Keep Ya Head Up
2Pac
The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com
Little somethin' for my godson Elijah and a little girl named Corinne Some say the blacker the berry, the sweeter the juice I say the darker the flesh then the deeper the roots I give a holler to my sisters on welfare Tupac cares, if don't nobody else care And uh, I know they like to beat ya down a lot When you come around the block brothas clown a lot But please don't cry, dry your eyes, never let up Forgive but don't forget, girl keep your head up And when he tells you you ain't nuttin' don't believe him And if he can't learn to love you, you should leave him 'Cause sista you don't need him And I ain't tryin' to gas ya up, I just call 'em how I see 'em You know it makes me unhappy (What's that) When brothas make babies, and leave a young mother to be a pappy And since we all came from a woman Got our name from a woman and our game from a woman I wonder why we take from our women Why we rape our women, do we hate our women? I think it's time to kill for our women Time to heal our women, be real to our women And if we don't we'll have a race of babies That will hate the ladies, that make the babies And since a man can't make one He has no right to tell a woman when and where to create one So will the real men get up I know you're fed up ladies, but keep your head up Keep ya head up, ooh, child, things are gonna get easier Keep ya head up, ooh, child, things'll get brighter Keep ya head up, ooh, child, things are gonna get easier Keep ya head up, ooh, child, things'll get brighter Aiyyo, I remember Marvin Gaye, used to sing to me He had me feelin' like black was tha thing to be And suddenly tha ghetto didn't seem so tough And though we had it rough, we always had enough I huffed and puffed about my curfew and broke the rules Ran with the local crew, and had a smoke or two And I realize momma really paid the price She nearly gave her life, to raise me right And all I had to give her was my pipe dream Of how I'd rock the mic, and make it to tha bright screen I'm tryin' to make a dollar out of fifteen cents It's hard to be legit and still pay your rent And in the end it seems I'm headin' for tha pen I try and find my friends, but they're blowin' in the wind Last night my buddy lost his whole family It's gonna take the man in me to conquer this insanity It seems tha rain'll never let up I try to keep my head up, and still keep from gettin' wet up You know it's funny when it rains it pours They got money for wars, but can't feed the poor Said it ain't no hope for the youth and the truth is It ain't no hope for tha future And then they wonder why we crazy I blame my mother, for turning my brother into a crack baby We ain't meant to survive, 'cause it's a setup And even though you're fed up Huh, ya got to keep your head up Keep ya head up, ooh, child, things are gonna get easier Keep ya head up, ooh, child, things'll get brighter Keep ya head up, ooh, child, things are gonna get easier Keep ya head up, ooh, child, things'll get brighter And uh To all the ladies havin' babies on they own I know it's kinda rough and you're feelin' all alone Daddy's long gone and he left you by ya lonesome Thank the Lord for my kids, even if nobody else want 'em 'Cause I think we can make it, in fact, I'm sure And if you fall, stand tall and comeback for more 'Cause ain't nothin' worse than when your son Wants to kno' why his daddy don't love him no mo' You can't complain you was dealt this Hell of a hand without a man, feelin' helpless Because there's too many things for you to deal with Dying inside, but outside you're looking fearless While the tears, is rollin' down your cheeks Ya steady hopin' things don't all down this week 'Cause if it did, you couldn't take it, and don't blame me I was given this world I didn't make it And now my son's gettin' older and older and cold From havin' the world on his shoulders While the rich kids is drivin' Benz I'm still tryin' to hold on to my survivin' friends And it's crazy, it seems it'll never let up, but Please, you got to keep your head up
The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com
Written by: Tupac Amaru Shakur, Roger Troutman, Stan Vincent, Daryl L. Anderson
Lyrics © A SIDE MUSIC LLC D/B/A MODERN WORKS MUSIC PUBLISHING, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Release Date"Keep Ya Head Up" was released on February 16, 1993 as the lead single of 2Pac's second studio album "Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z."
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Chart PerformanceThe song achieved great commercial success, peaking at #12 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it one of 2Pac's highest-charting songs.
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Social MessageThe song is notable for its strong message of respect and appreciation towards women. 2Pac wrote it as a commentary addressing the societal issues of teen pregnancy, racism, and disproportionate social ostracism faced by black women.
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Song Inspiration"Keep Ya Head Up" was said to have been inspired by 2Pac's mother, Afeni Shakur, and other influential women in his life.
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Course of CriticismIt was widely appreciated for its social consciousness, with critics commending 2Pac's ability to balance his hardcore thug persona with messages of hope and social awareness.
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Music VideoThe music video features a cameo by Jada Pinkett Smith, a close friend of 2Pac. The video also includes references to black cultural icons, including Louis Farrakhan and Reginald Lewis, to emphasize its social message.
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Song LyricsSampled Lyrics from "Keep Ya Head Up" have been used by other artists over the years, including the likes of J. Cole, Drake, and Kendrick Lamar, indicating the song's long-lasting influence.
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RecognitionsThe song is considered one of 2Pac's greatest hits and is included on his posthumous greatest-hits album. It was also nominated for Best Rap Solo Performance at the 36th Grammy Awards.
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Tribute to Huey Newton"Keep Ya Head Up" is dedicated to the memory of Black Panther Party member Huey P. Newton, who was a significant influence on 2Pac's life and art.
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Charity SalesPortions of the proceeds from sales of the single were donated to a charity set up in Newton's name.
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