album IV
Poetic Justice continues its journey into the heart of societal issues with its sixth track, "Where Is the Love?" This powerful collaboration between Tupac and Michael Jackson isn't just another song; it's an urgent call for unity, understanding, and self-reflection. Tupac raps over a haunting, melodic backdrop, while Michael Jackson's vocals serve as the emotional core, calling out the lack of love and compassion in the world. With this track, Poetic Justice transitions from dark, raw reflection to a deeply poignant plea for a better future.
Verse 1: Tupac raps:
"What's wrong with the world, Mama?
People livin' like they ain't got no mamas.
I think the whole world's addicted to the drama,
Only attracted to things that'll bring you trauma."
Tupac starts by addressing the pain that surrounds the world, asking his mother—and by extension, the listener—what has gone wrong with society. He paints a picture of a world where people live without love or familial guidance, living as though they don't have mothers who should teach them better. Tupac notes how the world is "addicted to the drama," suggesting that chaos and conflict are not only pervasive but also attractive to people. People gravitate toward negative emotions, toxicity, and trauma rather than peace, compassion, or love. This sets the tone for the rest of the track, which will challenge the listener to examine their role in perpetuating these cycles.
Tupac continues:
"Overseas, yeah, we tryna stop terrorism,
But we still got terrorists here livin'
In the USA, the big CIA,
The Bloods and the Crips and the KKK."
Here, Tupac highlights the hypocrisy of focusing on foreign enemies while failing to address the internal issues plaguing America. He mentions terrorism in the context of global threats but quickly pivots to show that domestic terrorism—be it from the CIA, gangs like the Bloods and Crips, or hate groups like the KKK—remains unchecked and often goes unnoticed. This speaks to the systemic racism and violence within the country, something Tupac continually addresses throughout Poetic Justice.
The roots of violence and hate are not confined to any one part of the world. They are internal, festering within the borders of the nation itself. And until people acknowledge this, they cannot begin to heal or move forward.
Tupac continues:
"But if you only have love for your own race,
Then you only leave space to discriminate,
And to discriminate only generates hate,
And when you hate, then you're bound to get irate, yeah."
This is perhaps the most politically charged part of Tupac's verse. He critiques the idea of only showing love for one's own race, which he sees as a form of self-isolation that inevitably breeds discrimination. Discrimination, Tupac argues, breeds hate, which only leads to more anger, division, and conflict. This is the cycle he's trying to break: the insular mentality that limits one's compassion and contributes to societal discontent. Tupac advocates for universal love, a love that transcends racial and cultural boundaries.
Love is a force that should unite humanity, not divide it. If you are only capable of loving those who are just like you, you are part of the problem. And when you live in a state of hate, violence is the inevitable outcome.
Tupac continues:
"Madness is what you demonstrate,
And that's exactly how anger works and operates,
Man, you gotta have love just to set it straight,
Take control of your mind and meditate,
Let your soul gravitate to the love, y'all, y'all."
Tupac elaborates on the destructive nature of anger. He calls it "madness," which demonstrates its uncontrollable, cyclical nature. Anger only perpetuates more violence and suffering. He offers a solution: love. He believes that to find clarity and peace, one must "take control of your mind and meditate," suggesting that inner peace is the key to breaking free from the madness. The final line—"Let your soul gravitate to the love"—is an invitation to focus on love, unity, and understanding, urging listeners to let these forces guide their actions.
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Chorus: Michael Jackson sings:
"People killin', people dyin',
Children hurt, and you hear them cryin'.
Can you practice what you preach?
And would you turn the other cheek?
Father, father, father, help us,
Send some guidance from above,
'Cause people got me, got me questioning,
Where is the love?"
The chorus brings the emotional weight of the song to the forefront. Michael Jackson's voice, angelic and pleading, highlights the suffering of the world—people killing and dying, children hurting, and cries echoing for help. The first two lines are a stark portrayal of the state of the world, highlighting the injustices and pain that many face daily. Jackson then turns the question inward, asking whether people truly live by the values they preach—"Can you practice what you preach?" and "Would you turn the other cheek?" These are questions of integrity and self-awareness. They challenge listeners to not just speak of love and peace but to embody it in their actions.
In the latter half of the chorus, Michael sings for divine intervention: "Father, father, father, help us, Send some guidance from above." The plea is both personal and universal—he's calling on a higher power to guide humanity, to help people find their way back to love and peace.
The world is in crisis, and the pain is felt deeply. The question of "Where is the love?" is central to this track, encapsulating the feeling of loss, disillusionment, and the need for something greater to restore peace and understanding.
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Verse 2:
Tupac raps:
"It just ain't the same, old ways have changed,
New days are strange, is the world insane?
If love and peace is so strong,
Why are there pieces of love that don't belong?"
In the second verse, Tupac acknowledges the shifting nature of the world. He recognizes that while there are calls for love and peace, the world's actions often contradict these ideals. "Pieces of love that don't belong" refers to the fractured way love is distributed or perceived in the world—sometimes people struggle to see how love can apply to everyone, especially when they've been hurt or alienated.
Tupac wonders if the ideals of love and peace are even possible when society is so fragmented. He questions whether the world is "insane" because it seems to disregard these values at every turn.
Tupac continues:
"Nations droppin' bombs,
Chemical gases fillin' lungs of little ones,
With ongoing sufferin' as the youth die young,
So ask yourself, is the lovin' really gone?"
Tupac's imagery here is haunting. He references the toll of war and violence on the world's children, highlighting the senselessness of bombing innocent people, especially children, and causing irreparable harm. Chemical weapons and bombs destroy more than just physical bodies—they destroy futures. Tupac asks, "Is the lovin' really gone?" to make the listener reflect on whether love and compassion have truly disappeared or if they're just buried under layers of violence and hatred.
In the midst of widespread suffering, especially among the most vulnerable, Tupac challenges listeners to confront the question of love. Is it gone, or are we simply ignoring it?
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Verse 3: Tupac
Tupac raps:
"I feel the weight of the world on my shoulder,
As I'm gettin' older, y'all people get colder.
Most of us only care about money-makin',
Selfishness got us followin' the wrong direction."
Tupac speaks to the personal burden he feels as a voice for the oppressed. The older he gets, the more disillusioned he becomes as he watches people grow "colder"—less compassionate and more focused on individual gain. The pursuit of money, Tupac argues, has overshadowed more important values like love, family, and community.
Tupac reflects on the materialistic tendencies of society. People are so wrapped up in self-interest that they fail to understand the consequences of their actions.
Tupac continue
"Wrong information always shown by the media,
Negative images is the main criteria,
Infecting the young minds faster than bacteria,
Kids wanna act like what they see in the cinema."
Tupac critiques the media's role in shaping perceptions, especially for young people. The constant bombardment of negative and false information has poisoned the minds of the youth, making them aspire to dangerous ideals because that's what they see on TV and in movies.
The media is a powerful force, but it's often used to perpetuate harmful stereotypes and unrealistic expectations. Tupac calls for a shift in how information is presented to the public, especially to young minds.
As Michael Jackson sings the final lines of the song, the message becomes clear: we all share this world together. There's only one world, one chance for humanity to find its way.
The track ends with a final plea for unity, asking, "Where is the love?" It's a question that resonates deeply, a question that each listener must answer for themselves.
Author notes
Guys what do you think of new wallpaper of Tupac. I think this will get more people to read the story. Also due to Me being lazy I will update two chapters today and two chapters tomorrow because you guys get the story two hundred power stone Also I like more when you guys comment more then giving power stone. Soo comment and take to me how to improve many things in the story. Motivate me to write story.
Also from now if you guys get the story too :
100 power stone = 1 chapter
200 power stone = 2 chapter
Like that every person 100 power stone = 1 chapter.
Sooo please stops giving the story power stone so I can become lazy.
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