Runnin' from tha Police

Last updated
"Runnin'"
Song by 2Pac and The Notorious B.I.G. featuring Dramacydal, Stretch and Buju Banton
from the album One Million Strong
Released1995 (1995)
RecordedNovember 1993
Genre Hardcore hip hop, gangsta rap
Length5:01
Label Mergela Records
Songwriter(s) Tupac Shakur, Christopher Wallace, Dramacydal, Randy Walker, Buju Banton
Producer(s) Easy Mo Bee

"Runnin'" (commonly referred to as "Runnin' from tha Police") is a 1995 song written and performed by rappers 2Pac, The Notorious B.I.G., Stretch, Dramacydal and reggae superstar Buju Banton. Recorded in 1993, the song holds significance as the only song 2Pac and the Notorious B.I.G. officially recorded together prior to hostility arising between the two rappers. The song, originally slated to appear on 2Pac's 1993-1994 shelved solo album that later turned to be Me Against The World, then on Thug Life's 1994 debut album, Thug Life, Volume I , was scrapped both times due to varying controversies. It was later featured on the 1995 One Million Strong compilation album. It charted at #81, #57 and #13 on the Billboard Hot 100, Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks & Hot Rap Singles charts, respectively.

Contents

The first verse is performed by three of the four members of the rap group Dramacydal (referred to in the song as the Thoro Headz) who would go on to join 2Pac's Outlawz group (Young Hollywood, K-Dog, and Big Malcolm, in that order), the second by Stretch and the Notorious B.I.G., and the third and last by 2Pac, with the hook sung by Buju Banton.

Song meaning

Runnin' From tha Police deals with the authors' troubles with the police. The lyrics contain verbal abuse toward police officers, and even allusion the possibility of killing them (two cops is on the milk box, missing, or let's serve these motherfuckers slugs [bullets] as a fuckin' meal), [1] albeit in possible self-defense.

Releases

"Runnin' from the Police" was originally intended to feature on 2Pac's 3rd third album, not titled Me Against The World yet in late 1993. Because of Shakur's troubles with justice, the song was moved to Thug Life's debut album Thug Life, Volume I with a different 2Pac verse and a new hook, but it was finally refused by Interscope and cut due to heavy criticism of gangsta rap at the time, finally replaced by "Stay True" in the album. 2Pac eventually thought to move it back to his solo album but his fallout with The Notorious B.I.G. contributed to the decision not to feature the song on the album. It was subsequently released a year later in 1995 as part of a compilation album of original hip hop music entitled One Million Strong , a release by SOLAR Records to commemorate the 1995 Million Man March in Washington, D.C., which also featured songs by Mobb Deep, Dr. Dre, Snoop Doggy Dogg, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Sunz of Man, among others.

There are three versions of the song, originally recorded in November 1993 and produced by Easy Mo Bee.

The first version, known as "Lil Vicious" version or sometimes mistakenly called "Me Against the World" version due to initially being slated to appear on the solo album, had the chorus sung by a child rapper named Lil' Vicious. [2] It never released due to the controversy surrounding children performing in adult-themed media. In this case, "Runnin'" talked about drugs and shooting at cops, themes considered inappropriate for children.

The second version, often called the "Thug Life" version, had a different Tupac verse, a hook sung by Brown Man and the beat is slightly altered. [3] Brown Man is the ragga voice in Joe's huge first single "I'm In Love". This alternate verse was later used by Eminem for his "Runnin' (Dying to Live)" remix on the Tupac: Resurrection soundtrack. Easy Mo Bee said in a recent interview that 2Pac recorded both verses the same day in November 1993. But this new hook and this edited beat could have been specifically made later in early 1994 for the Thug Life, Volume I album.

The third version called "Radio" version was mixed in summer of 1994 by Moe-Z MD who was giving final mixes to the Me Against the World album. [4] This version is perhaps the most famous of the three as it was the only one to be officially released, and featured a more altered sample, a different chorus by Radio (a Long Beach rapper who had his album Recognize da Real also produced by Moe-Z MD), and the same lyrics as the Lil Vicious version.

Sample, remixes, and legacy

The song contains a sample of the song "Munchies for Your Love" by Bootsy Collins from his 1977 album Ahh... The Name Is Bootsy, Baby! . The two earlier, unreleased versions of the song contain a much less edited sample.

In 2Pac's song "Dear Mama", a single from the album from which "Runnin'" was cut, he alludes to his vocals leading up to his verse in "Runnin'" ("runnin' from the police, that's right"). The verse in "Dear Mama" reads, "And runnin' from the police, that's right / Mama catch me, put a whoopin' to my backside".

In 1997, after the death of the two rappers, the song was remixed by Trapp as "Stop The Gunfight" for his eponymous album. [5] The chorus is sung like an anthem against the violence in Hip Hop. On the same album, Trapp also remixed another song featuring 2Pac and The Notorious B.I.G. : "Be The Realist" [6] originally released as "Let's Get It On" - Eddie F. featuring Heavy D, 2Pac, Grand Puba & Spunk Bigga. [7]

In 1998, a remix was released in Europe by Swedish DJ StoneBridge called Runnin' (Stone's Remix). [8] It sampled Kool & the Gang's 1975 song Summer Madness in addition to "Munchies for Your Love" and featured vocals from Chilean singer Deetah. There were two versions: the full length version and the radio mix. The radio mix is much shorter and omits all three verses from Dramacydal. The full length version only omits Big Malcolm's verse, and both versions omit Stretch's first verse. It was produced by StoneBridge and Felix da Soulcat.

In 2003, "Runnin' (Dying to Live)", a remix of this song produced by Eminem, was released as a single from the Tupac: Resurrection soundtrack. This version vastly differs from the original, using the 2Pac verse from the Me Against the World version, utilizing a different melody, discarding the performances by Dramacydal and Stretch, and having a sample of Edgar Winter's "Dying to Live" as the chorus. The remix charted at #19 on the Billboard Hot 100, and is arguably now more well known than the original.

The first lines from the Notorious B.I.G.'s verse ("I grew up a fuckin' screw up / Got introduced to the game / Got an ounce and fuckin' blew up") were later sampled as a hook on Ludacris' 2006 single "Grew Up a Screw Up".

Charts and certifications

Track listing

1998 Remixes

  1. "Runnin'" (Stone's Radio RMX)
  2. "Runnin'" (Stone's RMX Full Length)
  3. "Runnin'" (Stone's Original Vibe Mix)
  4. "Runnin'" (RMX Full TV track)
  5. "Runnin'" (RMX Full Instrumental)

Related Research Articles

<i>Life After Death</i> 1997 studio album by the Notorious B.I.G.

Life After Death is the second and final studio album by American rapper the Notorious B.I.G., released on March 25, 1997, on Bad Boy Records and Arista Records. A double album, it was released sixteen days after his murder. It features collaborations with guest artists such as 112, Jay-Z, Lil' Kim, Mase, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, Too $hort, Angela Winbush, D.M.C. of Run-D.M.C., R. Kelly, the Lox, and Puff Daddy. Life After Death exhibits the Notorious B.I.G. further delving into the mafioso rap subgenre. The album is a sequel to his first album, Ready to Die, and picks up where the last song, "Suicidal Thoughts", ends.

<i>Tupac: Resurrection</i> (soundtrack) 2003 soundtrack album by 2Pac

Tupac: Resurrection is a soundtrack album for the Academy Award-nominated documentary of the same name. It was released on November 14, 2003, by Amaru Entertainment and Interscope Records.

<i>Hard Core</i> (Lil Kim album) 1996 studio album by Lil Kim

Hard Core is the debut studio album by American rapper Lil' Kim, released on November 12, 1996, by Undeas Recordings, Big Beat Records, and Atlantic Records. After achieving success with the hip hop group Junior M.A.F.I.A. and their album Conspiracy (1995), Kim began working on her solo album with the Notorious B.I.G. serving as the executive producer. She collaborated with a number of producers, such as Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs, Stevie J., David "Ski" Willis and Jermaine Dupri, among others. Other rappers, including Jay-Z, Lil' Cease and Puff Daddy were featured on the album.

<i>Loyal to the Game</i> 2004 studio album by 2Pac

Loyal to the Game is the ninth studio album and fifth posthumous studio album by American rapper Tupac Shakur. The album was produced by Eminem and consists of remixes of previously unreleased music recorded by Tupac before his death in 1996. Released in the United States on December 14, 2004, Loyal to the Game debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart. It was later certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">California Love</span> 1995 single by 2Pac featuring Dr. Dre and Roger Troutman

"California Love" is a song by American rapper 2Pac featuring fellow American rapper-producer Dr. Dre and American singer Roger Troutman of the funk group Zapp. The song was released as 2Pac's comeback single after his release from prison in 1995 and was his first single as the newest artist of Death Row Records. The original version is featured on the UK version of his fourth album, All Eyez on Me (1996), and is one of 2Pac's most widely known and most successful singles. It reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for two weeks and also topped the charts of Italy, New Zealand, and Sweden. The song was posthumously nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group in 1997.

<i>R U Still Down? (Remember Me)</i> 1997 studio album by 2Pac

R U Still Down? is the sixth studio album and second double album by American rapper, 2Pac, released on November 25, 1997. It is his second posthumous release and the first to be released without his creative input and contains previously unreleased material from the time period of his albums Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z., Thug Life: Volume 1 and Me Against the World. Throughout the album, 2Pac airs his views on life from a time before he became involved in the controversial East Coast–West Coast rivalry. His lyrics foreshadow his death in songs like "Open Fire", "Thug Style" and "Only Fear of Death." The album spawned two hits, "Do for Love" and "I Wonder If Heaven Got a Ghetto", of which "Do for Love" was certified Gold by the RIAA. R U Still Down? sold 549,000 copies in its first week, and topped the R&B charts in the United States for three weeks.

<i>Thug Life, Volume I</i> 1994 studio album by Thug Life

Thug Life, Volume I is the only studio album by the American hip-hop group Thug Life. The album was released on September 26, 1994, by Interscope Records and Out da Gutta Records and distributed by Atlantic Records. The group, started by American rapper 2Pac, comprised 2Pac, his stepbrother Mopreme Shakur, and Stretch, who was heavily involved in 2Pac's previous two albums, Big Syke, The Rated R, and Macadoshis. The album features guest appearances by Y.N.V. and Nate Dogg and production by Thug Music, comprising 2Pac and Stretch, Stretch himself, Professor Jay, Johnny "J", Warren G, and Easy Mo Bee. Since 1998, the album has been reissued by Amaru Entertainment.

Live Squad was an American hip hop group and production team from Hollis, Queens, New York consisting of brothers Stretch and Majesty and DJ K-Low, best known for their early collaborations with Tupac Shakur.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">It's All About the Benjamins</span> 1997 single by Puff Daddy featuring the Notorious B.I.G., Lil Kim, and the Lox

"It's All About the Benjamins" is a song by American rapper and producer Puff Daddy. It was released as the third single from his debut studio album No Way Out. "Benjamins" is a slang word for money, referring to Benjamin Franklin's image on the US $100 bill. The song featured an uncredited vocal arrangement by Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott, and featured a signature guitar hook played by Marc Solomon.

<i>Murda Muzik</i> 1999 studio album by Mobb Deep

Murda Muzik is the fourth studio album by American hip hop duo Mobb Deep, which was released on August 17, 1999, through Columbia Records and Loud Records. It features one of the group's best-known tracks, "Quiet Storm." It is also the duo's most commercially successful album to date, for shipping over 1 million copies in the United States and was certified Platinum by the RIAA on October 26, 1999, debuting at #3 on the Billboard 200 charts. Murda Muzik also garnered positive reviews from The Source and Allmusic, among others. A censored version of the album, titled Mobb Muzik, was released simultaneously.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Runnin' (Dying to Live)</span> 2003 single by Tupac featuring The Notorious B.I.G.

"Runnin' (Dying to Live)", is a posthumous song by American rapper 2Pac, with an additional posthumous verse from The Notorious B.I.G. It was released as the first single from the soundtrack album Tupac: Resurrection on September 30, 2003.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stretch (rapper)</span> American rapper and record producer

Randy Walker, better known by his stage name Stretch, was an American rapper and record producer, working in Live Squad. In the early 1990s, he joined 2Pac's rap group Thug Life. The November 30, 1994, shooting of Shakur led to their split. On November 30, 1995, Walker was shot and killed at the age of 27.

<i>Pacs Life</i> 2006 studio album by 2Pac

Pac's Life is the tenth and final studio album by American rapper 2Pac. It is also his seventh posthumous album, released on November 21, 2006, in the United States, on Amaru Entertainment. Its 2006 release date was intended to commemorate the tenth anniversary of his murder. The album debuted at number nine on the US Billboard 200 chart.

"Grew Up A Screw Up" is the second single from Ludacris' Release Therapy. The song features Young Jeezy and a sample of The Notorious B.I.G. who sings the hook "I grew up a fucking screw up." In the video, Young Jeezy raps a verse different from the one which appeared on the Release Therapy album. The video premiered on BET's 106 & Park as a New Joint on Friday October 13, 2006. The video has already been released on MTV Jams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Temptations (song)</span> 1995 single by 2Pac

"Temptations" is a song by American rapper Tupac Shakur (2Pac) from his third studio album, Me Against the World (1995). It was released as a single in the US on August 29, 1995, and was released as a CD, cassette, and 12" promo. While rapping is solely performed by Shakur, Erick Sermon and producer Easy Mo Bee are also featured in the song primarily as background vocalists. The song uses the bassline from the "Computer Love", and the theme focuses on relationship and infidelity issues. Debuting at number sixty-eight on the Billboard Hot 100, the song did fairly well in the United States. It was also well received by critics, with many writers commenting on its romantic tone.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pac's Life (song)</span> 2006 single by 2Pac featuring Ashanti and T.I.

"Pac's Life" is a single written and performed by American rappers Tupac Shakur and T.I and R&B singer Ashanti, produced by L. T. Hutton for Shakur's posthumously released album of the same name. It is a hip hop and R&B song; the second Tupac verse was recycled from a song titled "This Life I Lead". T.I. said in an interview that working on the song was an honor, as he idolized him while growing up.

<i>All Eyez on Me</i> 1996 studio album by 2Pac

All Eyez on Me is the fourth studio album by American rapper 2Pac and the last to be released during his lifetime. Released on February 13, 1996, by Death Row and Interscope Records, the album features guest appearances from Dr. Dre, Snoop Doggy Dogg, Redman, Method Man, Nate Dogg, Kurupt, Daz Dillinger, E-40, K-Ci & JoJo, and the Outlawz, among others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">So Many Tears</span> 1995 single by 2Pac

"So Many Tears" is a song by American rapper 2Pac from his third studio album, Me Against the World (1995). It was released on June 13, 1995, as the album's second single. It was produced by Shock G, who used a sample of Stevie Wonder's That Girl, and is often described as one of the album's best. A music video was made for "So Many Tears" and there were also numerous live performances of this song on Saturday Night Live and on Shakur's House of Blues concert, his last recorded show. The song was certified gold in just more than a week after the release and then went platinum in July 11, 1995 by the RIAA. It peaked at no. 14 at the Billboard 200.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yaki Kadafi</span> American rapper (1977–1996)

Yafeu Akiyele Fula, better known by his stage name Yaki Kadafi, was an American rapper and a founding member of the hip hop group Outlawz.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Easy Mo Bee</span> American record producer

Osten S. Harvey Jr., better known by his stage name Easy Mo Bee, is an American hip hop and R&B record producer and DJ, known for his production work for artists such as Big Daddy Kane and Miles Davis, as well as his affiliation with Bad Boy Records in its early years, and his production involvement in The Notorious B.I.G.'s debut album, Ready to Die. He also produced two songs on 2Pac's album, Me Against the World.

References

  1. ↑ "Runnin' Lyrics - 2Pac". Archived from the original on 2009-03-23. Retrieved 2008-01-06.
  2. ↑ "2Pac - Runnin' From The Police (Mr. Middle Finger Mixdown) feat. Thoro Headz, Stretch, The Notorious B.I.G. & Lil' Vicious". YouTube .
  3. ↑ "Thug Life - Runnin' From The Police (Thug Life Vol. 1 Promo Version) feat. Young Thugz, Stretch, The Notorious B.I.G. & Brown Man". YouTube .
  4. ↑ "2Pac - Runnin' From The Police (Street Version) feat. Dramacydal, Stretch, The Notorious B.I.G. & Radio". YouTube .
  5. ↑ "Trapp - Stop The Gunfight". discogs.com. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
  6. ↑ "Be The Realist". discogs.com. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
  7. ↑ "Eddie F. - Let's Get It On (The Album)". discogs.com. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
  8. ↑ "98 Remixes by StoneBridge". discogs.com. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
  9. ↑ "Australian charts portal". Australian-charts.com. Archived from the original on 6 August 2016. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  10. ↑ "2Pac". Billboard . Archived from the original on 2019-04-26. Retrieved 2019-06-29.
  11. ↑ "Dutch Charts". Dutchcharts.nl. Archived from the original on 14 February 2020. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  12. ↑ "New Zealand charts portal". Charts.nz. Archived from the original on 7 April 2017. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  13. ↑ "Swedish Charts Portal". Swedishcharts.com. Archived from the original on 16 December 2019. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  14. ↑ "ARIA End of Year Singles Chart 1997". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on February 28, 2020. Retrieved May 18, 2020.
  15. ↑ "Accreditations - ARIA". Aria.com.au. Archived from the original on 1 October 2020. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.