Runnin' from tha Police (Original Version)

Overview

Runnin' from tha Police is one of the most important collaborations in hip hop history, bringing together 2Pac and The Notorious B.I.G. while they were still close friends. Recorded during an Easy Mo Bee studio session in late 1993, the track also features Stretch, Dramacydal and Lil' Vicious, capturing a unique moment before the East Coast and West Coast rivalry changed the careers of both artists.

For the Live Squad archive, the recording is particularly significant because it features Stretch as a performer during one of the most celebrated sessions of Tupac's career. Although the song is often remembered simply as the only major collaboration between 2Pac and Biggie, Stretch's contribution forms an important part of the original recording and reflects the close friendship between the artists during this period.

The song underwent several revisions before reaching its first official release, with new vocals recorded, the chorus rewritten and different versions prepared for commercial release. As a result, Runnin' from tha Police exists in several distinct forms, each representing a different stage in the song's development.

Recording History

Original Studio Version (1993)

The earliest version of the song was recorded on 29 October 1993 during a session produced by Easy Mo Bee. It featured verses from 2Pac, The Notorious B.I.G., Stretch and Dramacydal, with Lil' Vicious performing the chorus. This is the version most collectors know as Runnin' from tha Police. Although completed in 1993, it remained officially unreleased for almost two years.

Thug Life Version (1994)

During the recording sessions for Thug Life: Volume 1, the song was reworked for possible inclusion on the album. Tupac recorded a new opening verse and Brown Man replaced Lil' Vicious on the chorus, creating a noticeably different version of the track. Despite being prepared for the album, it was ultimately left off the final release.

One Million Strong Version (1995)

The original Easy Mo Bee recording finally received its first official release on the 1995 compilation One Million Strong. This commercial release introduced the collaboration to a wider audience and remained the definitive version for many years.

Runnin' (Dying To Live) (2003)

In 2003 the recording was revisited for the soundtrack to Tupac: Resurrection. Rather than remixing the original master, Eminem created an entirely new production using different Tupac vocals while removing the original contributions from Stretch, Dramacydal and Lil' Vicious. The result was released as Runnin' (Dying To Live), introducing the recording to a new generation of listeners but significantly altering the original performance.

Release History

Year	Release	Format	Notes
1995	One Million Strong	CD	First official release.
2003	Runnin' (Dying To Live)	Remake	Remixed by Eminem using different Tupac vocals. Stretch removed.

Samples

Samples Used

Sample information is currently being researched.

Lyrics