R U Still Down? (Remember Me)
They Don't Give a Fuck About Us
2Pac
Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis
43
End
284
Internal
104
Multi
288
Slant
23
Chain
Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Chorus: 2Pac, E.D.I. Mean]
Now If I choose to ride, thuggin'✦ 'til the day I die
Nobody✦ gives✦ a fuck about✦ us
But when I start to rise
A hero✦ in they children's✦ eyes
Now they give a fuck about✦ us
If I choose to ride, thuggin'✦ 'til the day I die
Nobody✦ gives✦ a fuck about✦ us
But when I start to rise
A hero✦ in they children's✦ eyes (Uh-huh)✦
Now they give a fuck about✦ us
[Verse 2: E.D.I. Mean]
It's the morning after✦ and now all the laughter is gone
Time to reflect on what you did, 'cause they sayin' you wrong
I'm sure you had your reasons, dawg, I don't doubt you
See, the simple fact of the matter✦ is they don't give a fuck about✦ you
Or them five mouths you forced✦ to feed (Uh-huh),✦ not includin' yourself
All you want is wealth, they perceive it as greed
So as you loaded✦ up that MAC and continue to bust
Your mind was on paper,✦ thinkin'✦ they don't give a fuck about✦ us
[Verse 3: 2Pac]
I'm seein' it clearer, hatin'✦ the picture in the mirror✦
They claim we inferior, so why the fuck these devils fear ya?
I'm watchin'✦ my nation✦ die, genocide the cause
Expect a blood bath, the aftermath is y'alls
I told you, last album, we need help 'cause we dyin'
Give us a chance, help us advance, 'cause we tryin'
Ignored my whole plea, watchin'✦ us in disgust
And then they beg when my guns bust
They don't give a fuck about✦ us
[Chorus: 2Pac]
Now If I choose to ride, thuggin'✦ 'til the day I die
Nobody✦ gives✦ a fuck about✦ us
But when I start to rise
A hero✦ in they children's✦ eyes
Now they give a fuck about✦ us
If I choose to ride, thuggin'✦ 'til the day I die
Nobody✦ gives✦ a fuck about✦ us
But when I start to rise
A hero✦ in they children's✦ eyes
Now they give a fuck about✦ us
[Verse 4: Kastro]
Now, all the homies✦ got love for me
Down to catch a slug for me
Guaranteed to bleed deeply,✦ now that's love
Shit, nobody✦ else would give a fuck
If I'm tore down, from the floor down, six-feet deep in the cut
What the fuck done went wrong?
How long will I be mourned?
When I'm gone, same song, ain't give a fuck all along✦
And who am I to blame 'em? Just do or die through the rainin'✦
Since they don't give a fuck, I don't; feel what I'm sayin'?
[Verse 5: Kadafi]
Now, thug niggas✦ die but multiply in doubles✦
Wrapped in plastic or closed✦ casket✦ for our troubles✦
Present times,✦ we busted,✦ like bubbles
With the police,✦ this nation's peace sent here to run you
Now look at what this crooked world has come to
I grew up on the other✦ side of perfect, a life of hurtin'✦
Man, I still hustle, so I'm dyin' certain
So why spend your time poor and workin',✦ I see no reason✦
So I stay ballin'✦ season✦ to season✦
Why you stuck thinkin'✦ that they give a fuck?
[Verse 6: Napoleon]
You tell me my world is in peace, but nigga,✦ you're lyin'
'Cause half of my niggas✦ long gone
Buried✦ in the dirt just for tryin'
Sometime I think my block is dyin' and that is awful✦
To wake up to another day, shit ain't changed that's awful✦
I wake up sweatin', dreamin', coughin'
Seein' me upside✦ down backwards head twisted
While I'm layin' in the coffin✦
The shit comes✦ around so often;✦ so tell me somethin'
Before✦ I take it out on the world, and get to dumpin'✦
Nigga,✦ I'd be soft if I ain't go through the strugglin'
I'm doin' the same thing you did at my age, and that's hustlin'
On the edge of straight bustin'✦
Well, since you don't give a fuck, I be frontin'
I'ma✦ drink my Hennessy like it ain't nothin'✦
[Chorus: 2Pac]
If I choose to ride, thuggin'✦ 'til the day I die
They don't give a fuck about✦ us
But while I'm kickin'✦ rhymes✦
Kick it to they children's✦ minds
Now they give a fuck about✦ us
They wanna✦ see us die
They kick us every✦ time we try
'Cause they don't give a fuck about✦ us
So while I'm gettin'✦ high
I'm watchin'✦ as the world goes by
'Cause they don't give a fuck about✦ us
If I choose to ride, thuggin'✦ 'til the day I die
They don't give a fuck about✦ us
But while I'm kickin'✦ rhymes✦
Kick it to they children's✦ minds
Now they give a fuck about✦ us
They wanna✦ see us die
They kick us every✦ time we try
'Cause they don't give a fuck about✦ us
So while I'm gettin'✦ high
I'm watchin'✦ as the world goes by
'Cause they don't give a fuck about✦ us
Riiise… riiise!
Technical Breakdown
8.7
Multisyllabic Rhymes8.5
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 Complexity6.0
Range and depth of words used (data-driven)
Delivery / Breath Control8.5
Performance and control
Computed Score8.65
Production
— Johnny JBe the first to rate the production
Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™
The verse excels in raw, socio-political narrative cohesion, utilizing a conversational yet urgent flow that bridges personal plight with systemic critique, effectively leveraging 90s West Coast rhythmic storytelling norms.
A
8.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
10
Cadence / Flow
6
Vocabulary
6.5
Wordplay
8.5
Delivery
Internal rhyme clustersSocio-political narrative framingConversational cadenceMultisyllabic enjambment
Rhyme Architecture: Predominantly AABB/CCDD couplet-based structures with heavy internal rhyming connecting the end-line terminal sounds, creating a relentless, driving pace.
Verified Doubles & Entendres
"Your mind was on paper"
① Focusing on earning money ('paper' as slang for currency).② A psychological state where the pressure to survive on the streets has dictated the protagonist's survival tactics.
"All you want is wealth, they perceive it as greed"
① The literal desire for financial security.② A commentary on how survival instincts of the marginalized are demonized by the establishment to justify state violence.
High emotional resonance and authenticity in delivery
Strong narrative arc within a short stanza
Excellent integration of street vernacular into rhythmic patterns
Literal approach limits depth of abstract metaphor
Vocabulary remains somewhat utilitarian, lacking dense wordplay complexity