The Rose That Grew From Concrete
| Title | The Rose That Grew From Concrete |
|---|---|
| Artist | 2Pac |
| Album | The Rose That Grew From Concrete, Vol. 1 |
| Release Date | 2000-11-21 |
| Description | “The Rose That Grew from Concrete” is a poetic representation of the life struggles of 2Pac. It acknowledges the harsh conditions in which 2Pac was raised and thus the miracle that he was able to rise from those conditions. Sharing the title of the poetic album The Rose That Grew from Concrete Vol. 1, the track conveys a message that is also evident throughout the entire album. The poem itself is recited twice fully by Nikki Giovanni, but explanations and other vocals by 2Pac and Nikki complete the lyrics over R&B instrumentals, with laid back acoustic guitar and bass. Writer Trisha Ray analyzes the poem in great detail in this article via Beaming Notes. Nikki Giovanni outlived 2Pac and remains, as of the late 2010s, as a venerable poet, activist, educator and more. |
| Lyrics | * Poems written by Shakur as ~ interpreted by other artists [Intro: 2Pac] You try to plant somethin in the conrete, y'knowhatImean? If it GROW, and the and the rose petal got all kind of Scratches and marks, you not gon' say, "Damn, look at All the scratches and marks on the rose that grew from concrete" You gon' be like, "Damn! A rose grew from the concrete?!" Same thing with me, y'knahmean? I grew out of all of this Instead of sayin, "Damn, he did this, he did this," Just be like, "DAMN! He grew out of that? He came out of that?" That's what they should say, y'knowhatImean? All the trouble to survive and make good out of the dirty, nasty Y'knowhahatImean unbelievable lifestyle they gave me I'm just tryin to make somethin... [Refrain 1: Nikki Giovanni] When no one even cared The rose it grew from concrete Keepin all these dreams Provin nature's laws wrong It learned how to walk without havin feet It came from concrete [Verse 2: Spoken Word] Did you hear about the rose that grew from a crack in the concrete? Provin nature's laws wrong it learned how to walk without havin feet Funny it seems but, by keepin its dreams It, learned to breathe FRESH air Long live the rose that grew from concrete When no one else even cared No one else even cared... The rose that grew from concrete [Verse 3: Spoken Word] Did you hear.. Did you hear about the rose that grew from a crack in the concrete? Provin' nature's laws wrong It learned to walk without having feet Funny it seems but by keeping its dreams It learned to breathe FRESH air Long live the rose that grew from concrete When no one else, even cared You might also like[Refrain 2: Nikki Giovanni] Keepin all these dreams Provin nature's laws wrong It learned how to walk without havin feet (to breathe the fresh air) It came from concrete (to breathe the fresh air) (to breathe the fresh air, to breathe the fresh air) [Outro: 2Pac] You see you wouldn't ask why the rose that grew from the concrete Had damaged petals. On the contrary, we would all celebrate its Tenacity. We would all love it's will to reach the sun Well, we are the roses - this is the concrete - and these are My damaged petals. Don't ask me why, thank God nigga, ask me how! Hahahaha.. |