2Pac – Life Goes On (Nu-Mixx)(CD, Single, Promo), 2003
1. Life Goes On [Nu-Mixx] (Radio)
2. Life Goes On [Nu-Mixx] (Dirty)
3. 2 Of Amerikaz Most Wanted [Nu-Mixx] (Radio)
4. 2 Of Amerikaz Most Wanted [Nu-Mixx] (Dirty)
Cat.#: KOC-DS-9530, Death Row Records, KOCH Entertainment
2Pac – Life Goes On (Nu-Mixx)(CD, Single, Promo), 2003
2Pac – Life Goes On/ 2 Of Americaz Most Wanted (Nu-Mixx)(Vinyl, Single, Promo),2003
1. Life Goes On [Nu-Mixx] (Radio)
2. Life Goes On [Nu-Mixx] (Dirty)
3. 2 Of Amerikaz Most Wanted [Nu-Mixx] (Radio)
4. 2 Of Amerikaz Most Wanted [Nu-Mixx] (Dirty)
Cat. #: KOC-12-9530, KOCH Records
2Pac – Life Goes On/ 2 Of Americaz Most Wanted (Nu-Mixx)(Vinyl, Single, Promo),2003
Written by T. Shakur, J. Jackson
Recorded: 1995/1996 for MC Hammer
Producers: 2Pac & Johnny “J” Jackson
Sample: Ohio Players – Skin Tigh
Lyrics:
[2PAC]
…you wonder why they call me hammer?
They told me Hammer was a prophet so I stopped the playing
and came back with a monster jam
throw up ur hands if u feel me touch the sky
cause you ain’t gotta be high to fly
Now all my people say
[Chorus – Nanci Fletcher]
Everybody talking about there down to ride now Hammers busting too tight
but i dont think they know what we got tonight Hammer show em why your too tight
2Pac – Um Dumpin’ feat. Gonzoe, Nutt-So, Kurupt & Scarlo
Written by T. Shakur, D. Arnaud, R. Borwn, S. Cole, R. “Gonzoe” Brooks
Recorded: 1996
Studio: Can-Am Studios, Tarzana, California
Producer: Dat Nigga Daz
Samples: Esham – Devilshit; Live Squad – Heartless
Released:”Pac’s Life” (2006)
Lyrics:
[Intro: Gonzoe]
Ha ha
South Central Los Skandless
Like this
Blastin’
Dumpin’
Bitch
[Gonzoe]
I got my pistol cocked and my knife
Bout to slice this nigga windpipe
Throwin’ tops swervin’ me on the dice
Nigga thought he was nice with the slickness
But the nigga I am say I’m the kid with the quickness (punk ass bitch)
Respect the game them lame niggaz die slow
Hustler fly straight like Frank feared scarface
From the Glock the lead waist
Diggin’ out ya chest plate i’m straight
Trimmin’ you for your wins and hit the gate
I’m not waitin’
Thinkin’ which way i’m runnin’ on my escape
Hop on the 210 and wait for you to retaliate
The terrorist doin’ all niggas who even flinch nigga my glock never miss
To your grill goes my fist
When I slit your wrists
With the styles of a record
South Central Los Skandless
Anybody kick buckets (westside)
Uh
I’m doin niggaz in a rap tussle
Rip out your backbone slow
You go to pieces like a puzzle
I’m handin’ out muzzles to you whack Mc’s
Black fitted cap to the back with the GAP jeans to my knees
Niggaz “Under Seige” like “Segal” they fall
Till my tactics chin checkin’ and charge like Charles (corleone)
I want it all
The loot, the chronic plus the dips
First nigga that flinches catches a bullet form my hip
In the rage your in a cage with my Glock to ya grill
Let them dumb-dumbs loose
Now your brains is on the ceiling nigga
[Makaveli]
Murderous mind state
Can’t keep my nine straight
Sippin’ on this Hennessey waitin’ for the time to break
Show up and muthafuckers bow down recognize
Westside, Death Row, Outlaw Rydaz
Untouchable mob of pistol packers
Well known fellas labelled for drugs sellin’ merciless jackers
Forever buzzed roll with thugs and don’s
Commence to lettin’ off rounds
Then escape in the fog
Who want to see me solo
Catch Makaveli while he’s sleepin’
My Mini fourteen murderin’ niggaz while they creepin’
Duck uh you ass out
Drink till you pass out
Ain’t scared to die
Drunk drivin’ in my glass house
Niggaz is under me…
They bitches come to me
They heard the stories nigga now they want to really see
Bomb first my motto
It’s fully guaranteed
Niggaz is playa haters
Label em’ my enemies I’m Dumpin’
Look out young niggaz cuz it’s time to dump
I’m versatile
Muthafuckers the type of rhymes you want
Niggaz got me in there sight
Now I’m runnin’ for my life
Tell what’s that Westside like
[Kurupt]
Westside…
I’m all about the paper chase
Cause the paper makes life so great
Plus haste makes waste
And I gots the whole spot locked down I concoct styles
Catch me rollin all the fuck around with the top down
Nigga menace with a microphone, most murder masher
Verbal disaster create a thirty-eight stasher
In The Inner Zone where the Hell raiser roams
There’s no place like home, Tec-9’s and chromes
Gots the heater sequence for the heat to disperse
Just in case worse come to worse I dumps first
The pump cause curse, curse, it’s the curse of the pump (pump
The one to dump last is the first to get slumped
It’s the mental temptation, mental assassination
My heart skips a beat for the heat sensation
I’m death defying bitches lying sayin, ‘I ain’t cute’
Now she wants an autograph (eh give me an autograph)
Bitch, I ain’t Snoop (what)
[Scarlo]
One bold bitch ready to go for broke
Hittin’ up you mark’s with my muthafuckin 4
I’m comin’ up out the Hillside so I’m ready for the static
And niggaz on my team it’s the 4 flash automatic
Puttin’ all you hoes in your muthafuckin’ place
A bitch named Scarlo is steppin’ up in yo face
I’m dustin’ off you chumps with the 44 slug
And livin’ up on the lights
Punk I’m ready to pull your plug
So niggaz you wanna jump you gotta jump a little higher
Scarlo nigga the Miss messiah
So bitch you better get a grip of games
You fuckin’ with the Hillside, mental insane
Point no return and now my life is on the edge (edge)
But livin’ in my misery
I’m fucked up in the head
Use to call me up and tell me ‘so (so)
I gotta do a mission on my ass I gotta go
Cuz you can run hide
But I’m gonna catch ya when tryna escape
You know my get won’t let ya run, hide
But I’m gonna get ya when tryna escape
You know my gat won’t let ya
West thug for life
Beeeatch
[Hook: Makaveli]
I’m dumpin’
Empty my gun it’s time to run
Cuz here come the cops
I’ll be duckin’ em’ for blocks
Nigga I’m dumpin’
Empty my clip forever bustin’
Eastcoast nigga rushin’
Muthafucka i’ll be dumpin’
[Verse 5: Nutt-so]
Killa…..
Load up them thangs
Nigga it’s time to dump
Sneakin’ on niggaz that be sleepin’
Puttin’ they ass in the trunk
You slipped and got crept on now it’s ride time
To the Hills where niggaz kill
And peal your shit on skyline
It’s die time
And can’t no nigga save you
So kneel to your fuckin knees
And feel this 4-5 fade you
Aimin’ for heads
Pumpin’ leads till I bury ya
Niggaz be duckin’ but I’ll be swingin’ low like Chariot
No love..
Pumpin’ slugs..
Like i’m servin’ dubs
“Buck, buck”
Now tell your dead homies I said wassup
Lul-a-by-rock-a-by, nigga die
And rest in peace eternal flames from this fire
My 45 smoked him, and broke him
And left him hung like a dick
With his leg ripped
And his eyes wide open
Gat smokin’ no jokin’
Bullets hummin’
Deleted his soul from his corpse
As he lay
As I was dumpin’
Written by T. Shakur, D. Arnaud
Recorded: 1996
Producer: Dat Nigga Daz
Studio: Can-Am Studios, Tarzana, California
Samples: Esham – Devilshit; Live Squad – Heartless
Available on “Makaveli & Dillinger: Don’t Go 2 Sleep EP”
Dump, dump, dump, um a dump
Dump, dump, dump, um a dump
Dump, dump, dump, um a dump
[Roscoe]
I got hand grenades
Land mines and glock nine’s
Triple beams, screams and busted spleens and broken spines
Broken bones and open domes from explodin’ chromes
I got a home in Rome
How you holdin’ homez
You still throwin’ stones
Breakin’ niggaz for they figgaz shootin’ bones
I got every kind of ammo from glocks to sling shots and rocks
To a Heckle and Koch with a close potent red dot
With a red spot on your fore-head
We blowin’ up countries with nuclear war-heads
The plague spreads
Generation X
Bustin’ old heads with hollows
Penetratin’ ya neck
Came here in a bucket
Got away in a Lex
Don’t flex
They won’t find the body
Just pieces and specs
I got full clips and 2 tek’s
But I never put the safety on
On a Kawasaki racer you can never chase me on
Never catch me on
My heat tightly in my palm
One more step I’m blowin’ off shin’s and fore-arms
I’m Dumpin’
[Hook]
Blastin’, Blastin’ Blastin’
I’m Dumpin
First one come through blastin nigga
[Eastwood]
I stay ready with my pistol cocked
Bustin’ shot’s at weak blocks
With, seventeen cops all around my spot
They tryna hold a nigga suspect
They say I’m loaded with tek’s
And if I’m freed then they don’t know what’s next
Cuz I’m Eastwood smashin’ as the Young Assassin
Blastin’, dashin’ stashin’ the heat with passion action Jackson
Quick with lead poison attacks
Rappin’, packin’ spit’s see them venomous raps
Where ya heat at? I bet y’all ten to one
That deals get done
One still we all walk out one
Nigga I’m Dumpin’
[Hook]
Forever with a strap and a smile
I’m Dumpin’
Don’t make Young Wood get wild (yea nigga)
I’m Dumpin’
Forever with a strap and a smile
I’m Dumpin’
Don’t make Y.A. get wild
[Daz Dillinger]
Who come through hoo bangin’ on niggaz
Daz Dillinger nigga
Rough n’ rugged and raw
Smashin’ and breakin’ niggaz jaws
Cash money make me move sumthin’
Five ten’s and hundreds make a nigga kill sumthin’
I’m just chillin’ relaxin’ rollin’ in my four door classy
Jumpin’ out on (yo whats up?) these niggaz prepared and we blastin’
Sendin’ niggaz to there fuckin’ greatest fuckin’ master
DPG and Makaveli nigga Young Assassins
I’m Dumpin’
[Hook]
Blastin’ on these bitch ass niggaz
I’m Dumpin’
Cali coast ring from head to head
Yea nigga
[Plague]
I’m combustible, combusted dumpin’ on you bustaz
When the lead fly your head fly say a little sumthin
I make a tough guy a dead guy put that on sumthin
Nigga that’s on me you won’t leave faggot’s die bleedin
Ain’t no guarantee you guarantee you never stop breathin
Look that’s what the game get ya
Plague take the flames with ya
We make a tall nigga crumble like the trade center
Y-A made raised me in
These cops want a nigga locked they tryna cage me in
That’s why we shoot first
Cuz we ain’t got nothin’ to lose
They struck a nerve lit a match
And ignited the fuse
I’m six short from a six pack
I think I’m goin crazy
Till they bury me
I’ll never let these mother fuckers worry me
I’m Dumpin’
Dumpin
Dumpin
[Hook]
Blastin’ on these blastin’ on these niggaz
I’m Dumpin’
[Makaveli]
Murderous mind state
Can’t keep my nine straight
Sippin’ on this Hennessey waitin’ for the time to break
Show up and mother fuckers bow down recognize
(Y-A Outlaw Dogg Pound Rydaz)
Untouchable mob of pistol packers
Well known fellas labled for drugs sellin’ mercyless jackers
Forever buzzed roll with thugs and don’s
Commence to lettin’ off rounds
Then escape in the fog
Who want to see me solo?
Catch Makaveli while he’s sleepin’
My Mini fourteen murderin’ niggaz while they creepin
Uh
Duck or you ass out
Drink till you pass out
Ain’t scared to die
Drunk drivin’ in my glass house
Niggaz is under me
They bitches come to me
They heard the stories nigga now they want to really see
Bomb first my motto
It’s fully guaranteed
Niggaz is playa haters
Label em’ my enemies
I’m Dumpin’
[Hook]
Blastin’ on every nigga soft
I’m Dumpin’
Two shot’s to this motherfuckin jaw
[Tristar]
I got millimeters, Desert eagles and stolen regales
Nobody can do it like me and my people when dumpin’
I got 6 glocks (6 glocks)
1 Tek (1 Tek)
And a M-16 with a infra-blue beam
Bout to set off
Dumpin’, Dumpin’ got these bitch niggaz jumpin’
Pumpin’ the pump
And beware
Four niggaz comin’ with nothin to lose (nothin to lose)
[Hook]
Um a dump, dump, dump, um a dump
Dump, dump, dump, um a dump
I’m dumpin
Blastin, blastin, blastin, blastin
I’m dumpin
First one
2Pac – Unconditional Love (Original Version) feat. Nanci Fletcher
Written by T. Shakur, J. Jackson
Recorded: February 02, 1996
Producer: Johnny “J” Jackson
Engineer: Lance Pierre
Lyrics:
[Intro: Tupac]
(What y’all want?)
Unconditional Love (no doubt)
Talking bout the stuff that don’t wear off
It don’t fade
Nuttin last for all these crazy days
These crazy nights
Whether you wrong or you right
Muthafuckaz still love you
Still feel you (can you feel me?)
Still there for you
No matter what (hehe)
With unconditional love
[Tupac]
[Verse One]
Come listen to my truest thoughts, my truest feelings
All my peers doing years beyond drug dealing
How many caskets can we witness
Before we see it’s hard to live
This life without God, so we must ask forgiveness
Ask mama why I got this urge to die
Witness the tears falling free from my eyes, before she could reply
Though we were born without a silver spoon
My broken down TV, show cartoons in my living room (hey)
One day I hope to make it, a player in this game
Mama don’t cry, long as we try, maybe things change
Perhaps it’s just a fantasy
A life where we don’t need no welfare
Shit with our whole family
Maybe it’s me that caused it, the fighting and the hurting
In my room crying cause I didn’t want to be a burden
Watch mama open up her arms to hug me
And I ain’t worried bout a damn thang
She still love me
[Chorus: repeat 2X]
In this game the lesson’s in your eyes to see
Though things change, the future’s still inside of me
We must remember that tomorrow comes after the dark
So you will always be in my heart, with unconditional love
[Tupac]
Just got the message you’ve been calling all week (what’s up nigga?)
Been out here hustling on these streets, ain’t had a chance to speak
(you know how it is haha)
But you know, with you and me it’s on G
We could never be enemies, (naw) cause you been such a good friend to me
Where would I be without my dogs (my niggaz)
No wonder why when times get hard
Cause it ain’t easy being who we are
Driven by my ambitions, desire higher positions
So I proceed to make Gs, eternally in my mission
Is to be more than just a rap musician
The elevation of today’s generation
If could make ’em listen
Prison ain’t what we need, no longer stuck in greed
Time to plan, strategize, my family’s gotta eat
Tryna make somethin out of nothing
No pleasure in the suffering, neighborhood would be good
If they could cut out all the busting
The liquor and the weed the cussing
Sending love out to my block
The struggle never stops (unconditional love)
[Chorus: repeat 2X]
In this game the lesson’s in your eyes to see
Though things change, the future’s still inside of me
We must remember that tomorrow comes after the dark
So you will always be in my heart, with unconditional love
[Tupac]
I’ll probably never understand ya ways
With everyday I swear I hear ya
Trying to change your ways while gettin paid at the same time
Just had a baby with the same eyes
Something inside, please let me die these are strange times
How come I never made it
Maybe it’s the way the played it in my heart
I knew one day I gotta be a star
My hopes and all my wishes
So many vivid pictures, and all the currency
I’ll never even get to see
This fast life soon shatters
Cause after all the lights and screams
Nothing but my dreams matter
Hoping for better days
Maybe a peaceful night, baby don’t cry
Cause everythang gonna be alright
Just lay your head on my shoulder
Don’t worry bout a thang baby
Girl I’m a soldier (huh)
Never treated me bad, no matter who I was
You still came with that, unconditional love
[Chorus: repeat til the end]
In this game the lesson’s in your eyes to see
Though things change, the future’s still inside of me
We must remember that tomorrow comes after the dark
So you will always be in my heart, with unconditional love
[Outro: Tupac]
My homeboys don’t give a fuck
What the bitches talkin about
I know you feel me, shit
Ain’t shit without my homeboys
When Thugz Cry (Demo Version) feat. Nancy Fletcher, Jewell
Written by T. Shakur, J. Jackson
Date: February 02, 1996
Studio: Can-Am Studios, Tarzana, California
Producer: Johnny “J” Jackson
Sample: Sting – Fragile
Originally recorded for The 3 Day Theory / The 7 Day Theory
(Ok) No doubt, no doubt
Makaveli The Don in this bitch
Let these niggaz know,
let these niggaz know,
let ’em know nigga
you the general nigga
you’ve been puttin’ it on these mothafuckaz
aint no nigga out here that
could do it like this
no motherfuckin’ doubt
with me you die nigga
whan thugz cry
Outlawz (…he way saying I had sex with your wife, but not in those words…)
K Kastro, Napoleon, Edi,
Hussein, Kadafi, haha, Young Noble
(what do you feel like when you hear a record like Tupac’s new one ?)
Outlaw, haha no doubt ( right, but dont you feel like that creates a tension between east and west ?)
Do u still wanna be a thug when thugz cry
heeeeyyyy
I think it was The Source or The Vibe
Source ? Still wanna be a thug when thugz cry
hahahaha
Yo what up ? thats for real
Did you know I own all that shit you spittin’ here?
Did you realize that I’m for real boss like Fetruni?
Outlawz haha no doubt Outlawz
K Kastro, Napolean, Edi, Hussein, Kadafi, haha Young Noble
(….and he did say that he did not. He wanted to make a point that
he specifically did not have a beef with an entire coast but that he had problems)
Man fuck this!
[Intro: 2Pac]
When thugs cry
(When thugs cry, I hear you busters out there talking)
God, forgive us thugs
(About you thugs living this thug life, thug this and thug that)
This go to my nigga Kato
(Motherfuckers die)
My nigga Mental
(Still wanna be a thug?)
When thugs cry
From all your homeboys
Wild ass place, know what I mean
The world ain’t ready for us homie, the world ain’t ready
[Verse 1: 2Pac]
Born thuggin’, and lovin’ the way I came up
Big money clutchin’, bustin’ while evadin’ cocaine busts
My pulse rushin’, semi clutchin’ into insanity
They shot at my cousin, now we bustin’ at they whole family
The coppers wanna see me buried, I ain’t worried
I got a line on the D.A. ‘cause I’m fuckin’ his secretary
I black out and start cussin’, bust ’em and touch ’em all
They panic, and bitches duckin’, I rush ’em and fuck ’em all
I’ll probably be an old man before I understand
Why I have to live my life with pistols close at hand
Kidnapped my homie’s sister, cut her face up bad
They even raped her, so we blazed they pad
Automatic shots rang out, on every block
They puttin’ hits out on politicians, even cops
I ain’t lyin’, they got me sleepin’ with my infrared beams
And in my dreams I hear motherfuckers screamin’
What is the meanin’ when thugs cry?
[Hook: 2Pac]
Battle scars and closed caskets are multiplied
Motherfuckers die, don’t ask why
When thugs cry, we don’t shed tears, we shed blood
Do you still wanna be a thug?
When thugs cry!
Battle scars and closed caskets are multiplied
Motherfuckers die, don’t ask why
When thugs cry, we don’t shed tears, we shed blood
Do you still wanna be a thug?
When thugs cry!
[Verse 2: 2Pac]
Maybe my addiction to friction got me buggin’
Where is the love?, never quit my ambition to thug
Ain’t shed a tear since the old school years of elementary
Niggas I used to love, enclosed in Penitentiaries
But still, homie, keep it real, how does it feel
To lose your life, over something that you did as a kid?
You all alone, no communication, block on the phone
Don’t get along with your pop, and plus your moms is gone
Where did we go wrong? I put my soul in the song
To help us grow in time, but now our minds are gone
We went from brothers and sisters to niggas and bitches
We went from welfare livin’ to worldwide riches
But somethin’ changed in this dirty game, everything’s strange
Lost all my homies over cocaine, mayne
See, they ask me if I shed a tear, I ain’t lie
See, you gotta get high or die, ‘cause even thugs cry
[Hook: 2Pac]
Battle scars and closed caskets are multiplied
Motherfuckers die, don’t ask why
When thugs cry, we don’t shed tears, we shed blood
Do you still wanna be a thug?
When thugs cry!
Battle scars and closed caskets are multiplied
Motherfuckers die, don’t ask why
When thugs cry, we don’t shed tears, we shed blood
Do you still wanna be a thug?
When thugs cry!
[Verse 3: 2Pac]
Paranoid bitches, illegal adventures
Bustin’ motherfuckers with uppercuts, I leave ’em with dentures
‘Cause in my criminal mind, nobody violates the Don
I write your name wit’ a piece of paper, now your family’s gone
Why perpetrate like you can handle my team?
So merciless in my attack I take command of your dreams
Leavin’ motherfuckers drownin’ in they own blood
Clownin’, takin’ pictures later
Laugh ’bout them punk bitches that turned snitches
Regulate my area, the terror I represent
Makin’ your people disappear, you wonderin’ where they went
Am I cold, or is it just I sold my soul?
Addicted to these streets, never find true peace I’m told
Come take my body, God, don’t let me suffer any longer!
Smoke a pound of marijuana, so I know it ain’t long
Where is the end to all my misery, is there a close?
I suppose that’s why I murder my foes; when thugs cry
[Outro: 2Pac]
I’m makin’ all you motherfuckers die
When thugs cry
Gotta get high or die
When thugs cry
I’m makin’ all you motherfuckers die
When thugs cry
Do you still wanna be a thug?
When thugs cry
This’ll be the the eulogy for every thug nigga
That ever put it down in this motherfucker
Rest in piece my nigga
God bless the dead, fuck the feds
When thugs cry!
I send this out to all my dead homeboys
All the niggas that put it down
May they rest in peace now
All the niggas that watch me from heaven to hell
Hahaha
When thugs cry!
And most definitely, most importantly
Most truly, most dearest
I put this down for Mu grandmother
Rest in peace
God take you, let the angels let you fly
We’ll be down here riding’ for you, no doubt
I got that nigga
Do you still wanna be a thug?
When thugs cry
Ayy Nas, remember that shit you said?
I don’t know what magazine you said it in
Some shit about how it wasn’t nobody saying thugs until whoever, whoever, whatever
Nigga you better really go to the record store
Go check out some of the albums we’ve been putting out motherfucker
We’ve been spitting this thug shit for a while now
And I know you’ve been listening cuz you’ve been biting this shit
So, uh recognize and realize before your ass get rolled on
When thugs cry
2Pac – What’z Ya Phone # (Demo Version) feat. Danny Boy
Written by T. Shakur, J. Jackson
Released: All Eyez On Me (February 13, 1996)
Recorded: November 16, 1995 at Can-Am Studios, Tarzana, California
Producer: Johnny “J” Jackson & 2Pac
Engineer: Dave Aron
Assistant Engineer: Alvin McGill
Samples: The Time/Prince – 777-9311
When We Ride (Demo Version) feat. Outlaw Immortalz (Hussein Fatal, Kastro, Napoleon, Mussolini, E.D.I. Amin, Kadafi, Komani)
Written by T. Shakur, DJ Pooh
Date: October 27, 1995 at Can-Am Studios, Tarzana, California
Released: All Eyez On Me (February 13, 1996)
Producer: DJ Pooh
Engineer: Rick Clifford
Assistant Engineer: Alvin McGill
[Outlaw Immortalz]
Bow down to somethin greater than yourself trick
Individuals capable of enormous amounts of chin checks and eye swolls
They know
You watchin but you ain’t seein what lies before you, beatch
Picture if you will seven deadly human beings
blessed with the gift of speech, the power to reach
each nigga on every street
May the Heavenly Father look down and be proud
of what transpired since the day the seed was planted
The G grew but we knew he’d rise up quick
Smoked out, loc’ed out, all into shit
Just me and my dogs livin like hogs
Outlaw Immortalz
What follows is the story, what proceeded was the glue
What lies between is the fiction
Don’t fuck around and make it true
[Tupac]
Hahahahahaha
My adversaries crumble when we rumble it’s a catastrophe
I pull revenge on bitch niggaz that blasted me
Plus my alias is Makaveli
A loaded three-fifty-seven with hollow points to a nigga belly
Bust him to see if he bleed, he shoulda never fucked around
with a sick-ass nigga like me
They call my name out and niggaz run, best be prepared
for the Outlawz, here we come
[Hussein Fatal]
They call me Hussein Fatal, it’s a two game table
I’m robbin ya niggaz cradle wit a knife in your navel
Rap-related criminally activated and evil
I wouldn’t wanna be you behind my fuckin Desert Eagle
Till the end, I’m tellin all friends and enemies
You see what I got to make you freeze, to touch me you need ten of these
Complete most, wanted on the streets of the East coast
Young Gunz fire and niggaz bleed, I see Mo
[Kastro]
I be shinin like white diamonds and crystal, glistenin holdin pistols
The mission’s simple, fold up and roll up dead presidentials
Sew up all the potential, million, billion dollar baller potential
Sort it, oughta call on a nigga I’ll be sure to get you
Take cash bro, fast yo, for my Kastro
Blast and I’ma last yo past all these Glass Joes
and assholes who claim, like they be runnin thangs
I be gunnin those same niggaz runnin late, to their fate
[Napoleon]
My alias is motherfuckin Na-poleon, and I’d rather be
robbin again before these motherfuckers leave me sufferin
But the shit ain’t nothin, and I got no time for no bluffin
befo’ a nigga finish with puttin in work I betta end up with somethin
I think these niggaz got the game fucked up
If they don’t believe, that a young nigga like me, would bust (Boo-Yaa!)
Perhaps it’s a must, I’m facin cases, fuck probation
is what I’m screamin when these money hungry cops be chasin
[Chorus: Tupac]
Thug nigga till we die, no mercy
on these playa hatin bitches, ask me why – when we ride!
Thug nigga till we die, no mercy
on these playa hatin bitches, ask me why – when we ride!
[Mussolini]
It’s the imperial serial killer, alias Mussolini
Mentally unstable G status, so you can’t see me
Drug warlord, riding Concorde jets
Rag Vette’s, shakin bitches and snitches and trippin on sets
Ingle-Watts banger, keepin one in the chamber
For the anger that I build inside, when it’s time to ride
Suicidal thoughts lurk fuckin no end to revenge
Fuck any, my alias Mussolini
[Idi Amin]
They call me Idi, from the side of seedy
Young nigga greedy, so I’m runnin up on these niggaz easy
It ain’t nuttin, cause if they wantin somethin, so I’ma commence
to dumpin stomp down and struck up while my beat is bumpin, Thuggin
to my fuckin last nut, with Lo-Pole and Kastro
Who you thought was on that asshole, don’t ask though
Outlaw Immortalz doin this dit-nirt on the sli-zow
Ain’t no chance to hide when we ride
[Khadafi]
My alias Khadafi, Trump tight so feds can’t copy
Six-three and cocky quick to hit your bitch if she drop me
Severely addicted to livin like a fuckin felon
while beefin with rookie cops the cookie rocks a nigga sellin
Since a short I been livin life defiant, nickel plated chrome
Got this baby Capone lookin like a giant, and I ain’t lyin
It’s like it’s me against myself with all these
backstabbin snakes grabbin at my fuckin wealth
[Mo Khomeini]
Mo Khomeini goes terrorist, mad man killer
The bottom of the river where the body lays and shivers
I’m that nigga with the fifty cap pouch, with the murderous stacks
that increase, while these motherfuckers eat beef
It’s been a long road, a lot of episodes
And as the glock loads, I gotta teach hoes
Reach hoes, make em feel a nigga when I’m mashin
Now I’m surpassin any assassin
[Chorus 2X]
[Tupac]
Hahahaha, Outlaw Immortalz baby
Y’all niggaz can’t fade this ol crazy shit
Makaveli, Hussein, Kastro, Khadafi, Mussolini
Amin, Naploleon, Khomani
What y’all really wanna do?
Haha like them niggaz said
“What would you do? If you could fuck with me and my crew”
Hehahahahaha, Thug Life, yeah nigga
Flashin on niggaz
Thug Life right? This year we Thug Life
But we Outlaw Immortalz
We die nigga, but we multiply, we like legends nigga
Like I’ll make you famous motherfucker
I’m talkin about Newsweek and Time Magazine and all that ol good shit
My niggas make the papers baby
My niggas make the front page
Multiple gunshots [fades]
When We Ride (Short Demo Version) feat. Outlaw Immortalz (Hussein Fatal, Kastro, Napoleon)
Written by T. Shakur, DJ Pooh
Date: October 27, 1995 at Can-Am Studios, Tarzana, California
Released: All Eyez On Me (February 13, 1996)
Producer: DJ Pooh
Engineer: Rick Clifford
Assistant Engineer: Alvin McGill
[Outlaw Immortalz]
Bow down to somethin greater than yourself trick
Individuals capable of enormous amounts of chin checks and eye swolls
They know
You watchin but you ain’t seein what lies before you, beatch
Picture if you will seven deadly human beings
blessed with the gift of speech, the power to reach
each nigga on every street
May the Heavenly Father look down and be proud
of what transpired since the day the seed was planted
The G grew but we knew he’d rise up quick
Smoked out, loc’ed out, all into shit
Just me and my dogs livin like hogs
Outlaw Immortalz
What follows is the story, what proceeded was the glue
What lies between is the fiction
Don’t fuck around and make it true
[Tupac]
Hahahahahaha
My adversaries crumble when we rumble it’s a catastrophe
I pull revenge on bitch niggaz that blasted me
Plus my alias is Makaveli
A loaded three-fifty-seven with hollow points to a nigga belly
Bust him to see if he bleed, he shoulda never fucked around
with a sick-ass nigga like me
They call my name out and niggaz run, best be prepared
for the Outlawz, here we come
[Hussein Fatal]
They call me Hussein Fatal, it’s a two game table
I’m robbin ya niggaz cradle wit a knife in your navel
Rap-related criminally activated and evil
I wouldn’t wanna be you behind my fuckin Desert Eagle
Till the end, I’m tellin all friends and enemies
You see what I got to make you freeze, to touch me you need ten of these
Complete most, wanted on the streets of the East coast
Young Gunz fire and niggaz bleed, I see Mo
[Kastro]
I be shinin like white diamonds and crystal, glistenin holdin pistols
The mission’s simple, fold up and roll up dead presidentials
Sew up all the potential, million, billion dollar baller potential
Sort it, oughta call on a nigga I’ll be sure to get you
Take cash bro, fast yo, for my Kastro
Blast and I’ma last yo past all these Glass Joes
and assholes who claim, like they be runnin thangs
I be gunnin those same niggaz runnin late, to their fate
[Napoleon]
My alias is motherfuckin Na-poleon, and I’d rather be
robbin again before these motherfuckers leave me sufferin
But the shit ain’t nothin, and I got no time for no bluffin
befo’ a nigga finish with puttin in work I betta end up with somethin
I think these niggaz got the game fucked up
If they don’t believe, that a young nigga like me, would bust (Boo-Yaa!)
Perhaps it’s a must, I’m facin cases, fuck probation
is what I’m screamin when these money hungry cops be chasin
[Chorus: Tupac]
Thug nigga till we die, no mercy
on these playa hatin bitches, ask me why – when we ride!
Thug nigga till we die, no mercy
on these playa hatin bitches, ask me why – when we ride!
2Pac – When I Get Free (Original Version) (Death Row Version)
Written by T. Shakur, J. Jackson
Recorded: October 14, 1995 at Can-Am Studios, Tarzana, California
Producer: Johnny “J” Jackson
Originally recorded for All Eyez On Me / The Supreme Euthanasia / When I Get Free
Engineer: Rick Clifford
Assistant Engineer: Alvin McGill
Sample: Al B Sure – Nite And Day
Damn.. what I’ma do now? When I get free.. oh shit!
When I get free, mo…
[Chorus]
When I get free, motherfuckers better watch they ass
Soon as I get released, I’m a clock some cash
Did some time locked down, but I’m back on the street
There’ll be trouble when they see me
When I get free, motherfuckers better watch they ass
Soon as I get released, I’m a clock some cash
Did some time locked down, but I’m back on the street
There’ll be trouble when they see me
Them bitches is foul, take a look at the evening news
You’ll see a nigga gettin’ cuffed by the boys in blue
Is it a, frame up, tryin’ to keep me out the game, stuck
These motherfuckers tryin’ to dirty up my name, but
I’m slippin’ quick as the wind, it’s me or them
Fuck friends my foes be on a mission tryin’ to do me in
Fuck ’em I’m bout to get out, they all soft
I blow up like gauge, and in a rage blow they balls off
Why are you niggaz tryin’ to test me trick?
And be the first ones to snitch to arrest me bitch
Main thang was to make a nigga meal ticket
Only if you with the real, the nigga will kick it
I’ll enforce it with the steel use the lessons that I learned in jail
Rule one: fuck a busta he can burn in Hell
Network with connects that I got in the pen
In no time I’ll be clockin again
[Chorus]
When I get free, motherfuckers better watch they ass
Soon as I get released, I’m a clock some cash
Did some time locked down, but I’m back on the street
There’ll be trouble when they see me
When I get free, motherfuckers better watch they ass
Soon as I get released, I’m a clock some cash
Did some time locked down, but I’m back on the street
There’ll be trouble when they see me
Still sittin’ in my cell as I dwell on my past
Tryin’ to figure how a nigga turned dreams into cash
Quick call her collect, ain’t no respect on the other side
My cellmate’s suicidal cause his mother died
And my C.O. is a lady, and I’m thinkin’ maybe
me and her can hook up a scheme, to be Swayze
Cause she keep on callin’ me baby
To a young motherfucker facin eighty that’s enough to make you crazy
Now how long will it take, to get her hooked
Got her watchin’ me liftin weights, sneakin’ looks
I devised a plan, I’m in the trunk while she drives the van
Ain’t no disguise I’m a die as a man
If we make it then I’m takin’ it to Hell
All them niggaz that was frontin’ while I sat up in the cell
Locked in jail, I couldn’t touch her so I planned your misery
The nigga you don’t wanna see
[Chorus]
When I get free, motherfuckers better watch they ass
Soon as I get released, I’m a clock some cash
Did some time locked down, but I’m back on the street
There’ll be trouble when they see me
When I get free, motherfuckers better watch they ass
Soon as I get released, I’m a clock some cash
Did some time locked down, but I’m back on the street
There’ll be trouble when they see me
Stuck in my cell
The pen ain’t nuttin’ like the county jail
When will they let me bail?
Walkin’ through the yard, I play the God
First nigga disrespect me first nigga gettin scarred
I’m, back on the scene
I’m hittin’ knees in the back of a limousine, puffin’ on weed
as we game on the drunk hoes
Hit the skunk I reminisce just on the way
we used to play, you punk hoes
What I posses is to be rich, in currency
Paranoid niggaz like bitches when they come and see me
Laid out, played out, the nigga barely breathin’
As for that bullshit punk, nigga n-now we even
But I wait, until it’s time
and try to find a crooked way to profit off this crime
This life of mine.. until I get free
My prophecy is niggaz screamin’, as if they bleed in agony
As soon as they popped my gate
I knew these motherfuckers made a mistake
[Chorus/Outro]
When I get free, motherfuckers better watch they ass
Soon as I get released, I’m a clock some cash
Did some time locked down, but I’m back on the street
There’ll be trouble when they see me
When I get free, motherfuckers better watch they ass
Soon as I get released, I’m a clock some cash
Did some time locked down, but I’m back on the street
There’ll be trouble when they see me
When I get free, motherfuckers better watch they ass
Soon as I get released, I’m a clock some cash
Did some time locked down, but I’m back on the street
There’ll be trouble when they see me
When I get free
Hahaha.. yeah nigga, when I get motherfuckin’ free
Pop the gate, I’m back baby!
When I get free..
we up out this bitch
Written by T. Shakur, J. Jackson
Originally recorded: October 14, 1995 at Can-Am Studios, Tarzana, California, for All Eyez On Me / The Supreme Euthanasia / When I Get Free
Producer: Johnny “J” Jackson
Damn.. what I’ma do now? When I get free.. oh shit!
When I get free, mo…
[Chorus]
When I get free, motherfuckers better watch they ass
Soon as I get released, I’m a clock some cash
Did some time locked down, but I’m back on the street
There’ll be trouble when they see me
When I get free, motherfuckers better watch they ass
Soon as I get released, I’m a clock some cash
Did some time locked down, but I’m back on the street
There’ll be trouble when they see me
Them bitches is foul, take a look at the evening news
You’ll see a nigga gettin’ cuffed by the boys in blue
Is it a, frame up, tryin’ to keep me out the game, stuck
These motherfuckers tryin’ to dirty up my name, but
I’m slippin’ quick as the wind, it’s me or them
Fuck friends my foes be on a mission tryin’ to do me in
Fuck ’em I’m bout to get out, they all soft
I blow up like gauge, and in a rage blow they balls off
Why are you niggaz tryin’ to test me trick?
And be the first ones to snitch to arrest me bitch
Main thang was to make a nigga meal ticket
Only if you with the real, the nigga will kick it
I’ll enforce it with the steel use the lessons that I learned in jail
Rule one: fuck a busta he can burn in Hell
Network with connects that I got in the pen
In no time I’ll be clockin again
[Chorus]
When I get free, motherfuckers better watch they ass
Soon as I get released, I’m a clock some cash
Did some time locked down, but I’m back on the street
There’ll be trouble when they see me
When I get free, motherfuckers better watch they ass
Soon as I get released, I’m a clock some cash
Did some time locked down, but I’m back on the street
There’ll be trouble when they see me
Still sittin’ in my cell as I dwell on my past
Tryin’ to figure how a nigga turned dreams into cash
Quick call her collect, ain’t no respect on the other side
My cellmate’s suicidal cause his mother died
And my C.O. is a lady, and I’m thinkin’ maybe
me and her can hook up a scheme, to be Swayze
Cause she keep on callin’ me baby
To a young motherfucker facin eighty that’s enough to make you crazy
Now how long will it take, to get her hooked
Got her watchin’ me liftin weights, sneakin’ looks
I devised a plan, I’m in the trunk while she drives the van
Ain’t no disguise I’m a die as a man
If we make it then I’m takin’ it to Hell
All them niggaz that was frontin’ while I sat up in the cell
Locked in jail, I couldn’t touch her so I planned your misery
The nigga you don’t wanna see
[Chorus]
When I get free, motherfuckers better watch they ass
Soon as I get released, I’m a clock some cash
Did some time locked down, but I’m back on the street
There’ll be trouble when they see me
When I get free, motherfuckers better watch they ass
Soon as I get released, I’m a clock some cash
Did some time locked down, but I’m back on the street
There’ll be trouble when they see me
Stuck in my cell
The pen ain’t nuttin’ like the county jail
When will they let me bail?
Walkin’ through the yard, I play the God
First nigga disrespect me first nigga gettin scarred
I’m, back on the scene
I’m hittin’ knees in the back of a limousine, puffin’ on weed
as we game on the drunk hoes
Hit the skunk I reminisce just on the way
we used to play, you punk hoes
What I posses is to be rich, in currency
Paranoid niggaz like bitches when they come and see me
Laid out, played out, the nigga barely breathin’
As for that bullshit punk, nigga n-now we even
But I wait, until it’s time
and try to find a crooked way to profit off this crime
This life of mine.. until I get free
My prophecy is niggaz screamin’, as if they bleed in agony
As soon as they popped my gate
I knew these motherfuckers made a mistake
[Chorus/Outro]
When I get free, motherfuckers better watch they ass
Soon as I get released, I’m a clock some cash
Did some time locked down, but I’m back on the street
There’ll be trouble when they see me
When I get free, motherfuckers better watch they ass
Soon as I get released, I’m a clock some cash
Did some time locked down, but I’m back on the street
There’ll be trouble when they see me
When I get free, motherfuckers better watch they ass
Soon as I get released, I’m a clock some cash
Did some time locked down, but I’m back on the street
There’ll be trouble when they see me
When I get free
Hahaha.. yeah nigga, when I get motherfuckin’ free
Pop the gate, I’m back baby!
When I get free..
we up out this bitch
Tupac Shakur’s Estate Wins Five-year Legal Battle For Unreleased Music
It’s been 22 years since Tupac Shakur’s death.
And now unreleased music is finally going back to where it belongs, with his estate. Shakur’s estate just settled a five-year ongoing legal battle with Entertainment One, which will pay the estate for royalties that were never paid, according to TMZ.
The biggest win for the estate, though, is the return of unreleased master recordings made by Shakur before his death in September 1996.
The legal battle started in 2013, when the rapper’s mother, Afeni Shakur, who was then the administrator of his estate, sued Entertainment One.
Afeni Shakur
The lawsuit claimed the estate had not received royalties to the tune of more than seven figures, some of which will be recouped with a ‘substantial six-figure amount.’
While the estate isn’t getting as much in royalties as they wanted, the real big win for the estate, though, is the return of the unreleased recordings, which are said to be worth a fortune. Afeni Shakur passed away in 2016 at the age of 69 after suffering a heart attack, but the lawsuit continued, until it was settled this month.
Shakur’s estate has been overseen by Tom Whalley, the head of Loma Vista Recordings who worked with the rapper while he was at Interscope.
Tom Whalley
Whalley had been overseeing the estate since 2013, and after Afeni’s death in 2016.
Those close to the family have complete confidence in Whalley’s ability and intentions to guide Tupac’s estate going forward. “Tom is someone who actually cares about Tupac’s legacy,” says Gobi M. Rahimi, “Someone who actually had an authentic relationship with Tupac is in a position of power now. Things seem more hopeful and positive than they have in the last 20 years.”
Gobi Rahimi
Rahimi says he’s aware of a great deal of unearthed Tupac music he hopes will soon see the light of day. The filmmaker himself for the past several years has been working on a documentary, 7 Dayz, recounting the rapper’s final days. “There are a plethora of stories that have yet to be shared about him from his family members and contemporaries,” Rahimi says. “It will help paint a picture of Tupac with a lot more color than what’s out there.”
Investigate several recent gang-related shootings. These incidents began on September 7, 1996 with the gang-related shooting of rapper Tupac Shakur and Marion “Suge” Knight of “Death Row Records” in Las Vegas, Nevada. “Death Row Records” is connected with the “MOB PIRU” gang in Compton and the “BOUNTY HUNTERS” gang in Los Angeles. Compton’s “SOUTHSIDE CRIBPS” have had an ongoing rivalry with several past confrontations with this group. Informants have told police that “SOUTHSIDE CRIPS” were responsible for the Las Vegas shooting. Your affiant has personal knowledge that some “SOUTHSIDE CRIPS” members reside in Las Vegas. There is also an ongoing feud between Tupac Shakur and the “blood” related “Death Row Records” which employed “SOUTHSIDE CRIPS” gang members as security.
September 07, 1996, Las Vegas
Since the September 7, 1996, Las Vegas shooting Compton has experienced the following incidents believed to be a direct result of the initial assault.
On September 9, 1996, approximately 14:58 hours, Darnell Brim (one od the leaders of the “SOUTHSIDE CRIPS”) was shot several times in the back at 2430 East Alondra. During this dirveby shooting, a tan (10) year old bystander (Lakezia McNeese) was also struck by the gunfire ans is currently in critical condition. Witnesses provided police with the suspect description of a male black, approximately 20 years old, dark complexion, with bald hair style. The vehicle was described as a gray as a gray Honda type vehicle with tinted windows, chrome rims, and partial licence plate number 3KC—-. In Cases #9635597 and #9635603, “SOUTHSIDE CRIP” member, Ian Salaveria aka “Lil Spank”, was a witness.
Darnell Brim was one of the leaders of the infamous Southside Crips, according to former Compton Police Detective Tim Brennan. Apparently Davis allegations of his nephew’s being a killer was hardly the first time Davis had accused someone of point a gun and firing with deadly intent. He accused Brim in the same way.
South Side Crips “Goon”(left), Darnell Brim (middle), “J-Bone” (right), and “Spanky”
On September 09, 1996, Gerode Mack aka “Mack” a “LEUDERS PARK PIRU” and Johnny Burgie were shot, in a driveby shooting, in front of 713 North Brandfield (a known “LEUDERS PARK PIRU” hangout). Male Black suspects in a blue Blazer were the suspects in this incident and believed to be from the “SOUTHSIDE CRIP” gang. Live rounds and -9mm spent casings were found at the scene (Cases #9635730 and #9635731).
On September 10, 1996, approximatly 14:00 hours, Lieutenant Wright monitored a radio call of two gunshot vivtims at 713 North Bradfield Street. He then responded to the area frequented by the “SOUTHSIDE CRIPS”. He saw a burgundy Blazer, Nevada license# 278GSM, occupied by four (4) male Black subjects at SOuth Park. The driver was David C. Keith of 2025 Travis Avenue, Las Vegas, Nevada, D.O.B. September 12, 1974. Three (3) subjects were known “SOUTHSIDE CRIP” gang members Willie Sloan, Avery Cody, and Katar Carroll. There were no weapons or contraband located. The vehicle was not the one used in the shooting. David Keith’s driver’s history revealed a Las Vegas address of 2109 Haveling Street.
On September 10, 1996, Gary Williams, (who is the brother of former “Death Row Record’s” security person George Williams) was shot in a driveby shooting at Pine and Bradfield. The suspect was described as a male black driving a 1986-87 red Nissan, possibly from the “SOUTHSIDE CRIP” gang (Case #9635691).
On September 12, 1996, approximately 12:00 hours, your Affiant was contacted by Los Angeles Country Sheriffs (Century Station’s Operations Save Street) Deputy Paul Fournier. Deputy Fournier said that he spoke with an informant, who told him that “Keefee D’s” nephew shot Tupac Shakur. The suspect is a “SOUTHSIDE CRIP”, and the informant is with the “LEUDERS PARK PIRU”, “MOB PIRU”, “ELM LANE PIRU”, and DEATH ROW RECORDS fraction.
On September 12, 1996, approximately 14:00 hours, I made contact with Sergant Baker’s second CRI. The CRI confirmed Orlando Anderson was “Keefee D’s” (Keith Davis’) nephew.
On September 12, 1996, approximately 16:30 hours, Officer E. Aquirre, Deputy Fournier, and your Affiant met with the LASO Deputy’s informant (referenced ac CRI #3). Your Affiant asked CRI #3 to provide information on our recent shootings. The CRI stated that right now in Compton, the “SOUTHSIDE CRIPS” are aligning with the “NEIGHBORHOOD CRIS”, “KELLY PARK CRIPS”, and “ATLANTIC DRIVE CRIPS” against “MOB PIRUS”, “LEUDER PARK PIRUS”, and “ELM LANE PIRUS”. These alliances are a diredt result of the Las Vegas shooting of Tupac Shakur and Marion “Suge” Knight. The CRI stated that the “Piru” groups are aligned with “Death Row Records”. Approximately 1-1/2 to 2 months ago, “Death Row Records'” affiliate Travon Lane (aka Tray) was in the “Foot Locker Store” in the Lakewood Mall, with other “MOB PIRUS”, Kevin Woods aka “K.W.” and Maurice Combs aka “Lil Mo”. Lane aka “Tray” was confronted by 7-8 “SOUTHSIDE CRIPS”. They got into a fight and the “SOUTHSIDE CRIP” gang members took “Tray’s” “Death Row” necklace.
While Tupac is basically synonymous with rap, his legacy is much greater than music. When I was finally able to grasp the significance of his work it struck me that we had never even begun to discuss the work of one of the most important social commentators and historical figures in American history in any classroom that I had ever sat in. Okay, so he started a song with the lyrics, “that’s why I fucked your bitch you fat motherfucker,” had “thug life” tattooed across his stomach and became the first artist to have an album at number one on the Billboard 200 while serving a prison sentence. While all of these things are true, they don’t define who he was as a person and his untimely death did not assist in diffusing the many misperceptions people had about his character.
Sadly, Tupac may never get the credit for being the true visionary and political figure for his generation. However, I can say unequivocally that we would have benefited a lot more from studying his work than trying to figure out what the hell was going on in Hamlet.
This is not to undermine other important political figures in our nations history or to make some erroneous statement that Tupac is more important in the context of American History than John F. Kennedy or Ronald Reagan. Nonetheless, the political ideology and philosophy of Tupac were at the very least unique and worth examining. While the relevance of Tupac’s doctrine well after his death was the subject of a 2006 Chappelle’s Show comedy sketch, it is actually shocking how much his music and messages pertain to American society today.
The media portrayed Tupac as a violent criminal rapper and he was continually overshadowed by his legal and personal entanglements that came with being such a high profile person. It is unbelievably ironic to me that prior to having a successful rap career, Tupac had no criminal record. He didn’t get a record until he made a record if you will. Furthermore, while he was one of the first hip-hop artists in the history of the genre to be labeled as a “gangster” rapper none of his songs endorsed gang activity or promoted gang culture in any way.
The massive “thug life” tattoo across his stomach wasn’t meant to be a symbol to use to glorify a life of crime (“I ain’t never do a crime that I didn’t have to do”), instead it represented a very powerful ideology. To Tupac “thug life” meant the opposite of someone having all he needs to succeed and doing whatever they had to survive. It was also a powerful political statement about how the people that America viewed as thugs were simply the manifestation of a people being pushed through a system that existed to reinforce economic inequality.
As he stated in an interview in The Lost Prison Tapes released in 2010, “I have not brought violence to you. I have not brought ‘thug life’ to America. I didn’t create ‘thug life;’ I diagnosed it.” On the Tupac Resurrection DVD he elaborated on “thug life” as a political stance, “I don’t understand why America doesn’t understand thug Life. America is thug life. What makes Tupac saying ‘I don’t give a fuck’ different than Patrick Henry saying ‘Give me liberty or give me death’? What makes his freedom less worth fighting for than Bosnians or whoever they want to fight for this year?”
At the time these positions made perfect sense, yet in 2015 the United States spent almost 600 billion on the military while over 40 million people live in poverty.
While Tupac obviously had some very strong sentiments about the racial and socioeconomic oppression that plagued black people one of the things that made him truly unique was that he was willing to forgive and pleaded for greater understanding between the races. “I got love for my brother/but we can never go nowhere unless we share with each other/we gotta start making changes/learn to see me as a brother instead of two distant strangers,” are lyrics from one of his most famous songs “Changes”. “There is no need for you to fear me/maybe if you take the time to hear me/you can learn to cheer me,” from “Ghetto Gospel” is another prime example of this thought pattern. Furthermore, I find his analysis of police brutality to be absolutely brilliant. In a 1994 interview with BET he stated,
“The main thing for us to remember is that, the same crime element that white people are scared of, black people are scared of. The same crime element that white people fear, black people fear. So we defend ourself from the same crime element that they are scared of, you know what I’m saying? While they are waiting for legislation to pass and everything, we’re next door to the killer, we’re next door to him you know. Because we up in the projects where it’s 80 n*ggas in the building. All them killers that they letting out, they’re right there in that building! Just because we’re black we get along with the killers or something? We get along with rapist’s because we’re black and from the same hood? What is that? We need protection too!”
This is a sentiment that simply can not be restated enough. His message was special because, while he advocated on behalf of oppressed African-American communities he understood that the key to our nations success and for that matter humanities success was bridging the culture gap. The evidence in his lyrics strongly suggests that he believed that, just because a person was black, didn’t make them good and just because someone was white didn’t mean they were evil.
Tupac’s introduction to social justice and politics undoubtedly had to have come from his mother, Afeni Shakur. His mother and aunt were both active members of the Black Panthers. It’s quite possible that if he had not been gunned down at age 25 he would have become a politician. If Martin Luther King Jr. had been killed at 25 he would have been nothing more than a preacher. That is why it’s chilling to hear the sample of Tupac saying, “Although it seems heaven-sent we ain’t ready, to have a black president,” used by fellow hip-hop icon Nas in his 2008 record commemorating the election of Barack Obama.
Tupac was certainly more parts Malcom X than Martin Luther King Jr. but the raw unfiltered voice that he brought to mainstream America was a jolt of reality that the nation needed. He was about as politically correct as Donald Trump. He didn’t care if people didn’t like what he portrayed, because in fact he wasn’t portraying anything he 100% true to himself. He represented an ugly side of racial oppression that so many people would rather pretend doesn’t exist.
One of my favorite quotes from him comes from an interview outside of a court house in 1994 where he states harshly, “Yes I’m going to sit here and say that I’m a thug that’s because I came from the gutter and I’m still here! I’m not saying I’m a thug because I want to rob you and rape you and things, I’m a business man!” His music platform gave him a unique platform that revolutionaries of the past did not have. While he never hesitated to give political commentary in any of his interviews, but his songs were artfully crafted and were the equivalent of well articulated speeches given by a politician.
Tupac even touched on women’s rights in his music, as social issue that hardly any rappers in the last twenty years have mentioned. Tupac was certainly no Susan B. Anthony however, at the time no male rappers anywhere were talking about problems that women in the ghetto were plagued with Tupac’s recorded “Brenda’s Got A Baby”, about a twelve-year-old girl who became impregnated by her cousin and threw her newborn in the Garbage. It also talked about child molestation, it talked about families taking advantages of families, it talked about the effects of poverty, it talked about how one person’s problems can affect a whole community of people. It talked about how the innocent are the ones that get hurt.
In 2005 The Game revisited this classic on one of his most famous records of his career, “Hate It or Love It” writing, “Thinking how they spent 30 million dollars on airplanes when there’s kids starvin’/ ‘Pac gone and Brenda still throwing babies in the garbage.”
In 1993 Tupac also wrote “Keep Your Head Up,” a feminist anthem which voices empathy towards women who rely on welfare to support themselves and their children (often because the children’s father abandoned them) pro-choice politics and criticism of African-American men that treated women poorly.
Religion was among the other topics he chose to discuss. His family was not particularly religious and didn’t subscribe to any official doctrine or denomination, many of Tupac’s lyrics point towards Christianity. However, like many of the other topics that Tupac touched on he did not shy away from voicing controversial opinions stating in a 1996 interview with VIBE Magazine,
“I think some cool motherfuckers sat down a long time ago and said, ‘let’s figure out a way to control motherfuckers. That’s what they came up with: the Bible.’ Because if God wrote the Bible, I’m sure there would have been a revised copy by now.”
He spoke many times about his belief that god had cursed him to see what life should be like and why he didn’t fear death. According to him if God wanted him to be happy he wouldn’t let him feel so disenfranchised. He flat out said on numerous occasions that he did not fear death because, he believed that the light he was shining on social issues was God’s work and that the causes he was fighting for were bigger than his own desire to live a peaceful, wealthy and happy life. Religion can be a beautiful thing, but not when it divides. Our society as it stands today, just as it stood in Tupac’s day, caters to division.
Income inequality and the effect it had on education did not escape the list of issues he cared about. While living in Baltimore as a teenager, Shakur joined the Baltimore Young Communist League and was apparently dating the daughter of the head of the Baltimore chapter of the Communist Party at one point. While I certainly would not characterize Tupac as a strict communist the influence that this experience had on his beliefs are evident in a rant he made on MTV about wealth redistribution. “Everybody needs a little help on their way to be self-reliant…there’s no way [someone] should have a million-thousand-truple-billion dollars…these people have planes and there are people with no houses, apartments, shacks, drawers, pants…It’s not right,” he stated.
If we had listened to him maybe we could have learned not to feed our children lessons of a world that places greater value on property and material than it does on human life. Socioeconomic inequality leads to educational inequality as he pointed out in a 1994 interview with BET,
“I went to school the whole way and was ready to go to college the only thing that stopped me was money. The time that all the kids in my school was writing applications to go to college I didn’t have no lights or no electricity and that’s not my momma’s fault.”
I mean come on, those aren’t the words of a gangster. He wanted all of the basic things that every civil rights leader before him did.
Tupac didn’t believe that he could single handedly change the world but he firmly believed that he would be able to spark the brain of a person that would change the world. That is one of the primary reasons I think we are doing a great injustice if we do not examine his legacy more closely. Tupac was a man truly concerned with the plight of the poor and underprivileged. If he had lived, I could easily see him being a prominent activist (just like Killer Mike was) alongside Bernie Sanders against vested interests in America. Sadly, today’s rap stars barely involve themselves or are even conscious of what political and social movements are critical in this day and age.
You have Lil Wayne failing to endorse Black Lives Matter on his ABC Nightline interview and Kanye West saying that he would have voted for the controversial president-elect (internet troll) of our country (Russia?). If they can offer and elective course at Cal-Berkley only a matter of months after his death I think it is paramount to years later when we can see the impact or tragic lack of impact of his work to make him a part of history and political science curriculums. While I’m sure Tomi Lahren would rejected this notion (the same way Bill O’Reily did in the 90’s) that we should study an artists who’s lyrics were laced with profanity, violent rhetoric against his rap nemeses and accusations of police brutality (which we know isn’t real right?).
I would ague that you can say that Tupac was a criminal and thug all you want (as you ignore the fact that current President-Elect had to settle a 25 million dollar fraud case before he takes office) but that his legacy of arrests and legal battles should not be the barometer used to measure whether his life is worth exploring (it’s not like Martin Luther King Jr. was never arrested).
The fact of the matter is that Tupac is an ideal study for students of history and political science and is as important as any of the great writers and social commentators of any time period. What made him controversial? what truths were there in what he was saying? What contradictions did he represent? What role did the media play in the construction of his image? What level of intellect was he able to display without a formal education? What were his motivations behind his actions? His legacy created more than enough food for thought to ponder. Tupac said, “I see no changes” in 1996 referring to what he perceived as a society had never changed, and which was not ready to embrace change. We have made some great strides since then but, somethings sadly still have not changed.
