Me Against The World

Honestly for rap I didn’t mind this. Didn’t listen crazy closely which is probably why but it sounded melodic.

I don't care. At all.

7/10

The Good: If you want more than 1 pack of something… The Bad: I ran out of my six-pack… The Ugly: The fact that I have a Norm McDonald joke running through my mind the whole time… Don’t like Rap… we know that. I do respect 2Pac for what he was able to do prior to getting killed… On the Norm McDonald joke… just google which country he is most afraid of… it isn’t Iran… 2* out of respect RIP

Ok rap

Over a third of the way through the project currently (album 445) and apparently the 1990s are my least favourite decade, which I attribute to the colossal amount of hip hop.

Best Track - "Me Against The World"

While I do know Pac, I have never listened to a full album until now. He scared me as a kid, but this album makes up for that. He’s a very introspective artist.

Notable Textzeile: I see death around the corner, gotta stay high while I survive In the city where the skinny niggas die If they bury me, bury me as a G, nigga, no need to worry Mir gefallen die staubtrockenen old school Beats am Anfang. Die Hooks sind allerdings nicht so sehr innovativ finde ich, manches übertrieben poppig, vieles zu lang. Und letztendlich kann ich mit dem Gewalttheme auch nur wenig anfangen. Aber natürlich irgendwie ikonisch weil prophetisch. War zumindest ein Anlass nochmal nachzulesen wie das alles abgelaufen ist und warum Leute glauben, dass er nicht Tod ist und dann festzustellen dass viele der Argumentationen eher erst Recht dafür sprechen das er es ist.

Tupac muss in den Knast und nimmt schnell noch mal jeden Typ von Hip Hop Track auf dem es so gibt: Diss Track, GangTrack, Anti-Gang Track, Ich und meine Crew Track, Ich ganz alleine Track, Community track, Skills Show off Track, Mama Track, Jazzrap Track.... Passt dann halt null zusammen, aber trotzdem ist fast jeder Song ein Hit.

Zeitlos irgendwie, so 90s dass es der Einfluss aus den 80ern und die Inspiration für 00er Rap gut hörbar ist. Trotzdem verbinde ich nicht wirklich etwas damit. Lässt mich emotional ratlos zurück. Trotz des Wissens wie stilprägend das ist:

Brilliant as I think pac is as a rapper, this album is kind of thematically shallow. Also, every beat is a sad slow jam beat.

I guess that I'm not the true target audience for this (White, Scottish, able to express myself without multiple "muddaflubber"s), but some Rap n Hippity-Hop does appear on my radar. This album, however, is a big nope. It might have been cutting edge and lauded in the mid 90's, but.... sigh.... nah. The music is fine, but Tupac lyrics and delivery just don't interest me.

9/10 Favorite: Dear Mama

yep

430/1089 - I like the combo of smooth instrumentals with anxious lyrics, sort of an opposites attract situation. There are some cool sounds like bit-crushed keys and mellotron flute to spice things up every once in a while and I wish there were more of those choices throughout the album. I still enjoyed this album a lot.

Had so many friends love Tupac growing up, but never actually gave him a chance. This album came out in 1995? Crazy, I really enjoyed this. I would have been playing this on repeat if I had heard it then. I'm not sure what playlist to save these to, but wow there are a lot of great songs here I'd like to listen to again.

Lowkey probably his best album

Great album. The beats go crazy, I love how smooth everything is. I think lowk tupacs flow over a whole album can get a little repetitive, but the old school vibe is always fun to revisit.

More classic 90s hip-hop. Not bad but this wasn’t my favourite of the genre. It’s a bit long too, and the lyrics about being a gangster etc etc. do get a bit grating after a while.

Great smooth soul beats that Pac sounds great on. The music is pretty consistently laid back but Pac makes it dynamic by having his tone/cadence range from rage to romance to hype to sweet. Great album that holds up very well. It fades into the background a bit in the middle and doesn’t have highlights making it perfect, but it is very good

Excellent balance of storytelling, struggle and appreciation.

Dear Mama

Probably controversial take but I’m just not that into this style of rap.

Ah, Pac. Never listened to this one all the way through. Still haven't. I got bored. Same old stuff.

Okay

It's not my favorite 2Pac album, but it's still 2Pac

Not for me… lyrics….. very concerning

Not a fun listen. I was never big into gangsta rap but when I did listen, I preferred West coast over East most of the time. Dre, Snoop and NWA had humor and party vibes mixed in with the violence. 2Pac took himself way too seriously and comes off as an asshole most of the time. Boasting about how much he was shot and checking himself out of the hospital early to show how tough he was. That’s the same type of dumb, macho bravado that a lot of rednecks possess and it never works out for them in the long run. He promoted that lifestyle and won a stupid prize for it.

Dude is so tough that he put a song about how much he loves his mama on his album, and still nobody said anything against him. Crazy how many times he got shot or shot at before they finally got him. He knew his time was short, and like Biggie’s albums, the lyrics feel eerily prescient. Now, the question- who’s better, Biggie or 2Pac? I’m a New Yorker and far more familiar with Biggie, but I have to say, I enjoyed this 2Pac album quite a bit (as much as I can enjoy gangster rap, that is). It’s a bit smoother musically. That being said, some of the refrains are laughable, like that one where he’s trying to avoid the penitentiary. Jesus Christ. I can tell you that the easiest way to avoid going to jail, and easiest way to stop getting shot at is to stop glorifying the lifestyle, I mean… sike! The easiest way is to fake your death and to disappear completely! Which is what 2Pac must’ve done. Oh my god, 2Pac’s still out there, isn’t he? Just smokin roaches.

Not as shocking as it used to be and all things gangster have lost what glamour they had. The overall impression is as narcissistic as Morrissey but with man-child thug mindedness instead of the white supremacy bollocks. Tupac is still the outstanding example of his era 2.6

The sampling work is smooth as butter. It doesn't have the same energy as east coast offerings from around the same time period, Native Tongues it is not. But that's not a detriment, it's just definitely more laid back and less reliant on the sample(s) to make a track bump. The way the samples are incorporated I think is proof of that, track 4 for example has its own groove and uses That Girl by Stevie Wonder to compliment it as opposed to the groove being made up almost entirely of the sample. As far as the lyrical content, most of it is 90s west coast bravado for sure. It's crass and harsh. Not something that I connect with really at all, but I can also accept that I don't and never have had the kind of life experiences that would lead me to feel the need to participate in said bravado and perpetuate the life experiences as a result. That said, I think it's disingenuous to interact with art as if it's only valuable when it matches you in terms of individual experience or culture, which plays a lot into shared experience. I don't even doubt that Tupac sucked as a guy, and I'm not a hyper fan that saw him as some kind of angelic martyr, but I do think there's a lot of despair on display in this album that would have to come from a halfway troubled life. Dude was raised by the Black Panthers, essentially. Geronimo Pratt was his godfather, and Afeni and Assata Shakur were his mom and godmother respectively. Read the latter's decades spanning accounts of govt persecution of the Black Panthers for info on how being raised in that environment probably isn't an incubator for an easy, difficulty free time on the planet. Now, obviously despair doesn't offer excuse for poor behavior towards oneself or others, or poor life choices. However, I think there is context to be found in the despair and frustration that coats this album and I think that context is important in understanding/acknowledging why things were as they were in 1995 for Tupac and the world around him. I also think that context is important if we're to judge an album like this, which I'm taking as the purpose of the list as opposed to judging the moral failings or superiority of people away from their art. Failing to acknowledge the context of certain pieces is kinda failing to interact with them in a way that isn't a waste of your own time, imo. So I guess if you're not gonna do that, this album would be a waste of your time. That decision made during a project revolving around listening to albums reeks of a certain mountain range, though. All that said, it's good. It isn't great or masterful on the whole, and I don't directly interface with a lot of the lyrical content (even Dear Mama, the feel good song about mothers, has a lot of verses that are out of my realm of experience). What IS great or masterful on this album is the sample work and composition. G-Funk cranked up to 11, complete with creative usage of sampling and clever interpolation when not using direct samples. That shit is nice. It's a 3.

In a word, yes. Smooth voice, meaningful lyrics with a clean delivery, beats that just make you want to groove.

I was genuinely pleasantly surprised by this album. I genuinely don’t have very strong opinions about 2Pac one way or the other. I’ve always just assumed he was probably fine, I don’t really know what I was expecting but this exceeded my expectations (despite not having any). I don’t think I’ve ever heard his voice before either. Which is weird cause I know I’ve seen clips of him talking before but I had no idea his voice was so deep. The bigger surprise was I had no idea he had such great beats. Like he was super far ahead of himself in that regard cause a lot of rap music at that time was much more repetitive/simple (for lack of a better word) but his instrumentals are sincerely quality even when compared to modern standards. I didn’t really connect with or love the lyrics but if that’s the only part of the music I’m not impressed by I’d still say that’s a pretty good to great album. And it also helps that I really wasn’t expecting to like this like I do.

I don't understand the people who are all "oh gosh gee I don't like rap!" who are starting this project what are you even doing here man why is your world so small and why are you ok with that

one of the OGs of hip-hop. Classic! Favorite Track: So many tears other picks: dear mama, me against the world, f**k the world

2Pac had one of the best voices in hip hop history. His voice was deep and carried the weight of his words, and his flow was buttery smooth. He had a real knack for rhyming too, and while he didn't have the wordplay many of his peers did, he was able to tell stark tales of his life in creative ways. What this album shows though is that these things alone aren't enough to make a memorable hip hop album. As good as Pac's flow is here, it's also not all that adventurous. The G-funk influenced beats are pretty good, but they also don't really stand out for the time. Those things, combined with the fact that there are no true standout songs here - "Dear Mama" or "Lord Knows," with its incredible imagery, are the closest - make the album drag a bit by the end. Nothing here is bad or boring, there's just too much very good without enough great.

It's a really smooth and laid back album in this genre, and it is very well produced and has stood the test of time. It's not as shocking as someone would expect from a rap album. I don't think I will relisten it soon but he was an important rapper in the mid 90s.

not my cup of tea but go 2pacc

Álbum sensacional! Um dos maiores da história do Hip-hop. QKZxHBB Hades.

This music is new to me. It felt like one of those random encounters with strangers where you each share your life stories then walk away and never see each other again. The appreciation in Dear Mama was a gut punch.

Not my cup of tea. Love the introspective aspect of the lyrics, but I personally would never listen for my own pleasure. 2/5

He can’t decide if he’s proud to be a gangster or regrets that it’s what he has to be. I guess it’s both at the same time. He also seems to be actively wishing for and courting death, while lamenting all the death that surrounds him. I suppose I relate to ambivalence, but that’s about it. Another album I can’t say is bad, but I really disliked it. Not for me.

Ho hum

Did not find much to interest me here. It is well recorded and produced. Didn't care for his rap rhythm or his beats.

Thoughtful and engaging showing a conflicted persona

Again got to say I'm not the target audience. Like all, this is a product of its environment and really this music is my only exposure to said environment. I didn't really know about the rational behind the cult like status except its there and he crops up on-shirts. So it was just about the music today, 1st impression was his vocals are a bit, well monotone and low on expressive styling, very conversational if being positive, and by end of album had quite gotten into it. I presume the main focus, it's all about the lyrics, and the songwriting, and thats good. So overall it was ok to as said my nontarget ears, think my expectations were higher from all the praise it gets. But it was from the outside, alright and likely to revisit, are expect to get better. But at the first 3 Star

Interesting how the media samples at the start read in retrospect, post BLM, etc.

eh tupac, hard to listen to an hour of it tho

I hadn't heard much of anything by 2pac until recently, including this album. And what can I say about it that I'm sure hasn't been said by millions already? It's deep, it's searching, it's profound. Easily one of the best hip hop albums of the 90s and his talent is on display on every song.

Still not a fan of 90s rap but can admit it’s decent for its genre

My personal favorite 2Pac album because of how direct and personal the lyrics and feelings are here in every song.

Not my style of music but I see the appeal. Sound quality was really good and the vocals were crisp with decent backing beats. Very repetitive in the lyrical content though. My fav track was Can U Get Away.

Found this to be a decent listen, although didn’t like it as much as some of the other rap albums on here

Just love this era of hip-hop's sound so much

I was getting into the music but listening to some of the lyrics is giving me rapey vibes and I can’t get behind that.

Very good album. Well produced but I don’t think this album was his strongest work

honestly, this is much better than the dre album hahah I get now lmao

Great album. I’d forgotten how natural a rapper Tupac is and whilst I am very familiar with All Eyez On Me I was not familiar with this album

Enjoyed this. Flows nicely and some great sampling. Like Tupacs vocal style as well

I prefer All Eyez On Me. This album is fine, but its not his best and it sounds pretty repetitive at points. And call me crazy, but the Death Around The Corner beat sounds nearly identical to Picture Me Rollin.

Didn't do a lot for me. Definitely not bad. Raw, deep, and emotional stuff, but not my favourite hip-hop.

A somewhat difficult one to review. I'm fully aware of Tupac's reputation and life, but I'd never heard a track that really blew me away. Having listened to this, i'm still somewhat on the fence. Pros - going chronologically, you can totally see the step up in technical ability from the people before - Digital Underground, De La, ATCQ etc. The use of rhyme is way beyond a simple AABB structure. His voice has a clear character, and you can see why he became a celebrity. Cons - it's poetic, but it's really bad poetry. I have no problem listening to Kendrick, NWA, Ice Cube etc, but so much of this just felt like gangsta bragging and has not aged well. A few lines saying 'hey, don't live this gangsta life, go be an accountant or a lawyer' balanced against track after track of boasts about how cool his life is...it just had me rolling my eyes. Even the g-funk production just felt like it had been done better elsewhere. A lot of music clashes come down to style over substance. Do you prefer acts who focus on presentation (Elvis, Madonna, post-Bad MJ) or those who put music first (Beatles, Pink Floyd, Nirvana). On this basis, Tupac very much feels like the former. Finally - I have to put his voice alongside Bob Dylan and Morissey as one which can instantly be parodied. There is such a reliance on a weird bragging EMphasis on CERtain syllaBLES. I think its part of the macho vibe, but it just makes me think of Dave Chappel's impersonation A 3 - worth a listen and a great example of how rap moved from simple rhymes to complex structures, but I dont think it aged well

Pretty cool album. I was bobbing along to most of it

I really enjoy when this album does the funky R&B stuff, which makes it really listenable. A bunch of great samples on here. I can't relate to most of what he's saying and it's very clearly not for me. I still like some of it.

One of the most iconic voices in music, Tupac has a commanding prescence. It makes it all the more poignant on this album, that is very introspective and personal. "Dear Mama" may possibly be the best hip hop song ever made. The beats are nice and don't distract from taking in the lyrics

(V) My favorite hip-hop artist of all time. Second favorite album by Pac. Post 5 shots Pac was a different animal

Some of the stories he has to tell are interesting but I just find the production so dull and unadventurous, after an hour I was getting bored. Fortunately some of the best tracks were near the end though, so I left with a better impression than I had halfway through.

Depressed tupac is best tupac

Best Pac's album. Might have his best song, or 3 of his top 5. Anyway you cut it, this is his best work, introspective and focused without filler that his next and more heralded album will have. Great production too, amazing beats on a lot of songs. Not without skips, all Pac's albums have it, but when he hits you can see why is he held in such high esteem. RIP legend, if there is one thing I took from your music during formative years it was to be authentic and to not care about opinions.

Nicht mein Stil

Very introspective album, recalling his life, his choices and everything in between, how he felt about the world and how he stands on everything. It's a historical record and an account of him as a person. Incredible from beginning to end.

That was certainly G-Funk!

Solid. 3,7

3/3. Yep, this one was good. He's so fucking hard, I believe every word he says. Amazing production, great flows and lyrics, and he manages to cover so much ground and touch on so many different parts of life. How have I never heard this before?

Pac was a master of flow. He always sounded good on any track. The instrumentals here are a different story- they vary quite a bit on the entire thing and make the entire experience feel a bit dull and repetitive at times. That being said, there are quite a few classic 90s hip hop tracks here. The entire thing is produced well and his excellent mc skills elevate it. I think he's better-suited for a compilation, though.

Why was there so much beef with 90s rappers. All singing about popping caps in peoples asses. Dumb. I wanted to like this but it didnt do anything to me.

Peak Pac

I was never really a big 2Pac fan but this was pretty good.

Jeg hørte et halvt album. Det var mere R&B-fløde, end jeg havde forventet. Men stadig kedeligt.

top 3 can you get away it aint easy old school

Really solid album. Great production and 2Pac got probably the best rap voice of all time.

8/10 Favourite: Me Against the World Least Favourite: Can U Get Away

It's not a bad album at all.

Very cool. Optimistic in a way I did not expect.

2Pac went to prison for this record but I still don't have a ton of words about this record. I enjoyed it 😁

The flow is so smooth, the tales are heartfelt, and the beats fit just right. Dear Mama

not the type of music I put on everyday but can appreciate if

Great storytelling throughout the album. The intro using news clips of 2Pac getting shot and leaving the hospital really helped set the tone. Another song in which he raps about death, his mother and the world being against him were all great too. Really liked his rapping style aswel. Looking forward to more 2Pac albums

I have no idea why, but this album was like an instant boredom ray. It took 3 or 4 sessions to finish it... and it's only an hour long! My ears just had such an instant reaction every time. Utterly bizarre. Maybe it's really repetitive? I can't remember, as it took me more than a week to finish!!!

Album 91. Me Against The World (https://open.spotify.com/album/3OrucS4sHv6Bl9GS4rafEk?si=jJjFx49pRUuoQGy4EoB1Gg) — 2Pac (1995) Finally, more and more hip hop for the last days. It's such a gift. Me Against The World is a classic west coast hip-hop album. Important, respectable, good, but quite old and feels outdated. Tupac Shakur is like a median for me. I've tried to listen to him a lot, but I get tired of it quickly. His music is probably overhyped, but his cultural influence is tremendous. I just can't deny that. I like to rate some rap or artists as "is it better or worse than 2Pac?". It's just a little fun. 2Pac is like a baseline, it's not great, especially nowadays and not bad either. Probably because for me, hip hop is firstly about technique, flow, wordplay. And just secondly about emotion, passion and storytelling. Sometimes it reverses, but usually it's not. The album is smooth, sometimes aggressive, sometimes very generic and repetitive. Samples are amazing. And I have to admit the high level of introspection in the album. Ironically, it was released when 2Pac was in prison for sexual assault charges. 3/5 —————————————— Liked: — If I Die 2Nite — So Many Tears — Old School

It was alright. Classic hiphop

RnB Hop mit Gangster texten

1995. Tupac was really under a lot of stress with death around ever corner. He is so articulate about such intense topics. Vulnerable and real while being great to jam with and lyrically impressive. Tupac at his best.

Before listening, what I knew about Tupac was that he had been shot, arrested, accused of sexual assault, and engaged in a famous East Coast/West Coast dispute that left both himself and the Notorious B.I.G. dead. Some background suggested that this album was a more honest, emotional, and artistic effort from Tupac. This is everything I understood going into this album. Ok, so let's start with the positive. The beats are pretty good, not the best I've heard but not bad at all. At times it really does remind me of some other artists of the era, which I think was a major part of their rivalry. It's also an honest portrayal of the kind of life Tupac led, similar in a way to someone like Nas. And the song about his mom is striking in a bittersweet kind of way. But the rest, I don't know. I'm just hearing a lot of womenizing and violence, but also feeling sad about it? Maybe I'm missing something but it sounds like a lot of machismo self-pitying. Maybe I'm missing something here but I just don't hear the whole "blues" thing that people suggest when the content is "fuck the world". Obviously there's a sociopolitical angle here that says Tupac is the product of an unjust and systematically racist system, which is undoubtedly true. But I still don't really want to celebrate violence and misogyny.

good i just dont really like this kind of music :/

Not my favourite from him

2Pac 2Stars

I've said it before, I'll say it again. I'm literally two minutes in to the first track, pussy, n****s, fame, drugs, glorification of gun crime, murder, it's tedious. Shame, as a lot of the talent was wasted on reasonable music production. But I'm from a sleepy town in North Wales, I cannot relate. Just watched the P Diddy Daddy Sean Puff Combs documentary as well, and this was the better other music? I liked 'it ain't easy', and 'can u get away'.

I love all Tupac but All Eyez On Me would have been my preferred album.

It's so strange 30 years on to hear this with different ears and hear how QUAINT it sounds. Music has moved on (for better or worse) and we are as far away from this as Motown was from this when it was new. The samples are great, the rapping is (obviously) top-notch and the beats are still fresh, but it sounds like another time (because it was). I wonder what this sounds like to a 15 year old today, but for this 45 year old, it sounds like high school.

Used to love his music back in the day. Now... he was just a thug who could bring music to the world. If he could have done that without the thug bit, it would have been so much better, and he would still be alive today. Live by the sword, die by the sword.

3.5 stars

I like the up-tempo tunes.

Really feel I would need at least another listen to accurately rate. I like aspects but I would need more time with it for the lyrics to fully appreciate

too long

This is going to sound INCREDIBLY STUPID but I never realized how west coast g-funk Tupac was. I've never listened to more than one of his songs at a time and I guess most of my focus is on his unmistakable voice/cadence. Anyway, this was pretty good even though I've never really been a Tupac guy.

Not my thing but fine for what it is if you leave out his personal history.

This is difficult for me to rate, as I feel very mixed about it. There are aspects I admire, such as the production, 2Pac's technical ability, the more socially conscious parts of his lyrics and the legacy of this album. On the other hand, gangsta rap isn't really my genre, and there are times when all the machismo and glorification of violence gets a bit overbearing, though 2Pac isn't the worst offender when it comes to that. Also the deflection when it comes to his own poor behaviour and the hurt he's caused (especially on 'Fuck The World', particularly that first line about the sexual abuse trial he was facing) makes enjoying this album as a whole tough. On the whole I guess the best description that I can come for this album is that it's deeply flawed, but at its best it's great. That goes for 2Pac too, as both an artist and a person. 3.75/5, rounding up to 4.

Sin interés, pero menos molesto que otros discos de los que no entiendo las letras.

★☆☆☆☆ Me Against the World is the kind of rap I absolutely hate: relentlessly self-serious, grievance-soaked, and convinced that brooding equals depth. Track after track leans into paranoia and self-mythologizing, mistaking intensity for insight and repetition for emotional weight, with little variation in mood or texture to give the listener any air. Yes, it’s influential and earnest, but that doesn’t make it engaging—its joylessness, monotony, and clenched-fist worldview turn what’s often praised as “raw” into something I find exhausting and deeply unenjoyable.

So 90’s rap

I hate that death and near-death experiences make artists' best albums. So many of my favorite albums would never have happened without somebody dying and I hate having to acknowledge that. Injury Reserve, David Bowie, Warren Zevon, and so many others made amazing albums where they couldn't even live long enough to see how much their music affects people. I guess getting shot really makes you realize that life goes fast. The whole thing really must've made him look inwards because he reached inside himself and pulled out a real masterwork. Really heartbreaking stuff on this album and showing a side I haven't seen come out of him. Crazy that Mr. "You claim to be a player, but I fucked your wife" is the same guy that said "I'm hopeless, they should've killed me as a baby." The whole album is like that, and I feel like Rap is really the best medium for stuff like this to be said. Huge focus on lyricism with a lot more space to be wordy than other kinds of music. He uses that perfectly in the full hour-ish runtime of this album, not a wasted line anywhere. Special credit to this album's producers, they add to the weirdly reminiscent feeling the album has incredibly well. This album also got a ridiculous amount of awards when it came out, from being RIAA Certified 2x Platinum to being put in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and it really deserves everything it got. There will never be another rapper like 2Pac.

Somehow 2Pac completely passed me by, even when I was pretty into US rap younger, I could never get into it. This time I gave it a proper chance and though it's not love at first sight I can see why it's enduring and also why it's influential. I don't feel awestruck enough for the top note, but I'd go back to that happily.

Etwas lang, wie die meisten Hip-Hop Alben, aber gut gemacht.

Smooth and lyrical. There are a bunch of songs here that still are in my rotation, but compared to All Eyez On Me, it is definitely a weaker album

Yeah 50 got shot and made a great album, but 2Pac dud it first and did it better. Lyrical and chill, no one finds beauty in the projects quite like Pac. Favorite track was if I die tonight

A bit bloated, but Pac’s flow and lyricism haven’t aged a day.

2pac is defilitely an incredible poet and rapper but my first impression is also that like the cheesy G-Funk porno beats kinda steal the limelight from him in a way that lessens the listening experience I had this higher before, but this is one of the first things in the project I ranked, and I liked it significantly less than anything else I've given a 3 to. It turns out you have to take some bold stances when you can't infinitely differentiate using the numbers between 3 and 4. Basically, the sound is just way too dated for me to want to listen to it really ever again, and this was thrust into stark relief by a lot of other older, better hip-hop

I understand this must have been influential but it just really hasn't stood the test of time. I've also never really been able to get into the backing vocals on 2pac songs. Old School was the one song I really enjoyed and returned to on this album. Apart from that it really elicited a shrug from me.

I haven't done enough of a deep dive into 2Pac, so I feel bad giving this a score at all. I am not really into this album, but I understand that this remains Important Music for many people. There's clearly good writing here, I think the music has age badly.

pure style

Good homework music

1/13/26. 2Pac is definitely one of my favorites, love his music and work. Enjoy how personal this album is, and the sampling is top notch - good selection of funk and grooves that fit well.

I’ve always heard of 2Pac as a rap legend but never actually listened to pretty much any of his music. Excellent production, super smooth and rhythmic. Can’t relate to lyrics or themes at all. Feels pretty same-y after a few tracks. Very 90’s. Feels a little dated. I appreciate the artistry and the talent, but not really for me.

Enjoyed listening

I have never connected with Tupac, whose confessional poetry mode here parted the seas of hip hop and made way for so many of the artists I revere. But I still can’t find my way in. I simply don’t like the production enough to go back again and again to mine for the lyrical riches. Still, it’s undeniably a pantheon album.

If thats why he was killed, he deserved it

really great, but – as so many hip hop albums – just too long

TUPAC!!!

Great

Loved it.

I understand this is musically a good album, but it's not for me. I don't feel any connection to the songs, and think I am missing important cultural context

Not my thing

A good album, I liked Dear Mama the most.

i've listened to tupac's biggest songs but never a full album and i honeslty really enjoyed this. the beats are so melodic and have such a natural rhythm that you can't help but move along. this has such a unique 90's quality to it and transports you back in time. his voice is so smooth, he is such a storyteller and i'm happy to listen.

A lot of people complain there’s too much British 80s music on here, for me it’s hip hop. ( I do like a bit of old skool ) I never grew up in the the hood, east side or west side so no of this has any relevance to my life in the northwest of England!

Decent 3,5

Not my type of hiphop. Boring

The raps and lyrics are okay, I guess. But the lightweight production and the Will Smith Choruses are really not my style, I don't get the hype.

Better than t thought. Not all same. Still to many killings and gangster words for my taste

Relic from hip hops golden age. Not nearly as expansive as what came after but still an ever shifting mix between the instrospective and primal. Can you keep calm with your back against the wall?

He really did predict his eventual death on the very first song - pretty eerie. In comparison to a lot of the other early rap I've had (mainly NWA and Snoop Dogg) this is a lot more introspective and maybe laid the groundwork for the Kanyes and Kendricks that would come later. A lot of it feels like Tupac coming to terms with his past and why he has ended up in this situation. Couple that with fantastic beats and instrumentals and it makes for a very solid and lyrically dense album. He's super smooth and has a really unique voice too. Really liked this one.

This was the first time I'd ever listened to a Tupac song, much less an album. Also, the last.

I liked this. It didn’t captivate me enough to demand me to replay. A neutral grade seems appropriate

Too much profanity.

Just felt... eh about it. IDK, was getting car sick so probably need to re-listen at some point. 4/10

Absolute perfection, no notes

More of a Biggie girl myself (East Coast Beast Coast) but this was cool

Legendary and long

2Pac at the pinnacle of introspective/conscientious hip hop in the heyday of gangsta rap and dance hip hop. can hear his talent in the flows but I found the album dragging on a bit. Not a ton of variation to my ear, but maybe it’s because I like ice t s faster style of rap But it’s still very impressive being so introspective, thematically strong. Very confessional and raw, probably was a bit uncommon to show vulnerability in hip hop at this time.

By all accounts, Tupac was a massively intelligent and talented person. Why he chose to do the most generic gangsta rap is beyond me. The album is well produced, but lyrically it's just the same old stories every rapper was telling at the time. Tupac may have been at the top of the pack back then, but it's a pack that didn't seem to have much creativity or originality.

I have said it in many reviews already. I enjoyed rap when it was fun. Once it was no longer about fun stuff, it was no longer fun. I did find that if you just listen to each song of this album up to the first chorus, and then skip to the next, you pretty much get the idea. Every song is the exact same format, and with this method, you only have to waste just under 20 minutes of your time.

I have very little interest in, or knowledge about Rap but this was one of the better albums I have heard. 3 stars or C.

Potężny statement. 2Pac walks the talk, otwierające album Intro nadaje ton całości poprzez swoje dramatyczne, ale też w swojej dziennikarskiej powadze trochę śmieszne i absurdalne wycinki z wiadomości telewizyjnych na jego temat. Indywidualna walka protagonisty z krwi i kości przeciwko kartonowemu, nieco groteskowemu światu, ale też przeciwko prawdziwym wrogom, chcącym go zabić. Lirycznie album jest naprawdę mocny, co w sumie podsumowuję w poprzednim akapicie. Do tego oda do figury matki w "Dear Mama" dopełniająca obrazu dobrego, ale skomplikowanego chłopaka w brutalnym świecie. Muzycznie nawet nie bardzo pamiętam, co tam się działo, to jest tom poezji śpiewanej bardziej niż album muzyczny.

Pues la verdad es que me ha sorprendido 2Pac. No me gusta nada el rap, pero he podido escuchar todo este álbum sin ponerme de los nervios. Obviando lo distante que me encuentro del submundo del que habla (y del que le mató), musicalmente el disco tiene su mérito, ya que esperaba algo duro e indigerible y esto es bastante “blandito” para el oído. Pues mira, lo voy a aprobar, sin que sirva de precedente.

The Duke Ellington of Rap next to the Count Basie that is Biggie.

This isn't as bad as most rap from the era. There were a few songs that I really liked and I found Dear Mama surprisingly tender.

Look I get that he speaks the experiences people have that most of society doesn't get to see but musically this is really limited.

Solid record

Some great backing tracks but seems mostly from other artists. The rapping itself was consistent and clever but fairly repetitive. And not a lot in the way of hooks. Interesting listen.

Such a heartfelt, introspective, nuanced album set to an incredibly dense, sophisticated musical texture. I love the sound of every instrument (drums, synths, bass, etc) and how Tupac used other voices as a contrast to his own. You can hear how this album influenced generations of rappers across styles and regions. Obviously, the last 25+ years of west coast rap wouldn't have sounded the same without this album. But also, a lot of the newer "emo" rap and other sad trappers clearly use this album as a blueprint. Also, the way people on this site talk about most rap records is astonishingly ignorant. Only an illiterate racist could listen to this album and think it's "misogynistic." Oh, you don't like curse words? Grow up. Though, I suppose the critics prove Pac's exact point with the themes of the record.

The first half, more or less, was what I was expecting, i.e. gangster rap, rap feuds, posturing, but the album broadened out, and there are quite a variety of themes here. Hood life in If I Die 2Nite, then the very sweet Dear Mama and gentle Can U Get Away. Unexpected and interesting stuff.

Tha goat

3.5

*Me Against The World* The only thing I can really get behind on this album as I do kind of like the Beats behind it it's kind of like a bit of the P Funk influence, coupled with some laid-back California vibe. And I don't think Tupac's flow is inherently hateful or aggressive. I'm still not very gravitated towards this album. Definitely one that I don't really dislike but I don't particularly find myself drawn to it. (6.25) ★★★

The beats get a little repetitive, but quite cool. 3.5 stars

I'm not a huge fan of this album. For some reason, 2pac gets propped up as one of the era's best hip-hop star, but by 1995, I think this style of gangsta rap over smooth R&B beats was pretty tired. Compared to other hip-hop albums from '95, like the slew of Wu-Tang Clan solo albums, Mobb Deep, and the Pharcyde, this sounds very dated. I think the beats are pretty boring and 2pac's introspective gangsta lyrics also are pretty tedious after awhile. There's some good stuff here, like "Dear Mama" and the title track, but ultimately it's too long and wears out it's welcome by the halfway point. 2.5 stars.

I’m not really keen on incarcerated thugs or bald people for that matter but this is superb stuff. Smooth grooves, swag beats. Such a sensitive poet! The synths, the samples, the sexy lady vocals… it’s a smorgasbord of fantasticness that always manages to feel slinky, sexy, street smart and spiritual even on the rawest, grittiest tracks. The title song is a supreme poppin highlight near the start and Dear Mama is a next-level heart-tugging, soul-searching tribute-paying masterclass but there are lots of heavy-hitting bangers throughout. Even though he did quickly end up in the casket, I may have to add the vinyl of this to my Amazon shopping basket.

8 / 10

It was fine.

I'll admit it... I kinda skimmed this one. I heard enough, though, to recognize that I need to come back and give it a more serious listen.

If the phrase "Memento Mori" was an album it would be this. Which is interesting, considering he was murdered a year after this released. A lot of the tracks read more as something heartbreaking, cautionary and self reflecting to me. It's a shame that since this is considered "gangsta rap," no one will look at it as anything else but violent. Maybe everyone should re-evaluate their biases...

Great album to jog along to. 2Pac’s flow feels so good against these beats, even if the whole project feels perhaps a touch self-absorbed.

Very surprised at how timid and light this album is. Much more melodic than I’d had thought it would be - quite poppy. I can see why it was a commercial success. Ends up being very background noise though. I think the only track of 2Pacs that I recognise is “California Love” which isn’t on this album.

Took me a little bit by surprise, I liked it more than I'd expected to

I have always preferred east coast hip hop over west coast, but Tupac is one of the best to do it over there. This album has some really good beats, and some great rapping. This is really close to a 5 for me, but there are just a few too many songs that I didn't really care for. High 4.

Monsieur 2pac, je n’étais pas familier à votre flow et sah, ça avait du charisme

Not for me, repetative

There's the intro And than an amazing 3 song run. Some of the smoothest production you can imagine, and great flow. This is exactly the kind of record I don't want to see in my filter. But so far so good. 5 is less exiting. 6 better. 7 not wrong but I guess it hit different in the 90's. Dear mama is great. 11 has smooth as hell production. Super funky. In the latter half of the record the songs stop to surprise me, I must say. The closing track is cool, though. I think my expectations here were very low, so I enjoyed it much more than I expected. But, still, it's not 'really' my thing. I get the legacy in some way. He is an icon for good or bad. But, is it an essential listen to every music fan? Not in my opinion, no... It still can be a three. It's solid enough for that.

Rap/hip hop is born from a mix of beats and samples created by other artists. This alone has never been enough to make this genre good music. The difference lies precisely in the authenticity and personal depth displayed in the lyrics, and in this aspect, which carries the entire genre on its shoulders, there has been no one more authentic and original than Tupac Shakur, undoubtedly the greatest rapper of all time.

Festa seg ikke ved meg, men plaga meg heller ikkje

Nope.

I am so not the audience for this one but I can absolutely see the talent there. My main issue with this style of rap is that the backing tracks are rarely interesting. Will probably have another listen at some point.

I never could get into west coast hip-hop for whatever reason, and this album wasn't able to change that.

Took me a bit to get into the groove but by the end I was really digging it.

It’s been quite a while since I listened to hip hop I wasn’t already familiar with, it’s been quite a while since I’ve listened to Pac. And it’s been since never that I’ve actually sat down and listened to a Tupac album all the way through (maybe I did in college, but I have no recollection). While I’m thoroughly of the west coast persuasion personally, I suppose unintentionally I’ve always favored the New York scene in the 90s and really haven’t given much thought to Los Angeles in the 90s, or Los Angeles ever, for obvious reasons. So I think all of that is to say that I don’t have a background in Tupac or west coast rap more generally, and that intimidates me. This has been a difficult album to listen to, largely because I think to give it an honest assessment requires attentive listening, reading along, and a better understanding of context than my cursory education entails, thus requiring some extracurricular reading. This is one of the most acclaimed albums of all time, one that stakes a political position, and is muddled in layers of context. I naturally fear underrating it out of ignorance or overrating it out of ignorant deference. Ultimately, this is an exercise for myself and myself alone, so here it goes. This isn’t an album built on the strength of its standout tracks, in my opinion. That’s not to say that it lacks good songs. I mean that the flow of the album seems to be much more built around the whole rather than fleshing out core tracks. And that leads to an album that feels intentional, one that is exceptionally written, but also one that lacks the sort of song-to-song changes or even transitions that make certain tracks stand out. Dear Mama is the exception as the production and lyrical delivery completely change, creating the album’s most memorable song. I think the obvious comparison here is GangStarr’s Moment of Truth and, while it’s entirely likely a case of familiarity, I much prefer moment of truth. I prefer Premier’s production and guru’s lyrics, and I think Guru has a more lyrical and, honestly, more catchy style than Tupac does on this album. If I’m being totally honest—it’s a great album, one I probably won’t listen to again unless a specific situation compels it. Perhaps if I steeped myself in it more and willed myself to like it more, the strength of the writing would ultimately shine through. But I just don’t feel compelled to do that, and a large part of that is just an entirely subjective categorization of what I come back to and what I appreciate, but leave in the closet.

I'm definitely on the world's side on this. I quite liked Old School but maybe only because it reminded me of all the better rappers that came before him.

This is really good

Not a fan of the gangsta side of this, but I do love the softer side

Meh meh meh. Tried to be open minded but yuck.

Truly a lyrical genius. So different to some of his other work. The back to back to back of dear mama, it ain’t easy and can you get away is weirdly calming. Very stripped back album that I enjoyed a lot.

Ok album. Was listenable but not my cup of tea. Overall don't really have a lot to say about it. Wasn't bad, wasn't great, just ok.

What a waste of a talented human being. I mean his death, not the album, but I’m not crazy about the album.

This is one of those albums where the reputation is huge, but the material actually earns it. The vulnerability, the paranoia, the storytelling—there’s a poetic weight to it that so much hip-hop never tries to reach. Even if someone isn’t a fan of 2Pac as a figure, the craft here is undeniable.

So I've listened to some rap/hip-hop but not a lot, I'd heard a lot about 2pac so was interested as to what this would be like. One thing I expected was a more thoughtful lyrical approach and this is definitely the case here. Not the generic "pussy, bitches, money, drugs" themes. Though these themes are present and referenced, it's often from a different perspective. You feel a more personal telling of how one gets into this life and the social political issues that go along with it. As someone not from USA (I'm from UK) and a white man, I'm far removed from lots of the topics here from a personal standpoint, other than what I know through other media and just what I've heard. He gives a different outlook than usual talking about senseless killing and preaching more respect. Musically I found it enjoyable too, great beats and hooks throughout that never really felt too repetitive. I've seen a couple of reviews here mentioning what type of person 2pac appears to be through various incidents. I'll do my research into this and generally do my best to separate the art from the artist. I'll judge the albums musically and lyrically on their own merit - not based on who wrote it.

Surprised how much I enjoyed this

02/12/2025 Another thing i didn't think i would be in too, i actually didn't dislike it. Spotify listeners: 24.9 million

It's actually surprisingly chill. The instrumentation is nice, and he has quite a laid back style of vocal delivery. It's not great, by which I mean it just isn't for me, but I definitely enjoyed it more than I thought I might.

I'm starting to lose patience with 90s rap.

Superb 2pac is the top of the game I this genre

Dear Mama is a jam

Again, there’s far too much of this to be ‘great’. But a few tracks are really quite exceptional, when 2Pac is free to get into a rhythm with a good enough beat. This is best demonstrated on Lord Knows and Old School, though the latter being spelled correctly may lose it some points. It’s clear to see the commanding presence that this man had over hip hop in the 90s, and the fact that this eternal reverement does not just stem from how his life was cut short. But there’s still just too much of it for me. Did anyone in the 90s try making a hip hop album that was, say, 40 minutes long? I will say, I’m glad this one didn’t have a ‘skit’ of disgusting sex noises. That’s another thing that bumps it up.

I've heard some 2Pac songs from All Eyez On Me and they tend to be so bloody aggressive and filled with just HATE especially after he went full throttle at Bad Boy Records and associates, it honestly makes my guts churn a bit. I am glad this album is more thoughtful and seems more introspective than some of the other songs I've heard from him, and I definitely prefer this side of him. Highlight Song/s: Me Against The World, Heavy In The Game, Dear Mama and Can U Get Away

did not expect to enjoy this so much

It’s good solid west coast rap - but I can’t take an album seriously in a society where a word can literally be said 100s of times during the playing of the album but they censor it when printing the title. It’s a word - stop giving it more power than it deserves. Ridiculous

This is not the first album I think of when I think of 2pac, but it is perhaps his most personal and reflective album. 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. 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. Shock G of Digital Underground was an amazing producer and artist in his own right. 4⭐️

The first Tupac album I listened to, and I definitely understand why he is considered one of the best rappers of his time. This album is everything I’d want from a 90s rap album.

Awful

Just superb

Attempt #5 of trying to get into rap. Really surprised me with the variety. Incredible adlibs. Love how hes melodic with the vocals instead of just gangsta (sorry for wrong terminology). Pretty promising experience. Of course, not enough of a click to get me into the genre but its hope for future. If I was a rap fan this would definitely rank high in my list.

first song - this is groovy, but i prolly wont add it cuz its just talking from news reporters this is my first 2pac album, idk if its the best intro if i die 2nite - so groovy damnn me against the world - omgggg this album is sooo nice so far so many tears - tbh i liked me against the world better but this is still so good temptations - OMG BRO LIKE THIS IS SO CHILL AND VIBEY OMGGGG i love this so much young dudes - like bro each note is just gonna be "this is so vibey chill and groovy" cuz omg this is soooo good. also love the message in this song heavy in the game - groovyyyyyyy lord knows - song about depression (i think), really like the message dear mama - this is so wholesome. gives me a warm feeling. it aint easy, can u get away - vibes old school - don't like this song as much as the others. f the world, death around the corner - vibesss againnnn outlaw - nice closer overall - this is such an amazing album omg. exceeded my expectations in every way. 8/10.

I don't know how to rate this, but I don't enjoy it. I don't think it's bad, but I'm not planning to listen to it again.

Ok yeah he was a dickhead but unfortunately this is really great.

At times it is a mature/introspective album from a man who has just been shot 5 times. 2Pac is a polarizing figure. His lyrics tackle some very personal and societal issues, but he didn’t always live what he preached. It’s a good album, but definitely has some weak points. 3/5 Might listen again

Someone should check on Tupac, I think he’s suicidal and wants an early death. I don’t know though, the lyrics are so subtle. 6/10

Jesus, I wish I hadn't read the context to this album. Anyway, the album is fine, pretty chilled, but overrated, 3.5*, and the guy who made it is a serious asshole, 1*.

an important person in the evolution of music, for sure, but i was never a huge fan. EAST COAST!!

I can see why 2Pac is influential -- and it's not because of his music

Man I was not expecting to be writing a review like this one thats coming up. I usually say I like Tupac and biggie equally but from this display I would pick biggie all day every day. There are alot of things to like about this record to be fair. The beats and production are all great. Every song has a sick backing track. And the features and background singers are amazing, each and every one. But sadly pac himself is my main issue. The guy has the lyrics and and insanely iconic sound, but he never does anything to stray from his flow. Every single bar here has identical cadence. Its maddening in a way. He could do so much more. But we get thr same structure for a whole hour. Thats my number 1 complaint. Its too samey. Another thing that isnt his fault at all to be fair, is its just such a downer. The whole tracklist is about people dying anf poverty and just the shit of shits. Making a pointed record is fine but id just like to hear about couple good times along with the bad. Don't gotta go too crazy but turn up once or twice and it would break up the tracklist considerably. I didnt hate this record far from it, but there are issues here that ive never seen before and maybe its better on other records. But this one was just decent sadly.

This was fine. I'm not a hip hop connoisseur, but this didn't blow my mind.

Realize I didn’t know what 2Pac sounded like..

I’ve never liked 2Pac or gangsta rap, so approaching Me Against the World felt like the start of a long day — and unfortunately, that feeling never quite lifted. There seem to be far too many albums like this in the 1001 challenge, and this one did little to change my mind about the genre. To me, 2Pac remains overhyped and overrated, perhaps further elevated by the mythology surrounding his untimely death. The music and production are the album’s saving graces: the sampling is strong, the beats are well-crafted, and occasionally the instrumentals shine through. My main issues lie with the lyrics and themes. Much of the content feels dated and at odds with today’s culture, and the writing often comes across as simplistic rather than profound. What many praise as raw honesty or emotional intensity simply feels, in my view, bleak, repetitive, and unappealing. That said, there are moments where the production carries the tracks — “Heavy in the Game” features a great sample, and a few other beats caught my attention. Favourite track: Me Against the World was decent, and I enjoyed the “Just Be Good to Me” sample in Heavy in the Game. These two tracks might just nudge the album up to a 2/5. Least favourite track: Honestly, most of the album blurred together. Album artwork: A standard ’90s rap cover — moody, minimal, and predictable.

I appreciate the live instrumental backing tracks and the beats, and I can appreciate 2Pac's skills, but I'm just not into this. Liked Songs Added: Can U Get Away

Alright here we go with my first rap album from this list. The flow and delivery of the words can really make the difference without a strong melodic component up front and it’s all delivered well here. The backing tracks are fairly simple riffs and loops with some guest singers and samples to fill the sound out a bit. For me, it’s hard to relate to much of what he’s trying to say but there are definitely moments where what he’s talking about is universal and I understand the sentiment. This album seems to be lacking some dynamics though. It all seems a wash of words on first listen however I do believe that rap music takes more than a few listens to really understand so for now I’m not into this much but I do want to hear more, if not this album then maybe some other albums in his catalogue and only when something clicks would I be able to give this a higher rating.

jag tror inte jag gillar hiphop?

Quite boring

not my favourite 2Pac album but still got some heat

Faut arrêter les albums de plus d'1h quand c'est pas du prog

I’ve never listened to this as an album—Dear Mama is stunning in context

Er was een tijd dat ik bepaalde nummers van 2pac heel vet vond. Die tijd ligt al wel een tijdje achter me inmiddels, al is bijvoorbeeld 'Dear Mama' die je op dit album aantreft voor mij wel een enorme klassieker. Tegenwoordig heb ik alleen 'Old School' (ook van dit album) in een playlist, maar meer 2pac luister ik eigenlijk niet meer. Ik merk dat ik een beetje verdeeld ben. Ik vind het allemaal wat fout, maar tegelijkertijd gaat het koppie wel automatisch een beetje mee zitten knikken bij de meeste tracks. Het is ook nog best wel poppy en niet zo overdreven gangsta als All Eyez on Me. Eigenlijk is het vooral jammer dat hij de lijn van dit album later niet heeft doorgetrokken, maar daarvoor zitten we hier niet. Ik vind het toch wel een lekker album, al duurt het wel wat te lang allemaal. Had drie à vier tracks korter mogen zijn. Ik geef 4 sterren.

I was surprised how forgettable I found it. I didn’t pay a lot of attention to his lyrics so probably could’ve gotten more out of this one. Rating: 1.5

Better than I assumed, but not my favourite.

Sorry Biggie, but as far as albums on this list go, I have to give the "better album" point to 2Pac. Maybe you shouldn't have included sex skits on your album. Anyway, Me Against The World is a pretty great album. 2Pac is obviously one of the most highly acclaimed rappers of all time, and for good reason. He's got the craft down to a tee. He may not be the most technically impressive rapper to live, but the combination of his solid rapping style, musical versatility, conscious lyricism, and general personality make him among the most multifaceted and artistically respectable rappers of his time, if not of all time. Combine all of those with tragic story and it's not hard to see why he's considered such a legend, with Me Against The World being widely considered to be one of his best albums. As for the album itself, I really liked it. The production was really cool. It's got that west-coast smoothness to it that I happen to enjoy. Pac's writing and rapping are strong. Again, there are more impressive rappers in these regards, but I really don't have any major issues with 2Pac's style. There's a good blend of gangsta rap braggadocio and conscious rap storytelling that I really love. You have songs like "If I Die 2Nite" and "Death Around The Corner" that demonstrate the toughness that appeals to the "thug life" crowd, balanced well by more conscious tracks like "So Many Tears" and the ever-iconic "Dear Mama" that show a more relatable side of Mr. Shakur. This is the kind of thing that I like to hear! Both of these things could work well on their own, but being together appeals to me and my desire for versatility. Overall, Me Against The World is quite the album. It's pretty consistent and quality and everything is done quite well. It's not quite a masterpiece per se, but it's still a great representation of why Tupac has the reputation that he has. Great stuff. Solid 4/5.

Selvom man bestemt kan se hvorfor 2PAC er så anerkendt som han er, har han aldrig været min favorit rapper. Alligevel må man anerkende hans kunnen. Sange som Dear Mama viser nuancer som jeg er vild med.

Amazing album by an incredible artist ! One of my absolute favorits !

I don't think I'll ever fully understand the Tupac hype, it's just not really my style and that's OK. I think the album is alright, but I don't really find a need to listen to it again and probably won't Standouts Intro Young Niggaz Death Around The Corner 3/5

listening when: after pilates on the drive home thoughts: i mean everyone knows who tupac is but id never listened to a full album. he was so young when he died its wild. album is good just so much more rnb than i would have expected rating: 4/10

Great album from an all time great.

Good stuff, probably a harsh 3.5 rounded down

I ended up enjoying this one a lot. The music was simple, but it was really about the raps anyway. They were interesting and impactful, for the most part. I haven't listened much Tupac before and this was a nice introduction. My biggest negatives were the nature of some of the lyrical content and the length of the album (66 minutes). Even so, there were a lot of songs on there I liked. The rest weren't bad either. Overall: 3.7/5

myślę że to był najlepszy album dotąd, pomimo że nie znalazłam nic dla siebie typowo, to nadal bawiłam się przednio, ogl 2pac goat

Not the best Tupac album but it was ok.

The opening of Me Against the World, with its weird glorification of being shot rubbed me up the wrong way, but in the end I didn't hate this. It's too long, but the music is fun enough to just about get a three.

Not as good as I remembered.

The title led me to expect something way more defiant, but he actually sounds pretty resigned to the fact that he's not going to beat the world. So many of these songs are about how he'll probably die early! I'm not super impressed by it, but that approach is pretty interesting.

My first impression of this album is that it's highly likely to be awful. It's not awful. The production is good. but the album is brought down by laughably trite and cliche gangsta rap lyrics. The backing vocals are bad, but 2Pac's flow and tone works well. There is a definite soul influence here, but the lyrics are still exactly what you'd expect. "Dear Mama" was a nice change of pace that showed off heartfelt lyrics instead of the typical gangsta rap cliches that permeate a lot of the album. It's a little too long, but the lack of skits helps it keep a consistent quality.

I didn't dislike this, but I also didn't really find it very engaging or interesting. A high two.

I really enjoyed the soul notes behind his excellent rap. Just solid music. 3.5/5

Fine nothing special really

Still can’t get into hip-hop

I like it. Still prefer more modern beats and samples. This is still early-ish hip-hop with that LA high synth featured heavily.

Nope. I find nothing about this album or style of music engaging, interesting or inspiring. It’s pop music of the middle 90s. This doesn’t appear worthy of the accolades that martyrdom brought it. Not for me. 1/5

Tupac's voice is deeper than I expected. Not sure why I expected something different. Some of it was alright and enjoyable lyrics. The other songs weren't bad lyrics or beats, they just were not my style and therefore not captivating to me.

its good, fine

Do 2 stelle solo perche tupac ha una certa rilevanza culturale, altrimenti era 1

There's some great stuff here and a pretty good share of mediocre stuff too. I do like 2Pac, but this just isn't focused enough.

Gangster rap If i die tonight Dear mama

I dismissed 2Pac as just another angry hardcore rapper back in the day without ever giving him a listen. Probably owing to the feuds and violence and death that became the hallmark of his life. So when I fired this up today, I was very surprised to hear a soulful, jazzy, smooth, hip-hop style of music instead of what I was expecting. It really wasn’t bad.

Just out of music historical reasons i agree that 2pac deserves a place on the list... but the 90s hip hop scene was so oversaturated that everything sounds the same. The beats and sampling are a bit better than other albums i heard on this list and sound really crisp. his voice is nice and has it unique sound, smooth yet agressive. Even though im not remebering any of the songs as a first listener of this album. Sure i had remebered songs if i listened to this as kid. It's way better than allot of other albums here atleast and works as background music too.

Pac was an undeniably talented and charismatic performer who died way too young at 25 years old. This album, a year before his death - tho after being shot five times in a first attack - finds him prophetically obsessed with his death. His deep voice, tough rapping and at times poetic or thought-provoking lyrics are unfortunately undercut by repetition and single-mindedness. Tupac’s topic was Tupac, an autobiography that leans heavily on gangbanging and drug dealing and may not be fully true. I grew tired of the redundancy, even if delivered with new verses, and I haven’t yet seen what makes him such a revered figure 30 years on. It ends up teetering between a 2 and a 3 and is pushed up by some great production.

Pretty into this album. Some songs lean a little too weird for me, but the lyrics keep things interesting. It loops on itself a bit, but it’s got such a chill groove that I could definitely see myself getting high to this album

Never listened to 2pac before, and I didn't manage to listen to the full album. The rythms and the themes are different from what I'm used to listen to, nevertheless I enjoyed it

I wanted to like this but its super dated. It was a first time listen and it's way too long at 65 mins. The production and background tracks are what stands out as the most dated/weak. Sounded like it was a lot older than '95 and not as good as what came before it. The rap style isn't interesting either, it's the same thing over and over. Sure the lyrics are introspective but it goes from I love my mama to the usual gangsta rap shoot em up nonsense. Make up your mind. My guts says his early death, nostalgia and romanticism have led to the 2pac overhype. 2/5.

It's got groove, swagger. Production is good.

No private session used with Spotify. I enjoyed this album a lot more than I thought I would. It's not as angry as I thought it would be, yes, some use of the N word but it didn't rub me to much.

Solid album.

The amount of influence this had on modern hip hop is quite clear. A lot of this has aged well. Pac walked so Kendrick could run.

West Coast Tupac > East Coast Tupac.

When I was a kid, I thought 2pac was the best rapper in the world. I guess because someone tried very hard to convince me that he is the toughest mf. But now I know that guns and violence and gangster attitude doesn’t mean u r tought and there r much more important things which makes u tough

Seems like this guy is really overrated.

For some reason I've always avoided 2Pac, I now realise this was a mistake.

Iconic.

A réécouter

I couldn't listen to much of this as I had kids around be all day, but I loved what I heard. It's interesting to hear music from someone who is actively in fear for his own life, being hunted. It's making me re-evaluate some rap/rappers not just as Tough Guy personas but instead expressing legitimate fears.

Near peak Pac.

Damn, this album is thick with imagery about mortality and loss. So much so that I thought it was a posthumous release. While several of the songs were a tad similar and forgettable, most of them lyrically or musically made a serious impact. Tupac was talented at his craft and it's a damn shame we lost him the year after this release. 3.5/5 - 4/5

Ive recently had albums by gang starr and ll cool j from the early 90's that i really didnt enjoy and i was concerned this would be more of the same. I was very wrong. This sounds like a real watershed in terms of hip hop. The production, the complexity and the vibe are all streets ahead. The lyrics have light and shade and it was much more enjoyable. Still too many rnb slow tracks 'for the ladies' and missing a proper banger or three to elevate it but a real step forward in rap.

Never bought into the idolisation of Tupac, whose early death has granted him a near untouchable status in Hip Hop/Rap circles. I listened very carefully what Tupac had to say so I could get as close to understanding him as possible. I then came to the conclusion that you can be a great poet and have a lot of great points to make about injustice but if it's just not very interesting to listen to as music...I'm bored. Also, 30 years of parody of the gangsta lifestyle on television and in video games hasn't done this any favours. Tupac frequently refers to 'yet another funeral' and his friends clogging up morques, at which point I ask myself 'Is it any wonder?'. Seems they all had a deathwish and if you f**k around, you eventually find out. A review from the time said it best that the only thing greater than Tupac's persecution complex was his inflated self-regard. There was IMO far superior hip-hop/rap artists and albums in the early 90s than this offering.

Favorite tracks: So Many Tears, Lord Knows, Dear Mama, It Ain't Easy Me, a white suburban mom, all day: "It ain't easy being me, will I see the penitentiary or will I stay free?" Dang, I'm kicking myself for sleeping on 2Pac. I always thought of him as gangsta rap and not much else, but a lot of these songs were very introspective and vulnerable. I'll definitely revisit a few of these songs, but some of the others still have a lot of the violent/misogynistic themes I prefer to avoid. I already love the 90s hip hop/rap era (especially compared to today's) and this really stands out as unique - stripped back with a focus on raw lyrics and vocals, with a bonus of some backing vocals. Also, an intro of news clips about his shooting goes so hard, A+

mieux que jul en tout cas mais bon

This was a huge moment in time when this album was released. This one was a monster w/ Dear Mama, Shed So Many Tears, Me Against The World, and many more. Very groovy musically and vocal perfection. I appreciate this album now more than I think I did back in 95....Adding back to the rotation! In my opinion this is a Hip Hop Classic.

While I appreciate Pac's honest and raw lyrics and don't deny his rapping ability, I could never get into his music.

Decent enough album, doesn’t have the hits the previous two albums had. Like a broken record, younger me would have probably rated it higher.

Показалось весьма интересно.

Solid

I thought this was gonna be a hard listen given it's not something I'd ever put on - but this was not bad. Listened to the whole thing easily.

not the right tupac album, should've been all eyes on me. that being said, enjoyed this more than I thought I was going to, I don't remember enjoying this as much as I did

Still don't like the genre.

very excellent, if very dirty, lyrics. He has a lot to say, and it's very well done

3.5 almost a 4, great hip hop album, maybe a little long but very fun enjoyed all of it.

Not really listened to any of his stuff before other than those you can't ignore. Some of the beats here are nice. The lyrics move between glorifying and being self pitying about his lifestyle, sometimes in the same track. Not much other than that, the American obsession with guns is in full effect. Drags on if you get bored with that shit.

Not a rap fan

Good

i didnt feel like taking notes cause im lazy. it was fine

Classic & nostalgic quintessential West Coast hip-hop; can’t knock that.

I'm innately familiar with 2Pac's final two albums (excluding posthumous releases, so this and "All Eyez on Me"), so revisiting this will be fun. "Me Against the World" is unique in the sense that it is one of the more personal and vulnerable gangsta rap albums I've ever heard, especially coming from a rapper of 2Pac's prominent, yet controversial, status. Yeah, there's the expected street life/ghetto anecdotes featured throughout, but there's also some darker and more intrapersonal themes like despair and loneliness. 2Pac also takes the time to pay homage to his favorite hip-hop acts ("Old School"), as well as provide the ultimate ode to his mother ("Dear Mama"). Tupac Shakur was certainly no saint, but he made a massive impact as a rapper, mixing conscious rap through his poetic and commanding lyrical delivery. Despite this album sounding "lighter" compared to his other releases, this might be among his best mainly in terms of emotional depth. The production was a large group effort and is top-notch for 90's west coast rap standards. The first half of the album may shine a tad brighter than the second half, but I won't be too nitpicky in the rating. This might be the only 2Pac album on this list too. A strong 4.5-5/5

Tupac is overrated. He was nowhere near as talented a rapper as many of his less-esteemed contemporaries. Most of the backing tracks are just generic 90’s rap background music, and Tupac’s rapping all sounds exactly the same for over an hour. And “Dear Mama” is cheesy and lame. *holds up three fingers and turns them sideways to make an ‘E’*.

Not a rap fan

I only knew 2Pac as someone who died in a gang conflict I never really understood, and I’d never listened to his music before. Without thinking about all that, this album wasn’t as bad as I expected. It’s actually better than a lot of slow hip-hop for me. But still, it’s not really my thing overall, and I don’t think I’d listen to it again.