R U Still Down? (Remember Me)
Staring at the World Through My Rearview
2Pac
Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis
34
End
279
Internal
114
Multi
275
Slant
12
Chain
Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Hook: 2Pac]
They got me starin'✦ at the world through my rearview✦
Go on, baby,✦ scream to God, he can't hear you
I can feel your heart beatin'✦ fast, guess it's time to die
Gettin'✦ high, watchin'✦ time fly
'Cause all my motherfuckers✦
Starin'✦ at the world through my rearview✦
Go on, baby,✦ scream to God, he can't hear you
I can feel your heart beatin'✦ fast, guess it's time to die
Gettin'✦ high, watchin'✦ time fly
All my motherfuckers✦
[Verse 2: E.D.I. Mean]
Now you see 'em, now you don't
Some niggas✦ be here for the moment, and then they gone
What happened to 'em?
Well, let's see, it seems to be a mystery
But all I know I never✦ let the money✦ get to me
Stay down like the truest
Thug Life until✦ I check out this bitch, I thought you knew this
Who is gonna✦ catch me when I fall or even✦ care to?
While you thinkin' I see you lost up in my rearview✦
Hear you is down with them Outlawz✦
Outcasts, left far and few like southpaws
But still we keep mashin'✦ until✦ our dreams come through
Starin'✦ at the world through my rearview✦
[Verse 3: 2Pac]
Now, I was raised✦ as a young black male
In order✦ to get paid, forced✦ to make crack sales✦
Caught a nigga✦ so they send me to these overpacked jails
In the cell, countin' days in this livin'✦ black hell
Do you feel me? Keys to ignition,✦ use at your discretion✦
Roll with a 12 gauge pump for protection✦
Niggas✦ hate me in the section,✦ from years of chin-checkin'
Turn to Smith & Wesson war weapons
Heavenly Father,✦ I'm a soldier
I'm gettin'✦ hotter✦ 'cause your world's gettin'✦ colder✦
Baby,✦ let me hold ya: talk to my guns like they fly bitches✦
All you bustas✦ best to run, look at my bitches!✦
[Bridge: 2Pac]
Now I know the answers✦ to the question,✦ “Do dreams come true?”
Still starin'✦ at the world through my rearview✦
I said, now I know the answers,✦ “Do dreams come true?”
Starin'✦ at the world through my rearview✦
[Hook: 2Pac]
They got me starin'✦ at the world through my rearview✦
Go on, baby,✦ scream to God, he can't hear you
I can feel your heart beatin'✦ fast, guess it's time to die
Gettin'✦ high, watchin'✦ time fly
And all my motherfuckers✦
Starin'✦ at the world through my rearview✦
Go on, baby,✦ scream to God, he can't hear you
I can feel your heart beatin'✦ fast, guess it's time to die
Gettin'✦ high, watchin'✦ time fly
Nigga,✦ Kadafi say!
[Verse 4: Yaki Kadafi]
They say days we hustled for sneakers and beepers✦
'9-6 for Glocks
'Cause fools hittin'✦ up blocks with street sweepers✦
Bless myself when knowin'✦ rules✦ to these streets
Somethin' I learned in school
On some Million✦ Man March shit for the peace
True that, only✦ one life to lead, a fast life of greed
Criminally addicted, infested since a seed
We all die, breed, bleed like humans
Towns run by young guns, Outlawz✦ and truants
Shit's deep, turn eighteen, burn my will when I go
Burnt my body✦ with my shotty,✦ all jewels✦ and my dough
So while you reminiscin' all nights out with the crew
Smoke a blunt for me too, I'm starin'✦ through your rearview✦
[Skit: 2Pac]
Hahahaha, you ain't knowin'✦ what we mean by starin'✦ through the rearview✦
So, since you ain't knowin'✦ what we mean, let me bring about✦ a better✦ understandin'✦
The world…The world is behind✦ us
Once a motherfucker get an understandin'✦ on the game, and what the levels✦ and the rules✦ of the game is
Then the world ain't no trick no more, the world is a game to be played
So, now we lookin'✦ at the world from like, behind✦ us
Niggas✦ know what we gotta✦ do: just gotta✦ put our mind to it and do it, it's all about✦ the papers, money✦ rule the world
And bitches✦ make the world go round
Real niggas✦ do what they wanna✦ do, bitch niggas✦ do what they can
[Outro: 2Pac]
While we'll be starin'✦ at the world through my rearview✦
Go on, baby,✦ scream to God, he can't hear you
I can feel your heart beatin'✦ fast, guess it's time to die
Gettin'✦ high, watchin'✦ time fly
You're all starin'✦ at the world through my rearview✦
Go on, baby,✦ scream to God, he can't hear you
I can feel your heart beatin'✦ fast, guess it's time to die
Gettin'✦ high, watchin'✦ time fly
Technical Breakdown
8.7
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 Control8.0
Performance and control
Computed Score8.73
Production
— Johnny JBe the first to rate the production
Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™
E.D.I. Mean demonstrates a high-level command of the Outlawz' established thematic lexicon, effectively weaving internal rhyme structures with a gritty, conversational flow that emphasizes authenticity over complex metaphors.
A
9.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
10
Cadence / Flow
7
Vocabulary
6.5
Wordplay
8
Delivery
Multisyllabic internal rhymingPhonetic play with industry/street slangThematic continuity with the hookPolysyllabic slant rhymes
Rhyme Architecture: The verse utilizes a complex AABB/CC structure that relies heavily on internal, multisyllabic clusters (e.g., 'mystery/money/to me') and maintains a tight cadence consistent with mid-90s Death Row production styles.
Verified Doubles & Entendres
"left far and few like southpaws"
① A reference to the rarity of left-handed boxers ('southpaws') in professional sports.② A metaphorical mapping of the 'Outlaws' as an elite, rare breed of individuals who operate differently than the mainstream.
"dreams come through"
① A play on the idiomatic expression 'dreams come true'.② A suggestion that the artists are 'pushing' or 'mashing' their way through obstacles to achieve their reality.
Exceptional rhythmic consistency within the pocket
Cohesive thematic integration with the song's central concept
Strong vocal presence and delivery command
Fluid transitions between lines despite high rhyme density
Metaphorical content is largely conventional for the era
Limited variation in thematic depth beyond street survival tropes