Tupac Shakur's "So Many Tears" Spoke To The Suffering Of A Revolutionary

BY Erika Marie 19.1K Views
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We're revisiting Pac's 1995 single, produced by the late-great Shock G, on what would have been the rapper's 51st birthday.

It is a celebratory day for music fans as we acknowledge Tupac Shakur's birthday. The beloved rapper would have turned 51 years old today, but sadly, Pac was gunned down in Las Vegas in 1996 during a drive-by shooting. He was only 25.

The global influence of the late revolutionary is one that has continued to reach new heights in the decades that have followed his untimely death, and his peers—those who knew him personally and called him a brother—remain vigilant in protecting his legacy. As new generations of Hip Hop take up the banner of the genre and lead Rap into new spaces, admirers of Shakur's catalog and activism hold tight to Tupac being one of the greatest rappers of all time.

We wanted to add our voice to the celebrations by highlighting an introspective Tupac favorite, "So Many Tears,' that was produced by his Digital Underground collaborator, Shock G. These two gave us several Hip Hop classics that until today still get a party started, but "So Many Tears" went in a different direction as Shakur allowed the world to peak into his perspective.

Shock G passed away in April 2021. Much love to both of these men for their hearts and contributions to Hip Hop. Stream "So Many Tears" below.

Quotable Lyrics

Now I'm lost and I'm weary, so many tears
I'm suicidal, so don't stand near me
My every move is a calculated step
To bring me closer to embrace an early death
Now there's nothin' left
There was no mercy on the streets
I couldn't rest, I'm barely standin'
About to go to pieces, screamin' peace
And though my soul was deleted, I couldn't see it
I had my mind full of demons tryin' to break free
They planted seeds and they hatched, sparkin' the flame
Inside my brain like a match, such a dirty game
No memories, just a misery
Paintin' a picture of my enemies killin' me in my sleep
Will I survive 'til the morning to see the sun?
Please Lord, forgive me for my sins, 'cause here I come


About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.