Runnin'
Tupac ft. Notorious B.I.G Lyrics


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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

"Runnin" is a classic hip-hop song that features the legendary MCs Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G on verses. The song tackles deep topics and themes such as the struggle for survival and the fear of death, law enforcement brutality, and betrayal. The title "Runnin" is an abbreviation of "running from the police," a phrase that refers to the many incidents of police brutality and profiling that black people have fallen victims to in different parts of the world, particularly in the United States.


The opening lines of the song reflect the fear of dying before achieving one's dreams and wonders if anyone will laugh when the character passes away. This line resonates with the common fear of death and the idea that one might not be remembered after they are gone. The following lines delve into the idea of not knowing the purpose of life, fighting to survive and yet having nothing to live for. The lyrics ask why anyone would want to continue giving to others when nobody offers the same in return, and why living is worth it when everyone has to die eventually.


In the second verse, The Notorious B.I.G describes his encounters with the police, his time spent in jail, and his fear of being captured again. He raps about living in the dark and fighting to survive, while trying to maintain the dreams and hopes he had as a youngster. The last few lines of the song are memorable, as he mentions his friend flipping his loyalty as they faced the law and shouting "Thug Life" before his arrest. He mentions his tiredness of running from the authorities and alludes to the notion that death may be a release from that shackled life.


Line by Line Meaning

And I wonder if they'll laugh when I'm dead?
I question whether people will find humor in my death.


Why am I fighting to live, if I'm just living to fight?
Why bother struggling to survive when my life is just a constant battle?


Why am I trying to see, when there ain't nothing in sight?
What's the point of seeking clarity when everything seems obscured?


Why am I trying to give, when no one gives me a try?
I ask myself why I should continue to give without receiving any opportunities in return.


Why am I dying to live, if I'm just living to die?
Why am I so eager to continue existing when it ultimately leads to death?


Check it, I grew up a fuckin' screw-up
Listen up, my upbringing was filled with mistakes.


Got introduced to the game, got a ounce and fuckin' blew up
I was initiated into the drug world and quickly became successful.


Choppin' rocks overnight
I spent endless hours cutting and preparing drugs for sale.


The nigga Biggie Smalls trying to turn into the black Frank White
My friend Biggie Smalls aimed to become like the notorious kingpin Frank White.


We had to grow dreads to change our description
We dyed our hair to avoid detection and alter our appearances.


Two cops is on the milk box missing
Two police officers were reported missing and are unlikely to be found.


Show they toes you know they got stepped on
If you see their toes, you'll realize they were killed.


A fist full of bullets a chest full of Teflon
The bullets hit my target and were stopped by a bulletproof vest.


Run from the police picture that, nigga I'm too fat
Trying to outrun the police is ridiculous since I'm overweight.


I fuck around and catch a asthma attack
I might suffer an asthma attack due to my physical condition.


That's why I bust back, it don't phase me
I shoot back and it doesn't scare or affect me.


When he drop, take his Glock, and I'm Swayze
When he falls, I'll take his weapon, like the character in the movie 'Ghost'.


Celebrate my escape, sold the Glock, bought some weight
I'm celebrating my evasion from the police by selling my weapon and buying more drugs.


Lay back, I got some money to make, motherfucker
Now that I'm free, I can relax and focus on earning more money.


It's on me
I'm responsible for my actions and their consequences.


But still I'm having memories of high speed when the cops crashed
I still have vivid memories of the time when the police chased and crashed into us.


As I laugh, pushing the gas while my Glocks blast
As I escape while shooting my gun, I find it amusing and exhilarating.


We was young and we was dumb, but we had heart
We were foolish and inexperienced, but we were brave and determined.


In the dark, will we survive through the bad parts
Despite facing tough times, we'll endure and make it through together.


Many dreams is what I had, and plenty wishes
I had many aspirations and desires in life.


No hesitation in extermination of these snitches
I have no qualms about killing those who betray us or inform to the police.


Envious bitches, they still continue to pursue me
Jealous women are still trying to pursue or trap me despite my success and fame.


A couple of movies, now the whole world's trying to screw me
After starring in some movies, now everyone's trying to take advantage of me or harm me.


Even the cops tried to sue me, so what can I do?
Even law enforcement officers attempted to take legal action against me, so what options do I have?


But stay true, sipping 22's of brew
Despite everything, I remain loyal and drink 22-ounce bottles of beer.


And now media is trying to test me
Journalists and reporters are attempting to provoke or challenge me in interviews.


Got the press asking questions, trying to stress me
Reporters are inquiring and attempting to cause me anxiety or discomfort.


Misery is all I see, that's my mind state
I only see sadness and hardship, and that's how I feel emotionally.


My history with the police will shake the crime rate
My past interactions with law enforcement will impact the level of criminal activity in the area.


My main man had two strikes, slipped, got arrested and flipped
My close friend had received two prior convictions, made a mistake, was caught, and then betrayed our group.


He screamed 'thug life' and emptied the clip
He shouted 'thug life' and fired all his bullets before being apprehended.


Got tired of running from the police
I grew weary of constantly fleeing and hiding from law enforcement officials.




Lyrics © 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

Сложно брат

@krystalford300

@@CrackZulu sssssssss

72 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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