What is this?

The Genius annotation is the work of the Genius Editorial project. Our editors and contributors collaborate to create the most interesting and informative explanation of any line of text. It’s also a work in progress, so leave a suggestion if this or any annotation is missing something.

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“Changes” is Pac’s timely meditation on race, class and politics.

The piano and chorus are sampled from “The Way It Is” by Bruce Hornsby and the Range.

To see annotations on this song by the cast and author of the Broadway musical Holler If Ya Hear Me, which tells a powerful story of today using Pac’s music, see here.

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A significant portion of this verse (and some of the first verse, too) was originally released as a part of “I Wonder If Heaven Got a Ghetto”

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The crack epidemic of the 80s and 90s was considerably worse in predominately Black neighborhoods but was ignored because of the perception that Black Americans were burdening the tax system with excessive dependence on welfare payments from the government.

It has been alleged several times that the CIA itself was involved in the indiscriminate distribution of crack cocaine in urban America, to both kids and adults alike, to further their own selfish ends.

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You might read this line and think he’s being melodramatic, but remember that the LAPD are some corrupt-ass thug motherfuckers

A reference to the institutionalized racism in America and how if a police man shot a black man he’s more likely to be considered a hero instead of a criminal. ‘Pac was politicized in the era of the Rodney King beating and the subsequent LA Riots.

This line is also very relevant years later today when you look at the repeated murders of blacks Americans by police officers. His lyrics ring true today.

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After Bizzy gives it on up to the glock-glock with the pop-pop you will not be able to escape the body bag–Zipped and locked.

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This is Kanye’s interruption: he can only take so much before protesting Jay’s criticism of the effeminate metro-fashion Kanye personifies.


No I.D. spoke about this during an interview with Complex, stating that Jay Z said:

‘Ye told me to do it.’ Then Kanye came in and said ‘Damn Jay, you went too far!’ and I stopped him and said ‘You’ve gotta put that on the record!’ And that’s how it all came together.

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As you get more money, you get more commas in your net worth (1,000 as opposed to 1,000,000). Who would have predicted you’d get caught up in the money and lose your good judgment?

THE MAKERS OF SCARFACE, THAT’S WHO

Also possibly a diss towards Common, who changed his name from Common Sense. They mention Common (in “Freedom”) and their distaste for his brand of conscious rap (in “Footsteps”) on this album. They’re suggesting that as Common has gained more exposure and has made more money, he’s also lost his taste and good judgment (Wanted, anyone?).

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Birdman and Mannie Fresh make up the duo Big Tymers; Big Tymers look for distinguishable headlight shapes in their cars (be it bubble-eye or frog-eye), cf. “Number one Stunna”:

That Lexus – the new one – that come out in 2001
With the frog eyes
And that Yu- the new Yukon, that’s bubble-eye
And that Mercedes Wagon, with the kit, that’s kitted out
Look like it got frog eyes

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“CorningWare” is good for cooking crack:

CorningWare was originally a brand name for a unique pyroceramic glass cookware resistant to thermal shock. It is notable for the fact that it can be used directly on the stovetop

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A common brag is that one’s lines are either so hot or so complex that – before the advent of Rap Genius – the listener had to constantly rewind a rapper’s verse to understand/appreciate what he’s saying

See also J Cole’s “Water Break”:

I bet you never seen me coming
Like a blind bitch you fucking from behind
It’s that motherfucking dime, bitch
I’m fucking up rewind buttons

As well as Kanye West in “Barry Bonds”

Top 5 MCs you ain’t gotta remind me
Top 5 MCs you gotta rewind me

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