2Pac – ”Me Against the World” [Official Album], March 14, 1995
Me Against the World Cover Front
Tracklist & Producers:
Click for Lyrics & Samples
01 – Intro – Producer (Tony Pizarro, Jill Rose) 02 – If I Die 2nite – Producer (Easy Mo Bee) 03 – Me Against The World – feat.(Dramacydal);- Producer (Soulshock and Karlin) 04 – So Many Tears – Producer (D-Flizno Production Squad (Shock G & Stretch) 05 – Temptations – Producer (Easy Mo Bee) 06 – Young Niggaz – Producer (Moe Z.M.D.) 07 – Heavy In The Game – feat. (Richie Rich); Producer (Mike Mosley, Sam Bostic) 08 – Lord Knows – Producer (Brian G, Moe Z.M.D., Tony Pizarro) 09 – Dear Mama – Producer (Tony Pizarro, DF Master Tee & Moses) 10 – It Ain’t Easy – Producer (Tony Pizarro) 11 – Can U Get Away – Producer (Mike Mosley) 12 – Old School – Producer (Soulshock, Jay-B, Ezi Cut) 13 – Fuck The World – Producer (Shock G) 14 – Death Around The Corner – Producer (Johnny “J”) 15 – Outlaw – feat.(Dramacydal); Producer (Moe Z.M.D.)
Released : March 14, 1995 on Interscope Records Re-released : 1998 on Amaru/Jive Highest Chart Position : #1 R&B, #1 Pop Certified : Gold April 26, 1995; Platinum Aptril 26, 1995; Platinum December 6, 1995, 3x Platinum Recorded : 1993 – 1994 Length : 65:57 Label : Out Da Gutta Records/Interscope Producers: Easy Mo Bee, Johnny “J”, SoulShock, Tony Pizarro, Moe Z.M.D., Mike Mosley, Stretch, Shock G
Perhaps as a result of these circumstances, Me Against the World has become known to many as the most incendiary of Shakur’s releases, expressing an intensely personal mix of emotions and reactions to the events of his life.
In one particular review it was said that Tupac’s uncovered and raw humanity created a flow of inspiration and vibes through all who heard the album, and that it is a remarkable and somewhat insightful musical achievement.
Many believe this album to be the pinnacle of gangster rap albums. 2Pac was deep into marijuana during this period and the album reflects that with messages of paranoia such as ‘If I Die 2Nite‘ and ‘Death Around the Corner‘. On top of the paranoia, the references to organized crime (‘Heavy in The Game‘, the real nihilistic apathy towards the world (‘Fuck the World‘) and especially the reflection on the reprecussions of violence (‘So Many Tearz‘) were a great contrast to the cartoonish thug rap albums of the time. This was unlike any other ‘Gangster Rap’ CD, as it went deep into the meaning of many subjects and also contained several emotional rhymes (‘Dear Mama‘) and personal reflections (‘It Aint Easy‘). It didn’t glorify the lifestyle but brought positive encouragement for people to seek a better lifestyle (‘Young Niggaz‘). Many other gangster rap artists have since failed trying to duplicate the emotional depth and realness of this album.
Thug Life: Volume 1 [Official Album], October 11, 1994
Thug Life Vol.1 Cover Front
Tracklist & Producers:
Click for Lyrics & Samples
1 “Bury Me a G” (feat. Natasha Walker) – 2Pac/Mopreme Shakur/Rated R/Big Syke/Macadoshis – Prod. Thug Music 2 “Don’t Get It Twisted” – Mopreme Shakur/Rated R/Macadoshis – Prod. Jay & Mopreme 3 “Shit Don’t Stop” (feat. Y.N.V.) – 2Pac/Mopreme Shakur/Rated R/Big Syke/Macadoshis Prod. Thug Music 4 “Pour Out a Little Liquor” – 2Pac – Prod. Johnny “J” 5 “Stay True” (feat. Stretch) – 2Pac/Mopreme Shakur – Prod. Thug Music 6 “How Long Will They Mourn Me?” (feat. Nate Dogg) – 2Pac/Rated R/Big Syke/Macadoshis – Prod. Nate Dogg & Warren G 7 “Under Pressure” (feat. Stretch) – 2Pac – Prod. Thug Music 8 “Street Fame” – 2Pac/Mopreme Shakur/Rated R/Big Syke – Prod. Stretch 9 “Cradle to the Grave” 2Pac/Mopreme Shakur/Rated R/Big Syke/Macadoshis Prod. Moe-Z 10 “Str8 Ballin‘” – 2Pac, Prod. Easy Mo Bee
Released : October 11, 1994 on Atlantic Records, Interscope Records & Out Da Gutta Records Re-released : 1998 on Amaru/Jive Highest Chart Position : #6 R&B, #42 Pop Certified : Gold January 24, 1996 Recorded : March 1993 – May 1994 Length : 42:28 Label : Out Da Gutta Records/Interscope Producer : Stretch / Thug Music, Johnny “J”, Nate Dogg, Easy Mo Bee, Warren G, Mopreme, Syke, Moe Z.M.D.
Single : “Cradle to the Grave” – Released: November 4, 1994
Review :
The album was originally released by Tupac’s label Out Da Gutta Records. Due to heavy criticism on gangsta rap at the time, the original version of the album was scrapped and re-recorded with many of the original songs being cut. Among the notable tracks on the album are “Bury Me a G“, “Pour Out a Little Liquor“, “How Long Will They Mourn Me?” and “Str8 Ballin“. In 1996 Big Syke and Tupac planned to create a Thug Life: Vol. 2 which would have been released on Makaveli Records. Although the album was originally released on Tupac’s label Out Da Gutta, Amaru Entertainment, the label owned by the mother of Tupac Shakur, has since gained the rights to it. Consisting of Tupac Shakur, Rated R, Macadoshis, Mopreme Shakur, Big Syke, and with production and appearances by Stretch the album was originally supposed to be titled Thug Life: Out On Bail. The album was advertised on the liner notes of the single for Tupac’s “Papaz Song“. The single included the first song by Thug Life titled “Cradle to the Grave“. The version that appeared on the “Papaz Song” single was not accepted by Interscope Records as a single and forced Thug Life to submit a remix. The remix was later on used for the album and the video. The title song, “Out on Bail” was rejected and the album’s title was changed to Thug Life: Volume 1; although a remix of the title song by Eminem was used on the posthumous album, Loyal To The Game. The Notorious B.I.G. appeared on the track called “Runnin from the Police“, which was supposed to be track 5 of the album. It was on the Thug Life: Vol. 1demo tape that was given to Interscope to chop and edit; this demo has recently started circulating the internet. The track was replaced with “Stay True“. The group eventually released their debut album, Thug Life: Volume 1, in September 1994 after it was rejected multiple times by Interscope. It only had ten tracks when dozens more were recorded during the sessions.
Promotion was lacking. The album didn’t sell because few mainstream rap fans knew of its existence. When Shakur was shot and incarcerated later that year, it forced Rated R and Macadoshis to part ways and the group quickly disbanded, although all remain on good terms and often collaborate on each other’s projects.
Mopreme and Big Syke continued to rap with Shakur after his prison time while he was signed to Death Row. At the end of Tupac’s life, he and Big Syke were working on Thug Life: Volume 2, which was to be released on Makaveli Records.
Future volumes were to feature other artists. Unfortunately, a second volume was never released. However, after 2Pac’s death the other artists from this album attempted to release a THUG LAW album which had only mediocore success.
The album only contains 10 tracks, because Interscope records felt many of the other recorded songs were too controversial to release.
Released : February 16, 1993 on Interscope Records; 1998 on Amaru/Jive Certified : Gold September 24, 1993; Platinum Aplril 19, 1995 Recorded : June 1992 – January 1993: Starlight Sound Studio (California); Echo Sound Studio (Los Angeles, California); Unique Recording Studios (New York) Formats : CD, Cassette, Vinyl Length : 64:25 Producer : Live Squad (Stretch), 2Pac, Underground Railroad, Atron Gregory, Akshun, D’Flow Production Squad, Big D The Impossible, DJ Daryl, Bobby Ervin, Laylaw, Special K, Bobcat
Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z, was a continuation of raw messages from a young black male. Although this album still emphasized 2Pac’s political and social thoughts, the style and production was a lot more hardcore than the debut album. This album was full of sadness, compassion and rage and also carried many disses to then Vice President Dan Quayle in retaliation for his criticism of 2Pacalypse Now.
This album also had a lot more commercial success than 2Pacalypse Now. ‘Keep Ya Head Up‘ got acclaim for it’s social pertinence and its supportive message to single mothers. ‘I Get Around’ was the ultimate party jam of its time. ‘Holler If You Hear Me‘ and ‘Last Wordz‘ continued Tupac’s political attitude in his lyrics. Unfortunately, the raw political messages faded after this album as 2Pac got deeper and deeper into the Thug Life, his marijuana addictions, fame, legal problems, and skepticism from being backstabbed from ‘friends’. They only began to return near and during his recording of Makaveli, shortly before his untimely death.
The production on this album was better than the first.
The original vinyl names:
Side A (tracks 1-8) the “Black Side” and Side B (tracks 9-16) the “Dark Side”.
Killing us one by one In one way or another America will find a way to eliminate the problem One by one The problem is The troubles in the black youth of the ghettos And one by one We are being wiped off the face of this earth At an extremely alarming rate And even more alarming is the fact That we are not fighting back Brothers, sisters, niggas When I say niggas it is not the nigga we are grown to fear It is not the nigga we say as if it has no meaning But to me It means Never Ignorant Getting Goals Accomplished, nigga Niggas what are we going to do? Walk blind into a line? Or fight? Fight and die if we must like niggas
This is for the masses, the lower classes The ones you left out, jobs were givin’, better livin’ But we were kept out Made to feel inferior, but we’re superior Break the chains in our brains that made us fear yah Pledge allegiance to a flag that neglects us Honour a man that who refuses to respect us Emancipation, proclamation, Please! Lincoln just said that to save the nation These are lies that we all accepted Say no to drugs but the government’s kept it Running through our community, killing the unity The war on drugs is a war on you and me And yet they say this is the Home of The Free But if you ask me it’s all about hypocrisy The constitution, Yo, it don’t apply to me And Lady Liberty still the bitch lied to me Steady strong nobody’s gonna like what I pumpin’ But it’s wrong to keeping someone from learning something So get up, it’s time to start nation building I’m fed up, we gotta start teaching children That they can be all that they want to be There’s much more to life than just poverty
This is definitely ahhh words of wisdom AMERIKA, AMERIKA, AMERIKKKA I charge you with the crime of rape, murder, and assault For suppressing and punishing my people I charge you with robbery for robbing me of my history I charge you with false imprisonment for keeping me Trapped in the projects And the jury finds you guilty on all accounts And you are to serve the consequences of your evil schemes Prosecutor do you have any more evidence?
Words of Wisdom They shine upon the strength of a nation Conquer the enemy on with education Protect yourself, reach for what you wanna do Know thy self, teach what we been through On with the knowledge of the place, then No one will ever oppress this race again No Malcolm X in my history text Why is that? ‘Cause he tried to educate and liberate all blacks Why is Martin Luther King in my book each week? He told blacks, if they get smacked, turn the other cheek I don’t get it, so many questions went through my mind I get sweated, They act as if asking questions is a crime But forget it, one day I’m gonna prove them wrong Now every brother had to smother on the welfare line The American dream, though it like it’s attainable They’re pulling your sleeve, don’t believe ‘Cause it will strangle yah Pulling the life of your brain, I can’t explain Beg as you can obtain from which you came Swear that your mother is living in equality Forgetting your brother that’s living her apology Thought they had us beaten when they took out King But the battle ain’t over till the black man sings Words of Wisdom But the battle ain’t over till the black man sings Words of Wisdom
NIGHTMARE that’s what I am America’s nightmare I am what you made me The hate and evil that you gave me I shine of a reminder of what you have done to my people For Four hundred plus years You should be scared You should be running You should be trying to silence me Ha ha But you cannot escape fate Well it is my turn to come Just as you rose you shall fall By my hands Amerika, You reap what you sow 2pacalypse America’s Nightmare Ice Cube and Da Lench Mob America’s Nightmare Above the Law America’s Nightmare Paris America’s Nightmare Public Enemy America’s Nightmare Krs-One America’s Nightmare Mutulu Shakur America’s Nightmare Geronimo Pratt America’s Nightmare Assada Shakur America’s Nightmare
[2Pac] They claim that I’m violent, just cause I refuse to be silent These hypocrites are havin fits, cause I’m not buyin it Defyin it, envious because I will rebel against any oppressor, and this is known as self defense I show no mercy, they claim that I’m the lunatic But when the shit gets thick, I’m the one you go and get Don’t look confused, the truth is so plain to see Cause I’m the nigga that you sell-outs are ashamed to be In every Jeep and every car, brothers stomp this I’m Never Ignorant, Getting Goals Accomplished The underground railroad on an uprise This time the truth’s gettin told, heard enough lies I told em fight back, attack on society If this is violence, then violent’s what I gotta be If you investigate you’ll find out where it’s comin from Look through our history, America’s the violent one Unlock my brain, break the chains of your misery This time the payback for evil shit you did to me They call me militant, racist cause I will resist You wanna censor somethin, motherfucker censor this! My words are weapons, and I’m steppin to the silent Wakin up the masses, but you, claim that I’m violent
[Chorus:] [1st occurance:] as written [2nd occurance:] add last three lines again [3rd occurance:] repeat first five lines twice [4th occurance:] repeat first five lines twice [5th occurance:] second to fifth line, first to fifth line [6th occurance:] emphasis on second line, whole chorus [7th occurance:] first three lines only
“They claimin that I’m violent” -> Chuck D [cut and scratched] “Fuck the damn cop!” [cut and scratched] “Just because we play what the people want..” “They claimin that I’m violent” -> Chuck D [cut and scratched] “Fuck the damn cop!” [cut and scratched] “Just because we play what the people want..” “They claimin that I’m violent” -> Chuck D [cut and scratched] “Fuck the damn cop!” [cut and scratched]
[2Pac] The cops can’t stand me, but they can’t touch me Call me a dope man, cause I rock dope beats Jacked by the police, didn’t have my ID I said, “Excuse me, why you tryin to rob me?” He had tha nerve to, say that I had a curfew (Do you know what time it is? Get out the fucking car, or I’ll hurt you!) “Get out the car… or I’lI hurt you” So here I go, I better make my mind up Pick my nine up, or hit the line-up I chose B, stepped into the streets The first cop grabbed me, the other ripped my seat They grabbed my homie and they threw him to the concrete (Ay man.. aiyyo.. ay man just c’mon ?) (“What you doin man?”) They tried to frame me They tried to say I had some dope in the back seat But I’m a rap fiend, not a crack fiend My homie panicked (“I’m out”) he tried to run (Freeze nigga!) I heard a bullet fire from the cop’s gun My homie dropped so, I hit the cop I kept swingin, yo, I couldn’t stop Before I knew it, I was beatin the cop senseless The other cop dropped his gun, he was defenseless (? Arrrrggggh, fuck you! Ungggh!) Now I’m against this cop who was racist Given him a taste, of tradin places And all this, cause the peckerwood was tryin this frame up, but I came up Now they claimin that I’m violent
[Chorus]
[2Pac] As I was beatin on a cop, I heard a gun click (uh-ohh) Then the gun shot, but I wasn’t hit I turned around it was my homie with the gun in hand He shot the cop (damn!) now he’s a dead man I said, come on, it’s time for us to get away (Let’s go, we gotta get the fuck outta here) They called for backup, and they’ll be on their way Jumped in the car, and tried to get away quick The car wouldn’t start (damn!) we in deep shit So we jumped out (C’mon let’s take the cop’s car) We drove a little ways thinkin that we got far But I looked up, and all I saw was blue lights If I die tonight, I’m dying in a gunfight I grabed the AK, my homie took the 12 gauge Load em up quick, it’s time for us to spray We’ll shoot em up with they own fuckin weapons And when we through sprayin (audi) then we steppin This is a lesson, to the rednecks and crooked cops You fuck with real niggaz, get ya fuckin ass dropped So here we go, the police against us Dark as dusk, waitin for the guns to bust (What’s next man?) What’s next, I don’t know and I don’t care One things fo’ sho’, tommorrow I won’t be here But if I go, I’m takin all these punks with me Pass me a clip G, now come and get me You wanna sweat me, never get me to be silent Givin them a reason, (a reason) to claim that I’m violent…
I don’t give a fuck They done push me to the limit I’m all in I might blow up any minute, did it again Now I’m in the back of the paddy wagon While this cops bragging about the nigga he’s jackin I see no justice All I see is niggas dying fast The sound of a gun blast Then watch the hurst past Just another day in the life ‘G’ Gotta step lightly cause cops tried to snippe me The catch, they don’t wanna stop at the brother man But then they’ll have an accident and pick up another man I went to the bank to cash my cheque I get more respect from the mother-fuckin’ dope man The Grammy’s and the American music shows pimp us like hoes They got dough but they hate us though You better keep your mind on the real shit And fuck trying to get with these crooked ass hypocrites They way they see it, we was meant to be keep down Just can’t understand why we getting respect now Mama told me they’re be days like this But I’m pissed cause it stays like this And now they trying to send me off to Kuwait Gimme a break How much shit can a nigga take I ain’t goin’ nowhere no how What you wanna throw down Better bring your guns pal Cause this is the day we make ’em pay Fuck bailin’ hate I bail and spray with my A-K And even if they shoot me down There’ll be another nigga bigger from the mother-fuckin’ underground So step but you better step quick Cause the clocks goin’ tick and I’m sick of the bullshit You’re watching the makings of a physco-path The truth didn’t last Before the wrath and aftermath Who’s that behind the trigger? Who’d do your figure!? A mother-fuckin night nigga Ready to buck and rip shit up I had enough and I don’t give a fuck
Niggas!, isn’t just the blacks also a gang of mother-fuckers dressed in blue slacks They say niggas hang in packs and their attitude is shitty Tell me, who’s the biggest gang of niggas in the city They say niggas like to do niggas, Throw me in the cuffs with just two niggas A street walkin’ nigga and a beat walkin’ nigga with a badge I had to shoot you and the pass for the blast take his cash And bash his head in dump him at the dead in And that’s just his luck Cause a nigga like me don’t really give a fuck
Walked in the store what’s everybody staring at They act like they never seen a mother fucker wearing black Following a nigga and shit Ain’t this a bitch All I wanted was some chips I wanna take my business else where But where? Cause who in the hell cares About a black man with a black need They wanna jack me like some kind of crack fiend I wonder if knows that my income is more than His pension, salary and then some Your daughter is my number one fan And your trife ass wife wants a life with a black man So who’s the mac in fact who’s the black jack Sit back and get fat off the fat cat while he thinks that he’s getting over I bust a move as smooth as Casanova And count another quick meal I’m getting paid for my traid but its still real And if you look between the lines you’ll find a rhyme AS strong as a fuckin’ nine Mail stacked up niggas wanna act up Let’s put the gats up and throw your backs up But the cops getting dropped by the gun shot Usta come but he’s done, now we run the block To my brothers stay strong keep your heads up They know we fed up But we they just don’t give a fuck
They just don’t give a fuck
I gotta give my fuck offs
Fuck you to the San Francisco police department Fuck you to the Marin County Sheriff department Fuck you to the F.B.I Fuck you to the C.I.A Fuck you to the B-u-s-h Fuck you to the America Fuck you to all you redneck prejudice mother fuckers And fuck you Fuck Y’all Punk gay sensitive little dick bastards 2pacalypse mother fuckin’ know Y’all can kiss my ass and suck my dick And my uncle Tommy’s balls Fuck Y’all Punks, punks, punks, punks, punks
[repeat softly 2X in the background] All you wanted to be, a soulja, a soulja All you wanted to be, a soulja, like me All you wanted to be, a soulja, a soulja All you wanted to be, a soulja, like me
[audible after ‘Pac says the word “welfare”]
[‘Pac talking as ‘Soulja’] They cuttin off welfare.. They think crime is risin now You got whites killin blacks, cops killin blacks, and blacks killin blacks Shit just gon’ get worse They just gon’ become souljas Straight souljas
[Chorus: 2Pac (repeat 2X)]
All you wanted to be, a soulja, a soulja All you wanted to be, a soulja, like me All you wanted to be, a soulja, a soulja All you wanted to be, a soulja, like me
[2Pac as ‘Soulja’] Crack done took a part of my family tree My mom is on the shit, my daddy’s splittin, mom is steady blamin me Is it my fault, just cause I’m a young black male? Cops sweat me as if my destiny is makin crack sales Only fifteen and got problems Cops on my tail, so I bail til I dodge ’em They finally pull me over and I laugh “Remember Rodney King?” and I blast on his punk ass Now I got a murder case.. .. you speak of heaven punk? I never heard of the place Wanted to come up fast, got a Uz and a black mask Duckin fuckin ‘Task’, now who’s the jack-ass? Keep my shit cocked, cause the cops got a glock too What the fuck would you do – drop them or let ’em drop you? I chose droppin the cop I got me a glock, and a glock for the niggaz on my block Momma tried to stab me, I moved out Sold a pound a weed, made G’s, bought a new house I’m only seventeen, I’m the new kid Got me a crew, bought ’em jewels, and a Uz’-thick But all good things don’t last ‘Task’ came fast, and busted my black ass Coolin in the pen, where the good’s kept Now my little brother wants to follow in my footsteps A soulja
[Chorus]
[2Pac] Buck, buck – niggaz get fucked, don’t step to this Quiet as kept I’m blessed on a quest with a death wish Tell ’em to come and test, and arrest, nigga it’s hectic Here’s the anorexic, I’m makin it to an exit Walkin through the streets on the black tip Packed with several gats, cause I’m on some “pay ’em back” shit Niggaz don’t wanna try me, brother you’ll get shot down Now I’m king of the block, since my bigger brother’s locked down I’m hot now, so many punk police have got shot down Other coppers see me on the block, and they jock now That’s what I call a kingpin Send my brother what he needs and some weed up to Sing-Sing Tellin him just be ready set Pack ya shit up quick; and when I hit, be prepared to jet Niggaz from the block on the boat now Every single one got a gun, that’ll smoke – pow! These punks about to get hit by the best I’m wearin double vest.. so aim at my fuckin chest I’ll be makin straight dome calls Touch the button on the wall, you’ll be pickin up your own balls I can still hear my mother shout.. “Hit the pig nigga, break your bigger brother out” I got a message for the warden I’m comin for ya ass, as fast as Flash Gorden We get surrounded in the mess hall, yes y’all A crazy motherfucker makin death calls Just bring me my brother and we leavin For every minute you stall, one of y’all bleedin.. They brought my brother in a jiffy I took a cop, just in case things got tricky And just as we was walkin out (BANG!) I caught a bullet in the head, the screams never left my mouth My brother caught a bullet too I think he gon’ pull through, he deserve to The fast life ain’t everything they told ya Never get much older, following the tracks of a soulja
[Chorus]
[Chorus: softly in background 0.5X]
[‘Pac speaking over background] Straight soulja, 1993, and forward..
Backing Vocals – Shock G Producer – The Underground Railroad Vocals – Dank, Playa-Playa, Wiz
Lyric :
You know they got me trapped in this prison of seclusion Happiness, living on tha streets is a delusion Even a smooth criminal one day must get caught Shot up or shot down with tha bullet that he bought Nine millimeter kickin’ thinking about what tha streets do to me Cause they never talk peace in tha black community All we know is violence, do tha job in silence Walk tha city streets like a rat pack of tyrants Too many brothers daily heading for tha big penn Niggas commin’ out worse offthan when they went in Over tha years I done alot of growin’ up Getten drunk thrown’ up Cuffed up Then I said I had enough There must be another route, way out To money and fame, I changed my name And played a different game Tired of being trapped in this vicious cycle If one more cop harrasses me I just might go psycho And when I gettem I’ll hittem with tha bum rush Only a lunatic would like to see his skull crushed Yo, if your smart you’ll really let me go ‘G’ But keep me cooped up in this ghetto and catch tha uzi They got me trapped….
[Chorus]
(Uh uh, they can’t keep tha black man down) They got me trapped (Naw, they can’t keep tha black man down) Trapped (Uh uh, they can’t keep tha black man down) Trapped (Naw, they can’t keep tha black man down)
They got me trapped Can barely walk tha city streets Without a cop harrassing me, searching me Then asking my identity Hands up, throw me up against tha wall Didn’t do a thing at all I’m tellen you one day these suckers gotta fall Cuffed up throw me on tha concrete Coppers try to kill me But they didn’t know this was tha wrong street Bang bang, down another casualty But it’s a cop who’s shot there’s brutality Who do you blame? It’s a shame because tha mans slain He got caught in tha chains of his own game How can I feel guilty after all tha things they did to me Sweated me, hunted me Trapped in my own community One day i’m gonna bust Blow up on this society Why did ya lie to me ? I couldn’t find a trace of equality Work me like a slave while they laid back Homie don’t play that It’s time I lett’em suffer tha payback I’m tryin to avoid physical contact I can’t hold back, it’s time to attack jack They got me trapped
[Chorus]
(Uh uh, they can’t keep tha black man down) You know they got me trapped (Naw, they can’t keep tha black man down) Trapped (uh uh, they can’t keep tha black man down) You know they got me trapped (Naw, they can’t keep tha black man down)
Now i’m trapped and want to find a getaway All I need is a ‘G’ and somewhere safe to stay Can’t use tha phone Cause i’m sure someone is tappin in Did it before Ain’t scared to use my gat again I look back at hindsite the fight was irrelevant But now he’s tha devils friend Too late to be tellin’ him He shot first and i’ll be damned if I run away Homie is done away I should of put my gun away I wasn’t thinkin’ all I heard was tha ridicule Girlies was laughin’, Tup sayin “Damn homies is dissin you” I fired my weapon Started steppin’ in tha hurricane I got shot so I dropped Feelin’ a burst of pain Got to my feet Couldn’t see nothin’ but bloody blood Now i’m a fugitive to be hunted like a murderer Ran through an alley Still lookin’ for my getaway Coppers said Freeze, or you’ll be dead today Trapped in a corner Dark and I couldn’t see tha light Thoughts in my mind was tha nine and a better life What do I do ? Live my life in a prison cell I’d rather die than be trapped in a living hell They got me trapped
[Chorus]
(Uh uh, they can’t keep tha black man down) They got me trapped (Naw, they can’t keep tha black man down) Trapped (uh uh, they can’t keep tha black man down) You know they got me trapped (Naw, they can’t keep tha black man down) Trapped
(T. Shakur, D. Evans, George Clinton Jr., Sylvester Allen, Harold Brown, Morris Dickerson, Lonnie Jordan, Charles Miller, Lee Oskar, Howard Scott)
Lyric :
[Intro w/ minor variations]
Hard like an erection Young black male Ain’t shit to fool with
Yes niggas… yes niggas… yes niggas…
Go nigga, go!
[Verse: 2Pac] Young black male I try to effect by kicking the facts And stacking much mail I’m packing a gat cause guys wanna jack And fuck going to jail Cause I ain’t a crook, despite how I look I don’t sell yayo They judging a brother like covers on books Follow me into a flow I’m sure you know, which way to go I’m hitting ’em out of the doors So slip on the slope, let’s skip on the flow I’m fucking the sluts and hoes The bigger the butts the tighter the clothes The gimminy jimminy grows Then whaddaya know, it’s off with some clothes Rowd when the crowd says ho That let’s me know, they know I can flow Love when they come to my shows I get up and go with skins before When I’m collecting my dough I never respect, the one that I back The quicker the nigga can rap The bigger the check Now watch how they sweat What kind of style is that? The style of a mack, and ready to jack I rendered up piles of black The wacker the pack, the fatter the smack I hate it when real niggas bust They hate when I cuss, they threaten to bust I had enough of the fuss I bust what I bust and cuss when I must They gave me a charge for sales For selling the tales… of young black males
[Outro] Yes nigga, N-I-G-G-A, niggas Ay nigga, you can’t handle that shit! Pass that man! Hit that shit, that’s the shit! It smell like skunk, skunk smell like that nigga momma We ain’t nuttin’ but some low down dirty niggas Keep it real nigga, fuck you nigga! You ain’t giving me near a dime on this real motherfucker Fuck St. Ides, it’s an Old E thing baby Strictly some of that Hennessy Can I drink with you fellas? Can I get it on it? Fuck you capo. You ain’t in baby I tell you what! You guys are not gonna be talking All that shit, when I come back, OK? We gonna say who the big mouth, when I come back
1. “Young Black Male” – Big D The Impossible (D Evans) – 2:35 2. “Trapped” (featuring Shock G) – The Underground Railroad – 4:44 3. “Soulja’s Story” – Big D The Impossible 5:05 4. “I Don’t Give a Fuck” (featuring Pogo) – Pee-Wee (R Gooden) – 4:20 5. “Violent” – Raw Fusion (R Brooks & D Elliot) – 6:25 6. “Words of Wisdom” – Shock G (G Jacobs) – 4:54 7. “Something Wicked” – (featuring Pee-Wee) Jeremy – 2:28 8. “Crooked Ass Nigga” – (featuring Stretch) Stretch (R Walker) – 4:17 9. “If My Homie Calls” – Big D The Impossible – 4:18 10. “Brenda’s Got a Baby” (featuring Dave Hollister) – The Underground Railroad 3:55 11. “Tha’ Lunatic” – (featuring Stretch) Shock G 3:29 12. “Rebel of the Underground” – (featuring Ray Luv & Shock G) Shock G – 3:17 13. “Part Time Mutha” – (featuring Angelique & Poppi) – Big D The Impossible 5:13
Released : November 12, 1991 on Interscope Records
Rereleased in 1998 on Amaru/Jive
Highest Chart Position : #4 R&B, #64 Pop
Certified : Gold – April 19, 1995
Length : 52:02
Recorded : 2Pacalypse Now was recorded in Richmond, California from March to August 1991. Producers : Atron Gregory (exec.), Big D the Impossible, Jeremy, Live Squad, Raw Fusion, Shock G, Underground Railroad
Unused tracks : “Crooked Nigga Too” (Original featuring Stretch) (Remixed On Loyal To The Game) “Tears Of A Clown” (Unreleased) “Scared Straight ’91” (Original featuring Ray Luv) (Remixed On Pac’s Life) “Resist The Temptation” (Remixed On Best of 2Pac) “Dopefiend’s Diner” (Remixed On Best of 2Pac) “Crooked Cop Killer” (Produced By Stretch) (featuring Ice-T) (Unreleased) “Fever In The Funkhouse” (Unreleased) “Revenge Of Tha’ Lunatic” (featuring Money B)(Unreleased) (Original Version & Remix) “Funky Freestyles” (featuring Money B, Del the Funky Homosapien & Deb-E) (Unreleased) “Hymn of The 90’s N.I.G.G.A.” (Original featuring Mouse Man & The Wycked) (Remixed On Loyal To The Game) (Partially) “Backstabbaz” (Unreleased) “What U Won’t Do 4 Love” (featuring Schoovy Schmoov) (Early 1991 Version of “Do For Love”) “Use Me” (Unreleased) “This Is The Brain On a 40 Ounce” (featuring Treach) (Unreleased) “2FLY4ME” (Unreleased) “Trapped” (Remix) (Unreleased) “You Don’t Wanna Battle” (featuring Ryan G.) (Unreleased) “It Ain’t Necessarily So” (featuring Shock G) (Unreleased) “Break ‘Em Off” (featuring Money B, Debby & WC) (Unreleased) “Fade Away” (feat. Sean, Julian) (Unleaked Yet) / Producer: Big D The Impossible (Deon Evans)
Review : 2Pacalypse Now, the great debut release, is probably 2Pac’s most raw political album. He addresses social issues such as police brutality, poverty, teenage pregnancy, and drug abuse with the anger of a young black male.
It is hailed by many critics and fans for its underground feel, with many rappers such as Nas and Talib Kweli having pointed to it as a source for inspiration from the album. Although the album was originally released on Interscope, Amaru Entertainment, the label owned by the mother of Tupac Shakur, has since gained the rights to it. The album’s name is a played-on title of the 1979 film Apocalypse Now, which is about the Vietnam War.
This album was strongly criticised by politics and the media. Vice president Dan Quayle believed ” that this album has no place in our society”. It didn’t help this album’s image when it was found in the tape player of a young black male who shot and killed the police officer who pulled him over. The male was at the time listening to Souljah’s Story; one of the songs where 2Pac raps in detail about killing cops.
This album showcases all of the elements of 2Pac’s nature that he later focused on at various stages in his life and career. ‘Brenda’s Got A Baby‘ and ‘Violent‘ highlight 2 extremes of his complex character: Sadness in circumstances and raw vengeful anger driven by a need to survive.
The record never achieved the same success as many of Shakur’s later albums owing in part to rough construction and sometimes repetitive beats, but it was important in showcasing Shakur’s political conviction and lyrical talent. It featured three singles, “Brenda’s Got a Baby“, “Trapped“, and “If My Homie Calls“.
2Pacalypse Now can be found in the Vinyl Countdown ad in the instruction manual for Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas along with the track “I Don’t Give a Fuck” which appeared on the in-game radio station, Radio Los Santos.
Covers
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“Young Black Male”: “Only a Young Black Male can tell you how a Young Black Male lives. How you get sweated by the cops all the time. How your homies are rushed. This rap’s so straight from the heart that I did it in one take, one burst.”
“This rap’s so straight from the heart that I did it in one take, one burst.”
“Trapped”: “We’re trapped in our own ghettos and some people are braggin’ about it! White people can go anywhere except the ghetto and we can’t go anyplace but the ghetto. Who do you think has the best of that deal? It doesn’t make any difference if your hair is permed or braided or in dreads, if you’re in the ghetto then you’re trapped.”
“Brenda’s Got A Baby”: “A true story. A family in New York died when they left the gas on because they were so cold — except for a 12-year-old girl. She then went to stay with a cousin who molested her and got her pregnant. She had the baby on the bathroom floor before she went to school! Then she threw it in the incinerator. Fortunately, someone saved the child. But reading that story, the pain really shook me.”
“Violent”: “My enemy is the police. They’re like the cop in Terminator 2 — globs that can take any shape. They call themselves Officer Friendly but they’re out on the street kicking motherfuckin’ asses. The song just vents my frustrations.”
“If My Homie Calls”: “I’ll always stay true to my homies. The show can wait, the movie can wait. Because your homies are the ones who stay true.”
“I Don’t Give A Fuck”: “Digital Underground got jacked by the San Francisco Police Dept., they put guns to our heads. Right after getting nominated for a Grammy: ‘Shut up or we’ll blow you away!’ Two hours later, I’m in a studio session and this is what came out. I’m talking some true shit here.”
“Something Wicked”: “In case anybody thinks we always need samples, I wanted to show how we’d make it with no samples at all. We got a beat and just rocked it.”
“Rebel Of The Underground”: “I’m a rebel. I’m always the one talking the loudest and getting arrested or thrown out of someplace.”
“I’m a rebel. I’m always the one talking the loudest and getting arrested or thrown out of someplace.”
“The Lunatic”: “That’s my nickname in the underground, big ‘U’ and little ‘u.’ Everybody’s got a character and a nickname. I guess I got this one because mine is a personality that can flip at any second.”
“Part-Time Mutha”: “This is the flip side of records glorifying dope dealin’ and free sex. This one’s about a friend who freaks for a 10-piece and how his son is so ashamed of him he becomes a stone cold killer. And a mother who’s so blinded by love of this dealer she’s not listening when her daughter tells her she’s been raped. And how a one-time stand leaves a man with baby and how it changes his life. He too is a part-time mutha.”
“Soldier Story”: “Dope dealers are known as soldiers ’cause they’re tuned into war. In this story, a little brother idolizes his big brother dope dealer. So when the big brother goes to the penitentiary, the little brother tries to break him out — and dies. He didn’t know it’s a fast life — he didn’t know it’s not like they tell you.”
“He didn’t know it’s a fast life — he didn’t know it’s not like they tell you.”
