Runnin'
Tupac/The Notorious B.I.G. Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

And I wonder if they'll laugh when I'm dead?
Why am I fighting to live, if I'm just living to fight?
Why am I trying to see, when there ain't nothing in sight?
Why am I trying to give, when no one gives me a try?
Why am I dying to live, if I'm just living to die?

Check it, I grew up a fuckin' screw-up
Got introduced to the game, got a ounce and fuckin' blew up
Choppin' rocks overnight
The nigga Biggie Smalls trying to turn into the black Frank White
We had to grow dreads to change our description
Two cops is on the milk box missing
Show they toes you know they got stepped on
A fist full of bullets a chest full of Teflon
Run from the police picture that, nigga I'm too fat
I fuck around and catch a asthma attack
That's why I bust back, it don't phase me
When he drop, take his Glock, and I'm Swayze
Celebrate my escape, sold the Glock, bought some weight
Lay back, I got some money to make, motherfucker

And I wonder if they'll laugh when I'm dead?
Why am I fighting to live, if I'm just living to fight?
Why am I trying to see, when there ain't nothing in sight?
Why am I trying to give, when no one gives me a try?
Why am I dying to live, if I'm just living to die?

It's on me
But still I'm having memories of high speed when the cops crashed
As I laugh, pushing the gas while my Glocks blast
We was young and we was dumb, but we had heart
In the dark, will we survive through the bad parts
Many dreams is what I had, and plenty wishes
No hesitation in extermination of these snitches
Envious bitches, they still continue to pursue me
A couple of movies, now the whole world's trying to screw me
Even the cops tried to sue me, so what can I do?
But stay true, sipping 22's of brew
And now media is trying to test me
Got the press asking questions, trying to stress me
Misery is all I see, that's my mind state
My history with the police will shake the crime rate
My main man had two strikes, slipped, got arrested and flipped
He screamed "thug life" and emptied the clip
Got tired of running from the police

And I wonder if they'll laugh when I'm dead?
Why am I fighting to live, if I'm just living to fight?
Why am I trying to see, when there ain't nothing in sight?




Why am I trying to give, when no one gives me a try?
Why am I dying to live, if I'm just living to die?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Tupac and The Notorious B.I.G.'s song "Runnin'" are full of thought-provoking questions about life and death. The first verse contains five questions that reflect the internal turmoil of the rappers. They are questioning the purpose of their existence, whether their efforts to live and give are worth it, and why they are so desperate for life when they know they will die eventually. These questions indicate the psychological state of the rappers and the sense of uncertainty and confusion that they must have felt at some point in their lives.


The second verse is where the rappers delve into their past and reveal their journey to fame and fortune. They reminisce about how they started in the game, blew up, and became successful artists. Despite their achievements, they faced several challenges and obstacles along the way. They had to change their physical appearance to avoid profiling by the cops, had run-ins with them, and had to deal with treacherous individuals envious of their success. They express their frustrations with the media's scrutiny and share their experiences with police brutality and racism.


The lyrics of "Runnin'" are not mere boasts of their street cred and criminal activities. Instead, they offer an intimate look into the struggles and vulnerabilities of Tupac and The Notorious B.I.G. As their lives were tragically cut short by gun violence, these lyrics stand as a testament to their legacy and their willingness to confront the harsh realities of life.


Line by Line Meaning

And I wonder if they'll laugh when I'm dead?
I wonder if people will continue to disrespect me and find my death humorous.


Why am I fighting to live, if I'm just living to fight?
What's the point of fighting to survive if all I'm doing with my life is fighting?


Why am I trying to see, when there ain't nothing in sight?
Why bother trying to see a future when I see no hope for success?


Why am I trying to give, when no one gives me a try?
Why am I attempting to help others when no one wants to give me a chance?


Why am I dying to live, if I'm just living to die?
Why am I struggling to survive when it feels like there's no purpose to my life?


Check it, I grew up a fuckin' screw-up
Listen up, I had a rough upbringing and made many mistakes.


Got introduced to the game, got a ounce and fuckin' blew up
I was introduced to drug dealing, started small, and quickly grew in success and wealth.


Choppin' rocks overnight
I spent many long nights cutting and packaging drugs to sell.


The nigga Biggie Smalls trying to turn into the black Frank White
Biggie Smalls was trying to become as powerful and influential as a fictional crime boss named Frank White.


We had to grow dreads to change our description
My friends and I grew dreadlocks to look less suspicious to the police.


Two cops is on the milk box missing
Two police officers who were harassing us have gone missing, likely killed.


Show they toes you know they got stepped on
If we find their bodies, we'll see that they were killed, a common consequence for those who cross us.


A fist full of bullets a chest full of Teflon
We carry guns that shoot many bullets and wear bulletproof vests for protection.


Run from the police picture that, nigga I'm too fat
I won't run from the police because I'm too out of shape.


I fuck around and catch a asthma attack
If I do try to run, I might have an asthma attack from the exertion.


That's why I bust back, it don't phase me
That's why I shoot back at police, it doesn't scare me.


When he drop, take his Glock, and I'm Swayze
If a cop is killed, we'll take his gun, and I'll feel like the actor Patrick Swayze in the movie 'Road House.'


Celebrate my escape, sold the Glock, bought some weight
After getting away from the police, I sold my gun for more drugs to sell.


Lay back, I got some money to make, motherfucker
I'm going to relax now because I have more drug deals to make and money to earn.


It's on me
It's my responsibility and decision to keep pushing forward despite the obstacles.


But still I'm having memories of high speed when the cops crashed
I can't forget the time when the police tried to chase me down and crashed their car.


As I laugh, pushing the gas while my Glocks blast
I found it amusing to shoot my gun while speeding away from the police.


We was young and we was dumb, but we had heart
We were young and foolish, but we were willing to take risks and fight for what we wanted.


In the dark, will we survive through the bad parts
During our toughest times, we wonder if we'll make it through alive.


Many dreams is what I had, and plenty wishes
I had many aspirations and hopes for my life.


No hesitation in extermination of these snitches
We kill anyone who betrays us and informs the police of our actions.


Envious bitches, they still continue to pursue me
Women who are jealous of my success and power still try to be with me.


A couple of movies, now the whole world's trying to screw me
After being featured in some movies, the media and others are now trying to take advantage of me.


Even the cops tried to sue me, so what can I do?
The police tried to falsely accuse and damage me, leaving me with no one to turn to.


But stay true, sipping 22's of brew
I'll stay loyal to myself and relax with a specific type of beer.


And now media is trying to test me
The media is looking for a way to challenge me and expose my weaknesses.


Got the press asking questions, trying to stress me
Journalists are attempting to pressure me with their probing questions.


Misery is all I see, that's my mind state
I'm surrounded by negativity and feel trapped in a miserable mindset.


My history with the police will shake the crime rate
My past run-ins with the police and my criminal reputation will have an impact on crime in the area.


My main man had two strikes, slipped, got arrested and flipped
My close friend had two strikes on his criminal record, made a mistake, got arrested, and told on us.


He screamed 'thug life' and emptied the clip
My friend, who claimed to be a tough and loyal criminal, betrayed us by shooting at us.


Got tired of running from the police
We all became exhausted from constantly running and trying to avoid the police.




Lyrics Ā© BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: EDGAR WINTER, CHRISTOPHER WALLACE, OSTEN HARVEY, MARSHALL B III MATHERS, LUIS RESTO, TUPAC AMARU SHAKUR

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@apblolol

"Why am i dying to live, if im just living to die." Hits me every time

@CrackZulu

Not alone

@Smash896

Word up

@lauriecook7128

Same here

@user-wg1bj6mi4c

Š”Š»Š¾Š¶Š½Š¾ Š±Ń€Š°Ń‚

@krystalford300

@@CrackZulu sssssssss

74 More Replies...

@haloskaterkid

A friendship destroyed by media intervention. Two poets gone before their time like many others that came before them. RIP pac and big, your influence and message lives on

@quest6264

adrift dam that got me thinking KINGS RESTING NOW

@omgman2248

Brad favor with Tupac Shakur

@MHWRESTLIN

quest 626 no the friendship was destroyed by Pac getting shot and rumours that bad boy set it up and biggie knew but never warned him

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