Better Dayz
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 functions as a visceral social commentary that sacrifices complex multi-layered wordplay for high-impact rhythmic cadence and raw, socio-political narrative consistency typical of 90s West Coast gangsta rap.
A
8.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
10
Cadence / Flow
6
Vocabulary
6.5
Wordplay
8.5
Delivery
Internal rhyme chainsAnaphoric reinforcementSociopolitical imageryConversational cadence
Rhyme Architecture: Predominantly AABB/AABB with heavy reliance on long-vowel assonance (die/rise/eyes/us) creating a cyclical, anthemic quality.
Verified Doubles & Entendres
"Your mind was on paper, thinkin' they don't give a fuck about us"
① Focusing on earning money (paper) as the primary motivation for survival.② The literal realization that the system's neglect is the catalyst for the criminal activity being performed.
"They claim we inferior, so why the fuck these devils fear ya?"
① Addressing the cognitive dissonance of institutional racism.② Highlighting the irony that those who enforce a status of 'inferiority' must exercise power because they are fundamentally afraid of the group they marginalize.
High emotional resonance and urgency
Exceptional rhythmic placement of rhymes
Coherent narrative arc regarding systemic neglect
Limited metaphorical abstraction
Predictability of subject matter
Minimal linguistic deviation from standard vernacular