstances.
Chords: The chords for this song are not available, as it is predominantly rap/hip-hop and does not feature a traditional instrumental background.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JESSE A. STONE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind