2pac - Still I Rise lyrics

[Intro: Kastro] Dear Lord, as we down here, struggle for as long as we know In search of a paradise to touch (my n***a Johnny J) Dreams are dreams, and reality seems to be the only place to go, the only place for us I know, try to make the best of bad situations Seems to be my life's story Ain't no glory in pain, a soldier's story in vain And can't nobody live this life for me It's a ride y'all, a long hard ride [Verse 1: 2Pac] Somebody wake me, I'm dreamin' I started as a seed, the semen Swimmin' upstream, planted in the womb while screamin' On the top was my pops, my mama screamin' stop From a single drop, this is what they got Not to disrespect my peoples, but my papa was a loser Only plan he had for mama was to f** her and abuse her Even as a little seed, I could see his plan for me Stranded on welfare, another broken family Now what was I to be? A product of this heated pa**ion Mama got pregnant and papa got a piece of a** Look how it began, nobody gave a f** about me Pistol in my hand, this cruel world can do without me How can I survive? Got me askin' white Jesus "Will a n***a live or die?" cause the Lord can't see us In the deep dark clouds of the projects, ain't no sunshine No sunny days and we only play sometimes When everybody's sleepin' I open my window, jump to the streets and get to creepin' I can live or die, hope I get some money 'fore I'm gone I'm only 19, I'm tryna hustle on my own On the spot where everybody and they pops tryna slang rocks I'd rather go to college, but this is where the game stops Don't get it wrong cause it's always on, from dusk to dawn You can buy rocks, Glocks or a herringbone You can ask my man, he's a mind reader Keep my 9 heater all the time, this is how we grind Meet up at the cemetery then get smoked out Pa** the weed, n***a! That Hennessey'll keep me keyed, n***a Everywhere I go n***as holla at me, "Keep it real, G" And my reply 'til they k** me: "Act up if you feel me!" I was born not to make it, but I did The tribulations of a ghetto kid, still I rise [Chorus: Ta'He] Still I (still I), I rise (I rise), please, give me to the sky (to the sky) And if (and if), I die (I die), I don't want you to cry [Verse 2: Yaki Kadafi] I stay sharp as always Runnin' your bricks with blitz, through your project hallways Dumpin' crews like two's, n***a, all day Secrets of war prepare me for the worst A life that's lavish, full of cabbage or a life that's in a hearse But now my dreams, it seems though Be placin' triple beams and things, bro Diamond pinkie ring got the loot poppin' out my jeans [Verse 3: Napoleon] Now I plan to keep my Glock co*ked If trouble was searchin' for me, then why not? Show 'em what I'm made of, plus raised on, on my block Chancellor Ave, where many turn to the street Thugs snatchin' bags, we out for power, makin' cash It wasn't fast, it'll make me mad, I'm just like him My homie on the corner with his gat tucked in Youngins, they buckin' somethin' The life he lead's the life he don't need, don't we all know? He tryin' to rise up and we just go doe, still he rise [Verse 4: Young Noble] Dreams of lost hope I hit the strip broke where the fiends get coke And still I rise, now I float, cowards ghost Whenever we come around, I'm runnin' down Clutchin' a pound, live as sirens, duckin' the sound I used to hustle with my moms 'til the sun came My homie Harm doin' time from this drug game Stolen cars, war scars, born a outlaw Behind bars, go to sleep just to see the stars Freedom is ours, though we trapped on a firm block Crackheads only 10 learn to duck cops [Verse 5: Yaki Kadafi] In '96 my Glock's my plastic, pa**ion for blastin' ba*tards No faces for open caskets, peelin' your cap backwards You cowards ain't prepared for pistol practice I send my missiles through your mattress Leavin' holes in your body like a cactus While me and my crew be boppin' more greens than topic And loot to keep the seams in my motherf**in' jeans poppin' Leavin' your spleen to pick up Half of you n***as is softer than a Snicker Let's go to war and see who draw quicker And still I rise, and still I rise… [Chorus: Ta'He] Still I (still I), I rise (I rise), please, give me to the sky (to the sky) And if (and if), I die (I die), I don't want you to cry Still I (still I), I rise (I rise), please, give me to the sky (to the sky) And if (and if), I die (I die), I don't want you to cry [Outro: some little kid] Y'all n***as fake, all day everyday So now I got roller blades, b**h Thought you knew Your mouth is rich C'mon pops, let's go!