Something Wicked

## Song by 2Pac

"**Something Wicked**" is a song by 2Pac, released as the seventh track from his debut studio album, *2Pacalypse Now* (1991). It features background vocals from Pee Wee. In the track-by-track commentary, Shakur stated that it was created intentionally with no samples, to show that they don't always need them. He added, "We got a beat and just rocked it."

## Composition

The phrase 'Something wicked this way comes' derives from Shakespeare's five-act tragedy *Macbeth* (1623). In Act 4, Scene 1, the second of the three witches states this ominously.

It was reported that Shakespeare was a major influence on 2Pac's artistry. He told the *Los Angeles Times* in 1995, "I love Shakespeare. He wrote some of the rawest stories, man. I mean look at *Romeo and Juliet*. That's some serious ghetto shit. You got this guy Romeo from the Bloods who falls for Juliet, a female from the Crips, and everybody in both gangs are against them. So they have to sneak out and they end up dead for nothing. Real tragic stuff." He continued, "And look how Shakespeare busts it up with *Macbeth*. He creates a tale about this king's wife who convinces a happy man to chase after her and kill her husband so he can take over the country. After he commits the murder, the dude starts having delusions just like in a Scarface song. I mean the king's wife just screws this guy's whole life up for nothing. Now that's what I call a bitch."

## Lyrics

**Lyrics**
[Intro]

Something (Something) wicked (Wicked) this way comes (Comes)

Something (Something) wicked (Wicked) this way comes (Comes)

Something (Something) wicked (Wicked) this way comes (Comes)

Something (Something) wicked (Wicked) this way comes (Comes)

Something wicked (Wicked) this way comes (Comes)

Something wicked this way comes

Something wicked (Wicked)

Wicked

[Verse]

Remember, more than an adversary, I'm very quick

I'm ready to hit 'em with this gift I'm equipped to kick

So, grab your coat and your hat, 'cause I'm prepared to clown

Let's gather the set and throw these motherfuckers down

Oh shit, 2Pacalypse is back and strapped

Attackin' the packs, I'm kickin' the facts on stacks of raps

And those that max, relax, and let the Blacks get jack

Are gettin' taxed, by packs and packs of angry Blacks

I'm ready to go, I'm rippin' the shows

Hittin' the door, gettin' the hoes, clothes

Pumpin' the funk, thanks to the Hump, 'cause the nose knows

Check the pose, froze when you see me close

Punks, you gonna roast, hopes in a cloud of smoke

Broke, choked on some potent dank smoke

Wrote rhymes that'll bring me bank notes

Nope, I ain't the type of fella that you're used to

Ki-Ki-Ki-Kickin' the funky flava, pumpin' the juice with dope producers

Run for cover when you hear the bass drum

One verse is all it takes

Something wicked this way comes (Ruthless, come, come)

Ruthless, come, come

[Outro]

Something (Something) wicked (Wicked) this way comes (Comes)

Something (Something) wicked (Wicked) this way comes (Comes)

Something (Something) wicked (Wicked) this way comes (Comes)

Something (Something) wicked (Wicked) this way comes (Comes)

Something (Something) wicked (Wicked) this way comes (Comes)

Something (Something) wicked (Wicked) this way comes (Comes)

Something (Something) wicked (Wicked) this way comes (Comes)

Something (Something) wicked (Wicked) this way comes (Comes)

Something (Something) wicked (Wicked) this way comes (Comes)

Something (Something) wicked (Wicked) this way comes (Comes)

Something (Something) wicked (Wicked) this way comes (Comes)

Something (Something) wicked (Wicked) this way comes (Comes)

Something (Something) wicked (Wicked) this way comes (Comes)

Something (Something) wicked (Wicked) this way comes (Comes)

Something (Something) wicked (Wicked) this way comes (Comes)

Something wicked, wicked, wicked comes

Something wicked this way comes

Wicked, something wicked (Kick it), this way comes

Something wicked (Kick it), this way comes

Wicked, kick it, this way comes

Wicked, kick it, this way comes

Wicked, wicked, this way comes

Wicked, wicked, this way comes

Wicked, wicked, this way comes

## References

1. ↑ Scarano, Ross (November 14, 2016). "Here's Tupac's Song-by-Song Commentary on His Debut, '2Pacalypse Now'". *Complex*.
2. ↑ Philips, Chuck (October 25, 1995). "From the Archives: Tupac Shakur: 'I am not a gangster'". *Los Angeles Times*.