This year Tupac Amaru Shakur would have been 45 years old, it’s been 20 years since his murder and Hip Hop continues to mourn him. Perhaps it was the passion he expressed with every line, or maybe it was the compassion he showed for the urban community, or even the menacing authenticity he brought to his more aggressive tracks. ‘Pac’s presence will forever be missed. He was more than just a MC, he was a visionary, a poet and a leader of a generation that magnetized to his persona.
A few years ago The Source spoke with the late Afeni Shakur about his legacy and asked her two questions. First, could her son’s death have been just an eerie coincidence? She answered, “No. Tupac always has had a plan. Nothing could have been coincidence,” adding to the never ending speculation of his death. The second was, what exactly is the Don Killuminati: 7 Day Theory? “Tupac read a lot. The album is a symbol filled with more symbolism. If you know the symbols, he’s telling you everything in that album about the game and life,” said Afeni.
In remembrance of perhaps the most influential rapper in Hip hop history, we take a look at some of his most memorable tracks that weren’t singles but deserve just as much praise. These songs not only build the legend of Shakur, but show his unique writing ability and ability to connect deeply with his audience.
“Troublesome 96’” – This is 2Pac in his most volatile state. “Troublesome” was released officially on The Greatest Hits album in 1998, but was wildly popular on the Makaveli bootleg mixtapes in the subsequent years after his demise. The passion in this song is palpable and showcases a social awareness rarely matched with lyrics: “Or send me to hell cuz I ain’t begging for my life/ Ain’t nothing worse then this cursed hopeless life.”
“Pain” – Released on Above The Rim Soundtrack, the piano keys on the production have been sampled by many like Slim Thug, Ja Rule and many more. The rhymes are practical, describing the pain of the urban condition, voicing the frustrations and pain of a generation.With assistance from Big Stretch of Thug Life, this was an early glimpse of the realness ‘Pac would bring with his future music.
“Staring Through My Rearview” – This song is one of ‘Pac’s somber reflective tracks that is thought provoking and powerful. Once again he’s prophetic in rapping about his own death, which was a common theme or even a self-fulfilling prophecy. “I can feel your heart beat fast/ cuz it’s time to die/ getting high watching time fly,” he raps, which ultimately became true because time flew by so quickly for him.
“Old School” – This track is one of the happier tracks on the legendary album Me Against the World, long before the East Coast/West Coast feud. 2Pac starts off giving love to “All the Muthaf*ckas in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Staten Island, Queens, all the muthaf*ckas who laid it down the foundation. Nothing but love for you.” A nod to the pioneers of Hip Hop, Pac reveals some of his favorite MCs, shouting out everyone everyone from Doug E. Fresh, Red Alert, Queen Latifah, Rakim, LL Cool J and more on this classic track. As he reminisces over life in New York, the track oozes nostalgia over the classic boom-bap snare and percussion.
“Me and My Girlfriend” – When you inspire JAY Z and Beyoncé to cover your song, it’s truly a testament to your song writing ability. ‘Pac is far more menacing in his approach, though, as the song is a reference to his love for his firearm: “All I need in this world of sin/ Is me and my girlfriend/ down to ride to the bloody end/ Me and my girlfriend.” 2Pac revealed in an interview the inspiration for the track came from Nas‘ “I Gave You Power.”
“Picture Me Rollin” – 2Pac almost seems to be speaking directly to his fans when you hear the end of the song: “If you wanna see me again, rewind this track right here, close your eyes and picture me rolling.” Produced by the late Johnny “J” the guitar twang the song rides on is one of the most memorable parts of it. This is ‘Pac’s flamboyant defiance to the people who locked him up for what he felt was unjust, pointing out the District Attorney on his case: “Can you see me hoe?” He also references the officers at Clinton Correctional Facility and dedicates the song to the people he was locked up with. Big Syke brings a uniqueness with his verse opening: “I got keys/ coming from overseas/ Cost a ni*ga 200 G’s.”
“Never Had A Friend Like Me” – The Gridlock’d soundtrack‘s solo 2Pac track is one of the most under-appreciated songs in his discography. The opening line is so visual and memorable: “At night I watch the sky/ I take another breath / I smoke my Newport to the butt like it’s the last m*thafucka left.” ‘Pac goes on with his classic story-telling about the never ending struggle against the court system and his dedication to his homies: “My enemies your enemies/ cuz you ain’t never had a friend like me.” The ride or die approach on the track showcases his loyalty and dedication to those he rode for.
“Hold On Be Strong” – Driven by a smooth live bass and a funky sped up trumpet sample, the track was released on the second disc of 1997’s R U Still Down? (Remember Me). The song is a hidden gem of inspiration encouraging those battling life’s ills to hold on. Shakur profiles his own pain once again, as the song was recorded during the Me Against the World sessions.
“Smile” – Released on Scarface’s Untouchable album, this might be one of Pac’s most memorable features for many reasons. First of all the video starts off with a murder scene, showing a black SUV riddled with bullets, remarkably similar to the scene of the murder scene of the Notorious B.I.G., while ‘Pac is depicted as a Jesus figure crucified on a cross, which threw gas on the fire of conspiracy theory of his death. The opening commentary by ‘Pac is gut-wrenching and inspirational: “There’s gonna be some stuff you see that’s going to make it hard to smile in the future. But through whatever you see, through all the rain and the pain, you gotta keep your sense of humor. You gotta be able to smile through all the bullshit, remember that.”
“Deadly Combination” – Another epic feature, this time combining forces with Harlem’s late Big L. The Ron G produced track was released on Big L’s The Big Picture album. This track is one of the most memorable songs that features two MC’s who met their fate far too early. The interesting part is Big L’s verse, where he references two of ‘Pac’s rivals in “A bad boy like Notorious B.I.G./ I rock a fella like Shawn Carter/ with more game than Ron Harper.”
“It Ain’t Easy” – Me Against the World is filled to the brim with memorable songs, almost any track on that album could receive a nod on this list, but something about the whiney lead and guitar on this track sticks in your head. It’s truly an ode to growing up in poverty while celebrating the little thing in life, and trying to avoid incarceration. Which makes it more powerful because the irony that it was released while 2Pac was in prison.
“Papa’z Song” – 1993’s Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z. spawned several singles like “Holla If You Hear Me,” “I Get Around” and “Keep Ya Head Up,” but also produced a video for this reflective yet angsty song. The song reflects the pain of a fatherless child, while also profiling the plight of a single mother. The song draws a connection with millions of urban kids who grew up without a male figure in their life, showcasing a style of composition that would continue in his future work. A masterfully defiant track showing an unmatched empathy.
“Souljah’s Revenge” – This song in many ways was the soundtrack to the resistance of police brutality, specifically in California and beyond. The track opens with an all too familiar scene of police shooting an Black teen, a piece that makes it relevant today. The anger in the song is reflective of not only a time dominated by the Rodney King aftermath but a common thread in the urban community, police brutality. The message is crude and exuberant in encouraging people to fight back against censorship and injustice.
“Life Goes On” – 2Pac had the uncanny ability to rouse spirits in anger, but also to console and reflect the pain of the impoverished, especially with death. This song has the ability to touch even the most hardened gangster because it remembers those lost in the midst of violence with a chorus like, “How many brothers fell victims to the streets?/ Rest in Peace young n*gga/ there’s a heaven for a G.” Perhaps the most powerful part of the song is the third verse where 2pac describes his ideal funeral where all the MC’s rock the mic, celebrate his life and “Let the hoes that I knew from before/ kiss me from head to toe.”
“Krazy” – Another example of reaching to the depths of his spirit to not only console his fans, but to urge the gang community to unite to push each other to a better place. The chanting chorus has become a cry of frustration for many who can relate, while also showing a glimpse of the leadership he could have once tapped into, “I see Bloods and Crips running up the hill looking for a better way/ My brothers and sisters it’s time to bail/ cuz even thug n*ggas pray.” With assistance from Bad Azz, the song is a somber jewel of empathy.
