Released: January 1, 1992

Featuring: Mutulu Shakur

Songwriter: Mutulu Shakur 2Pac

Code Of THUG LIFE

1. All new Jacks to the game must know: a) He’s going to get rich. b) He’s going to jail. c) He’s going to die.


2. Crew Leaders: You are responsible for legal/financial payment commitments to crew members; your word must be your bond.


3. One crew’s rat is every crew’s rat. Rats are now like a disease; sooner or later we all get it; and they should too.


4. Crew leader and posse should select a diplomat, and should work ways to settle disputes. In unity, there is strength!


5. Car jacking in our Hood is against the Code.


6. Slinging to children is against the Code.


7. Having children slinging is against the Code.


8. No slinging in schools.


9. Since the rat Nicky Barnes opened his mouth; ratting has become accepted by some. We’re not having it.


10. Snitches is outta here.


11. The Boys in Blue don’t run nothing; we do. Control the Hood, and make it safe for squares.


12. No slinging to pregnant Sisters. That’s baby killing; that’s genocide!


13. Know your target, who’s the real enemy.


14. Civilians are not a target and should be spared.


15. Harm to children will not be forgiven.


16. Attacking someone’s home where their family is known to reside, must be altered or checked.


17. Senseless brutality and rape must stop.


18. Our old folks must not be abused.


19. Respect our Sisters. Respect our Brothers.


20. Sisters in the Life must be respected if they respect themselves.


21. Military disputes concerning business areas within the community must be handled professionally and not on the block.


22. No shooting at parties.


23. Concerts and parties are neutral territories; no shooting!


24. Know the Code; it’s for everyone.


25. Be a real ruff neck. Be down with the code of the Thug Life.


26. Protect yourself at all times..

2Pac

Tupac Amaru Shakur (June 16, 1971 – September 13, 1996), known by his stage names 2Pac and Makaveli, was an actor and a highly influential rapper who is considered by many to be the greatest of all-time due to the revolutionary spirit and thug passion he mixed into his music. During his music career, he made appearances in movies such as his acclaimed debut in Juice (1992), Poetic Justice (1993), and Above the Rim (1994).

Born in Harlem, New York City to Black Panther Party members Billy Garland and Afeni Shakur, Tupac would later move to Baltimore before settling in the Bay Area cities of Oakland and Marin City in the late 1980s. There, he joined his first rap group Strictly Dope with Ray Luv before connecting with Shock G and Digital Underground. He was a roadie and backup dancer for the group before his breakthrough performance on their 1991 song “Same Song.”

2Pac released his debut album 2Pacalypse Now in 1991, which featured intense storytelling on singles such as “Trapped” and “Brenda’s Got a Baby.” His sophomore album Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z featured one of his signature songs, the Digital Underground-assisted “I Get Around.” After working on the Thug Life group album in 1994, 2Pac released Me Against the World the following year, which is considered by many to be his best album, peaking at #1 on the Billboard 200 and receiving a Grammy nomination—all while he sat in prison.