2Pac – Dear Mama (feat. Anthony Hamilton) Lyrics

Dear Mama

2Pac (feat. Anthony Hamilton)

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"Dear Mama." - 2Pac (feat. Anthony Hamilton)

Tuesday, 20 October 2026, 08:06 am

Album: The Best of 2Pac, Pt. 1: Thug

Track No: 10

When I was young me an 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, I'm scared to go home
I was a fool with the big boys breakin' all the rules
Shed tears with my baby sister, over the years, we were poorer than other little kids
And even though we had different daddies, the same drama
When things went wrong we blamed mama
I reminisce on the stress I caused, it was hell
Huggin' on my mama on my mama from a jail cell
And who'd think in elementary? Hey! I'd see the penitentiary, one day
Running 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 tryna 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
Dear mama
Don't you know I love you?
Dear mama
Place no one above you
Dear mama
I appreciate you
Although my shadow's gone
I will never leave you
Now ain't nobody tell us it was fair
No love for 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 brotha 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 you got the diamond necklace that I sent to ya
'Cause when I was low you was there for me
And never left me alone because you cared for me
And I can see you coming home after work late
You're in the kitchen tryin' to fix us a hot plate
You're just workin' with the scraps you was givin'
And mama made miracles every Thanksgiving
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 that I understand
You are appreciated
Dear mama
Don't you know I love you?
Dear mama
Place no one above you
Dear mama
I appreciate you
Although my shadow's gone
I will never leave you
Pour out some liquor and I reminisce
'Cause through the drama I could always depend on my mama
And when it seems that I'm hopeless
You say the words that can get me back in focus
When I was sick as a little kid, to keep me happy there's no limit to the things you did
And all my childhood memories
Are full of all the sweet things you did for me
And even though I act crazy
I gotta thank the Lord that you made me
There are no words that can express how I feel
You never kept a secret, always stayed real
And I appreciate how you raised me
And all the extra love that you gave me
I wish I could take the pain away
If you can make it through the night, there's a brighter day
Everything will be alright if you hold on
It's a struggle everyday, gotta roll on
And there's no way I can pay you back
But my plan is to show you that I understand
You are appreciated
Dear mama
Don't you know I love you?
Dear mama
I can never place no one above you
Oh mama
I appreciate you
Although my shadow's gone
I will never leave you
I appreciate you
I love you
I need you
Oh mama
I love you
Appreciate you
I need you
Oh mama
I appreciate you
I love you
I need you
Oh mama
I love you
Appreciate you
I need you...

Writer(s): Tony Pizarro, 2Pac & Joe Sample.

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