R U Still Down? (Remember Me)

Nothing to Lose

2Pac

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

End

160

Internal

Multi

188

Slant

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight

[Verse 2]

I thank the Lord for my many^✦ blessings

Though I'm stressing keep a vest for protection^✦ from the barrel^✦ of a Smith & Wesson

And all my niggas^✦ in the pen', here we go again

Ain't nothing^✦ separating us from a MAC-10

Born in the ghetto^✦ as a hustler, older^✦

Straight soldier, bucking at them bustas^✦

No matter^✦ how you try, niggas^✦ never^✦ die

We just retaliate with hate, then we multiply

See me striking down the block hitting corners

Mobbing like a motherfucker,^✦ living^✦ like I wanna^✦

Ain't no stopping at the red lights, I'm sideways

Thug Life, motherfucker,^✦ crime pays

Let the cops put they lights on, chase me, nigga^✦

Zig-zagging through the freeway,^✦ race me, nigga^✦

In a high speed chase with the law

The realest motherfucker^✦ that you ever^✦ saw

I'm living^✦ raw, 'til they bury^✦ me, don't worry^✦ me, I'm high

Living^✦ like I ain't afraid^✦ to die

And you could walk a mile in my shoes and you'd be crazy^✦ too

With nothing^✦ to lose

[Chorus: The D.O.C., Ice Cube & 2Pac]

(I got raw when I came to Cali)—I^✦ got nothing^✦ to lose

(That’s why I got gang-related^✦ rhymes)^✦

—Got nothing^✦ to lose

(I got raw when I came to Cali)—Got^✦ nothing^✦ to lose

(That’s why I got gang-related^✦ rhymes)—Got^✦ nothing^✦ to lose

(I got raw when I came to Cali)—Nothing^✦ to lose

(That’s why I got gang-related^✦ rhymes)^✦

—Nothing^✦ to lose

(I got raw when I came to Cali)—Got^✦ nothing^✦ to lose

(That’s why I got gang-related^✦ rhymes)^✦

[Verse 3]

Ain't no escape^✦ from a deadly^✦ fate

And every^✦ day there's^✦ a million^✦ black bodies^✦ put away^✦

I'm starting to lose hope, it seems everybody's on dope

Mama^✦ told me to leave 'cause she was broke

Sometimes I choke on the indo,^✦ creeping out the window^✦

Alone,^✦ on my own, I'm a criminal

Got no love from the household

I'm out cold on the streets screaming, "Motherfuck peace!"

I got nothing^✦ to lose, and something to prove, what do I do?

Live the Thug Life, nigga,^✦ stay true

I wonder^✦ when they kill me, is there a heaven^✦ for a real G?

Lord forgive me, if you feel me

'Cause all my life I was dirt broke with no hope

Little skinny^✦ motherfucker^✦ wanting dough

I hated^✦ cutting suckers with my razor^✦ blade

But everyday^✦ it's a struggle to get major^✦ paid

Anyway,^✦ it's so hard on a nigga^✦ in this city,^✦ no pity^✦

And ain't no love for the scrubs that be buying dubs

If you could walk a mile in my shoes then you'd be crazy^✦ too

With nothing^✦ to lose

[Chorus: The D.O.C., Ice Cube & 2Pac]

(I got raw when I came to Cali)—I^✦ got nothing^✦ to lose

(That’s why I got gang-related^✦ rhymes)^✦

—Got nothing^✦ to lose

(I got raw when I came to Cali)—Got^✦ nothing^✦ to lose

(That’s why I got gang-related^✦ rhymes)—Got^✦ nothing^✦ to lose

(I got raw when I came to Cali)—Yeah

(That’s why I got gang-related^✦ rhymes)^✦

—Got nothing^✦ to lose

(I got raw when I came to Cali)—You know

(That’s why I got gang-related^✦ rhymes)^✦

[Outro]

They wonder^✦ what type nigga^✦ be a Thug Life, nigga^✦

We be the craziest,^✦ motherfucker!^✦

You know!

They wonder^✦ what type nigga^✦ be a Thug Life, nigga^✦

We be the craziest!^✦

Technical Breakdown

9.1

Multisyllabic Rhymes9.5

Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)

Internal Rhymes9.5

Rhymes within a line (data-driven)

Wordplay / Double Entendres6.5

Clever language, metaphors, punchlines

Cadence / Rhythm10.0

Flow variation and timing (data-driven)

Vocabulary Complexity7.0

Range and depth of words used (data-driven)

Delivery / Breath Control9.5

Performance and control

Computed Score9.10

Production

— 2Pac, Live Squad

Be the first to rate the production

Critic Analysis

RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

Pac utilizes a percussive, high-velocity delivery that masks the simplicity of his vocabulary, prioritizing visceral emotional projection over complex metaphorical architecture, effectively capturing the urgency of the 1993 G-funk era.

A+

9.5

Multisyllabic

9.5

Internal Rhymes

Cadence / Flow

Vocabulary

6.5

Wordplay

9.5

Delivery

Multisyllabic internal rhyme clustersRhythmic acceleration in chase narrativeColloquial cadence manipulationAABB-derivative triplet phrasing

Rhyme Architecture: Predominantly AABB or AAAA end-rhyme structures with heavy internal rhyming density that provides a secondary rhythmic pulse throughout the verse.

Verified Doubles & Entendres

"Crime pays"

① A nihilistic assertion that illegal acts are the only viable path to financial stability in the ghetto.② A direct subversion of the common idiom 'crime doesn't pay', positioning the street lifestyle as a profitable enterprise.

"Walk a mile in my shoes and you'd be crazy too"

① A literal request for empathy regarding his traumatic experiences.② A psychological commentary suggesting that the environment (ghetto) is the active agent causing insanity, rather than innate mental instability.

Unmatched vocal intensity and performative conviction

High-density internal rhyming that sustains momentum

Thematic consistency centered on existential fatalism

Exceptional rhythmic integration with the G-funk bounce

Limited lexical variety compared to lyrical abstract lyricists of the era

Reliance on genre-specific tropes (guns, police, ghetto life) rather than linguistic innovation

Lack of deep metaphorical layers beyond direct street-level narration

Nothing to Lose

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

Technical Breakdown

Production

User Scores