Thank the Lord for my kids, even if nobody else want emĬause I think we can make it, in fact, I’m sureĪnd if you fall, stand tall and comeback for moreĬause ain’t nothing worse than when your son I know it’s kinda rough and you’re feelin all aloneĭaddy’s long gone and he left you by ya lonesome “To all the ladies having babies on they own He makes a connection between negative perceptions of the youth and the larger societal forces that create inequality.

In this verse, Tupac addresses the government’s role in perpetuating poverty among people of color. Say there ain’t no hope for the youth and the truth is They got money for wars, but can’t feed the poor “You know it’s funny when it rains it pours He also asks women and children to “keep ya head up” though our society makes it difficult to survive in a one parent family. After presenting this contradiction, he specifically calls on men of color to treat their women and children with respect. In this verse, Tupac addresses the contradictory perceptions of women in culture. Why we rape our women, do we hate our women?” Got our name from a woman and our game from a woman When brothers make babies, and leave a young mother to be a pappy “You know it makes me unhappy (what’s that) Her death is cited as one of the causes of the LA riots in 1992. The song is dedicated to Latasha Harlins, a fifteen-year-old woman shot and killed by a shop owner in LA. I chose Tupac Shakur’s “Keep Ya Head Up” because delivers a positive message to one of the most oppressed groups in the US: poor, black women. Rap music provides many critiques of our world, especially as they relate to race, money, gender, and forms of criminal activity. I was drawn towards choosing a rap song for this week’s ethical analysis. After changing the gender pronouns, the song seems humorous and unrealistic. For example, if we were to take David Guetta’s “Sexy Chick” (at least that’s the name of the edited version). What happens when you switch “he” and “she” pronouns in a song (this is called the Willis test)? Does it still send the same message? Usually it doesn’t due to gender differences that result from sexism and misogyny. Overall, 'Keep Ya Head Up' is a powerful call to action that uplifts women and encourages marginalized communities to persist through the challenges they face.One can learn quite a bit about societal perceptions of gender roles through listening to music. The song ends with the plea to 'keep your head up,' serving as a reminder to stay positive and hopeful in the face of adversity. Shakur recognizes the hardships they face and encourages them to stay strong and keep fighting, even when it seems impossible.

The final verse focuses on single mothers, who are often forced to raise children alone. Despite the odds, he urges listeners to keep pushing forward and never give up hope. The song shifts to Shakur's personal struggles in the third verse, describing how he dreams of success in the music industry despite financial difficulties and the likelihood of incarceration. The lyric 'I think it's time to kill for our women' expresses the need to protect and value women, rather than perpetuating violence against them. The second verse addresses the mistreatment of women in general, questioning why men harm and neglect those who create and nurture life. The chorus, 'Keep-keep ya head up, ooh, child, things'll get brighter,' serves as a reminder to stay optimistic despite difficult circumstances. The first verse acknowledges the discrimination faced by black women, specifically those on welfare, and implores them to persevere in the face of adversity. The song opens with a shoutout to two children, Elijah and Corin, setting the tone for the message of hope and encouragement that follows. 'Keep Ya Head Up' by Tupac Shakur is a powerful anthem that uplifts women and addresses the struggles they face in society.

Tupac lyrics keep your head up