Dear Mama -- 2pac

When I was young me and my mama had beef Seventeen years
old kicked out on the streets Though back at the time, I never thought I'd see her face Ain't a woman alive that could take my mama's place Suspended from school; and scared to go home,
I was a fool with the big boys, breakin all the rules I shed tears with my baby sister Over the years we was poorer than the other little kids And even though we had different daddy's, the same drama When things went wrong we'd blame mama
I reminice on the stress I caused, it was hell Huggin on my mama from a jail cell And who'd think in elementary I see the enitentiary, one day And runnin from the police, that's right Mama catch me, put a whoopin to my backside And even as a crack fiend, mama
You always was a black queen, mama I finally understand
for a woman it ain't easy tryin to raise a man You always was committed A poor single mother on welfare, tell me how ya did it
There's no way I can pay you back But the plan is to show you
that I understand You are appreciated

Lady..Don't cha know we love ya? Sweet lady
Dear mama  Place no one above ya, sweet lady
You are appreciated  Don't cha know we love ya?

Now ain't nobody tell us it was fair No love from my daddy cause the coward wasn't there He passed away and I didn't cry, cause
my anger wouldn't let me feel for a stranger
They say I'm wrong and I'm heartless, but all along
I was lookin for a father he was gone I hung around with the Thugs, and even though they sold drugs They showed a young brother love I moved out and started really hangin
I needed money of my own so I started slangin I ain't guilty cause, even though I sell rocks It feels good puttin money in your mailbox  I love payin rent when the rent's due I hope ya got the diamond necklace that I sent to you Cause when I was low you was there for me And never left me alone because you cared for me  And I could see you comin home after work late
You're in the kitchen tryin to fix us a hot plate   just workin with the scraps you was given And mama made miracles every Thanksgivin But now the road got rough, you're alone
You're tryin to raise two bad kids on your own And there's no way I can pay you back But my plan is to show you that I understand
You are appreciated


Tupac wrote this for his mother  to let her know that he appreciates all hardship she went through in raising him. It was one of the first popular rap songs to sing the praises of the artist's mother, something that became common as rappers like Kanye West and Nas dedicated songs to their mothers.  (songfacts)