on str8 ballin 2pac tells his mother not to cry because "even if they kill [him] / they can never take the game from a young G." can't imagine she'd be reassured by this. reminds me of "it's alright ma", all this dark shit he's telling to his mom, followed up with empty reassurance, the inevitable guilt that comes from not being able to tell your mom you're "alright". in dylan's case this was supposed to parallel the predicament of millions of sons in vietnam, but the sentiment is brutal in both 2pac's and dylan's iterations. for 2pac i wince more, because at least at some minimal level, even considering all the institutional racial and economic pressures he faces, he is to blame for the dangerous situation he finds himself in. he says himself that he loves the game.
― Treeship, Saturday, 7 February 2015 20:19 (nine years ago) link