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

And I wonder if they'll laugh when I'm dead?
I'm questioning if people will mock me after I'm no longer alive.

Why am I fighting to live, if I'm just living to fight?
I'm struggling to understand why I am putting effort into surviving when my life seems to be nothing more than one battle after another.

Why am I trying to see, when there ain't nothing in sight?
I'm questioning why I'm trying to find meaning and purpose when everything appears bleak and directionless.

Why am I trying to give, when no one gives me a try?
I'm wondering why I continue to extend myself to others when I feel consistently overlooked and disregarded in return.

Why am I dying to live, if I'm just living to die?
I'm grappling with the realization that a life without meaning or purpose is not worth living, yet I fear that all my efforts will ultimately be in vain.

Check it, I grew up a fuckin' screw-up
I'm making a statement about my tumultuous upbringing and how it has affected my life.

Got introduced to the game, got a ounce and fuckin' blew up
I'm referencing my entry into a life of crime and how it led to my success and notoriety in that realm.

Choppin' rocks overnight
I'm describing how I made money as quickly as possible - by selling drugs - to support myself and my family.

The nigga Biggie Smalls trying to turn into the black Frank White
I'm referencing Biggie's attempts to transform into a more powerful persona, Frank White, from the movie King of New York.

We had to grow dreads to change our description
I'm explaining how we altered our appearance to avoid being targeted by the police.

Two cops is on the milk box missing
I'm referencing how police officers who wrongfully targeted Black people sometimes ended up missing themselves.

Show they toes you know they got stepped on
I'm making a violent threat against police officers who wrongfully target and harm Black people.

A fist full of bullets a chest full of Teflon
I'm explaining how I protect myself from harm with bulletproof vests.

Run from the police picture that, nigga I'm too fat
I'm explaining that it's not easy for me to run from the police due to my weight and that I would rather face them head-on.

I fuck around and catch a asthma attack
I'm saying that running from the police could trigger my asthma and make the situation worse for me.

That's why I bust back, it don't phase me
I have no problem defending myself against the police and retaliating against their aggression with my own weapons.

When he drop, take his Glock, and I'm Swayze
I'm describing how I will take the police officer's gun once they're defeated, referencing actor Patrick Swayze's character in the film Road House.

Celebrate my escape, sold the Glock, bought some weight
I'm indicating that I'm able to escape from the police and make money from selling drugs, rather than relying on violence to make ends meet.

Lay back, I got some money to make, motherfucker
I'm saying that I'm going to relax and enjoy the fruits of my labor, now that I have a steady source of income.

It's on me
I'm acknowledging that I am responsible for my own actions and the consequences that come with them.

But still I'm having memories of high speed when the cops crashed
I'm recalling a time when I was involved in a high-speed chase with the police, which ended in an accident.

As I laugh, pushing the gas while my Glocks blast
I'm describing how I reacted during the aforementioned chase, using humor and gunfire to cope with the situation.

We was young and we was dumb, but we had heart
I'm reflecting on my past and how I made mistakes due to my youth and naivety, but I was brave and committed to my cause.

In the dark, will we survive through the bad parts
I'm expressing uncertainty about whether or not we will make it through difficult times in our lives.

Many dreams is what I had, and plenty wishes
I'm saying that I've had many aspirations and desires in my life.

No hesitation in extermination of these snitches
I have no qualms about getting rid of people who betray me or talk to the police, using violent means if necessary.

Envious bitches, they still continue to pursue me
I'm talking about women who only want to be with me because of my fame and fortune, and how I feel about that.

A couple of movies, now the whole world's trying to screw me
I'm expressing frustration over how my public image has been manipulated and how people are trying to take advantage of me because of my fame.

Even the cops tried to sue me, so what can I do?
I'm describing how police officers have targeted me, even trying to take legal action against me, despite my innocence.

But stay true, sipping 22's of brew
Despite the challenges I face, I remain loyal to my values and continue to enjoy my favorite beer.

And now media is trying to test me
I'm frustrated with how the media is trying to provoke me and portray me in a negative light.

Got the press asking questions, trying to stress me
Journalists are trying to make me feel overwhelmed and under pressure, making it difficult for me to navigate my public image.

Misery is all I see, that's my mind state
I'm feeling overwhelmed by the negativity and challenges that I'm facing, making it difficult for me to see anything positive in my life.

My history with the police will shake the crime rate
I believe that my experiences with the police will inspire others to fight against police brutality and systemic racism, promoting more justice for marginalized communities.

My main man had two strikes, slipped, got arrested and flipped
I'm talking about someone close to me who had a long criminal record and ultimately turned against me when they were arrested.

He screamed "thug life" and emptied the clip
This person claimed to be part of the thug life and used violence to defend themselves, ultimately shooting at me.

Got tired of running from the police
I'm expressing exhaustion and frustration with constantly having to evade the police due to my criminal history and reputation.