Me Against The World

Man, time has a weird way of changing the way thinks look. I mean, as far as mid-90s rap goes, this is probably as good as it gets if your name isn't De La Soul. I didn't listen to this back then, but I knew it was a big assed deal. But today, listening to this and reading about Tupac... I mean... I feel like I would hate this dude automatically if he was a bearded white guy. 1992 he dropped his gun, it discharged and killed a 6-year-old. He beat another rapper with a baseball bat. He raped a 19-year-old and went to prison for it. So I mean... sure, it's you against the world, I guess. You sound like an asshole.

Fitting that this album is by 2pac, not Tupac, cause it stinks like a big ol' number 2!

I might be biased because I am a huge Kanye West fan, but most indicative is the difference between Late Registration's "Hey Mama" and "Dear Mama" from this record. The lyrics on 2Pac's version made me wince, the rest of the album is devoid of creative samples and clever wordplay and I am having a hard time remembering the differences between most tracks. This might be due to the generic and repetitive style in most songs, which gives more reason to the fact that this type of rap has aged terribly to my ears. Only song memorable to me is Death Around The Corner, and that is mostly because of the hard-hitting instrumentals. Overall score is a 2(Pac) out of 10.

The most overhyped and over-esteemed artist of the 90's. He was unjustly martyred when he died and has become a false idol for morons to worship. Sorry, not sorry. His music sucks and I'm not into it and he sounds like he was an absolute garbage human to boot.

You know about 2Pac's mom, right? If not, look her up. Pretty fascinating family. Anywho, I found this really incredibly easy to listen to, which seems like an odd thing to say considering the image that followed this dude back in the day. Not gonna lie, "Old School" completely worked for me and also made me feel like there was a millennial right behind me with their arms crossed thinking, "Of course it did, DAD." Whatever. I would listen to this again and I don't have that reaction a ton with the stuff on this list.

Some of the smoothest sounds and engaging, emotional, and aggressive lyricism I've heard in a while! 2Pac was truly one of the greats.

This is not the first album I think of when I think of 2pac, but it is perhaps his most personal and reflective album. Arriving between a shooting incident (to which the opening track makes reference in a skit) and an impending prison sentence, this album deals with feelings of paranoia, gangster violence, and the state of not only being an artist but also a black man in America. He reflects on the cycle of gangster life, the prison system, and the hopelessness of the situation when one is simply trying to survive with the cards they've been dealt. 2pac asks the listener to be sympathetic towards those who live this lifestyle as it is born of economic insecurity and paranoia. Paper keeps you alive and out of trouble, but it's a lot of trouble to get that paper. The standout tracks are "If I Die Tonight" seriously some of 2pac's best rapping, the alliteration is insane, "Dear Momma", "So Many Tears"

I'm middle aged, white, non-American. I'm not the target market for 2Pac. I listened to this with my 13 year old son. He liked the rude words. I liked it only when there were no words.

This is peak 2Pac and the pinnacle of introspective/conscientious hip hop in the heyday of gangsta and dance hip hop. Lyrics are poetic throughout and I love the contrast of the vividly painted stories of urban struggles against generally calm and chill beats and bass lines. Really not any misses here despite a somewhat long album. Dear Mama and the title track are classics but temptations, death around the corner, and others are underrated. I'm really not even the biggest 2Pac fan but it's hard to not respect and appreciate this album in it's context. Probably a 4.5 because of a bit of a lack of replay value overall, but gets a bump up for historical and cultural significance, and that it's still enjoyable and a classic work, even outside of it's narrowly targeted demographic.

This sounds like a Will Smith album if it was made by the ‘Keep my wife’s name out of your fucking mouth’ Will Smith.

Having listened to what feels like a lot of hip hop/rap in this project, I hadn't yet (or ever, really) listened to Tupac Shakur. I haven't every really known much about him, beyond his being killed violently. A lot of the violent gangsta rap is distressing to me for many reasons. This felt a little like someone was finally explaining it all to me—the background and the context and the emotions of someone finally trying to process his life experience as he reached adulthood. It goes beyond the protective bravado to, for me, a more interesting place. Beyond being interesting lyrically, a good album has to be good musically, and I think this is high up there in the hip hop genre. Good beats that make your body move. This one made quite an impression on me overall.

I'm a gangsta, kill, kill, kill. Murder, murder, murder. Dead.

Honestly opening an album with news reports (or faked ones) about your own 1) shooting and 2) having to leave the hospital after said shooting to go somewhere else with more protection from a possible second shooting - possibly the hardest opening you can come up with The rest of this was highs and lows for me

I didn't want to like this, as he seems such an insufferable prick and the themes are both juvenile and tediously serious, as opposed to e.g. Snoop/Dre where it sounds like they are at least enjoying themselves. However, you gotta admit he's a skilled rapper, has a quality production team, and it's good to hear some Lady Levi in the background on Heavy In The Game. Dear Mama is cringeworthy. 3(Pac)

Good, not great. Not like “this album doesn’t deserve to be here”, just feels like something I don’t hate but also don’t care if I hear again. I can hear his talent in the flows but I found the album dragging on a bit. Not a ton of variation to my ear.

Misogynistic, violent, racist, vulgar. What the eff is this, yo? Pure garbage.

As I was listening to the intro, I was thinking, this isn't so bad. I was wrong. I get that it may be a prophetic look into a world that I will never experience. But that doesn't make it an album that I have to hear before I die. There has to be noteworthy rap albums better than this.

Pretty damn introspective, thematically strong. Very confessional and raw, probably was a bit uncommon to show vulnerability in hip hop at this time. I probably wouldn't listen to a lot of it, but I can respect it.

When the opening song used the N word three words in and then motherf**ker, at which point I knew this was not for me. In general, rap just sounds like crap to me.

Dull as mud from start to finish. Mono toned, mono rhythmic and mono paced.

Not my cup of tea

It seems to just drone on, i really do not like it

Did not enjoy this album at all. I guess the primary quality is in the lyrical content (especially with 2pac's backstory in mind), but the music just does not appeal to me enough.

it's really funny to name drop de la soul in a song about the old school when even their oldest album was only 6 years old when this came out

I always thought of Tupac as more of a singles artist, but this album is so good. The production is g-funked and crisp as hell. Tupac’s flow still sounds fresh 30 years on. There’s something so emotive about Tupac’s raps, a complex song like Dear Mama evokes so many feelings, but even one as simple as Old School has the same impact. The formula of rap verses and R&B choruses also helps punctuate the vibe. I didn’t think Pac had a classic album in his repertoire, but I guess I was wrong.

You know what, this album is about 2Pac against the world. Yes, in case you were not aware, Me Against the World is about 2Pac against the world. And it is amazing. Some of the best G-Funk I have heard. While this album isn’t as hardcore as some of his other work (I really wouldn’t consider it hardcore to be honest), it’s one of his more introspective. The songs are usually slower and follow themes related to his past and the concept of death. And this album does detail 2Pac’s fear of death. Even though on a lot of songs he says he isn’t afraid of death and knows he will die eventually, I think this can be seen as him trying to make it seem that he isn’t afraid, even though death is a major theme of the album. Mostly how he’s paranoid of others and other’s deaths. He truly does fear death. But that’s not all. The album also discusses his past like the excellent Dear Mama, where 2Pac thanks his mother for all the she has done. It’s very easily his best song. 2Pac also discusses poverty and gang violence a lot. And all of this ties into death. It’s really a showcase of 2Pac’s fears and worries, something that would, sadly, ring true in the end. This album also has some other bangers like So Many Tears, Lord Knows, and It Ain’t Easy. Speaking of which, the sound is pretty good. It’s kind of the thing holding back the whole record but G-Funk is kind of outdated as a whole so it’s not really a fault for the album. If it means anything, I kind of like the sound, especially the synths (I find the synths during this era to just hold up really well). The more stripped back beats are better though. Despite that, 2Pac’s lyricism really brings the album home. 2Pac is interesting in the discussion of the greates rappers of all time because he doesn’t have the best word play unlike some of the greats, but this album sort of taught me why he is in the running for the best. His performance. He pours out all of his heart into a performance. That is why he is the best. It’s not because he has the best bars, but because he puts a level of heart and personality into it that really makes him stand out. That is why he is the best. He still stands out today when there is a million rappers out there. There is truly nothing else like 2Pac. I won’t tiptoe around it; this album is amazing. Truly fantastic. While the sound may not hold up the best, everything else about the album is truly phenomenal and just goes to show why 2Pac is the best. May he truly rest in peace. 10/10.

I did not think that my white as marshmallow fluff ass would like this as much as I did. F-cking brilliant!

Buttery smooth production and performance. Social commentary. Expressing his perspective on the life he lived up to this point. I'm into it.

I was quite well-taken with this one. It was thoughtful and poignant, emotionally deep. Well done.

90s gangster rap isn’t in my wheelhouse. I was starting to resent having to listen to bombastic denigration over catchy beats. It’s tiresome. I’ve run out of giving passes to horrific lyrics because they are delivered with great talent. Being unfamiliar with 2Pac’s music, I was bracing for another endurance session that couldn’t end soon enough. Instead what I found is an incredible moving, vulnerable, introspective album by a rapper of great talent. Here is a rap album that was illuminating, moving, and real. Totally unexpected, it has made me reconsider a sub-genre I was ready to walk away from. This is an unflinching, hard hitting slice of life that respects its subjects. What an incredible album!

2pac is easily the most popular 90s rapper that tragically lost their life due to violence, and the only one that can even have the same title in the conversation is his rival, The Notorious B.I.G So, I hadn't really heard many 2pac tracks before listening to this album. The only 2pac track that I had heard was "California Love", plus that interview that Kendrick Lamar sampled on "Mortal Man". I was super excited to listen to this album, and the reason was because of the main artist. A lot of Rap fans and rappers have stated that 2pac is one of the best rappers ever, this being an album from the 90s also made me look more forward listening to it. Holy fuck, this album is amazing. I'm not gonna lie, I did also think that this was gonna be the same situation as the N.W.A. album, where it's an album that many love that I disliked, but it was the exact opposite for this one. The first thing that I'll speak about is the production, it's so good. Boombap is easily one of my favourite styles of productions ever, but that being mixed with the quiet background vocals on tracks like "Might Die 2nite" was even fucking better. It might be kinda simple for today's standards, but 2pac's writing was just perfect for it. 2pac is a lot like someone like J. Cole, where the rhymes are super impressive and shit while not having the tracks be super complex. Now I'm not saying if I think that 2pac is worse than J. Cole since I haven't really listened to many 2pac tracks, but I was just using him as an example. The intro and the title for this album perfectly describe the situation that 2pac was in. He was basically getting blamed for shit that he didn't even have a part in, which must've felt horrible. It was basically a me against the world situation, and 2pac made sure that he would prove the press wrong. Album art is so fucking good, with 2pac leaning at the wall with he black, white and yellow blending together. Maybe people think that it’s basic, I think that it’s dope. FAV TRACK would have to be "Dear Mama". Tracks about loving your mother is always positive, and the stuff 2pac says in this track is super interesting. LEAST FAV TRACK: N/A 10/10

This was the album that convinced me that Tupac truly desires the praise/status he’s achieved in his legacy. As a youth, his rapping and style wasn’t immediately clear to me, but as soon as you hear “They say pussy and paper is poetry, power, and pistols,” followed by an assault of lyrical alliteration, I was sold. I don’t love his beat selection 100% of the time. His G-Funk/West Coast beats are typically the most bland, watered-down version of the style, his soft songs are really grating, especially if he’s not doing the hook. There are exceptions (“Hey Mama”) but I think Pac is at his best when he’s doing gangsta rap, if only because his tone fits it so well, and he’s really not the greatest at it until this record, when his own game is undeniable. But all his albums are a mix of styles and tonal shifts. Some people love that, and even argue it’s why he’s so great. I disagree; to me, it means he doesn’t have a flawless album. But of his 5 albums, I’d have to say this is the closest he has to a legitimate classic. I’d say all his other albums have higher highs (my favorite track here, “Old School,” is my least favorite of my favorite Tupac songs), *but* this record also has quantitatively the most highs in his discography. Maybe if 7 Day Theory wasn’t posthumous, or if All Eyez on Me was one disc, I’d prefer it, but Me Against the World is the tightest of all Tupac records imo, so therefore my favorite, and the one I’d say is his definite classic. Honestly, though, while the first half is all gold, I don’t think Side B gets good until “Old School,” and even then, all those final tracks are notably weaker. High water marks for sure, but not on the same caliber as Side A/any of his best tracks that released after this album. I don’t know - I’ve always felt odd about Pac. On the one hand, when I like him, I love him. But when I don’t, I really don’t. Maybe that dichotomy is why people love him. Idk - I was always a Biggie fan first. But my distaste for Pac still isn’t distain - bad 90s hip-hop is still an A- for me, so while this isn’t like my favorite album ever, it’s still my favorite Tupac record, and therefore 5 stars.

Legendary. His storytelling, emotion, and fearlessness about his content is why he is unanimously considered one of the greatest rappers ever. In my opinion this is his best work. I knew i loved it going in, but it’s always nice to revisit a classic. Must listen for everyone in my opinion, but especially fans of hip hop.

2pac had a way of telling stories to make you feel like you were there. and he had flow. there is a strange duality within this album that, depending on the song, he either seemed like he was glorifying life on the streets or cautioning against it. almost as if he was trying to escape his past, but it kept pulling him back in. fascinating listen. i had never listened to any 2pac before (i’ve never considered myself much of a fan of rap music), but i totally understand the allure of this artist.

I hardly ever listen to rap or hip hop, but I was pleasantly surprised by this album. It was easy to listen to and had a nice flow. The lyrics are interesting, because he sounds very honest and open about his struggles. Lots of clever lines as well.

This album has all the best parts of west coast rap. Great listen all the way through

Great old school hip hop album, melodic, poignant lyrics and some beautiful soul moments

Why are hip hop albums always so long? I'm not sure he's got THAT much to say that it needs over an hour. It's competent enough I guess, and there are a few good tracks in there (best one: Old School). I preferred the tracks with additional vocals on in general. 2.5 rounded up.

Some of the shine has gone from this the farther we get from the events surrounding it, but it inspired a satanic panic in white suburban moms that was funny to witness as a kid

The opening burst of morbidity, the I’ll-die-in-a-hail-of-bullets-(no-big-deal) spree, arrests attention with its clever play against the luscious production, dark chuckle material for grimmer types with hindsight. After that, pretty sounds, forgettable tunes, nothing hooked me. The title track’s delivery of “Kill kill kill, murder murder murder” is nifty and funny. I won’t linger over why this is the one line that’s stuck to my lips as I drive to the nursery pick-up.

Awful I'm sorry he died but that doesn't make the music any better

Normaly, I don't like this kind of music.

No gusta

not my jam 1/5

Boring

nope

While not as famous as All Eyez on Me, this is still some essential west coast hip-hop. 4.5 bumped up to 5.

I’m at an easy 5. Not too much to say from me, other than a bit of anger that I chose to listen to “All Eyez On Me” when I was younger because it was the one that had “California Love” on it. I should’ve listened to this one, after giving it a full listen for the first time, it may very well be 2pac’s magnum opus, as some people say. Not a single miss here, with the only real minor complaint I have being the runtime. 65 minutes is a little long here, and that’s enough to make even 2pac’s flows & structures start to feel a little stale, in part because it does start to circle the bases just a little bit on subject matter after “Dear Mama”. Trust me, I see the irony of saying that it gets stale when “All Eyez On Me” is literally twice as long, but I haven’t heard that album in full in years, and I'd be probably REALLY worn out by it nowadays. I’m too pressed for time to go super deep into this album, so I do have to keep this shorter, but I have two mandatory bits of praise. 2pac’s rap flow has a melodic tone to it that very few people of this era could match – it’s all in the timing & inflection that he raps with, as even his voice reaches kind of a crescendo at the climax on a lot of verses, structuring them in a way that feels like an R&B track, leading into the chorus in a way that feels super satisfying. It helps that, much like Jay-Z, his voice just feels made for rap, and his lyricism throughout this album only enhances it. There are bars upon bars upon bars on this thing, and I can fully understand why Kendrick would quite literally still go to war for the guy, like he did against Drake. West Coast production in the ‘90s is a fucking dream, man. This might have some of the tightest beats of the whole decade. At the very least, it feels like a rather early pinnacle to the Chronic / Doggystyle / G-Funk era, before production advanced further & further going into the latter half of the 1990s. 2pac flows on these, no matter what tempo, but the variety of styles in the production work is what gives the album the variety it needs. The only reason that the 65 minute runtime isn’t a bigger thing for me is because, despite the subject matter starting to loop on itself, each beat feels fresh, and gives the tracks their own shelf life without it really affecting the enjoyment of the album. It really is a ridiculous stretch through the first 8 tracks though (9 if you count the intro). I really wish Kendrick would hop on something like “Young N****z”. As a whole though, just a banger of an album. “Dear Mama” is very obviously THE highlight, but each track brings something to the table. 2pac may have never been more prescient in his life than the constant presence of paranoia & self-fulfilling prophecies that’s in the lyrics throughout this album. He did, however, channel that paranoia into more of a celebration of existence, tinged with the newfound knowledge after the attempt on his life that it’s all indeed that fragile, while pleading with the streets to stay smart. It gives the album a more intimate sense of depth than “All Eyez On Me”, which was perhaps a bit too sharpened by the desire for "revenge via living" borne out of his own prison experience, and a little too heavy on the party / gangsta side of things. I’m still just mad at myself for not spinning this one years ago, and I’m mad at myself for really only knowing 2pac by “All Eyez On Me” (still a great but very long album!) and some of his bigger singles. It’s as good as advertised, and if only one 2pac album could make the list, I’m glad it was this one. A very easy 5 for me, held back from being a 10 only by everything after "Dear Mama" not hitting quite as hard. I might need to go spin "The 7 Day Theory" now.

Dear Mama could make any album a classic, but multiple other great songs on the album. Even the misses are listenable which is not a guarantee for a 2pac.

Peak 2Pac album, probably one of his top albums. Tied maybe with Strictly...

The O.G. Poet would be appalled by the world today after leaving too soon.

2Pac has always been like a cryptid to me - I’d heard so much about the legend that I assumed an investigation of my own would be kind of futile. I was wrong and am glad I listened though. I feel like the legend at once fell to earth and came to life.

The people dismissing this album as just another gangsta rap album… Did we listen to the same album? Tupacs flow is incredibly smooth, the production is g funk at its best and in terms of lyrics, this is very introspective and he paints an incredible picture of his life, POV and a place in time. Incredible stuff and the fact that this still feels incredibly fresh is proof of its quality.

Er egentlig ikke glad i rap, men dette albumet er så sterkt produsert og har så mye melodiøse hooks av ulike slag som hele tiden gjør det interessant. Kun to av de femten sangene som ikke fenget.

Absolute favourite 2Pac record. The last real record before he turned on the gangsta/ thuglie persona. I can only imagine the impact and life he would of had if he had of stayed on this path.

I wasn't sure where I'd land as this album played. I liked it from the start, but it took me a few tunes to really connect. But connect I did. The music and arrangements were consistently interesting, and I was struck by 2Pac's willingness to honestly explore the complexities of his life. Unlike others in the genre (and far be it from me to try to speak as some sort of expert), his stories struck me as the real deal, real life — and the inherent contradictions drove that home. And while it hardly paints an exemplary picture, he certainly doesn't come off as some sort of hero, I was drawn in and by the end of the album, I was feeling like I learned a few things and feel ever more disgusted by the failings of our society. The disparity between classes, the bleakness of life in a ghetto, unbalanced justice, hopelessness. And joy, friendship, and love. Contradictions. As these thoughts swirled in my head, and being genuinely moved by Dear Mama, I guess I landed on realizing this is a dense, complete, and grand work by an artist. This album is an experience I'll return to.

Great

10/10

Pretty much 2pac in his prime, albeit that was basically his whole short lived career. This shit is bumpin and full of messages, and introspection, and thematic layers…you can see why he was such an icon. Top 3. Old school, if I die 2nite, lord knows

One of the most sophisticated rap albums I've listened to. Engaging, entertaining, reflective, and poignant. No weak spots on a longer album that is full of great songs and seamlessly toes a fine line between mellow and intense in such a satisfying way

An album that shows the power of hip hop/rap, is entertaining, and accessible enough for the non fan to understand the artistry and power.

For all that I'm aware of Tupac I have never really listened to him. This album is good and tough and real.

Tupac is such a phenomenal MC because of the emotion he can evoke from his listeners through his lyrics and his delivery. You can hear the pain through his voice and that he means what he says. This album was amazing to me because it didn’t feel like I was listening for an hour because I was entrenched in the journey he was taking me on. Classic album from a classic artist that left this earth too soon!

Im a fan of 2pac so I would rate this album a 10/10 its nice and chill and I love all of his songs. The second song played I don't think I've heard before but its pretty nice I like the beat. Ive always been a fan of hip-hop so id recommend this album to someone who is also a fan and familiar with the genre.

I rate well in dear mama a 5 star because I listend to this befre and I liked it and I always listen to 2pac ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐. I rate so many tears a 5 star because I listend to this before and I liked it and I always listen to 2pac and I like rap and this is my favorite song by 2pac ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐. I rate Outlaw a 5 star because I listend to this before and I liked it and I always listen to 2pac and I like rap and this is my favorite song by 2pac and it has mutipul voices ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐.

I like this album a lot. I like the lyrics and Tupac is the goat. I also love rap in general, especially 90s rap !!

I like this album because it has a good beat and is just fire bc its Tupac so like duh

I like this song because i like the beat and i like how he sings and it has a cool beat. i like this song too because it has a cool instrument and cool beat . i like this song too because of the beat and how they sound singing . i recommend this song because of the cool beat

Classic 90s West Coast rap. It really defined the genre going forward, and Tupac's lyricism is at it's best. "Dear Mama" will always be my favorite 2pac song, and there really isn't any filler on this record. Rest in Power.

Rap music gets a bad rep, which I get. Most of it is violent and misogynistic, and the genre is overrun with so many mediocre artists. If anyone ever needed to be challenged on their preconceptions of rap music, listen to "Dear Momma." What a beautiful song and tribute. The album as a whole stands out for the deep lyricism and complexities of topics that are touched on. Plus 2Pac has a flow to his music that ties it together for an exceptional album.

Blown away by how good this album is. Absolutely in awe.

great

Pac Perfect.

One of the smoothest hip hop albums I've ever heard! Love his flow. One thing about this is that I did not expect his lyrics to be so depressed and borderline suicidal. Like it'll have the funkiest beats and the background singers are like "I wish I was deaddd" and he's rapping about how he can't sleep because everyone wants him dead. Idk. Disturbing if you listen to the lyrics, bop if not. Fav Songs: So Many Tears, Dear Mama, It Ain't Easy

Fire. Added to my album collection

5, easily.

Tupac's magnum opus, and a must-listen staple for west coast hip-hop. While it definitely shows it's age more than other 90's hip-hop records, this album has no skips. I grew up listening to this album, and it was my first real introduction to hip-hop as a child. Not many of Tupac's 'best of' appears on here, but this is arguably his only album that is solid from start to finish. Something that you actually *want* to listen to from start to finish. Tupac never replicated that again on any of his albums both during his tenure & posthumously. Don't get me wrong, this dude was an unbelievably disgusting scumbag who deserved everything that happened to him, but separating artist from music, it's a pretty damn perfect album.

A lot of people have made bones about the conflicting views expressed in this album. But I think that Tupac was ineffective luminary for the lifestyle. That was evident at the time. Clean order to live in such conditions, one must accept multiple conflicting truths. The album is a wonderful example of beauty in a low vocabulary. The production values are excellent and, while there weren't any real standout tracks aside from "Old School" and "Dear Mama", The album as a whole is magnificently composed In total.

TUPAAAAC

Das Opfer ne Legende, noch Rauch aus dem Ende, Pacs Frau jetzt ne Witwe, ja? dicker Ständer ist schon da Die Schamlippen, ich split sie, dein Boy, MC Big Rösti

Never listened to this one before and absolutely loved it. Excellent rhythms and lyrics that delve into personal and societal affairs

Loved it. Really made me think about where music would be if he wasn’t murdered. Poetic and beautiful and sad and great

2pac holds a special place for me just because of the conspiracy theory that he would be still alive, 15 years later and I’m still waiting for a new album to drop

Super

**"Me Against The World" by 2Pac: In-Depth Review** Released on March 14, 1995, "Me Against The World" is Tupac Shakur's third studio album and is often considered his magnum opus. The album stands out as a seminal piece in hip-hop history, capturing 2Pac’s complex persona—both as a poet and a prophet of urban realities. Recorded during a turbulent period in his life, while facing legal battles and recovering from a shooting, the album serves as a vivid snapshot of 2Pac’s mindset at a crucial juncture in his life. ### **1. Lyrics** "Me Against The World" is a deeply introspective album that showcases 2Pac's lyrical prowess. Throughout the album, 2Pac delves into themes of struggle, survival, mortality, and social injustice. His writing reflects a poetic depth rare in hip-hop at the time, painting vivid pictures of life in inner-city America. Tracks like "So Many Tears" and "If I Die 2Nite" explore his awareness of his mortality. The lyrics convey a palpable sense of paranoia and desperation, reflecting 2Pac’s belief that he might not live to see another day. On "Dear Mama," he opens up about his tumultuous relationship with his mother, showing a softer, more vulnerable side. This song is a heartfelt tribute that has become a staple in hip-hop for its honesty and emotional depth. "Temptations" sees 2Pac exploring his romantic side but with an underlying message about the complexities of his relationships. 2Pac's storytelling ability is another highlight, evident in tracks like "Young Niggaz," where he reflects on the struggles of black youth in America. His vivid narrative style, coupled with his knack for blending street tales with social commentary, creates a layered listening experience. The lyrics throughout the album are raw, unfiltered, and deeply reflective, showing his ability to address both personal pain and broader societal issues. ### **2. Music and Production** Musically, "Me Against The World" diverges from the heavier, more aggressive sounds of 2Pac's earlier albums. Instead, it features a more soulful and melancholic sound. The production, handled by a range of producers including Easy Mo Bee, Johnny "J," and Shock G, incorporates lush instrumentation, sampling, and classic boom-bap elements. The album’s production is characterized by its use of deep bass lines, slow, haunting melodies, and heavy beats, giving it a somber yet potent sound. Tracks like "Lord Knows" and "So Many Tears" utilize soulful samples and piano loops that accentuate the emotional weight of the lyrics. Meanwhile, songs like "Old School" lean into nostalgia, using samples from classic R&B and funk tracks to evoke a sense of reflection. While the production is mostly consistent, some tracks, such as "It Ain't Easy," feel slightly dated due to their use of early 90s synths and beats. However, the overall cohesion of the album's sound is one of its strengths, creating a unified backdrop that complements 2Pac’s themes of pain, paranoia, and perseverance. ### **3. Themes** "Me Against The World" explores a wide range of themes, from personal introspection to broader social commentary. The overarching theme is one of struggle and resilience. 2Pac positions himself as both a victim and a fighter, caught between the harsh realities of life and his desire for redemption. - **Mortality and Paranoia:** Tracks like "If I Die 2Nite" and "Death Around the Corner" explore 2Pac's preoccupation with death, reflecting his sense of impending doom. These songs illustrate his paranoia and fear, which are intensified by his brushes with death and legal troubles. - **Love and Family:** "Dear Mama" is a standout track that highlights 2Pac's complex relationship with his mother, who was both a source of pain and inspiration for him. The song is a powerful ode to motherhood and a candid reflection on family dynamics. - **Social Commentary:** On tracks like "Young Niggaz" and "Outlaw," 2Pac critiques systemic racism, police brutality, and the socio-economic conditions that trap young black men in cycles of poverty and violence. These songs underscore his role as a voice for the marginalized. - **Self-Reflection and Growth:** The album frequently touches on 2Pac’s personal growth and his attempts to reconcile his past actions with his desire for change. Songs like "Lord Knows" and "Me Against The World" see him grappling with his own demons and the choices he has made. ### **4. Influence** "Me Against The World" was a commercial and critical success, debuting at number one on the Billboard 200 while 2Pac was in prison—a testament to his popularity and the album's resonance with listeners. It is considered one of the most influential hip-hop albums of all time, both for its lyrical content and its production. The album solidified 2Pac's status as one of the most important voices in hip-hop. It set a new standard for introspective rap, paving the way for future artists to explore deeper and more personal themes in their music. "Dear Mama" has become an iconic track, inspiring countless tributes to mothers and influencing subsequent artists to incorporate personal storytelling into their music. Furthermore, "Me Against The World" helped shift the focus of mainstream rap from the West Coast's G-funk sound to a more diverse range of styles and themes. It showed that rap could be both deeply personal and commercially viable, expanding the scope of what hip-hop could achieve artistically and thematically. ### **Pros and Cons** #### **Pros:** 1. **Lyrical Depth:** 2Pac's ability to blend personal reflection with social commentary is unparalleled. His lyrics are both poetic and hard-hitting, offering listeners a deep dive into his psyche and the struggles of inner-city life. 2. **Cohesive Themes:** The album is thematically consistent, presenting a unified narrative of struggle, resilience, and introspection. This cohesion makes the listening experience more impactful and engaging. 3. **Emotional Resonance:** Tracks like "Dear Mama" and "So Many Tears" are emotionally charged and resonate with listeners on a personal level. 2Pac's vulnerability and honesty are among the album's strongest qualities. 4. **Production Quality:** The production is soulful, melancholy, and well-suited to the album’s themes. It combines traditional hip-hop beats with samples and live instrumentation to create a soundscape that complements 2Pac’s lyrics. 5. **Cultural Impact:** "Me Against The World" had a profound impact on hip-hop culture, influencing countless artists and solidifying 2Pac's status as a legend in the genre. It showcased that rap could be deeply introspective and still achieve mainstream success. #### **Cons:** 1. **Inconsistent Production Quality:** While the production is generally strong, some tracks, like "It Ain't Easy," feel somewhat dated due to their use of early 90s sounds. A few beats lack the depth and innovation seen in the standout tracks. 2. **Pacing Issues:** The album’s length and slower tempo may cause it to feel a bit sluggish in places. Some listeners might find it overly introspective, lacking the energetic and aggressive tracks that characterized much of 2Pac’s earlier work. 3. **Repetitive Themes:** Though the album is thematically cohesive, some tracks cover similar ground, making the themes feel repetitive at times. This could limit its appeal to those who prefer more varied subject matter. 4. **Limited Sonic Diversity:** While the production is effective, it is not particularly innovative. The album sticks to a familiar formula of boom-bap beats and soulful samples, which may feel monotonous to listeners seeking more variety. ### **Conclusion** "Me Against The World" remains a landmark album in hip-hop, showcasing 2Pac’s dual identity as both a poet and a provocateur. Its lyrical depth, emotional resonance, and social commentary make it a timeless piece that continues to influence artists and resonate with listeners. Despite some minor flaws in production and pacing, the album's strengths far outweigh its weaknesses. "Me Against The World" captures the essence of 2Pac as an artist who was unafraid to bare his soul and confront his demons, making it not just a great hip-hop album but a significant cultural artifact.

This made me feel gangsta as shit on my way to pick up my arthritis medicine.

One of the greatest hip hop albums of all time and exceptionally artistic from 2Pac. So many great hits and a smoother, self-reflective listen throughout. This album helps establish him as one of the greatest hip hop artists of all time. 10/10

I remember these days. I’d gotten excited he’d been saying it was time to let up on negative life choices… Which didn’t last long. God read him though, gone way too soon.

Great album

This album is really good. The lyrics and the beats are all pretty much as good as it gets. I wouldn't want to be friends with 2pac but his music is great.

I give it ten stars

2pac just has such a full sounding voice and gives the music such groove. Groove is such an important aspect of true 90s Hip Hop, so truly this is just such a classic and is definitely some of the best rap out there.

Literally such a vibe im so happy, great music

Nem vagyok nagy old school rap imádó, de ez az album nagyon tetszett. A szövegnek szinte minden számban súlya volt.

Tupac had such a nice voice. I’m not sure what exactly it is about his intonation but I find his rapping so much more pleasant than a lot of other rappers. He really exposes his vulnerabilities on this album. The highlight for me is It Ain’t Easy. It’s sad that this style of rap seems so rare these days. Can we just get rid of mumble rap and bring this back? G-Funk Revival, maybe?

Only really knowing the song "California Love" but aware of 2Pac's well-regarded status as one of the great rappers of all time, I was excited to listen to this especially, and I was not disappointed. This record is the perfect glimpse into the struggles of 2Pac's upbringing and a morbid foreshadowing of sorts of his untimely death. You really see his outlook of paranoia and impending doom with tracks like "Me Against The World", "If I Die 2Nite", and "Death Around The Corner", the anxiety almost fueling his lyricism and musical ability. In a slightly different but also vulnerable vein, "So Many Tears", "Young..." and "Dear Mama" (the most notable track from this record), show the more sentimental side of Pac. This openness was ahead of its time in the rap genre as a whole. 2Pac's rap prowess is unmatched as shown terrifically here, paired with some stellar vocal features and the catchy beats, this album hits on all cylinders. Though this music is not representative of me in particular, it's evident why and how 2Pac is so mourned and beloved by his generation. 9/10

Really great, pretty smooth

Seminal.

I think this is the first 2Pac album I get. Super diggin this album! 1995. I was just transitioning to Utah from Montana when this came out. I was tainted by all the racism in Montana, so I feel like I was always ridiculed for liking rap and therefore didn't really hear as much as I would have otherwise. But I do like this so far. I really like the Jamaican Patois in Heavy in the Game. He's got a pretty unique flow and sound. Ah man, Dear Mama is so good. 5 stars

Such a fucking good album. A rare case of the original being the best.