Keep Ya Head Up

Keep Ya Head Up by Tupac Shakur has often been referred to as one of the deepest rap songs ever written and it addresses issues concerning women, especially poor black women. The chorus is from the 5-stairsteps 1 hit wonder, Ooh0-child. It was first recorded in his 1993 album. It peaked at number 12 on the billboard Hot 100 chart. It is a motivational song that many people can relate to and it shows Tupac's softer side.

In the first line 2pac uses a metaphor to start the song off, "some say the blacker the berry the sweeter the juice." This relates his race and says that african americans are equal. This whole song is about how females are mistreated. He says, " i know they like to beat you down a lot." He is referring to us, males. We don't believe that women are equal to us men and it is wrong. Tupac states that he cares. He also says that women are the ones who have the kids. You cant tell them when or where to have a baby. He says that the worst thing is when," your son wonders why daddy dont love him no mo'." In my opinion it is the worst thing to leave a women on her own to raise and support a baby.

Tupac also talks about his mother. He is remorseful that he argues about curfew and tried drugs. His mom almost "lost her life" trying to raise him. " it is time to kill for our women" He suggests that instead of being rude and disrespectful, we give our lives to protect them. 

At the end of the song he uses a paradox saying that, "Dying inside but on the outside you look fearless."  He is commenting that women have the whole world on the shoulders. They always have to "keep ya head up." Times can be tough but we all came from women and got our name from our women. So let's not treat women with disrespect.