2Pac by BROCKHAMPTON Lyrics Meaning – Unpacking the Gritty Realness of Addiction and Inner Demons
Lyrics
They been feeding on me
When I sold prescriptions
And my pill addiction
Fuck the damn detectives
Mama called the Reverend
I know she praying for me
But I’m in the shadows
Hella drugs and ammo
Kicking doors my MO
I got some bad habits
I do some shit I shouldn’t
My life is on a scale
I know there’s angels on me
All my dead homies
I know they waiting on me
Selling dope from mansion house
I know you praying for me
I know you used to trust me
I miss the chicken nuggets
And the kisses from her
Damn I miss you momma
Trouble keep following me
Shadow keep following me
Trouble keep following me
Shadow keep following me
Shadow keep following me
Trouble keep following me
As the harmonies of BROCKHAMPTON penetrate the airwaves, their song ‘2Pac’ stands as a mosaic of raw emotion and stark honesty. This ballad, while brief, offers much more than its runtime suggests, encapsulating a journey of pain, addiction, and the haunting presence of one’s own demons.
The complexities of ‘2Pac’ invite us to unearth the layers beneath its seemingly simple surface. Here, we delve into the essence of the song, turning over stones of lyrical depth to expose the poignant narrative of struggle and the pursuit of redemption that defines the human condition.
A Cry for Redemption Amidst Life’s Shadows
The refrain ‘I got some demons on me’ is not just a repeated line; it’s a cry for help, an admission of the weight that lead vocalist Joba carries. Reflecting on past choices, from ‘sold prescriptions’ to ‘pill addiction,’ the song confronts the all-too-familiar narrative of substance abuse that plagues many. It’s a message that resonates deeply in today’s society, striking chords of empathy and understanding in the hearts of listeners.
‘Fuck the damn detectives / Mama called the Reverend’—these lines not only speak to the legal and moral conflicts inherent in addiction but also hint at the juxtaposition of secular and sacred support systems. The mention of the mother’s prayers and the shadowy figure laden with ‘drugs and ammo’ paints a picture of a protagonist trapped between the fight for survival and the desire for spiritual salvation.
The Intimate Struggle of Letting Go
A motif of abandonment and nostalgia runs through ‘I know you used to trust me / I miss the chicken nuggets / And the kisses from her.’ The tempest of addiction is further humanized with these heart-wrenching touches—images of lost innocence and maternal love that the narrator yearns to return to. It’s a raw exhibition of vulnerability, revealing the small, personal details that are often overlooked in the broader discussion of addiction.
BROCKHAMPTON doesn’t shy away from conveying the gritty reality. These lines represent a microcosm of a troubled past that’s not easily escaped, emphasizing the deeper, often suppressed reminiscences that addiction can overshadow but never fully erase.
The Haunting Echoes of Past Mistakes
The song’s most chilling refrain, ‘Trouble keep following me / Shadow keep following me,’ serves as a potent metaphor for the inescapability of one’s choices. It’s this spectral ‘shadow’ that brings an element of inevitable dread, a premonition that the fallout from one’s actions is never too far behind. Here, the lyric serves as a stark reminder—our past is a close companion, trailing us with relentless persistence.
But the repetition of these lines does more than reinforce the concept of being haunted; it creates the sonorous effect of an internal struggle playing on loop, a reflection of ongoing internal conflict and the incessant nature of addiction and guilt.
Unveiling the Hidden Meanings and Dark Corners
‘I know there’s angels on me / All my dead homies / I know they waiting on me,’ unveils a layer of hope against a backdrop of despair. It’s the acknowledgment of this higher presence or watchful entities, perhaps as guardians or as representations of remorse and longing for lost companions and better times. In the chiaroscuro of BROCKHAMPTON’s world, even in the darkest of lyrics, there’s a glimmer of awaiting peace or redemption.
This kind of juxtaposition illustrates the struggle between the public persona and the inner self, the external judgment versus the personal battle. The narrative voice clings to redemption but is inundated by the shadows. ‘2Pac’ is a complex love letter to those who grapple with their own shadows, the unsung warriors who confront their demons daily.
Memorable Lines that Strike the Soul
‘Damn I miss you momma’—these poignant words conclude the song, lingering in the silence that follows. It is as though all the drug-laden bravado collapses into the simple, unguarded longing for maternal comfort. With this line, listeners are reminded that behind the rugged exterior often portrayed in pop culture, there’s a tender narrative of grief and love.
These words encapsulate the central theme of ‘2Pac’: the enduring power of human connection and the way it can serve as an anchor through trials and tribulations. Even amid a landscape of chaos, there emerges the clear and resonant need for love and understanding – a cry that reverberates long after the music stops.
