The first verse is performed by three of the four members of the rap group Dramacydal (referred to in the song as the Thoro Headz) who would go on to join 2Pac's Outlawz group (Young Hollywood, K-Dog, and Big Malcolm, in that order), the second by Stretch and the Notorious B.I.G., and the third and last by 2Pac, with the hook sung by Buju Banton.
Because of Shakur's troubles with justice, the song was moved to Thug Life's debut album Thug Life, Volume I with a different 2Pac verse and a new hook, but it was finally refused by Interscope and cut due to heavy criticism of gangsta rap at the time, finally replaced by "Stay True" in the album.
It was subsequently released a year later in 1995 as part of a compilation album of original hip hop music entitled One Million Strong, a release by SOLAR Records to commemorate the 1995 Million Man March in Washington, D.C., which also featured songs by Mobb Deep, Dr. Dre, Snoop Doggy Dogg, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Sunz of Man, among others.
In this case, "Runnin'" talked about drugs and shooting at cops, themes considered inappropriate for children.
This alternate verse was later used by Eminem for his "Runnin' (Dying to Live)" remix on the Tupac: Resurrection soundtrack.
But this new hook and this edited beat could have been specifically made later in early 1994 for the Thug Life, Volume I album.
: "Be The Realist" [6] originally released as "Let's Get It On" - Eddie F. featuring Heavy D, 2Pac, Grand Puba & Spunk Bigga.
[8] It sampled Kool & the Gang's 1975 song Summer Madness in addition to "Munchies for Your Love" and featured vocals from Chilean singer Deetah.
In 2003, "Runnin' (Dying to Live)", a remix of this song produced by Eminem, was released as a single from the Tupac: Resurrection soundtrack.