They say the good die young, so the bad die old.
Guess we somewhere in the middle, so just pray for my soul.

- Jon Connor, “Broken Mirrors,” Salvation, 2011

I’d rather die enormous than live dormant.

- Jay-Z, “Can I Live,” Reasonable Doubt, 1996

If I should die this very day,
Don’t cry…cause on Earth
We wasn’t meant to stay.

- Whitney Houston, “My Love Is Your Love,” My Love Is Your Love, 1998. A rare R&B quote exception dedicated to Whitney Houston (August 9, 1963 - February 11, 2012), who has finally found peace.

God damn! Drug dealers dealin’ to the kiddies,
Livin’ in the city ain’t no pity on the itty-bitty.
We try to cry, but still they all die,
I try to speak to the youth, and the truth is: they all high.

- 2Pac, “Wassup Wit The Luv?,” from Digital Underground’s The Body-Hat Syndrome, 1993

I don’t see the world as you see it.
I see it as a game, and my aim is to complete it.
What you live for is what you die for:
To make a little name, grab some fame and the high score.

- Murs, “Ice Cream Mountain,” from McKenzie Eddy’s Slow Your Horse Down, Son, 2011

If I should fall asleep and death takes me away,
Don’t be surprised son, I wasn’t put here to stay.

- Lauryn Hill, “Family Business,” from The Fugees’ The Score, 1996

Life’s a bitch, but God forbid the bitch divorce me…

- Nas, “Affirmative Action,” It Was Written, 1996

When the slugs penetrate, you feel a burning sensation,
Gettin closer to God in a tight situation.

- Prodigy, “Shook Ones Pt. II,” from Mobb Deep’s The Infamous,  1995

So let me explain the game,
Break it down a couple of levels like Tetris:
These young uns kill they own blood for a necklace,
Leave ya slumped over the wheel of ya Lexus,
Smoke kush, wake up and eat breakfast…
…what the fuck you expect?

- Pharoahe Monch, “Black Hand Side,” W.A.R. (We Are Renegades), 2011

I would trade my existence to give you breath,
Guess the only guarantees in this life is death.
As I look around seein’ I’m the last one left,
And the things I can’t change I just gotta accept.

- Tragedy, “Permanently Scarred,” Against All Odds, 1997

Dyin’ ain’t the shit, but it’s pleasant.

- Notorious B.I.G., “My Downfall,” Life After Death, 1997

Live each day like your last…one day you’ll be right.

- MF Grimm, “See No Evil,” The Hunt for the Gingerbread Man, 2007

There’s gonna be a lot of slow singing and flower bringing
If my burglar alarm starts ringing

- The Notorious B.I.G., “Warning,” Ready to Die, 1994