I'll Be Around
Tupac Ft. Rappin' 4 Tay Lyrics

Ragtop records, may I help you
Answering a phone call at the record company

Can I speak to Fo
Inquiring about speaking to Fo, the rapper

One moment please, he's around
Putting the caller on hold while looking for Fo

Yo, wassup
Greeting from Fo to his acquaintance

Wassup, Fo, I know you finished that cut for the radio
Acknowledging that Fo has recently made a song for radio

As a matter of fact Fly I just finished it baby boy
Confirming to Fly that the song has been completed

No worry about nothin', I'll be around
Assuring Fly that Fo will always be available for help

Regardless if I'm chillin' backstage or on tour
Assuring the availability of Fo whether he's on tour or backstage

With my homie Young Fly even Al B. sure
Mentioning that Fo's friends won't hinder his availability to help Fly

Never hesitate to call me after I'm done
Encouraging Fly to contact Fo whenever he needs help

Cause homie I'm real and always true to my loved ones
Pledging Fo's loyalty to his loved ones, including Fly

Too many wakes and funerals full of tears
Reflecting on the tragedy of losing loved ones

You say there's something on your mind, well hey, I'm all ears
Assuring Fly that Fo is willing to listen to him

Cause ain't nobody thinking about the funk that you're choosin' it
Acknowledging that Fly has been experiencing trouble that others don't necessarily care about

A lot of my homies stuck in the pen for life or losin' it
Noting that some of Fo's friends are in jail or struggling

Call up your folks you keep thinkin' about home
Encouraging Fly to call his loved ones and stay connected

Recorder keeps a peep and there's a block on the phone
Implying that the call might be recorded or monitored

And all of this is enough to make a brother's nerves bad
Stressing that the situation can be stressful and difficult

Reminds me of a situation that I once had
Relating the current situation to one Fo had previously faced

Spent that, spent this endless relentless tremendous women on my jock
Reflecting on Fo's past experiences with women

And don't nobody mind their business
Noting that people often don't mind their own business

He say she say throwin' salt about it
Referring to common gossip and backbiting

And chooses to talk about you cause there's no one else to talk about
Asserting that people might gossip about you just because there's no one else to talk about

Talk about the show and the flow and all the clout
Observing that people might talk about your success and popularity

Then be real with yourself and talk about and turned it out
Encouraging people to be honest about their own situations and accomplishments

It's not hard to compete when his name is poppin'
Asserting that it's easier to be successful when you are already popular

A scared man can never win that's why I stay clockin'
Implying that one should stay vigilant and dedicated to succeed

Fools be huffin' and puffin' don't wanna see me about nothin' I'm down
Observing that some people might talk negatively but can't actually do anything about it

And if you ever need me Fly, I'll be around
Pledging Fo's loyalty and availability to Fly

Whenever you call me, I'll be there
Reiterating Fo's promise to be there for Fly when needed

Life ain't based on peaches and cream
Noting that life is not always good

This new generation lost a whole lot of dreams
Observing that the younger generation has lost many of their dreams or aspirations

Future doctors, producers, and mothers
Listing some of the lost aspirations of the younger generation

The list goes on but now we killin' our brothers
Noting that violence among peers has become prevalent

And if we killin' our brothers that means we killin' our own kind
Asserting that violence within one's own community is essentially self-destructive

These kids is watchin' now it goes to their mind
Warning that violence will affect the younger generation who are witnessing such behavior

Rattatatat cause you got a gat
Reference to gun violence

Then they want a gat you livin' like that
Reflecting on a vicious cycle of violence and fear

Moms ain't cookin' she worked the week straight
Noting that parents often work hard to support themselves and their children

If anything she's the one deserves a hot plate
Recognizing the hard work and sacrifice of parents

The ghetto, the ghetto ain't nothin' to dream about
Observing that living in the ghetto is not an aspirational lifestyle

Tryin' to get out now that's somethin' to think about
Encouraging people to think about ways to better their own lives

Fools might disagree but I'm a stay sucka free
Noting that some people might disagree, but Fo plans to stay out of trouble

Now I'm so black and so strong they can't fade me
Proudly asserting his identity and strength

Blacks are blacks worst enemy there's still no remedy
Acknowledging that within the black community, discrimination and prejudice still persist

You got me for a grip do you call yourself kin of me
Asking if the listener is truly a friend or ally

Jealousy, envy, I see it in your eyes
Observing that some people might be jealous or envious

Tell me what's wrong with seeing a black man rise
Challenging those who might be envious of a black man's success

I keep it funky it's pretty hard to miss it now it is not explicit
Asserting that Fo keeps it real and honest

A message for the mind, and a moral for statistics
Describing his music as having a meaningful message for the mind and relevant to statistical analysis

So I'm doin' what we call a roll call
Checking who's still committed to rap and hip-hop

Talkin' about the ones who won't rap then take a downfall
Noting the consequences of not being committed to hip-hop

I spit the street life and then I go underground
Acknowledging his experiences and struggles with the street life, but also sometimes going underground

You silly, it's called versatility and I'll be around
Explaining his style as versatile, and promising again to be around

Things are gettin' crucial you gotta exercise your mind
Encouraging people to think critically and deeply about their situations

Or learn about life before you're left behind
Suggesting that people should learn about life before it's too late

But how you gonna get it right when you're not doin' right
Noting that it's hard to succeed when you're not making the right decisions

When you get mad all you want is a gunfight
Warning against resorting to violence

This tension causes a gang of madness
Noting that tension leads to madness

Now you want funk that results to sadness
Observing that anger and conflict lead to sadness

Sadness results to a lot of revenge
Acknowledging that sadness can lead to a cycle of violence and revenge

And your so called friends really ain't your friends
Warning against trusting unreliable people

So how do you know who you're able to trust
Asking how one can know who can be trusted

If you think about the past look what happened to us
Reflecting on past mistakes and experiences

I never trust no one, I only trust myself
Asserting that self-reliance is important

Or I would've been a victim like everyone else
Asserting that if he hadn't trusted himself, he would have been a victim

In friendship or hardship whenever you need me
Pledging again to be reliable and available

Just give me a call G I won't deceive thee
Reiterating that Fo won't deceive Fly

These fools be shakin' best believe they're fakin'
Observing that some people are unreliable and fake

Just tryin' to get a grip of all the money you're makin'
Asserting that some people are motivated by money, rather than genuine friendship

This ain't race a mind is a terrible thing to waste
Asserting the importance of education and utilizing one's mind effectively

I drop the rap and J drops the bass
Acknowledging the music production cooperation

To the flow cause ain't nobody get with Fo
Boasting that nobody can beat his flow

I'm a down young brother comin' straight outta Frisco
Identifying himself as a young brother from San Francisco

Droppin' a message out of love to your town
Pledging to share a positive message of love through his music

Love your brothers and sisters and I'll be around
Encouraging people to love and support each other, while promising to be around