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Credits
PERFORMING ARTISTS
2Pac
Vocals
Ronnie King
Keyboards
Vanessa
Background Vocals
COMPOSITION & LYRICS
Johnny J.
Songwriter
Tupac Shakur
Songwriter
PRODUCTION & ENGINEERING
Johnny J.
Producer
Brian Gardner
Mastering Engineer
Greg Edenfield
Assistant Engineer
I. Boxill
Mixing Engineer
Jeff Burns
Assistant Engineer
Lyrics
[Verse 1]
This ain't livin
[Verse 2]
****, I hear even the smaller G's be dippin' Chevy Impalas
While flossin' they gold D's, OG's is who they follow
We swallow tomorrow, see, what we leave is hollow
We feed violence and greed, let 'em bleed tomorrow
In time, they grip a nine, sippin' wine, hit grass till I be starin'
Watch the parents sacrifice they child
The love's gone, a thug's home with no love
Feelin' so strong, make young boys into drug lords
Now one for adolescents, now dose for dose
Keep your friends by your side, even close your foes
Now three for Johnny Law tryna take my chips
I never pulled the trigger, didn't touch that bitch
Throw your hands in the air, it's a robbery
**** thinkin', "Pac, would you ride with me?"
Let's go see what our enemies talkin' 'bout
When G's enter the house, nobody's walkin' out
[Verse 3]
This ain't livin, it's similar to prison, we trapped
My homies jealous, plus they tell us that the phones are tapped
I watch my back 24/7
And never let a buster send a G to ghetto Heaven, you know
This is how it goes when we floss with flows
Before I toss your ho, it'll cost you more
I do shows, make a lot of dough, murder my foes
But I'd give it all up if it would help you grow
This ain't livin
[Verse 4]
Takes a life to make a life (Takes a life)
Livin' in the world of crime tonight (Takes a life)
Can't find a better way to break through
This ain't livin, I gotta do what I gotta do
This ain't livin
[Verse 5]
Takes a life to make a life (Takes a life)
Livin' in the world of crime tonight (Takes a life)
Can't find a better way to break through
This ain't livin, I gotta do what I gotta do
Peep it
[Verse 6]
Gunfire is produced at alarming rates
Todays youth grip the shit, get in the car and break
It takes a nation of millions if we intend to stop the killin'
Just search your feelings, participate, this should be appealin'
They our seeds, and when they bleed, we bleed
That's what becomes of lonely children, they turn to G's
Heavenly Father, can you rescue my young nation?
Rest the Lord will protect you, respect due
Not a threat, as I step in blue
And check those that oppose when I froze them fools
And who are you to watch me fall farther?
I disappeared, reappeared as the ****
Follow me now
Skippin' class and livin' fast will get your ass
Stuck in the pen, doin' life plus ten
Young brother pump your breaks for me before you choke
Won't you soak up some game from your big homies?
[Verse 7]
This ain't livin, we givin' you jewels, use 'em as tools
Explode on they industry and fade them fools
You know the rules, gotta be a rider
You can run the red lights, but read the street signs, hey
This for all of y'all that keep on raisin' hell
Put a pistol in your hand and let you fade yourself
It ain't right, what you put your mama through, young G
Gotta change your life, take the game from me
This ain't livin
[Verse 8]
Takes a life to make a life (Takes a life)
Livin' in the world of crime tonight (Takes a life)
Can't find a better way to break through
This ain't livin, I gotta do what I gotta do
[Verse 9]
Takes a life to make a life (Takes a life)
Livin' in the world of crime tonight (Takes a life)
Can't find a better way to break through
This ain't livin, I gotta do what I gotta do
[Verse 10]
Takes a life to make a life (Takes a life)
Livin' in the world of crime tonight (Takes a life)
Can't find a better way to break through
This ain't livin, I gotta do what I gotta do
[Verse 11]
Takes a life to make a life (Takes a life)
Livin' in the world of crime tonight (Takes a life)
Can't find a better way to break through
This ain't livin, I gotta do what I gotta do
Written by: 2Pac, Johnny J.