Runnin'
Tupac and Biggie Lyrics
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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
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?
In the song "Runnin" by Tupac and Biggie they both reflect on their lives and ponder the question of why they continue to fight and live, given the harsh realities they face. Tupac wonders if people will laugh when he is dead, indicating that he is aware of his own mortality and the potential that he may not be remembered fondly. He questions why he continues to fight if he feels that life is just a constant battle. He questions why he keeps trying to see when he feels there is nothing in sight for him. And he questions why he keeps giving when he doesn't receive anything in return. He then asks why he is dying to live when it seems that he is just living to die.
Similarly, Biggie talks about growing up as a "screw-up" and getting introduced to the game, which caused him to end up chopping rocks overnight. He talks about changing his appearance in order to evade the police, who are after him and his crew. He describes how they had to fight to survive and how they had to shoot their way out of situations. He talks about his friend who ended up getting arrested and had to scream "thug life" while emptying the clip of his gun. These reflect the harsh realities that Tupac and Biggie faced as they lived in a world where violence was part of their daily lives. The song serves as a reflection on their experiences and a statement on the hard realities of growing up in a society that is often harsh and unforgiving.
Line by Line Meaning
And I wonder if they'll laugh when I'm dead?
I wonder if people will ridicule me even after I'm gone and can no longer defend myself.
Why am I fighting to live, if I'm just living to fight?
Why am I struggling to survive if my life just seems to be a constant battle?
Why am I trying to see, when there ain't nothing in sight?
Why am I striving to understand when there doesn't seem to be any clarity or hope?
Why am I trying to give, when no one gives me a try?
Why am I attempting to help others when no one seems to want to give me a chance?
Why am I dying to live, if I'm just living to die?
Why am I so desperate to keep living if life just seems to be leading me towards death?
Check it, I grew up a fuckin' screw-up
Listen to me, I had a tough upbringing and wasn't always on the right path.
Got introduced to the game, got a ounce and fuckin' blew up
I got involved in the drug trade and quickly became successful.
Choppin' rocks overnight
I was cutting and preparing drugs all night, trying to make as much money as possible.
The nigga Biggie Smalls trying to turn into the black Frank White
I'm trying to emulate the character Frank White played by Christopher Walken in the movie King of New York, who was a powerful gangster.
We had to grow dreads to change our description
We had to change our appearance by growing dreadlocks so we wouldn't be recognized and arrested by the police.
Two cops is on the milk box missing
Two police officers who were actively searching for us have gone missing and can't be found.
Show they toes you know they got stepped on
If you see someone's feet sticking up, it means they have been killed and their body dumped.
A fist full of bullets a chest full of Teflon
I'm carrying a large amount of bullets, and my protective vest is made of bullet-resistant material.
Run from the police picture that, nigga I'm too fat
I don't have the physical ability to run from the police even if I wanted to.
I fuck around and catch a asthma attack
I might accidentally have an asthma attack due to the physical exertion of running away.
That's why I bust back, it don't phase me
That's why I shoot back at the police, because I'm not afraid of them.
When he drop, take his Glock, and I'm Swayze
When the police officer falls down, I'll take his gun and then disappear like Patrick Swayze in the movie Ghost.
Celebrate my escape, sold the Glock, bought some weight
I'm happy that I got away from the police, so I sold the gun I used and bought more drugs to sell.
Lay back, I got some money to make, motherfucker
I'm going to relax now, because I have some business to attend to that will earn me more money.
It's on me
I'm 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 can't forget the thrill of outrunning the police at high speeds, even though it was dangerous.
As I laugh, pushing the gas while my Glocks blast
I laugh while speeding away and shooting at the police with my gun.
We was young and we was dumb, but we had heart
We were reckless and foolish, but we were courageous and willing to take risks.
In the dark, will we survive through the bad parts
We don't know what's going to happen in the future, but we hope we'll be able to survive the difficult times.
Many dreams is what I had, and plenty wishes
I used to have a lot of aspirations and hopes for my future.
No hesitation in extermination of these snitches
I have no qualms about killing anyone who might betray me or give me up to the authorities.
Envious bitches, they still continue to pursue me
There are women who are jealous of my success and power, but they still try to be with me.
A couple of movies, now the whole world's trying to screw me
After appearing in a few movies, everyone is trying to take advantage of me or bring me down.
Even the cops tried to sue me, so what can I do?
Even the police are trying to take me to court, so I'm feeling helpless and stuck.
But stay true, sipping 22's of brew
I'm going to remain faithful to my values while drinking my favorite beer.
And now media is trying to test me
The media is trying to provoke me or get me to reveal information I don't want to share.
Got the press asking questions, trying to stress me
Reporters are questioning me and trying to make me feel anxious and uncomfortable.
Misery is all I see, that's my mind state
I'm feeling overwhelmed by negativity and can't see anything positive in my life.
My history with the police will shake the crime rate
My run-ins with the police will have an impact on the overall level of crime in the area.
My main man had two strikes, slipped, got arrested and flipped
One of my close friends had been arrested twice already, and ended up getting caught and turning against me.
He screamed "thug life" and emptied the clip
He shouted out "thug life" and fired all of his bullets as a final act of defiance.
Got tired of running from the police
We were all getting exhausted from constantly having to evade the police and stay one step ahead of them.
Lyrics Ā© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group, 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
@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±ŃŠ°Ń
@krystalford300
@@CrackZulu sssssssss
@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