“Hail Mary” is a song by 2Pac, released under his alias Makaveli, from his posthumous album The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory.
The track is a haunting and introspective piece that delves into themes of struggle, revenge, and existential contemplation. It features verses from 2Pac and his group, the Outlawz, and is known for its dark, foreboding instrumental and powerful lyrics.
The song opens with 2Pac adopting his Makaveli persona, invoking “Killuminati,” a term he coined to suggest a rebellion against perceived secret societies. The intro sets a menacing tone, comparing the impact of his words to a 12-gauge shotgun blast. The repeated call to “Come with me; Hail Mary, nigga, run quick, see” serves as a plea for listeners to join him on a perilous journey, blending religious imagery with the harsh realities of street life.
In this article, we’ll explore the message conveyed in the song’s lyrics.
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2Pac “Hail Mary” Lyrics Meaning
[Intro: 2Pac]
Makaveli in this, Killuminati
All through your body
The blow is like a 12-Gauge shotty
Uh, feel me!
Makaveli is an alias 2Pac adopted, inspired by the Italian philosopher Niccolò Machiavelli. Killuminati is a term he coined, blending “kill” and “Illuminati,” suggesting a rebellion against perceived secret societies. The comparison to a 12-gauge shotgun emphasizes the impact and intensity of his words.
(Come with me; Hail Mary, nigga, run quick, see)
And God said he should send his one begotten son
(What do we have here now? Do you wanna ride or die?)
To lead the wild into the ways of the man
Follow me! (La, la-da-la-la-la-la-la)
Eat my flesh, flesh of my flesh!
This section juxtaposes religious imagery with street life. The call to “Come with me” and “Hail Mary” invokes a sense of urgency and escape. The reference to God sending his son parallels 2Pac’s self-perception as a leader guiding the lost and rebellious.
[Verse 1: 2Pac]
I ain’t a killer, but don’t push me
Revenge is like the sweetest joy next to gettin’ pussy
2Pac asserts that while he is not inherently violent, he is capable of retaliation if provoked. He compares the satisfaction of revenge to sexual pleasure, highlighting its powerful allure.
Picture paragraphs unloaded, wise words bein’ quoted
Peeped the weakness in the rap game and sewed it
He speaks of his lyrical prowess, suggesting that his words are impactful and influential. He identifies and exploits weaknesses in the rap industry.
Bow down, pray to God, hopin’ that he’s listenin’
Seein’ niggas comin’ for me through my diamonds when they glistenin’
2Pac describes a sense of paranoia and the need for divine protection, aware of enemies envious of his success.
Now pay attention: bless me please, Father, I’m a ghost
In these killing fields, Hail Mary, catch me if I go
He feels like a ghost, possibly referring to feeling unseen or spiritually lost. The “killing fields” metaphorically represent the dangerous environment he navigates.
Let’s go deep inside the solitary mind of a madman
Screams in the dark, evil lurks, enemies see me flee
He invites listeners into his troubled psyche, filled with darkness and constant threats.
Activate my hate, let it break to the flame
Set trip, empty out my clip, never stop to aim
2Pac talks about channeling his anger into violence, acting impulsively without hesitation.
Some say the game is all corrupt and fucked in this shit
Stuck, niggas is lucky if we bust out this shit
He criticizes the corrupt nature of the rap game and the difficulty of escaping its pitfalls.
Plus, Mama told me never stop until I bust a nut
Fuck the world if they can’t adjust, it’s just as well, Hail Mary
His mother’s advice to persevere is juxtaposed with a nihilistic attitude towards societal acceptance.
[Chorus: 2Pac]
Come with me!
Hail Mary, nigga, run quick, see
What do we have here now?
Do you wanna ride or die?
La, da-da, da, da, da-da, da
The chorus is a repeated call to action, asking if listeners are ready to join him in his journey, symbolizing a choice between life and death.
[Verse 2: 2Pac]
Penitentiaries is packed with promise-makers
Never realized the precious time that bitch niggas is wastin’
He reflects on the wasted potential of those in prison, who once had promise but squandered their time.
Institutionalized, I live my life a product made to crumble
Much too hardened for a smile, way too crazy to be humble
2Pac describes himself as a product of a broken system, hardened by life experiences.
We ballin’, catch me, Father, please
‘Cause I’m fallin’ in the liquor store
Pass the Hennessy, I hear you callin’, can I get some more?
He turns to alcohol as a coping mechanism, seeking solace in his vices while asking for divine intervention.
Bail ’til I reach Hell, I ain’t scared
Mama checkin’ in my bedroom, I ain’t there
He is unafraid of the consequences of his actions, even if it leads to Hell. His absence from home signifies his detachment from a normal life.
I got a head with no screws in it, what can I do?
One life to live, but I got nothin’ to lose
2Pac acknowledges his mental instability and the sense of having nothing to lose, which drives his reckless behavior.
Just me and you on a one-way trip to prison, sellin’ drugs
We all wrapped up in this livin’, life as thugs
He speaks to a companion, sharing the grim reality of their lifestyle, which often leads to imprisonment.
To my homeboys in Clinton Max doin’ their bid
Raise hell to this real shit and feel this
He sends a shout-out to friends in Clinton Correctional Facility, encouraging them to stay strong and connected to his message.
When they turn out the lights, I’ll be there in the dark
Thuggin’ eternal through my heart
Now hail Mary, nigga!
2Pac promises to remain a guiding presence even in the darkest times, embodying the spirit of a thug eternally.
[Verse 3: Kastro]
They got a A-P-B out on my thug family
Since Outlawz run these streets like these scandalous freaks
Kastro mentions an All-Points Bulletin (APB) on his group, the Outlawz, who dominate the streets.
Our enemies die now, walk around half-dead
Head down, K-blasted off of Hennessy and Thai Chronic
Their enemies are weakened and demoralized, while Kastro is intoxicated by alcohol and marijuana.
Mixed in, now I’m twisted, blistered and high
Visions of me thug-livin’ gettin’ me by
He describes his altered state and how the thug lifestyle sustains him.
Forever live, and I multiply, survived by thugs
When I die they won’t cry unless they comin’ with slugs
Kastro believes his legacy will live on through other thugs, and his death will only be mourned with violence.
[Verse 4: Young Noble]
Peep the whole scene and whatever’s goin’ on around me
Brain kind of cloudy, smoked out, feelin’ rowdy
Young Noble observes his chaotic environment while under the influence, feeling aggressive.
Ready to wet the party up
And whoever in that motherfucker, nasty new street slugger
He is prepared to engage in violence at any moment.
My heat seeks suckers on the regular
Mashin’ in a stolen Black Ac’ Integra
His gun targets enemies regularly, and he drives a stolen car.
Cocked back, sixty seconds ’til the draw, that’s when I’m deadin’ ya
Feet first, you’ve got a nice Gat but my heat’s worse
He is ready for a shootout, confident that his weapon is superior.
From a thug to preachin’ church
I gave you love, now you eatin’ dirt
Noble contrasts his thug life with preaching, indicating betrayal by someone he once cared for.
Needin’ work, and I ain’t the nigga to put you on
‘Cause word is bond
When I was broke, I had to hustle ’til dawn
He refuses to help those in need, emphasizing his own struggle to survive.
That’s when the sun came up, there’s only one way up
Hold your head and stay up
To all my niggas, get your pay and weight up
He advises resilience and determination to achieve success.
[Bridge: Kadafi]
If it’s on, then it’s on, we rape beat-breaks
Outlawz on a paper chase, can you relate?
Kadafi asserts their dominance in the music industry and their relentless pursuit of money.
To this shit I don’t got be the shit I gotta take
Dealin’ with fate, hopin’ God don’t close the gate
He deals with the hardships of life, hoping for divine mercy.
If it’s on, then it’s on, we rape beat-breaks
Outlawz on a paper chase, can you relate?
To this shit I don’t got be the shit I gotta take
Dealin’ with fate, hopin’ God don’t close the gate
The repetition emphasizes their struggle and hope for redemption.
[Chorus: 2Pac & Prince Ital Joe]
Come with me!
Hail Mary, nigga, run quick, see
What do we have here now?
Do you wanna ride or die?
The chorus repeats, reinforcing the call to action and the choice between life and death.
We’ve been travelin’ on this weary road
Sometimes life can be a heavy load
But we ride, ride it like a bullet
Hail Mary, hail Mary (Hail Mary)
The additional lines reflect the hardships of life but also the determination to keep moving forward.
We won’t worry, everything will curry
Free like the bird in the tree
We won’t worry, everything will curry
Yes, we free like the bird in the tree
We runnin’ from the penitentiary
This is the time for we liberty
Hail Mary, hail Mary!
These lines express a sense of freedom and hope despite the struggles, with a focus on liberation from imprisonment.
[Outro: 2Pac]
Westside, Outlawz
Makaveli the Don, solo
Killuminati, The 7 Days
The outro reaffirms 2Pac’s affiliations and his alter ego, Makaveli, while also hinting at the concept of “The 7 Days,” possibly referring to his rapid transformation or the short time he believed he had left.
Deeper Meaning Behind “Hail Mary”
2Pac’s life was marked by constant conflict, both internal and external. In “Hail Mary,” he delves into his feelings of paranoia, the need for revenge, and his struggles with mental health. Lines like “I ain’t a killer, but don’t push me” and “Now pay attention: bless me please, Father, I’m a ghost” reflect his inner turmoil and the dangerous environment he navigated.
2Pac adopted the alias Makaveli, inspired by Niccolò Machiavelli, an Italian philosopher known for his writings on political strategy and power. The term Killuminati, coined by 2Pac, blends “kill” and “Illuminati,” suggesting a rebellion against perceived secret societies.
The song uses religious imagery, such as “Hail Mary” and references to God and Jesus, to juxtapose spiritual seeking with the harsh realities of street life. The term “Hail Mary” traditionally refers to a Catholic prayer asking for the intercession of the Virgin Mary. By invoking this phrase, 2Pac suggests a plea for divine assistance and protection amidst the chaos and danger of his life.
The song’s lyrics frequently juxtapose religious imagery with the harsh realities of street life. For instance, lines like “And God said he should send his one begotten son” and “Eat my flesh, flesh of my flesh” draw parallels between 2Pac’s role and that of a messianic figure, suggesting he sees himself as a leader guiding the lost and rebellious.
2Pac criticizes the corruption within the rap industry and the broader societal issues that contribute to the struggles of marginalized communities. Lines like “Some say the game is all corrupt and fucked in this shit” and “Penitentiaries is packed with promise-makers” highlight his disillusionment with the system and the wasted potential of those caught in it.
He expresses the desperation and resilience required to survive the street life, which include violence, substance abuse, and the constant threat of imprisonment, as evidenced in the lines such as “We ballin’, catch me, Father, please / ‘Cause I’m fallin’ in the liquor store” and “Just me and you on a one-way trip to prison, sellin’ drugs.”
Throughout the song, 2Pac reflects on his legacy and the impact he hopes to leave behind. The repeated call to “Come with me; Hail Mary, nigga, run quick, see” serves as a call to action, urging listeners to join him in his journey and contemplate their own choices between life and death.
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