Here are my own personal views on all of Tupac's OFFICIALLY released albums...

2Pacalypse now- 1991...

An impressive first album from an outspoken young black male highlighting street life, poverty, and black life as a whole. Moving songs such as 'Brenda's Got A Baby' and 'Part Time Mutha' give mainstream society a small taster of ghetto life. Not my personal favourite, but nevertheless a powerful, at times political piece.

MY RATING = 3.5 / 5

 

Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z- 1993...

 

Another great album from Tupac whilst he was still developing his style and persona. 'Keep Ya Head Up' again puts mainstream audiences in 2Pac's shoes, I think one song that was overlooked was 'Papa'z Song', a very moving piece, particularly to those that have grown up fatherless. '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, which was rife in '2Pacalypse Now'. The beats on this are crisp with an old skool party feel, whilst still maintaining its seriousness and credibility.

MY RATING = 4.5 / 5

 

 

 

 

Thug Life Volume 1 - 1994...

Not exactly a 2Pac album but features alot of 2Pac. Thug Life is a group 2Pac started and it consisted of a few members including Rated R, Big Syke, Mopreme, and Macadoshis. A very good hip hop album, but not for those who do not know 2Pac's music well.

MY RATING = 4 / 5 (BASED ON 2PAC'S CONTRIBUTION ONLY)

 

 

 

 

Me Against The World - 1995...

This was 2Pac's last album before his transfer to Death Row. This album is packed with moving, meaningful songs which tell of 2Pac's great pains. I feel that upon moving to Death Row, 2Pac left behind some of the sentimental value he exhibits in this album. This album was released while 2Pac was serving jail time and quickly shot to number one on many charts. This is unlike any other 2Pac album, as it is one of the only ones to show us "raw" 2Pac, expressing his true feelings, with no pressure from Suge, and totally different competition from diferent rap atists, who scaled way above Biggie in sentimental value.

MY RATING = 4.5 / 5

 

 

 

 

All Eyez On Me - 1996...

Who else would have served us with rap's first double CD? None other than 2Pac. Gone is the former 2Pac of previous albums, who rapped about his mama and his community. The new 'Pac has arrived, who raps about money, bitches and competition. To me, this album is GOOD but not GREAT. Less samples and fewer corny raps (on filler songs) would have made this a masterpiece. Anyways, it went on to become rap's best selling album, giving 'Pac a good start at Death Row.

MY RATING = 3.5 / 5

 

 

 

 

The 7 Day Theory - 1996...

This is my favourite album because it combines the 2Pac that I know and love, of former albums, with this new, exciting Makaveli, now 2Pac's alias. "Makaveli" and "2Pac" seem almost struggling within Tupac on each song, giving some very interesting results. 2Pac's hard, raw edge that we saw on 'Strictly...' is back, in co-existence with the Tupac of 'Me Against The World' and 'All Eyez On Me"

MY RATING = 5 / 5

 

 

 

R U Still down? (Remember Me) - 1997...

Dynamite. Just dynamite. A few 2Pac fans object to this album for some unknown reason, but I feel that it is his most revealing ever. It is sad that the real 2Pac emerges after his death, but in this case his death allows us to learn so much more. This album is essentially offcuts and unwanted songs. Why 'Hellrazor' was not released during 2Pac's life I do not know. This song could have elevated him even more. The fact that this album is so private to Tupac mesmerises me. I am still trying to work out '16 On Death Row'. I recommend this album to anyone, hip hop fan or not.

MY RATING = 5+ /5

 

 

Greatest Hits - 1998...

If I were stranded on a desert island I'd be happy if I had this CD with me. Not because it is brilliant. Not because it is 2Pac's best work. But because it is the only CD which draws upon every aspect of Tupac Shakur. The songs are by no means 2Pac's best, nor are they his biggest hits, but we get everything from "hard" 2Pac, "pimp" 2Pac, "hard done by" 2Pac, "poor" 2Pac, "rich" 2pac, "kind" 2Pac, "mean" 2pac, and many more. I recommend this album as the ideal starting point if you want to get into 2Pac's music.

MY RATING = 4.9 / 5

 

 

 

Still I Rise(2Pac/Outlawz) - 1999...

I'm a huge fan of the Outlawz, they seem to be one of the only groups to be TRULY missing 'Pac. Shout outs to 2Pac are genuine pain relievers, not for more album sales. These guys are hot even without 2Pac. This album shows some of 2Pac's most political and sentimental rhymes, backed up by harder ofrerings from his homeboys The Outlawz. Even though 2Pac was an Outlaw I always felt as though he never quite belonged. This was a wise move teaming 2Pac with a lesser known rap group who can hold their own. Plus they hate Suge Knight which is a bonus...

MY RATING = 4 / 5

 

 

 

Until The End Of Time - 2001...

Hmmm. I am STILL undecided about this album despite owning it for over a year now. Some songs are absolute dynamite, and are "REAL" 2Pac. Others sound a little slapped together and feature very fake lyrics. On this album I feel that the good songs only slightly outweigh the bad. A one CD set including the songs 'Untill The End Of Time', 'Happy Home', 'When Thugs Cry', 'Fuck Friendz', 'Let 'Em Have It', 'Thug N Me', 'My Lil Homies' and a couple more decent songs from the album would have been ideal. Nevertheless, the good songs pull the album up to a fairly good rating from me.

MY RATING = 3.5 / 5

 

 

 

 

Better Dayz - 2002...

MY RATING = 3.5 / 5

Yet another posthumous double album, shaped by Amaru Records under the keen watch of Afeni Shakur.  Based upon my first few listens, I think this album could have been a lot better. The actual songs are ok, but the beats are so 'un-2pac' like, with most of the songs being remixes...The originals of most of these songs were much better. More care could have been taken on the album, as the beats often obscure 'Pac's vocals. Also, I have no idea why Amaru Entertainment insist on putting out double albums, as a one-disc set would have been perfectly adequate, and possibly could have made a very good album if the annoying filler songs were removed.   - The intro is also very corny; suggesting that Tupac is alive by saying 'it makes you wonder how his lyrics are still relevant'.  All in all though, it's not that bad.  Highlights of the album include 'Thugz Mansion', 'My Block' and 'Mama's Just a Little Girl'.  However, the good songs are the more emotional tracks, which we usually hear from Tupac.  Attempts at re-creating Tupac's 'hard' persona are very weak, and seem ironic in the light of his death.  On a similar note, there are FAR too many anti-east coast/Fuck Badboy tracks; aren't Amaru record supposed to be 'increasing the peace'?  We didn't hear this much hatred from'Pac when he was alive, so why now?  What is Nas doing on the album?  

All in all, it's not too bad. They've worked with some very good songs such as 'My Block', 'Better Dayz' and 'They Don't Give a Fuck About Us', but the production could have been a lot tighter, and could have left a better impression of 'Pac since it is supposed to be his last album...But reading the Better Dayz inlay sleeve, it seems Amaru have got ANOTHER project up their sleeve for next 'fall'. This is definitely an album for the more 'experienced' Tupac listener.