Tupac Amaru Shakur is known as the one of the top hip-hop artists of all time. His massive amount of content is unsurpassed when the consideration of his short life is taken into account. 2Pac released more music posthumously than he did while alive, which is an incredible feat. Of the ten CD’s released that are fully original, six were released after his death. (Several remix albums and collaborations contain a small amount of original content from Shakur, as well as the Greatest Hits album.) Making this accomplishment more incredible is the fact that Shakur spent some of his time acting (six feature films with a prominent role), in prison (using this time to write a screenplay, Live 2 Tell, slated for release in 2010), and much of his time writing poetry (The Rose That Grew From the Concrete, released posthumously.) This article embodies the best of Tupac’s music.
10. Me Against the World
Me Against the World was one of 2Pac’s statements, and the song lends it’s name to one of the greatest albums in the hip-hop genre. 2Pac declares many things in this song, namely that it is impossible to find a pigeon-hole small enough for him. With this song, 2Pac announces the stress that accompanies his lifestyle. He ranges from friends dying, loading up guns, a message of hope, and why America is so fixated on him.
Memorable line – “Don’t settle for less/Even the genius asks questions/be grateful for blessin’s/Don’t ever change, keep your essence”
9. I Wonder if Heaven Got a Ghetto
Tupac may have to attribute the idea of a ghetto in heaven to Spice 1’s Welcome to the Ghetto, but 2Pac expands the idea like he did with most of the hip-hop genre. The first single off the R U Still Down: Remember Me? album to be released, I Wonder if Heaven Got a Ghetto features deep lyrics. While it may not be the most recognizable of Shakur’s songs, it is one of his most thought provoking works.
Memorable line – “I’m tired of being poor and even worse I’m black/Stomach hurts so I’m lookin’ for a purse to snatch.”
8. How Long Will They Mourn Me
2Pac turned from a rising star before he was shot, to a seemingly prophetic superstar after being shot and subsequently signing with Death Row Records. In How Long Will They Mourn Me, Shakur asks a question that is still unanswered. His memory will not be forgotten anytime soon, and he is still mourned today by prominent hip-hop figures. Tupac again raises issues around violence and the after-life. (e.g. “I’ll get them suckas back before you’re buried.” “Do real n*ggas get to go to heaven?”)
Memorable line – “It’s kinda hard to be optimistic/When your homie’s lying dead on the pavement twisted.”
7. Me and My Girlfriend
This song shows the gangster side of Tupac as well as his intellectual prowess. Me and My Girlfriend is about Shakur’s relationship with his gun, and the metaphors abound throughout the song. A greater tribute to the song may be the fact that Jay-Z later emulated it with Beyonce, though it wasn’t about guns anymore.
Memorable line – “I would trade my life for yours/Behind closed doors/The only girl that I adore/Everything I’m askin’ for.”
6. Hold Ya Head
A song about political prisoners, 2Pac even mentions his godfather Geronimo Pratt at the end of the song. Shakur again demonstrates his versatility in this song, talking about the game, prison, money, family, and violence. Shakur’s voice bleeds in this song, and one can tell that he is putting everything he has into this song.
Memorable line – “My aim is to spread more smiles than tears.”
5. Wonder Why They Call U
In a stab at C. DeLores Tucker, a political activist against rap music, Tupac explains why rap music has so many negative stereotypes towards women. It speaks to Tupac’s influence that other politicians directly spoke out against him (including Bob Dole and Dan Quayle.) Speaking to Tucker at the end of the song, Tupac says “Dear Ms. DeLores Tucker, (you) keep stressin’ me…I figured you wanted to know, you know, why we call them h*s b*tches. And maybe this might help you understand. It ain’t personal.” In an interview used in the documentary Tupac: Resurrection, Shakur states that he makes songs about strong women (e.g. Dear Mama) as well as songs about women he sees every day. Wonder Why They Call U is an example of the latter. Even in this song, Tupac remains an optimistic view, informing women to make “Keep your head up.”
Memorable line – “Still lookin’ for a rich man/You dug a ditch/Got your legs up tryin’ to get rich.”
4. Troublesome ’96
Another tribute to Tupac’s gangster image, Troublesome ’96 talks about how kids get caught up in the lifestyle. Shakur urges the youth to think before they act or they’ll likely end up dead or in jail. However, Shakur also portrays how that lifestyle can be attractive by portraying the power he has. The main attraction this song has is Tupac’s ferocious attitude throughout it, as well as a simple, catchy chorus.
Memorable line – “Death before dishonor, bet I bomb on ’em first/N*ggas knew we came for murder, pullin up in a hearse.”
3. Ambitionz Az a Ridah
They say the greatest form of flattery is imitation, and Tupac’s captivating chorus in Ambitionz Az a Ridah has been remade from several different angles in hip-hop, including a deep and dark gangster form by Young Jeezy and a more narcissistic version from Fabolous which catapulted him into stardom as well. The chorus is haunting in the way that it can stay with you forever. Every rapper needs to have an anthem, and this is Shakur’s.
Memorable line – “Was born rough and rugged/Addressing the mad public/My attitude was ‘F*ck it’/’Cause motherf*****s love it”
2. All Eyez on Me
One of the most influential rap albums of all time. There are many artists today that do just what All Eyez on Me did. Making sure people kept their eyes on Shakur was an easy feat. A controversial figure involved in a sexual assault case, calling out politicians with clarity and confidence, and never afraid of a fight. Artists today realize that an easy way to success is to talk about how great they themselves are. While 2Pac was not the first to do this, he may have perfected it.
Memorable line – “B*tches pursue me like a dream/Been known to disappear before your eyes like a dope fiend”
1. Hit ‘Em Up
The quintessential diss song in hip-hop. Noone goes harder or stronger than 2Pac does here. His feud with Notorious B.I.G. had all the makings of a classic conflict. Once good friends, now bitter enemies on what 2Pac thought was a set-up when he was shot five times in 1994 and survived. This song is a defining moment in music. Picture the last scene of The Godfather Part II, where Michael has Fredo killed moments after Fredo is spending time with Michael’s son. Shakur’s response was Hit ‘Em Up, a song in which 2Pac talks about having sex with Notorious B.I.G.’s wife, accusing B.I.G. of copying his style, raising issues about B.I.G.’s weight, and openly threats all Bad Boy artists. 2Pac ignited a coastal war and is viewed as the clear winner of the greatest feud in hip-hop, though the feud is often called as the cause of death for the deaths of both artists. B.I.G. responded with Long Kiss Goodnight, a ballad far inferior to Shakur’s. (B.I.G. also recorded Who Shot Ya, which some believe to be his first response. B.I.G., however, stated many times that it was recorded before Shakur was shot.) The West Coast-East Coast battle changed the face of hip-hop forever.
Memorable line – “Now it’s all about Versace/You copied my style/Five shots couldn’t drop me/I took it and smiled.”
