2pac shakur biography lyrics dear mama

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That's right

Mama catch me, put a whoopin' to my backside

And even as a crack fiend, mama

You always was a black queen, mama

I finally understand

For a woman it ain't easy tryin' to raise a man

You always was committed

A poor single mother on welfare, tell me how ya did it

There's no way I can pay you back

But the plan is to show you that I understand

You are appreciated

Lady

Don't ya know we love ya?

The song is a tribute to his mother, Afeni Shakur. Dear mama Place no one above you (Dear mama) Oh mama, I appreciate you Although my shadow's gone I will never leave you Now ain't nobody tell us it was fair No love from my daddy cause the coward wasn't there He passed away and I didn't cry, cause my anger Wouldn't let me feel for a stranger They say I'm wrong and I'm heartless, but all along I was looking for a father he was gone I hung around with the Thugs, and even though they sold drugs They showed a young brother love I moved out and started really hanging I needed money of my own so I started slanging I ain't guilty cause, even though I sell rocks It feels good putting money in your mailbox I love paying rent when the rent's due I hope ya got the diamond necklace that I sent to you 'Cause when I was low you was there for me And never left me alone because you cared for me And I could see you coming home after work late You're in the kitchen trying to fix us a hot plate Ya just working with the scraps you was given And mama made miracles every Thanksgiving But now the road got rough, you're alone You're trying to raise two bad kids on your own And there's no way I can pay you back But my plan is to show you that I understand You are appreciated Dear mama Don't you know I love you?

When talking about this song in a People article after Tupac Shakur's death, his mother said, "Can I listen to it without crying?

"Dear Mama" contains samples from the songs "Sadie" (1974) by The Spinners and "In All My Wildest Dreams" (1978) by Joe Sample. Obama quoted lines from the song in his congratulatory letter.

Cover Versions

Many artists have covered "Dear Mama" in tribute to Afeni Shakur, including Alicia Keys and singer-songwriter Jhené Aiko.

Music Video

The song's music video, released in 1995, was shot in black and white and features many scenes of 2Pac's childhood and teen years.

Song Length

The total length of the "Dear Mama" song is 4 minutes and 40 seconds.

Producer

The song was produced by Tony Pizarro and samples the songs "Sadie" by The Spinners and "In All My Wildest Dreams" by Joe Sample.

Personal Touch

2Pac recorded the song in one take which was unusual for him, highlighting the deeply personal nature of the lyrics and song.

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2pac – Dear Mama lyrics

You are appreciated
[Verse One: 2Pac]
When I was young me and my mama had beef
Seventeen years old kicked out on the streets
Though back at the time, I never thought I'd see her face
Ain't a woman alive that could take my mama's place
Suspended from school; and scared to go home, I was a fool
with the big boys, breakin all the rules
I shed tears with my baby sister
Over the years we was poorer than the other little kids
And even though we had different daddy's, the same drama
When things went wrong we'd blame mama
I reminice on the stress I caused, it was hell
Huggin on my mama from a jail cell
And who'd think in elementary?
Heeey!

Tupac Shakur appears only on photographs and TV footage, because he was in prison at the time. It gets harder, it really does. In the UK Singles Chart, it reached number 13.
Gold Certification
"Dear Mama" received Gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America just two months after its release due to its massive success.
Controversy
Although the song was well received, it faced controversy as it narrates his mother's crack addiction struggle.
Legacy
In 2010, "Dear Mama" was added to the National Recording Registry of the Library of Congress, indicating its cultural and historical significance.
Celebrity Endorsement
The song gained even more popularity after being endorsed by the then President of the United States, Barack Obama during 2Pac's posthumous induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

(Dear Mama)
Sweet lady, place no one above ya (You are appreciated)
Sweet lady, don't you know we love ya?

[2pac:]
Now, ain't nobody tell us it was fair
No love from my daddy, 'cause the coward wasn't there
He passed away and I didn't cry, 'cause my anger
wouldn't let me feel for a stranger
They say I'm wrong and I'm heartless, but all along
I was looking for a father he was gone
I hung around with the thugs
And even though they sold drugs
They showed a young brother love
I moved out and started really hangin'
I needed money of my own, so I started slangin'
I ain't guilty, 'cause even though I sell rocks
It feels good putting money in your mailbox
I love paying rent when the rent is due
I hope you got the diamond necklace that I sent to you
'Cause when I was low you was there for me
And never left me alone, because you cared for me
And I could see you coming home after work late
You're in the kitchen, trying to fix us a hot plate
You just working with the scraps you was given
And Mama made miracles every Thanksgivin'
But now the road got rough, you're alone
You're trying to raise two bad kids on your own
And there's no way I can pay you back, but my plan
Is to show you that I understand; you are appreciated

[Reggie Green and "Sweet Franklin" (2Pac):]
Lady, don't you know we love ya?

I see the penitentiary, one day
And runnin from the police, that's right
Mama catch me, put a whoopin to my backside
And even as a crack fiend, mama
You always was a black queen, mama
I finally understand
for a woman it ain't easy tryin to raise a man
You always was committed
A poor single mother on welfare, tell me how ya did it
There's no way I can pay you back
But the plan is to show you that I understand
You are appreciated
[Chorus: Reggie Green "Sweet Franklin" w/ 2Pac]
Lady...
Don't cha know we love ya?

(Dear Mama)
Sweet lady, place no one above ya (You are appreciated)
Sweet lady, don't you know we love ya?

[2pac:]
Pour out some liquor and I reminisce
'Cause through the drama I can always depend on my mama
And when it seems that I'm hopeless
You say the words that can get me back in focus
When I was sick as a little kid
To keep me happy, there's no limit to the things you did
And all my childhood memories
Are full of all the sweet things you did for me
And even though I act crazy
I gotta thank the Lord that you made me
There are no words that can express how I feel
You never kept a secret, always stayed real
And I appreciate how you raised me
And all the extra love that you gave me
I wish I could take the pain away
If you can make it through the night, there's a brighter day
Everything will be alright if you hold on
It's a struggle everyday, gotta roll on
And there's no way I can pay you back, but my plan
Is to show you that I understand; you are appreciated

[Reggie Green and Sweet Franklin (2Pac):]
Lady, don't you know we love ya?

That song gets deeper and deeper."

The song was added to the National Recording Registry in the Library of Congress in 2010.

After the song was complete, Tupac Shakur called Jada Pinkett-Smith to say, "I wrote this song about our mothers and I want you to hear it." She and Shakur were longtime friends because they shared the similar experiences: Pinkett-Smith's mother had drug addiction too. Sweet lady

Dear mama

Place no one above ya, sweet lady

You are appreciated

Don't ya know we love ya?

Now ain't nobody tell us it was fair

No love from my daddy 'cause the coward wasn't there

He passed away and I didn't cry, 'cause my anger

Wouldn't let me feel for a stranger

They say I'm wrong and I'm heartless but all along

I was looking for a father he was gone

I hung around with the thugs, and even though they sold drugs

They showed a young brother love

I moved out and started really hanging

I needed money of my own so I started slanging

I ain't guilty 'cause even though I sell rocks

It feels good putting money in your mailbox

I love paying rent when the rent's due

I hope ya got the diamond necklace that I sent to you

'Cause when I was low you was there for me

And never left me alone because you cared for me

And I could see you coming home after work late

You're in the kitchen tryin' to fix us a hot plate

Ya just workin' with the scraps you was given

And mama made miracles every Thanksgiving

But now the road got rough, you're alone

You're trying to raise two bad kids on your own

And there's no way I can pay you back

But my plan is to show you that I understand

You are appreciated

Lady

Don't ya know we love ya, sweet lady?

And dear mama

Place no one above ya, sweet lady

You are appreciated

Don't ya know we love ya?

Pour out some liquor and I reminisce 'cause through the drama

I can always depend on my mama

And when it seems that I'm hopeless

You say the words that can get me back in focus

When I was sick as a little kid

To keep me happy there's no limit to the things you did

And all my childhood memories

Are full of all the sweet things you did for me

And even though I act crazy

I gotta thank the Lord that you made me

There are no words that can express how I feel

You never kept a secret, always stayed real

And I appreciate how you raised me

And all the extra love that you gave me

I wish I could take the pain away

If you can make it through the night there's a brighter day

Everything will be alright if ya hold on

It's a struggle everyday, gotta roll on

And there's no way I can pay you back

But my plan is to show you that I understand

You are appreciated

Lady

Don't ya know we love ya, sweet lady?

And dear mama

Place no one above ya, sweet lady

You are appreciated

Don't ya know we love ya?

Sweet lady

And dear mama

Dear mama

Lady, lady, lady

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I love you I love you You are appreciated When I was young me and my mama had beef Seventeen years old kicked out on the streets Though back at the time, I never thought I'd see her face Ain't a woman alive that could take my mama's place Suspended from school, and scared to go home, I was a fool With the big boys, breaking all the rules I shed tears with my baby sister Over the years we was poorer than the other little kids And even though we had different daddy's, the same drama When things went wrong we'd blame mama I reminisce on the stress I caused, it was hell Hugging on my mama from a jail cell And who'd think in elementary?

(Dear Mama)
Sweet lady
Lady (Dear Mama)
Lady
Lady

Submit Corrections

Thanks to Alex Maldonado, www.raulmora, dikkevetteboer for correcting these lyrics.

Writer(s): Joe Sample, Tony Pizarro, Tupac Shakur

The lead single from his third studio album.

Dear mama Place no one above you Oh mama, I appreciate you Although my shadow's gone I will never leave you I appreciate you I love you I need you Oh mama I love you Appreciate you I need you Oh mama I appreciate you I love you I need you Oh mama I love you Appreciate you I need you Oh mama

28 fans

Written by: Tupac Amaru Shakur, Tony Pizarro, BRUCE ANDRE HAWES, CHARLES B SIMMONS, JOSEPH BANKS JEFFERSON, JOSEPH LESLIE SAMPLE, TERENCE THOMAS, TONY D PIZARRO

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

12 facts about this song

Release Information

"Dear Mama" by 2Pac was released as the lead single from his third studio album "Me Against The World" on February 21, 1995.

Song Inspiration

The song was a tribute to his mother, Afeni Shakur, as it highlighted her struggle in raising him amidst poverty and her addiction to drugs.

Chart Performance

"Dear Mama" was an instant hit and peaked at number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100.

(Dear Mama)
Sweet lady, place no one above ya (You are appreciated)
Sweet lady, don't you know we love ya?

2Pac - Dear Mama Lyrics

You are appreciated

When I was young, me and my mama had beef

Seventeen years old kicked out on the streets

Though back at the time, I never thought I'd see her face

Ain't a woman alive that could take my mama's place

Suspended from school, and scared to go home, I was a fool

With the big boys, breaking all the rules

I shed tears with my baby sister

Over the years we was poorer than the other little kids

And even though we had different daddies, the same drama

When things went wrong we'd blame mama

I reminisce on the stress I caused, it was hell

Huggin' on my mama from a jail cell

And who'd think in elementary

Hey!

I see the penitentiary one day

And running from the police?

The music video features Afeni Shakur. Sweet lady
Dear mama
Place no one above ya, sweet lady
You are appreciated
Don't cha know we love ya?

[second and third chorus, "And dear mama" instead of "Dear mama"]

[Verse Two: 2Pac]

Now ain't nobody tell us it was fair
No love from my daddy cause the coward wasn't there
He passed away and I didn't cry, cause my anger
wouldn't let me feel for a stranger
They say I'm wrong and I'm heartless, but all along
I was lookin for a father he was gone
I hung around with the Thugs, and even though they sold drugs
They showed a young brother love
I moved out and started really hangin
I needed money of my own so I started slangin
I ain't guilty cause, even though I sell rocks
It feels good puttin money in your mailbox
I love payin rent when the rent's due
I hope ya got the diamond necklace that I sent to you
Cause when I was low you was there for me
And never left me alone because you cared for me
And I could see you comin home after work late
You're in the kitchen tryin to fix us a hot plate
Ya just workin with the scraps you was given
And mama made miracles every Thanksgivin
But now the road got rough, you're alone
You're tryin to raise two bad kids on your own
And there's no way I can pay you back
But my plan is to show you that I understand
You are appreciated

[Chorus]

[Verse Three: 2Pac]

Pour out some liquor and I reminsce, cause through the drama
I can always depend on my mama
And when it seems that I'm hopeless
You say the words that can get me back in focus
When I was sick as a little kid
To keep me happy there's no limit to the things you did
And all my childhood memories
Are full of all the sweet things you did for me
And even though I may act craazy
I gotta thank the Lord that you made me
There are no words that can express how I feel
You never kept a secret, always stayed real
And I appreciate, how you raised me
And all the extra love that you gave me
I wish I could take the pain away
If you can make it through the night there's a brighter day
Everything will be alright if ya hold on
It's a struggle everyday, gotta roll on
And there's no way I can pay you back
But my plan is to show you that I understand
You are appreciated

[Chorus]

Sweet lady
And dear mama

Dear mama
Lady [3X]

"Dear Mama" lyrics

2Pac Lyrics

"Dear Mama"

[2pac:]
You are appreciated
When I was young, me and my mama had beef
17 years old, kicked out on the streets
Though back at the time I never thought I'd see her face
Ain't a woman alive that could take my mama's place
Suspended from school
And scared to go home, I was a fool
With the big boys breaking all the rules
I shed tears with my baby sister, over the years
We was poorer than the other little kids
And even though we had different daddies, the same drama
When things went wrong we'd blame mama
I reminisce on the stress I caused, it was hell
Huggin' on my mama from a jail cell
And who'd think in elementary, hey
I'd see the penitentiary one day?
And running from the police, that's right
Mama catch me, put a whoopin' to my backside
And even as a crack fiend, mama
You always was a black queen, mama
I finally understand
For a woman it ain't easy trying to raise a man
You always was committed
A poor single mother on welfare, tell me how you did it
There's no way I can pay you back, but the plan
Is to show you that I understand; you are appreciated

[Reggie Green and "Sweet Franklin" (2Pac):]
Lady, don't you know we love ya?

No. It gets worse every time. Hey! I see the penitentiary, one day And running from the police, that's right Mama catch me, put a whooping to my backside And even as a crack fiend, mama You always was a black queen, mama I finally understand For a woman it ain't easy trying to raise a man (I know it ain't easy) You always was committed A poor single mother on welfare, tell me how ya did it There's no way I can pay you back But the plan is to show you that I understand You are appreciated Dear mama Don't you know I love you?