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.
Stay True
Thug Life Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This how we do it on the West Coast baby
Rollin' down the Four O Five
Gettin' high
White boys done wrecked their shit
Tryin' to check my ride
Crusin' in a Six-o Impala
Drivin' like I'm in a Hooptee
Car full of ballin' caps
Keep yo hand on the strap
And take all the craps
Niggas know my steel-lo, all legit
But I'm drapped like a nigga movin' kilo
Shit don't stop
'cause I can make that ass drop
Make the front pop
And hit the three wheel motion
All day
Hit the freeway
Take it easy, uh
Let's slide
And pick-up some hoochies
Ride right back to the movies
High talking back to the screen drinkin' liquor
Havin' big dreams of gettin' richer, I'm livin' that
Thug Life, y'all know the rules
Gotta do whatcha gotta do, stay true, yeah
Thug Life, y'all know the rules
Gotta do whatcha gotta do, stay true, uh
Thug Life, y'all know the rules
Gotta do whatcha gotta do, stay true, yeah
Thug Life, y'all know the rules
Gotta do whatcha gotta do, stay true
Big Stretch represent the real nigga
Flex, Live squad and this muthafucker catch wreck
Thug Life, sharp as a roughneck
Shakin' the dice, we roll long, ain't nothin' nice
So the vice wanna follow us around
Got 'em runnin' as we clown through the town
Another one, had to throw another gun
Don't need another case, you can see it on my face son
But I ain't fallin' yet
And I gotta give a shout to where my ball is at Mophreme
Tell 'em why the hoes dream
Gettin' high off a nigga like a dope fiend
'cause I'm non-stop, and I'm always hustlin'
Twenty four seven, ain't nothin' buck
But when a young G's flippin' keys for a livin'
Try to make a mill off the time I'm givin'
Trippin', mad, I'm crazy, can't nobody fade me
And I been goin' insane lately
And everybody tryin' ta hold me back
I'm about to snap
You better move back
You know I led a
Thug Life, y'all know the rules
Gotta do whatcha gotta do, stay true
Thug Life, y'all know the rules
Gotta do whatcha gotta do, stay true
Thug Life, y'all know the rules
Gotta do whatcha gotta do, stay true
Thug Life, y'all know the rules
Gotta do whatcha gotta do, stay true
Man, I don't worry about the Five-O
If they start 'cause it's all about survival
Just stay smart, keep your mind on your bank roll
Always stay ahead of these stank hoes these days
It's an all out rat race
And look at me just caught another cat case
That makes three
My lawyers getting cash up the ass
Don't even ask, why I'm buck wild?
Don't smile, don't laugh
To the young G's comin' up, peep game
Don't let the money make you change or act strange
Stay broke, it's all in together now
Keep pumping loud till the crowd bring the top down
Is that Tupac Thug Life ? Hell yeah
Try to dirty up my name but it's still here
Which way do I turn?
I'm strapped
Lost in the storm
I can't turn back with that
Thug Life, y'all know the rules
Gotta do whatcha gotta do, stay true
Thug Life, y'all know the rules
Gotta do whatcha gotta do, stay true
Thug Life, y'all know the rules
Gotta do whatcha gotta do, stay true
Thug Life, y'all know the rules
Gotta do whatcha gotta do, stay true
Thug Life's song "Stay True" is a tribute to the G-code or the unwritten rules of the street. The song is a celebration of the West Coast lifestyle that is full of party, gang culture and living dangerously. The opening lines set the tone for the song with its command to drop the top of your vehicle and cruise along the open road. The song is filled with references to driving around the city and picking up hoochies. It is also an acknowledgment of the violence, danger and thrill that are part of living a thug life.
"Stay True" is a mantra for living life without compromise. They urge listeners to stay true to the G-code, be loyal to their homies, and never snitch. The lyrics are about sticking to one's beliefs and never faltering, even when someone tries to bring you down. The song glorifies a life that is outside the mainstream and glamorizes drug dealing, gangs and street violence. But it also shows the deep bonds that exist between people who share the same values and struggle. Overall, "Stay True" is an honest expression of the rawness and realness of street life.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah nigga, drop the top on your muthafuckin' ride
Let's ride around in style with the top down, West Coast style.
Rollin' down the Four O Five
Driving on the freeway, taking in the sights and sounds of the West Coast.
Gettin' high
Smoking some weed to enhance the ride.
White boys done wrecked their shit
White guys crashed their own cars trying to challenge the style of the rapper's ride.
Tryin' to check my ride
Trying to keep up with or compete with the rapper's car.
I ain't being bootsy
I'm not being fake or phony.
Crusin' in a Six-o Impala
Driving around in a Impala 1960's car.
Drivin' like I'm in a Hooptee
Driving around like I'm broke, even though I'm doing well.
Car full of ballin' caps
My car is filled with hats for playing ball.
Keep yo hand on the strap
Keep your hand poised to grab your firearm if necessary.
And take all the craps
Take all the risks that come with living this lifestyle.
Niggas know my steel-lo, all legit
I own a legal gun and people know it's lawful.
But I'm drapped like a nigga movin' kilo
I'm stylishly dressed like a drug dealer even though I'm not one.
Shit don't stop
Life goes on.
'cause I can make that ass drop
I'm so good at driving, I can make the car bounce.
Make the front pop
I can also make the front of the car pop up.
And hit the three wheel motion
I can make the car stand on three wheels.
All day
Doing this all day, every day.
Hit the freeway
Ride on the freeway.
Take it easy, uh
Take it easy while driving.
Let's slide
Let's keep riding.
And pick-up some hoochies
Pick up some girls to hang out with.
Ride right back to the movies
Go to the movies, then go for another ride.
High talking back to the screen drinkin' liquor
Drinking and talking during the movie.
Havin' big dreams of gettin' richer, I'm livin' that
I have big dreams of becoming wealthy, and I'm doing well.
Thug Life, y'all know the rules
This is the lifestyle we live.
Gotta do whatcha gotta do, stay true, yeah
We have to stick to our way of life and stay true to it.
Big Stretch represent the real nigga
Big Stretch is a real gangster.
Flex, Live squad and this muthafucker catch wreck
We're going hard and wreaking havoc.
Thug Life, sharp as a roughneck
We are tough and rough around the edges.
Shakin' the dice, we roll long, ain't nothin' nice
We're taking risks and not caring about the consequences.
So the vice wanna follow us around
Police want to watch and track us.
Got 'em runnin' as we clown through the town
People are scared and fleeing as we drive through town.
Another one, had to throw another gun
I had to get another gun.
Don't need another case, you can see it on my face son
I don't want to have any more legal trouble, it's written all over my face.
But I ain't fallin' yet
I'm not giving up.
And I gotta give a shout to where my ball is at Mophreme
Shout out to where I hang out and play ball - Mophreme.
Tell 'em why the hoes dream
Tell them why women dream about us.
Gettin' high off a nigga like a dope fiend
Women become addicted to our lifestyle.
'cause I'm non-stop, and I'm always hustlin'
I'm always working and making money.
Twenty four seven, ain't nothin' buck
I'm busy all the time and nothing stops me.
But when a young G's flippin' keys for a livin'
When a young gangster is dealing drugs to make a living.
Try to make a mill off the time I'm givin'
Trying to make a million dollars off the time I'm spending dealing drugs.
Trippin', mad, I'm crazy, can't nobody fade me
I'm high and angry, and nobody can mess with me.
And I been goin' insane lately
I've been losing my mind lately.
And everybody tryin' ta hold me back
Everyone is trying to stop me from succeeding.
I'm about to snap
I'm getting close to losing it.
You better move back
You better get out of my way.
You know I led a
You know I've been through it all.
Man, I don't worry about the Five-O
I'm not afraid of the police.
If they start 'cause it's all about survival
If they start something, it's because of self-preservation.
Just stay smart, keep your mind on your bank roll
Stay smart, and focus on making money.
Always stay ahead of these stank hoes these days
Stay ahead of women who only care about money these days.
It's an all out rat race
Life is a competition.
And look at me just caught another cat case
And now I'm in trouble with the law again.
That makes three
This is the third time I've been in trouble with the law.
My lawyers getting cash up the ass
My lawyer is making a lot of money handling my legal troubles.
Don't even ask, why I'm buck wild?
Don't ask me why I'm acting so crazy.
Don't smile, don't laugh
Don't show any emotions or vulnerability.
To the young G's comin' up, peep game
Advice to younger gangsters: pay attention to what's going on.
Don't let the money make you change or act strange
Don't become a different person because of money.
Stay broke, it's all in together now
Stay broke to show solidarity with others in the gang.
Keep pumping loud till the crowd bring the top down
Keep playing loud music until people start paying attention to us on the streets.
Is that Tupac Thug Life ? Hell yeah
Yes, that's me living the Thug Life.
Try to dirty up my name but it's still here
People are trying to ruin my reputation, but I'm still standing.
Which way do I turn?
I don't know which direction to take in life.
I'm strapped
I'm carrying a gun.
Lost in the storm
I'm lost in the chaos of my life.
I can't turn back with that
I can't change my life at this point.
Lyrics © STREETROPICAL MEDIA, LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CURTIS MAYFIELD, MAURICE S. HARDING, RANDY WALKER, TUPAC AMARU SHAKUR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@thescoobymike
Honestly one of the best Pac hooks I’ve ever heard
@jessefortini4851
Honorable mention to "Hold On Be Strong".
@ugo31
Dope as fuck. Also 2pac had one of the best beat selections i know of, if not the best. He was a musical giant.
@rudolphpugh4917
Yes!!!
@deanabdulhaqq2082
Indeed!
@padresmith2000
I was raised in East Harlem the birth place of Tupac pac life thug Harlem life
@padresmith2000
Stay tru
@pimpmastaa101
underrated track, diamond in the rough
@Flipdodge392
pimpmastaa101 Fo real, I could listen to this track all day!
@eddiewilson3724
real niggas know