Producer Johnny "J" mentioned that the song felt deeply personal to members of 2Pac’s circle, such as Napoleon of the Outlawz, who had witnessed severe trauma during his upbringing. Cultural Impact

February 13, 1996 (as part of All Eyez on Me ).

It was recorded on October 15, 1995, at Noname Studios in Tarzana, California, shortly after 2Pac's release from prison. Core Themes and Social Commentary

It reflects Shakur's broader "Thug Life" philosophy—not as a celebration of crime, but as a description of the struggle faced by those with nothing who succeed against the odds.