Pac’s music sometimes contradicted itself, as two of his singles off Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z. were “I Get Around,” an ode to being promiscuous and “Keep Ya Head Up” a song dedicated to women telling them to hold strong and not fall victim to the evil that men do. But regardless of the meaning or message, 2Pac wore his heart on his sleeve in every song.
He made you think on “Brenda’s Got A Baby,” made you choke up on “Life Goes On,” made you want to reach out to an old friend and bury the hatchet on “I Ain’t Mad At ‘Cha,” and got you amped up on “Can’t C Me.” And of course his music could start a party with songs like “I Get Around” and “California Love.”
He poured out his love for his mother on “Dear Mama” and gave a big “F-You” to Delores Tucker on “How Do You Want It.” The man who had “Thug Life” tatted on his belly and “Outlaw” tattooed on his arm didn’t care what others thought about him, he only cared that he was heard. They say actions speak louder than words, but nothing spoke louder than that passionate, booming voice Pac used to unleash all his emotions on the mic.
2Pac got better with each release, as 2Pacalypse Now was only the beginning chapter in a catalog of some of the best hip-hop music any artist has ever released. All Eyez On Me remains in my Top 5 albums of all time and was the pinnacle of a legendary career.
As to the Notorious B.I.G. vs. 2Pac debate, I loved both of them. I didn’t want to pick a side, although at the time I was definitely on Pac’s side. “Hit ‘Em Up” remains the most vicious and personal attack every put on wax. I once said on this site that Pac is 1A and Big is 1B and I stand by that statement.
We have seen many imitations (Ja Rule, Young Jeezy, etc.), but we’ll never, ever see another 2Pac. He was taken from us too soon, but his legacy will live on forever. When the next generation of hip-hop fans comes along the first voice they should hear is 2Pac’s. Give them the proper education of what an MC is and a true example of why hip-hop is more than just rhyming words together over a beat. It’s got heart. It’s got soul. It’s got a message. And there was no greater talent than 2Pac’s when it came to expressing oneself in the form of music.
R.I.P. 2Pac. And thank you for the amazing music.
Here is your 20-song 2Pac playlist to honor the legendary MC on the anniversary of his passing:
1. Ambitionz Az A Ridah
2. High ‘Til I Die
3. Hail Mary feat. The Outlawz
4. Trapped
5. Me Against The World
6. I Get Around feat. Shock G. & Money B.
7. California Love feat. Dr. Dre
8. If My Homie Calls
9. Can’t C Me feat. George Clinton
10. Hit ‘Em Up feat. The Outlawz
11. Troublesome ‘96
12. Me and My Girlfriend
13. Only God Can Judge Me feat. Rappin’ 4-Tay
14. Papa’z Song
15. Brenda’s Got A Baby
16. Keep Ya Head Up
17. Dear Mama
18. How Long Will They Mourn Me? feat. Thug Life & Nate Dogg
19. Life Goes On
20. Bury Me A ‘G’ feat. Thug Life
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