The Message

The Message is the last song from Dr. Dre's album 2001, closing out the album. It is dedicated to his deceased brother, Tyree. The lyrics were ghostwritten by rapper Royce da 5'9". Controversy followed when this information came out, as the subject matter of the song is very personal and it wasn't even written by Dre.

[Intro: Dr. Dre] This one is for my brother, Tyree, R.I.P A message to God [Verse 1: Dr. Dre] Since you finishing em early, what possessed you to start him? We made a vow - later we'll regret til death do us part Lord, I thought we was made for each other You shouldn't connect those, made to be taken away from each other Now what I'm supposed to do? I'm only half the man that I was I'll never last, cause my better half is up there with you You knew what you was doing when you made us, so with all due respect You coulda forgave him, you didn't have to take him He can take the game with him, cause he defines the word The one who puts the G in it, who you think put me in it? I'm feeling like my whole world is blinded, wondering why Crying, pouring out my heart, pouring out liquor behind it We fought like brothers, something we never should do We coulda used time spent arguing telling the truth He had talent too - I had plans on watching him blow Don't know what hurts more, seeing him leave, or watching him go [Hook: Mary J. Blige] Listen, listen, listen (Listen) Listen, listen, listen (Better listen) Listen, listen, listen Listen [Post-Hook: Rell & Mary J. Blige] If you wan' know why (Why I live my life) The way that I do (Cause I got to get this money) So don't worry about me (Cause I know my way around) I'm just hustlin' everyday, runnin' this race, makin' this paper [Verse 2: Dr. Dre] You's a soldier, you're probably packing heat up there Met up with homies from the street, and got deep up there If you only knew the way I felt before they ruined the crew I thought I learned from Eazy, now I'm going through it with you We lost a thug, a son, and a father I spoke to your son, the other day, and told him Uncle Dre got him The Lord must be accidentally pulling your file Cause I'm still paging you, 911, straight in denial Prayin' you get it, but no man can choose the card he was dealt You either quit, or you gon' play it like you get it I done been through all emotions, from in shock, to keeping a poker face To straight breaking down and showing all emotions I'm anxious to believing real G's don't cry If that's the truth, then I'm realizing I ain't no gangsta It's just not me, but you know I'mma always ride wit you I miss you, sometimes I wish I just died with you [Hook: Mary J. Blige] [Listen, listen, listen (Listen) Listen, listen, listen (Better listen) Listen, listen, listen Listen](7469635) [Post-Hook: Rell & Mary J. Blige] If you wan' know why (Why I live my life) The way that I do (Cause I got to get this money) So don't worry about me (Cause I know my way around) I'm just hustlin' everyday, runnin' this race, makin' this paper [Outro: Mary J. Blige] Listen If you don't know why I you gotta listen up right now Listen, listen, listen, listen Listen, listen Listen, listen, children, listen I'm tryin to tell you somethin' good Don't get caught up in the hood, yeah If you don't know why You gotta find out the reason why Brother, brother [Skit] Oh, you're Doctor Dre. Ha-ha, are you a real doctor dude? I mean like, you know, can you prescribe some drugs for me man? Come on dude, I'll split whatever I get with ya, okay? Hahahaha Ah, the chronic