Thugz Mansion
"Thugz Mansion" is a song by 2Pac, released as a posthumous single with two known popular versions both released on the 2002 album Better Dayz. It was nominated by the Source Awards for Single of the Year (Male Solo Artist).
Overview
Thugz Mansion was 2Pac's depiction of a gangster's alternative to heaven. One of the most introspective and spiritual songs by 2Pac, this song talks about how he would rest in peace, and that he would eventually find happiness when he is in a place where all the troubles and pains of his life come to an end, and that he would want to end up in that place of peace after he dies; he also name-drops various figures of African American cultural history (namely: Marvin Gaye, Billie Holiday, Jackie Wilson, Sam Cooke, Malcolm X, Miles Davis) and recent political events (i.e., Latasha Harlins), all of whom he believed to be in heaven.
Versions
The original acoustic version was rapped over two acoustic guitars and features singer J. Phoenix, it can be found on the Life part of the greatest hits compilation album "Best of 2Pac". The other acoustic version features fellow rapper Nas as well as singer J. Phoenix. Thugz Mansion is the second-to-last track in Disc 1 of Better Dayz. The official remix to the acoustic version, the "Outlawz Remix", features Young Noble of the Outlawz, Nas, & J. Phoenix.
Podcasts:
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by 2Pac
Thugz Mansion Acoustic
by: 2Pac[Tupac Talking]
Shit, tired of getting shot at
Tired of getting chased by the police and arrested
Niggas need a spot where we can kick it
A spot where we belong, that's just for us
Niggas ain't gotta get all dressed up and be Hollywood
You na'mean?
Where do niggas go when we die?
Ain't no heaven for a thug nigga
That's why we go to Thug Mansion
That's the only place where thugs get in free and you gotta be a G
At Thug Mansion
[Verse 1 - 2Pac]
A place to spend my quiet nights
Time to unwind
So much pressure in this life of mine
I cry at times
I once contemplated suicide
And woulda tried
But when I held that nine
All I could see was my mama's eyes
No one knows my struggle
They only see the trouble
Not knowing it's hard to carry on when no one loves you
Picture me inside the misery and poverty
No man alive has ever witnessed struggles I've survived
Praying hard for better days
Promised to hold on
Me and my dogs don't have a choice but to roll on
We finally found a spot to kick it
Where we could drink liquor
And no one bickers over trick shit
A spot where we could smoke in peace
And even though we Gs
We still visualize places
That we could roll a piece
And in my minds eye
I see this place the players go and pass it
Got a spot for us all
So we can ball
At Thugs Mansion
[Chorus]
Every corner, every city
Thereâ€s a place where lifeâ€s a little easy
Little Hennessey, laid back and cool
Every hour cause itâ€s all good
Leave all the stress from the world outside
Every wrong done will be alright
Nothing but peace, love and street passion
Every ghetto needs a thug mansion
[Verse 2 - Nas]
A place where death doesn't reside
Just thugs who collide
Not to start beef
But spark trees
No cops rolling by
No policemen
No homicide
No chalk on the streets
No reason, for nobody's mama to cry
See I'm a good guy
I'm trying to stick around for my daughter
But if I should die
I know all of my albums support her
This whole year's been crazy
Asked the holy spirit to save me
Only difference from me Jose Davis is gray hair maybe
'Cause I feel that my eyes saw too much suffering
I'm just twenty some odd years and I already lost my mother and I cried
tears of joy
I know she smiles on her boy
I dream of you more
My love goes to Afeni Shakur
'Cause like Ann Jones
She raised a ghetto king in a war
And just for that alone
She shouldn't feel no pain no more
'Cause one day we'll all be together
Sipping heavenly champagne where angels soar with golden rings
At thugs mansion
[Chorus]
Every corner, every city
Thereâ€s a place where lifeâ€s a little easy
Little Hennessey, laid back and cool
Every hour cause itâ€s all good
Leave all the stress from the world outside
Every wrong done will be alright
Nothing but peace, love and street passion
Every ghetto needs a thug mansion
[Verse 3 - 2Pac]
Dear mama don't cry
Your baby boy's doin good,
Tell the homies I'm in heaven and it ain't got hoods
Seen a show with Marvin Gaye last night
It had me shook
Drinking peppermint schnapps with Jackie Wilson
And Sam Cook
Then some lady named Billie Holiday sang
Sittin there kickin it with Malcolm till the day came
Lil' Latasha sure grown
Tell the lady in the liquor store that she's forgiven
So come home
Maybe in time you understand
Only God can save us
Where Miles Davis cutting lose with the band
Just think of all the people that you knew in the past that passed on
They in heaven found peace at last
Picture a place that they exist, together
There has to be a place better than this
In Heaven
So right before I sleep dear God what I'm asking
Remember this face, save me a place
In Thugz Mansion
[Chorus]