# Thug Life (group)

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American hip hop group

This article is about the hip hop group. For other uses, see [Thug life](/source/Thug_life_(disambiguation)).

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Thug Life From left to right: Big Syke, Mopreme, 2Pac, Macadoshis, The Rated R Background information Genres West Coast hip hop gangsta rap G-funk Years active 1993–1995 Labels Out da Gutta Interscope Atlantic Spinoffs Outlawz Past members Tupac Shakur (deceased) Big Syke (deceased) Mopreme Shakur Macadoshis The Rated R Big Stretch (deceased)

**Thug Life** was an American [hip hop](/source/Hip_hop_music) group that consisted of [2Pac](/source/Tupac_Shakur), [Big Syke](/source/Big_Syke), [Mopreme](/source/Mopreme_Shakur), Macadoshis, and The Rated R. They released one album, 1994's *[Thug Life, Volume I](/source/Thug_Life%2C_Volume_I)*, before disbanding in 1995.[1] [Tupac Shakur](/source/Tupac_Shakur), [Mopreme Shakur](/source/Mopreme_Shakur), and [Big Syke](/source/Big_Syke) later became members of the [Outlawz](/source/Outlawz).

## Concept and Philosophy

The acronym **THUG LIFE** ("The Hate U Gave Little Infants, Fucks Everybody")[2] was conceptualized by Shakur as a commentary on the cycle of systemic injustice. It posits that the marginalization experienced by children in impoverished communities eventually results in negative societal consequences that affect all demographics.[3]

### Code of Thug Life

In 1992, [Tupac Shakur](/source/Tupac_Shakur) and [Mutulu Shakur](/source/Mutulu_Shakur) authored the "Code of Thug Life," a 26-point social contract intended to reduce mindless violence and establish a moral framework within inner-city culture.[4] The code was formally adopted at a "Truce Convention" in [California](/source/California) and aimed to regulate gang activity by prohibiting the targeting of civilians, children, and elderly residents.[5]

Key mandates of the code included:[6]

1. All "New Jacks" must acknowledge the inherent risks of the lifestyle: wealth, imprisonment, or death.

1. Crew leaders are held responsible for financial and legal commitments to their members.

1. Cooperation with law enforcement ("ratting") is strictly prohibited.

1. Disputes between crews are to be handled via designated diplomats to maintain unity.

1. "Car jacking" and drug distribution ("slinging") within the community's own neighborhood are forbidden.

1. The protection of vulnerable populations, specifically prohibiting drug sales to children or pregnant women.

1. Schools, parties, and concerts are designated as "neutral territories" where violence is prohibited.

1. Civilians, families in their homes, and the elderly are protected from targeting or abuse.

1. Sexual assault and "senseless brutality" are explicitly condemned.

1. A mandate for members to "protect yourself at all times."

## History

### Formation and early years (1993)

Thug Life was formed in 1993 by Tupac Shakur, along with [Randy "Stretch" Walker](/source/Stretch_(rapper)), Princess Mel, and [Tyruss "Big Syke" Himes](/source/Big_Syke).[7] Himes adopted the stage name Big Syke upon joining. The group's lineup later expanded to include Macadoshis (Diron Rivers), The Rated R (Walter Burns), and Tupac's stepbrother [Mopreme Shakur](/source/Mopreme_Shakur), who performed as "The Wycked."[8]

Prior to signing with [Interscope Records](/source/Interscope_Records), Shakur met with [Eazy-E](/source/Eazy-E) in 1993 to discuss a potential deal with [Ruthless Records](/source/Ruthless_Records). Negotiations reportedly stalled because Eazy-E requested a name change to avoid confusion with his recent signing, [Bone Thugs-n-Harmony](/source/Bone_Thugs-n-Harmony).[9] The collaboration never materialized due to Eazy-E's death in March 1995.

### *Thug Life, Volume I* (1994)

The group's only studio album, *[Thug Life, Volume I](/source/Thug_Life%2C_Volume_I)*, was released on September 26, 1994, through Interscope and Shakur's Out da Gutta label.[1] The lead single, "[Pour Out a Little Liquor](/source/Pour_Out_a_Little_Liquor)," originally appeared on the [*Above the Rim* soundtrack](/source/Above_the_Rim_(soundtrack)). The album reached #42 on the [Billboard 200](/source/Billboard_200). As of 2011, it had sold over 497,000 copies in the United States.[10]

### Disbandment and legacy

The group effectively disbanded in 1995 following Shakur's incarceration. On November 30, 1995, founding member Randy "Stretch" Walker was killed in a drive-by shooting in [Queens Village](/source/Queens_Village%2C_Queens).[11] Big Syke later joined the [Outlawz](/source/Outlawz) as "Mussolini" before passing away in 2016.[12]

In April 2026, the estate of [Mutulu Shakur](/source/Mutulu_Shakur), led by Mopreme Shakur, initiated legal proceedings against [Duane "Keefe D" Davis](/source/Duane_Davis_(gangster)). The litigation cited allegations from the 2025 Netflix documentary *Sean Combs: The Reckoning* regarding a conspiracy related to the 1996 homicide of Tupac Shakur.[13]

## Members

- [Tupac Shakur](/source/Tupac_Shakur) (d. 1996)

- [Big Syke](/source/Big_Syke) (d. 2016)

- [Mopreme Shakur](/source/Mopreme_Shakur)

- Macadoshis

- The Rated R

- [Randy "Stretch" Walker](/source/Stretch_(rapper)) (d. 1995)

## Discography

### Studio albums

- *[Thug Life, Volume I](/source/Thug_Life%2C_Volume_I)* (1994)

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-AlbumAnniversary_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-AlbumAnniversary_1-1) ["Thug Life's Debut & Only Studio Album 'Thug Life: Volume 1' Turns 30 | Album Anniversary"](https://albumism.com/features/thug-life-debut-album-thug-life-volume-1-album-anniversary). *Albumism*. September 24, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Tupac explains thug life"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TfEr_BLW30). *[YouTube](/source/YouTube)*. Retrieved 2026-03-20.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Here's How Tupac and THUG LIFE Inspired the Hate U Give"](https://www.epicreads.com/blog/tupac-thug-life-hate-u-give/). 2026-03-20.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-ThugLifeCode_4-0)** Dyson, Michael Eric (2001). *Holler If You Hear Me: Searching for Tupac Shakur*. Basic Civitas Books. pp. 158–160. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0465017560](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0465017560).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-LAWeeklyHistory_5-0)** Sloane, Crosley (September 13, 2021). ["The History of the Code of Thug Life"](https://www.laweekly.com/the-legacy-of-tupacs-code/). *[LA Weekly](/source/LA_Weekly)*. Retrieved May 3, 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-GeniusCode_6-0)** ["2Pac - Code of THUGLIFE"](https://genius.com/2pac-code-of-thug-life-annotated). *Genius*. Retrieved 2026-03-20.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-allmusicbio_7-0)** Huey, Steve. ["Big Syke Biography"](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/big-syke-mn0000057053/biography). *[AllMusic](/source/AllMusic)*. Retrieved May 3, 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-LastFM_8-0)** ["Thug Life lineup and biography"](https://www.last.fm/music/Thug+Life/+wiki). *Last.fm*. Retrieved May 3, 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-RuthlessMeeting_9-0)** Tardio, Andres (September 6, 2013). ["Bone Thugs-N-Harmony Detail 2Pac & Eazy-E Meeting"](https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.25345/title.bone-thugs-n-harmony-detail-2pac-eazy-e-meeting). *HipHopDX*. Retrieved May 3, 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-XXLStats_10-0)** ["Tupac Month: 2Pac's Discography - XXL"](https://www.xxlmag.com/tupac-month-2pacs-discography/). *XXL Mag*. 16 September 2011. Retrieved 2021-01-18.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-StretchWiki_11-0)** ["Stretch (rapper) - Biography"](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stretch_(rapper)). *Wikipedia*. Retrieved May 3, 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-SykeDeath_12-0)** Wartofsky, Alona (December 6, 2016). ["Rapper Big Syke Dead at 48"](https://www.tmz.com/2016/12/06/big-syke-dead-tupac/). *[TMZ](/source/TMZ)*. Retrieved May 3, 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Guardian2026_13-0)** Anguiano, Dani (April 29, 2026). ["Tupac Shakur's family files wrongful death lawsuit against suspect"](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2026/apr/29/tupac-shakur-wrongful-death-lawsuit). *[The Guardian](/source/The_Guardian)*. Retrieved May 3, 2026.

v t e Tupac Shakur Discography Songs Awards and nominations Death Studio albums 2Pacalypse Now Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z... Me Against the World All Eyez on Me Posthumous albums The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory R U Still Down? (Remember Me) Still I Rise Until the End of Time Better Dayz Loyal to the Game Pac's Life Live albums 2Pac Live Live at the House of Blues Remix albums Nu-Mixx Klazzics Nu-Mixx Klazzics Vol. 2 Compilation albums Greatest Hits Beginnings: The Lost Tapes 1988–1991 The Prophet: The Best of the Works Tupac: Resurrection The Prophet Returns Best of 2Pac Related albums Nothing but Trouble (soundtrack) Sons of the P Juice (soundtrack) Poetic Justice (soundtrack) Above the Rim (soundtrack) Gridlock'd (soundtrack) Gang Related (soundtrack) A 2Pac Tribute: Dare 2 Struggle The Rose That Grew from Concrete The Rose, Vol. 2 Extended plays Don't Go 2 Sleep Singles "Brenda's Got a Baby" "If My Homie Calls" "Trapped" "Holler If Ya Hear Me" "I Get Around" "Keep Ya Head Up" "Papa'z Song" "Cradle to the Grave" "Dear Mama" "So Many Tears" "Temptations" "California Love" "2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted" "How Do U Want It" "I Ain't Mad at Cha" "Toss It Up" "To Live & Die in LA" "Hail Mary" "Wanted Dead or Alive" Posthumous singles "I Wonder If Heaven Got a Ghetto" "Do for Love" "Changes" "Unconditional Love" "Baby Don't Cry (Keep Ya Head Up II)" "Until the End of Time" "Letter 2 My Unborn" "Thugz Mansion" "Still Ballin'" "Runnin' (Dying to Live)" "One Day at a Time (Em's Version)" "Thugs Get Lonely Too" "Ghetto Gospel" "Untouchable" "Pac's Life" "Playa Cardz Right" Other songs "I Don't Give a Fuck" "Runnin' from tha Police" "Ambitionz az a Ridah" "All Eyez on Me" "Hit 'Em Up" "Are U Still Down" Featured singles "Gotta Get Mine" "Smile" "Playa Cardz Right" Books The Rose That Grew from Concrete Stage Holler If Ya Hear Me Documentaries Biggie & Tupac Tupac: Resurrection Tupac: Assassination Dear Mama Outlawz Kastro Napoleon E.D.I. Mean Hussein Fatal Mussolini Komani Young Noble Related articles Outlawz Digital Underground Afeni Shakur Assata Shakur Mopreme Shakur Mutulu Shakur Thug Life Death Row Records East Coast–West Coast hip-hop rivalry Niccolò Machiavelli Orlando Anderson Tupac Amaru Shakur Center for the Arts All Eyez on Me (film) Unsolved: The Murders of Tupac and the Notorious B.I.G. City of Lies "Taylor Made Freestyle"

[Portals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Contents/Portals):
- [Biography](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Biography)
- [Music](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Music)
- [United States](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:United_States)

Authority control databases International ISNI 2 VIAF National United States Artists MusicBrainz

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Thug Life (group)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thug_Life_(group)) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thug_Life_(group)?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.