Reviews (page 7 of 8)
Hip-hop rap rollo
This one is about the lyricism. Top tier. You can always count on 2pac for good music.
Vaikka länsirannikon räppi onkin yleisesti rentoa kuunneltavaa ei 2pac kuitenkaan niitä omia suosikkeja ole. Ihan hyviä biittejä ja ganstavinkunoita, mutta ei kuitenkaan mikään kappale jäänyt mieleen
2pac flotando entre beats de cadencia difusa, como un baquiano avanzando entre la neblina. Es cierto que le sobran algunos temas.
2Pac siempre me pareció de los raperos más divertidos, y este disco no es excepcion 6/10
Tremendo disco, muchos classi pac, el disco lo termino justo antes de que le disparan y se nota la diferencia de como encaraba sus letras respecto a all eyez on me. Back to back classic, 9/10
es un disco que me gusta mas alla de para mi no ser de lo mas pulido de 2pac la seleccion de beats es perfecta y esta dentro de los mejores discos de west coast sin dudarlo mi unica critica es que hay temas que siento que solo estan para rellenar
Sorry, but I can't stand this music.
J'aime Tupac et j'ai beaucoup écouté cela. Cependant, cet album est 1h05 et certaines chansons s'étirent sur plus de 5 minutes. C'est un peu trop pour mon gout et ca bouge pas assez. Il y a vraiment des classique sur cet ablum et et le flow / lyrics sont vraiment à points, seulment, ce n'Est pas dans mes cordes trop pour un album complet. 3
This isn't Tupac's best work, but the man was a true wordsmith. His rhymes and delivery seem so effortless, and his work has far more depth than some give him credit for. "Dear Mama" is a perfect example of that depth. Rounding up from 3.5 on this one.
Can’t believe that I’m saying this in the review but it’s pretty boring
Not for me
I just can’t get into 2Pac
I am amazed that people still glorify this buffoon. Wonder if he was so hard because he was like Araldite?
A lot of anger but I suppose it comes from some complex trauma. This is just about as 90s gangsta rap as you get.
I think I get 2pac now. The man really knew how to put words together.
I'm a simple west coaster. I hear Tupac, I like.
full einhæft. tupac var myrtur af agpac fyrir utan hróa hött í rimunum. 3,5.
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 was excited to see this album. I have never taken the time to listen to an album from 2Pac, but have had an interest to do so. I was immediately taken in and invested. It hit me emotionally. Then, as the album continued, it started to sound really one-note to me. I guess I expected a bit more variety in the tracks, but it did not deliver that to me.
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!
old-school hip hop i see.
chillin & vibing
Me Against The World starts well but fades quickly. It's easy to listen to musically but not easy to listen to lyrically, both from a hardship perspective and also that of 2Pac being a dirtbag and trying to reflect on it. 2/5.
Really like the start of this album - the first three tracks - but after that it slowly descends into much slower, easy listening rap/hip hop that doesn't really work very well. That said, it's not an unpleasant listen, but it lacks the bite that the first section of the album has. Disappointing, but scrapes a 3.
I enjoyed beats, and rap style. But there's a bit too much R&B vibes for my liking.
Not my most favorite 2pac
Flows nice, has some great introspection from Pac.
very crude lyrics, sound ok.
This is one solid album. I remember this one being a favourite of my brother’s for a long time.
Terrible music….
So it’s my first time listening to a full 2Pac album and damn it was impressive. I love the low key west coast beats and Pac’s flows are to notch throughout. My complaint would be that the themes are quite repetitive and often individual songs don’t have any central idea but just a basic concept of “this world is hard”. 8/10
rip biggie *Huron house trip
Uhhh,,, quite boring and monotone. I lasted about halfway through. Just not a hip hop fan. Still better than Kanye album I was given through this
- Never listened to a 2Pac album in full before - Pretty good, prefer a lot of other 90s rap albums I've heard - Fav songs: Me Against the World, If I Die 2Nite, Fuck the World
iconic but not the best. enjoyable tho
No le tenía fe, pero me sorprendió.
What should I say? That album is just fucking great. Cool beats, more on the dark side of the mood, minimalistic music support and outstanding texts as well as melodies.
Interesting and engaging, if a bit repetitive (caskets are referenced how many times?). Introspective, reflective, almost a plea for empathy. I appreciated the coherence and clear arc of the album. Some neat instrumentals in there.
Album sounded dated but it took me to 90s west coast. Enjoyable listen but most of the songs sounded the same.
It was ok but I feel that not being American or black made it so I couldn’t really connect with this album. I wanted to but I couldn’t. So good beats and some decent songs
Genre: Hip Hop Favorite songs: Dear mama
I enjoy 2pac's big hits but this album was a huge let down and is not my favorite of his. I was disappointed that I didn't enjoy it more. Also I'm more of a Biggie fan. Dear Mama is the best song on here.
I'm not too into 90's rap, to be honest. I missed that scene, and it's no longer as groundbreaking from today's vantage point as it may have been then. That said, I see what this album did for those who were influenced by 2Pac. Kendrick, my favorite rapper, regularly references him, and it's clear that Kendrick's earlier works owe a lot to albums such as these. So while I have respect for Pac, this album doesn't do much for me. Lyrically, it's strong, but nothing that hasn't been said before or after. Musically, it's pretty abysmal. An alright listen, but not something I'm personally interested in revisiting any time soon.
LP
Fucking awesome album. Every song was a great listening experience that focuses on an incredibly foreign life to me. The song intro was cold as all hell. Opening an album bragging about surviving an assassination attempt is darkly ironic and badass.
supaboring
Not my favorite 2Pac album but some solid tracks.
Enjoyed listening to the album. Will come back to this later
Didn't like it that much on the first listen, now I love it.
Gangsta rap that's loaded with self reflection and vulnerability.
Not that great, no interesting beats and all the songs are the same. Apparently he released this just before going to prison for rape so it's difficult to mourn his violent death that he lyrically predicted, of course
There are a lot better hip-hop albums than this in my opinion.
2Pac - the 90s gansta rap epitome. It’s amazing how a voice can have such confidence and be so Intimidating; indeed it was him against the world.
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.
Pimpin’ ain’t easy.
The album itself is fine, but having "Dear Mama" on it, one of the most heartfelt songs in all of Hip Hop, lifts it up for me
Nope
Decent, but got a little bored of it
Normaly, I don't like this kind of music.
Enjoyed more than expected
Quite nice really
Interesting how many of these songs see 2Pac discussing his own death, given that he would later famously die
More enjoyable than I expected and far more enjoyable than the Notorious B.I.G. album I had to listen to a few weeks ago. Best song, Dear Mama
Hip-hop. Ni fu ni fa.
"Me Against the World" is the third studio album from American rapper 2Pac (Tupac Shakur). 2Pac wanted to show respect for rap as an art form; the lyrics are more personal and deal with his troubled past. Yeah, I'd say almost all songs went back somewhat to his past growing up in a gang environment. He apparently took inspiration from an impending prison sentence for sexual abuse for unwanted touching (he contested), growing up in poverty and trouble with the police. In fact, this album was released while 2Pac was in prison. It went to No. 1 on both the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop and Pop charts. This is the first time an artist had a No. 1 album while serving a prison sentence. Recording took place in ten different studios with 12 to 13 people credited as producers. I think that help create some variety in the music. An eerie beginning with "Intro," a spoken word description of 2Pac being shot (true story) while going to the studio and his shooting at police officers (another true story). 2Pac then starts his rap voice hard on "If I Die 2Nite." He describes his gansta life and lack of fear of dying. The music sounds a lot like Dr. Dre's "The Chronic" and there actually is a Dre sample. The music becomes a little more soulful on "Me Against the World" with female backing singers and a more laid-back beat. More hopeful as he feels he's got nothing to lose. The second single "So Many Tears" does a nice job of juxtaposing a sample of the happy "That Girl" by Stevie Wonder with the lyrics of the cruel world in which he grew up in. The third single "Temptations" adds a funky groove and more soulful rapping by 2Pac. He wants to be an honest man but the temptations. "Dear Mama" was the big single of the album and an ode to his Mom. Strings. Female backing vocals. Great production. The best lyrics on the album which appear to be brutally honest. His Mom had it tough referencing her doing crack and other things but she did everything for him. Hey, we have a fun song with "Old School" as 2Pac raps about and mentions a ton of old school rappers. This album was very consistent staying with the theme of growing up in a tough and gang-infested environment. Very personal it appears for 2Pac. No remorse. Unfortunately, it also appears like it foreshadowed what happened to him a few years later in Vegas. The music did have some soul to it which I appreciated.
22nd November 2022 Listened mainly on the drive there and back to F45 in Cheltenham. Talks a lot about issues you wouldn’t have associated with him like mental health, his mum etc. liked it.
It’s really good but rap albums are so long for what they are. 4/5
Pac was my first musical idol, it just connected with me at a young age...Time hasn't really diminshed that, but now being older than Pac was when he made this album by almost 10 years, You realize he was a brilliant, but flawed young man who through many poor choices and being hot headed and emotional ended up losing his life far younger than he should have. All that to say, this is probably his best album in its totality and definitely up to that point in his career. Went #1 while he was in jail and all. Even though its been 30+ years since this came out, and there have been much more technically skilled rappers(hell, even back then there were more technically skilled rappers) this is still an important and essential hip hop album to any true aficionado.
Lätt hans bästa
Wow… tupac är episk?? 😀
What more can I say, I wouldn’t be here today if the old school didn’t pave the way
Bra skiva!
Not the biggest Tupac fan to be honest
Probably some of the better gangsta rap I've heard, some great tracks coated in those 90s hip-hop beats I really like. Another album that suffers due to length, could be cut down a bit, but no skits thankfully. For me, this is an album for driving round a big American city in the 90s, probably around the evening turning to night. 11/11/22
Ground breaking!
Honestly this ain’t it. I thought I was going to like this a lot more but I just didn’t. Synths sound harsh and boring. Beats blend into one another. Oh well. 2.5/5
Love this voice, love the lyrics. Dear Mama the best
Vulnerable and honest
Monday busy and unproductive, annoying meeting, team tired?, hang out bc 6 interviews, none bad none impressive? change bad how do you predict fit, hang and talk too late
Each song is good, but like much West Coast rap of the era the production can get pretty monotonous. Says a lot about me that Old School is one of my favorites.
Omöjligt att ge något annat än 1 på den här plattan. Usch!
Fitting that this album is by 2pac, not Tupac, cause it stinks like a big ol' number 2!
Couple bangers. Shout out 2pacs mom
This album is one of the best early hip hop records ever. Excellent lyrically, expertly produced. 2Pac at the peak of his craft.
Great album. Lord knows
The final missive of a man before he heads off into the dark side, Me Against the World is 2Pac at his most introspective and reflective. He knows that his time is limited (only a year and some change before his death) and he's taking his time planting his footprint into hip-hop, crafting some of the most enduring and (at times) endearing tracks in the genre's history. The snarl and cynicism that is prevalent feels foreboding in its anticipatory nature, given what's to come later and it makes the balance of this album intriguing. The world may have been against him when he was alive, but that very world will soon see how it benefited having him in it. Favorites: if I Die 2Nite, Me Against the World, So Many Tears, Temptations, Young Niggaz, Dear Mama, It Ain't Easy, Can U Get Away, Death Around the Corner, Outlaw.
I quite enjoyed a few songs on this album. The first 3/4 is surprisingly melodius and the lyrics are good. The last few tracks were a bit longer and a bit more monotonous rap songs which from a musical perspective didn't really appeal to me. Torn between a 3 and a 4, but will give benefit of the doubt.
Decent rap, but not my thing.
Très bon album même si un peu long! On sent la vibe des années 1990!
Why does "F*@k the World" have to be so catchy? Just walking around my house now mumbling "mumble, mumble, mumble... f&#k the world!"
Not my favorite Tupac but it is a good 90’s hip hop album. The production is nothing special and sounds dated nowadays, nevertheless Pac really is ground breaking on each of his records
Jemundur minn hvað þetta er leiðinlegt.
No gusta
not my jam 1/5
Really a great listen. Doesn't have the hits from other 2pac albums, but I enjoyed it end to end. 4.5/5
good album
My recollection of the 90s is the Tupac was one of the biggest names in hip-hop. There is the aggression typically associated with the genre evident on this album, but it's paired with so slick tunes and a real rhythmic quality to the deliver of the rapped lyrics. I enjoyed it more than I was expecting, and much more than other contemporaries - notably notorious rival Biggie.
Love 2Pac, and this is my favorite album from him. Love the less aggressive sounds from this versus his next album.
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.
Boring
This wasn't quite what I was expecting. He's clearly very talented and the instrumentals are great
I was a skeptic, but now I'm a believer. Maybe it is possible to be a gangsta, a lover, and a poet at the same time.
Not my top 2Pac album but still good/great. Dude has been dead over 25 years. Wtf. I'm so old.
Great album by a great artist
I enjoyed this album way more than I thought. I read the wiki about it to get some context because although I know a fair amount about Tupac the person, I’ve never listened to his music. Anyway, this was a very personal account of his life leading up to a possible jail sentence. There are tracks I definitely will listen to again.
Listened to half
Enjoyed this more than expected.
Agréablement surprise. Je devais avoir un préjugé contre Tupac. Ça s'écoute vraiment bien. Je devrai réécouter pour prêter encore plus attention aux paroles
Mi piace, ma non riuscendo a seguire i testi probabilmente perdo molto.
Really got into this one.
My lack of appreciation for 90s hip hop took a break here. Didn’t hit on first listen but I like how focused on their topics all the songs are but man this is the most paranoid person to ever exist
Good however not for me.
Despite not being a rap fan, this is definitely one of the better albums I've heard so far here. 2Pac's vocal style his smooth, and the emotional delivery and the raw lyrics are touching. The beats as well are great. I didn't fall in love with the album, but I do like it indeed. It might grow on me in the future, or it could fall away from it's first impression.
YB better. just kidding. i prefer the east coast sound to the west coast sound when the discussion is between biggie and Pac. I don’t love Tupac’s brand of g funk. I feel like it’s Less musically interesting than either of Big’s two releases. He had dj premier, puff, RZA, etc making beats for him. Pac had no one that I can pull off the top of my head. I hate that my review of this album that was pretty alright turned into a biggie PAC debate but I feel like they’re so intertwined that it’s ok. I used biggie to talk about how a lot of Tupac’s beats were flat as fuck and that’s why this album was just alright and nothing Special to me
I didn’t expect to see this album on the list, but overjoyed to have gotten to listen in full. It’s crazy how many lines 2Pac seems to predict misfortune for himself, still calling out men for trying to be hypermasculine, still criticizing his own choices on his rise to stardom. I wish I could’ve seen what rap would’ve been like if he’d been able to stick around.
I enjoyed this album, although I started to feel as if it got a bit samey towards the end. 4/5
Melodies I did not expect.
Not the biggest 2Pac fan, so I can’t say this album really did anything for me. Probably won’t listen to it again.
Hip-Hop. 0.5/5
won a videogame listening to this
3Pac out of 5Pac It's alright, a bit samey.
some good tracks in the middle but most meh
Had some okay stuff but requires a kinda mood
Not my favorite genre to listen to but the music was good. The language was a bit much for me though. 2/5
Although I can appreciate the value of Rap Music for many people I can’t personally connect to it.
I found this album very listenable, considering I usually hate rape. I never really enjoyed it but I also never felt the need to skip a song. That doesn't sound great, but rap really doesn't get much better than that for me and I respect that - what I don't respect is 2pac as a person. Can't we stop idolizing sexual predators and violent criminals?
2/pac rip
Best Song: Young Niggaz. I prefer Pac on these higher tempo tracks. Feels politically charged, simultaneously realistic and aspirational, all with a little bit of funk and soul. Worst Song: Dear Mama. This level of intense (forced?) sincerity ends up feeling a bit awkward. The content of the song is clearly intensely personal, but it isn't produced or performed that way. Overall: I've never really listened to Tupac before this (Changes notwithstanding), and it's definitely real solid. His lyrics are always interesting, more storytelling than Biggie, and the production is decent. It feels a bit dated now though, more than Biggie does, although I can't quite put my finger on why.
HL: “Dear Mama”, “Old School”, “Young Niggaz” September 11, 2022
Not really my thing but I saved some songs that I liked to look back to one day
WOW! Rap perfected. The lyrics just keep rolling so smooth. Beats you can bob your head to.
2Pac bears all. This turns out to be a deeply vulnerable album without 2Pac coming across as weak. He speaks about personal struggles and the struggles of those around him. Incredibly deep album from a guy who was made to rap. He's a natural, no doubt.
Going into this, I knew it was hyped as 2pac's best and one of the most influental albums of Hip Hop. And in all honesty, I was underwhelmed. While the production is well-done and some songs stay in your head for a little while, none of it is truly the deep "pouring his soul out" that you would hope. Lyrics often fall flat apart from a few wellcrafted moments, and I do not think I'd be listening to it again any time soon.
Fuerte y suave a la vez, excelente disco de rap de los '90. De lo que hablan las letras no puedo decir nada, porque lamentablemente no entiendo un pito.
Intro-good set up If I die 2nite- this music is definitely not my vibe. But I like background, found outro a bit strange Me against the world- slick production, powerful lyrics, all around great song👍 So many tears- another powerful personal song, with great sample. Don’t think the hook is as good as me against the world. Temptations-swerve into song about potentially settling down. Just alright for me Young n*****- WOW 👍 Heavy in the game- like chorus Lord knows-such an alien song to me. Another powerful song with great hook.👍 Dear mama-so heartfelt👍 It ain’t easy- bit of a self pity song lol but still very enjoyable to listen to. Can U get away- catchy chorus, slow in parts Old school-nostalgia foreign to me Fuck the world- just okay Death around the corner- I like this song except for the hook Outlaw- closing song, just okay for me This album is very much the opposite of what I listen to. Pleasantly surprised by how enjoyable it was, but I know nothing about this type of music. 4
Hate that i liked this so much. Smooth as West Coast silk
Hey this guy is pretty talented
2pac was one talented person and it is horrible that his life was cut so short. How can something be so smooth and so angry at the same time?
Great classic album. Still prevalent.
Typical 2pac, decent
2Pac has such a great, distinct voice and his bouncing flow is so much fun to listen to. I love these funky beats too. Occasionally, the musical style pushes toward G-funk but I wouldn’t call most of this gangsta rap. 2Pac generally avoids glamorizing violence. He’s more soulful and introspective. He describes the awfulness he sees around him and tries to promote positivity at every turn. “Old School” is a personal favorite. I used to love putting that one on party playlists. This is one of those albums that’s talked about as a classic and I think it holds up really well. It’s over an hour long but there’s no filler, which is rare for a 90’s rap album. Even some of the classics will have a dud track here or there. This is solid. (Side note: I always love finding connections between albums on this list. On “It Ain’t Easy,” 2Pac raps about not wanting to get locked up in San Quentin, the prison Johnny Cash sings at for his second live prison album.)
Wowow equally heartbreaking and artful. I never gave this a full listen-through before today, and I'm glad I did.
Love that we are finally getting a Tupac album. This is one of his records that I didn't listen to too extensively but he's so prolific that I know I can go into it with high expectations. It's got everything you want from a rap hip hop album and everything you would expect from one of the greatest if not the greatest to ever do it. Lyrics are on point and touch upon many varied and interesting themes as Tupac introspects his life, music, relationships. This album is so good to just put on and enjoy track to track. It's so EASY to listen to. Love Tupac. Love Tupac as not only a rapper and artist but also an actor.
Again, not really into this genre but I liked this better than the previous album from here (Dr. Dre debut album). The beats were very 90s hip hop and the lyrics were well performed. The song about his mother was touching. Pretty good album.
incomplete experience unless you went for background on "dear mama" and ended up reading about afeni being arrested and charged with felony distribution of breakfast to poor school children, and later about that time in the eighties when philly cops dropped bombs on a whole neighbourhood
Repetitive.
Is it a good album? Yes, but I found the whole east coast / west coast thing depressing, and it robbed us of a lot of talent.
Its a 2 for me Pac. Baby baby
Nice to not have (if I recall) a lot of skits on this. Some good sound but nothing that jumped out to me.
I was a little skeptical with the beginning being all about how tough he was for not staying in the hospital and etc, but I actually thought this was kind of haunting and sad, his brush with death clearly shows through and I liked this more than I expected
Not my favourite, though had some good beats. I just don't really like much rap.
A genre that's just not for me but 2Pac has a cool voice
I've listened to very little 2Pac and really enjoyed this. Loved the feel and groove of it.
The first half of the album was so angry and hard to listen to for me. It got a lot better in the second act with Lord Knows and Dear Mama.
Chill album, still not really my type.
While I definitely see the value in the music it's not exactly my thing. But it wasn't made for me so that's fine. Favorite track was Old School.
Never really got 2Pac as much as many my age. It's solid, but I had other preferences then and now.
This album sees Tupac expand his lyrical content to the philosophical. This is not to say that Tupac leaves behind the g-funk, but to say that he looks at the violence with a sense of maturity that seems to conclude that the lifestyle is part of him, and is glorified, but that he can look at it critically and understand how desensitized to it he has become. He muses on the devastating consequences of poverty and being exposed to so much death and chillingly discusses his own death. There's a tension here between the lure and necessity of life on the streets and the desire for things to be better. In the closing track, Tupac seems to recognize that something is wrong here, and the death is too much.
He's the most authentic rapper that ever was. It's not posturing or braggadocios. He's just laying out things as he sees them, for better or worse. I don't know that I can compare one of his albums to another. To me, they're all pretty great. Solid all the way through.
Great album, easy listen thug rap
I know Tupac's hits, and California Love is one of my favorite hip-hop songs ever. I never truly listened to a front to back though. This is a dark album in every way. The album is one straight west coast boom-bap vibe of smooth and moody instrumentals, with Tupac's recognizable cadence, unmatched lyricism and all too real storytelling.
Klassiker. Kannte ich zwar schon, hatte aber die Gelegenheit noch einmal ein paar Lieder einzuspeichern.
Added If I Die 2Nite, Me against the world, dear mama, old school. first full 2pac album I listened to, just knew other single songs before
It was you against the world… wasn’t it Tupac, RIP
Poet
My street cred went up two points listening to this album
Tupac at his finest. Great album
The title track is a huge hit. Too Many Tears is also really introspective and fresh sounding. Heavy In The Game and Lord Knows are both songs I enjoy. This album is a no holds bared look into Tupac, similar in vision to Biggie's Ready To Die. Outlaw I am not too enthused about.
Well produced and softer than it's follow-up, this is very listenable album that showcases what was best about Tupac; his lyrics and handling of melody.
Much better than expected, but not something I'd be in the mood for often.
meh
Viel wel mee. Beetje veel van hetzelfde op den duur
Overrated nonsense
Helt ok. Har ikkje så mye forhold til 2Pac. Får litt trekk fordi eg har hørt bedre album fra han.
Hmm
Écoute intéressante. Pas vraiment mon genre de Hip-Hop, mais certains éléments musicaux sont intéressants. Je comprends l'importance et l'influence de cet album. Album trop long par contre.
2Pac molting a watershed moment, changing the game. Sounds like he knew his shooting death was only a matter of time. That synth sound gets a flogging, and it’s great
Classic rap and probably 2Pac's peak. Mixing his style with G-funk works so well.
2pacs music is the type of rap i do enjoy. i liked the overall album but it wasn’t special brought to make it better than average
I'm not sure how I feel about this album. On the positive side, I really love/d 2Pac's voice - the deep and smooth way he'd deliver his lines, not in a rush but not lethargic either. He was really great - one of the best IMO. On the negative, the music is.... not quite there for me. I love that it predates trap beats which I hate - I love the sound/production of it - but not many of the songs/compositions in and of themselves are hugely memorable for me. Even though a lot of the lyrics are ehhh "too much" for me :P I did really enjoy "Old School" 5/10 2 stars
This may not be the best rap album I've listened to on the list so far, but it's probably my favorite. But I mainly want to know more about the friendship Tupac had with Alanis Morissette. Especially the alleged restaurant they were going to own together.
The difference between Dre, Ice Cube, and 2Pac? Depth. Dre and Ice Cube are at a high level of execution but they never quite hit to the prophetic poet. 2Pac transcends to a place where there's context, struggle, pain, release, and acceptance. This isn't about ego (though 2Pac doesn't lack there) nor album sales (even as money holds importance). There's more here worth seeing in total with all its edges. The album very much pulls from the 90's sound. It can drag on a bit. And 2Pac isn't a hero. He's a hole in the fence that allows you to see into a world that society tried to block out.
Another challenging listen. From singing a song about his drug-addicted mother who struggled raising him to rapping about murdering people, this was tough.
Pierwszy 2Pac przed polowa listy, Me Against the World jest jego trzecim studyjnym albumem z 95, gdzie wystepuje juz jako znana persona z wytatuowanym thug life na piersiach, wiec nic dziwnego w tytule krazka, ktory porusza przede wszystkim motywy biednego zycia, wychodzenia z biedy i zawisci jaka potrafi ono zrodzic wsrod ludzi z ktorymi sie wychodzilo, bo tytulowy swiat mozna odbierac na wielu poziomach, najbardziej oczywistym sa beefy, ktorych nie brakowalo w tamtych czasach, kolejnym zawisc kogos komu sie gorzej powodzi, czy tez czarny czlowiek przeciwko bialemu systemowi, czy szolbiznesowi, narracje buduje trak na intro, ktory jest paczworkiem njusow o 2Pacu podczas pierwszej dramy strzelaninowej, wiec nie dziwia traki o byciu gotowym na wszystko, bandyckich wybrykach, czy grindowaniu, ale jak to bywa lobuz kocha najmocniej, wiec nie brakuje takze kawalkow skierowanych do wszystkich pieknych pan, nie koniecznie wolnych, ale wystarczy ze pieknych, ale rowniez do matek, bo dear mama jest chyba najbardziej osluchanym trakiem tej plyty, ktora nie zrodzila tylu bangrow co all eyez on me czy nagranie makaveliowe, bo tak jak zreszta cala tupakowa dyskografia plyta jest mocno nierowna, zwlaszcza pod wzgledem serwowanych beatow, prawie kazdy utwor jest wyprodukowany przez kogos innego, a wcale nie czuc tutaj jakiejs mega unikalnosci tych kawalkow, bo przewazaja g funkowe brzmienia z soulowymi wstawkami, ktore czesto slychac na horusach, jak chocby na tytulowym traku, ktory jest ma samplowana pania Minnie Riperton, wiec jakosc sluchanego utworu jest w wiekszosci zalezna od tego kto siedzial na produkcji, bo jesli chodzi o to co lirycznie prezentuje tutaj Pac, to zdecydowanie bardziej wole jego sposob opowiadania historii i kreacji swojej postaci niz wymyslne rymowanki i lamanki od notorycznego duzego, ktory juz wczesniej pojawil sie na liscie, a to dosc kontrowersyjna opinia wsrod wspolczensnych hip hopowych glow, prostota i charyzma Paca wygrywaja jak dla mnie porownojac tych dwoch artystow, tworzacych dla tego samego targetu, w tym samym czasie, a brzmiacych tak odmiennie, na plejke dodam wspomniane wczesniej top trzy, a cala plyta to tez takie mocne trzy, bo nie jest to plyta dobra, ale zla rowniez ona nie jest, mozna powiedziec, ze jest taka srednia, ale z momentami
05/27/22 He's an icon for a reason.
nope
Classic 90s rap. Always a favorite. I always hate when these guys die young, but at least it counts for one less comeback tour.
Kunde fått en fyra för texterna men gör tråkigt
det var väl bra, men samtidigt förstår jag inte totala hypen
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.
in eighth grade i didn’t know who tupac was and memorized one of his verses to recite for an english assignment
I don't like rap but listening to him I have been intrigued about his life. That is why I have consulted wikipedia and I was interested in some information I found there. Tupac Amaru Shakur (/ˈtuːpɑːk ʃəˈkʊər/ TOO-pahk shə-KOOR; born Lesane Parish Crooks, June 16, 1971 – September 13, 1996), better known by his stage name 2Pac and later by his alias Makaveli, was an American rapper and actor. He is widely considered one of the most influential rappers of all time. Shakur is among the best-selling music artists, having sold more than 75 million records worldwide. Much of Shakur's music has been noted for addressing contemporary social issues that plagued inner cities, and he is considered a symbol of activism against inequality. Shakur was born in New York City to parents who were both political activists and Black Panther Party members. He was named after Túpac Amaru II, the descendant of the last Incan ruler, who was executed in Peru in 1781 after his failed revolt against Spanish rule. Shakur's mother explained, "I wanted him to have the name of revolutionary, indigenous people in the world. I wanted him to know he was part of a world culture and not just from a neighborhood." Shakur is considered one of the most influential rappers of all time. He is widely credited as an important figure in hip hop culture, and his prominence in pop culture in general has been noted. Dotdash, formerly About.com, while ranking him fifth among the greatest rappers, nonetheless notes, "Tupac Shakur is the most influential hip-hop artist of all time. Even in death, 2Pac remains a transcendental rap figure." Yet to some, he was a "father figure" who, said rapper YG, "makes you want to be better—at every level."
Really enjoyed this, only knew a couple of songs beforehand. If I die tonight, fuck the world and, of course, dear mama are standouts. 4 🌟
2pac’s another Huge name who’s a blind spot for me. I really need to revisit this one; I basically can’t retain lyrics unless I’m literally reading them along to the music, and I wasn’t able to do that when I was playing this.
this was strangely easy listening! a few of the songs felt incredibly dated and hilarious and some are absolute bangers.
i was surprised by how much i liked this. not a bad song on this one.
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
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.
Surprisingly good. Maybe it was just pre holiday excitement ...
Seamless transitions. Some vulgar language tbh. So Many Tears is really good. I like the intro to Temptations. They all sound pretty similar though. Very good lyrical flow. Death around the corner is really good
Pretty good hip hop
Admire the hell out of the guy. He really stood for something but not my style.
It was ok. He always sounds decent, not many of his tracks really blow me away. I prefer BIG and the east coast style more
Well. That was a surprise. Everyone knows 2Pac is a legend but I've personally never just sat down and listened to a whole album. I was utterly blown away by the lyricism, creativity, and delivery that he brought to the table. But the real surprise was the depth of the content. I expected the same ol' shallow gangsta rhymes that you get from 2Pac's contemporaries in the genre. What I experienced, however, was incredibly self-aware social commentary. 2Pac comes off more like a really cool older brother dispensing heavy wisdom than a hard-ass, bragging gangster. This album was just great. 2Pac really was one the greats. R.I.P.
Eén van de weinige artiesten en tijdperken van de hiphop/rap die ik goed kan waarderen
A true original. This album feels like it has an aged a day
Pretty solid album by Tupac. Album isn’t as hard or gangster rap as some of his other albums. A bit more introspective but still a good listen all the way through. 2 pac has always had an ability to make a diverse album that has a song that appeals to different people and Dear mama is a classic. 7.6/10
He’s a favorite of mine so this was an easy sell to me.
Pas aussi bon que All Eyez On me, mais quand même un album très solide.
I've been complaining about old school rap recently so I'll give this a higher mark for the production and smooth delivery, and the song about his mother.
2pac’s position as a rapper, cultural icon, myth, legend are undeniable. A wordsmith who can rap about anything on any track. The G-Funk sound and R&B vibes aren’t my taste generally, but this is a good album and his talent is the major selling point.
Really liked Tupacs rapping skills but the songs overall lacked a great beat and were too similar too each other. Also lacking a big standout song
Found the production a bit meh and those drums just scream 90s! Not really a fun listen. I clearly don't see why everyone else finds him so special. Not actively bad, but definitely not for me.
Dear Mama est cool Tout est écoutable en fond mais aucune des meilleures de 2Pac Du bon rap old school pas transcendant
i don't really enjoy his music
If rap did anything for me at all, it would be this kind of rap. Musically, this album has a lot to offer. But the vocal style indicative of rap just doesn't do it for me.
This has not aged well
It’s okay - nothing more. Me against the world is the high point and it itself isn’t particularly high.
2cack
Dull as mud from start to finish. Mono toned, mono rhythmic and mono paced.
Not bad
3pac
2Pac: Murder, murder, murder. Kill, kill, kill. 2Pac *Gets killed 2Pac fans: 🙀
This was alright. I think I could get to like it if I played it a few times.
I liked most of it. 2pac is an amazing rapper.
First full listen-through of this album for me. Really interesting stuff here. Some very cool instrumentation -- I'm not skilled enough to know what was created digitally and what parts were played by people on musical instruments (I see a ton of "composer" credits under the Personnel section of the Wikipedia entry, with only one non-vocal instrument, a guitar, so it's reasonable to assume most everything on the album is digital). I like the sound a lot, and there are some great grooves. I also am struck by 2Pac's sense of melody. Works so well here. My next task is to re-listen whilst reading along with the lyrics. I'd like to get to know that element as well. Impressive album.
Not for me, but I can hear why it's good.
Listened Before? N This is one I've been wanting to listen to, and putting off since literally the 90's. I've always been a fan of 2pac's style but never listened to a full album. Pros: This is an amazing record. The subject matter ranges from typical gangsta faire to personal therapy sessions. 2pac was a special talent. He makes the unrelatable relatable. Cons: Nothing much. Some terminology didn't hold its relevance, but this is a great snapshot of the mid-90s. Added to Library? Y Songs added to Library: Me Against the World, Dear Mama
Listened to on 3/4/22 3/5 Favorite song: Dear Mama This album is very personal to Tupac’s real life and was all in all really good with both mellow songs and bops
Well-crafted lyrics and solid rap but not my cup of tea
3/4/22 I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. I really appreciated his lyrics and how emotional the album was. Also got wrapped up in the story of his life. That being said, I don’t see myself ever listening to this again. For that reason I rate a 3. Favorite song: So Many Tears/Temptations
2Pac is obviously one of the most influential rappers of all time. I think because of this, I've always though 2Pac is too good for me. Now saying that it sounds completely ridiculous, I just always felt he was too serious and above me haha. As a result, this may be my first time listening to an entire album purposefully. I'm actually surprised by the huge bluesy-jazz influence in there but it really makes sense when I read what this album was all about. He artfully expresses how he was feeling after everything he had been through at this point in life and I think it's a bit of a journey to correct the thinking that he was wealthy and doing extremely well. I have no idea if the allegations were true or not, but I can appreciate this album as a separate story. Mostly, listening to this album makes me grieve for all of the reams of people that society has completely let down... That's pretty powerful.
Wow this guy loves his mum.... I'm really glad I've heard this, the legendary 2Pac who is still with us apparently? V confusing. I won't listen again probs but enjoyed the story telling
Really enjoyed this, an excellent album
Classic.
Never heard a 2pac album before. Better than I'd feared; not as good as I'd hoped.
25 to life uh huh uh huh
Not my thing, but certainly can see why he's revered the way he is.
A pretty important album for me during my exploration of rap music. Dear mama will forever stand out to me as an important song for the genre, and to me personally. Add in If i die 2nite, it ain't easy, and heavy in the game and it's a really solid piece of work.
Definitely a great album to dive into the genre with. Fantastic lyrics and beats without being over the top.
Each song is pretty hit or miss for me, but when they hit, they hit
Só fado
i liked it more than i thought I would.
The instrumentals didn’t keep me engaged- I also couldn’t invest myself into 2pacs performance very well- generally not that’s good imo
Saved Prior: None Off Rip: If I Die 2Nite, Young N****z, Lord Knows, It Ain't Easy Cutting Edge: None Overall Notes: I like his flow but it's kinda the same flow for an hour and there wasn't enough variation for me. Also did not care for any of these singles. 2.5 rounded down.
No sitting on the fence lyrically with purpose and reflection in them. A few stand out tracks, a bit long with a few tracks very similar.
Nice in fact
9/10 great
6/10. Maybe even a seven. I liked how it sounded, my main issue is that it sounded pretty darn similar for the entire run time.
Super enjoyable with some classic tracks. Final verse of Me Against the World is incredible. Falls into the 90s album trap of being just a bit too long. 9/10
Nope.
I am not familiar with 2PAC or his third album ME AGAINST THE WORLD at all. I’m not into Hip Hop, except for PUBLIC ENEMY. 1001 Albums introduced me to ICE CUBE’s AMERIKKKA’s MOST WANTED which I liked a lot. After listening to ME AGAINST THE WORLD, this album is decent, but it is lyrically very repetitive and musically becomes uninteresting. It started out strong, then dipped. In 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die, 2PAC - ME AGAINST THE WORLD, is one only album listed. Rate Artist: 2PAC (4.0) Rate Album (Year): ME AGAINST THE WORLD (US 1995 Original) (4.0) Ranking of 2PAC - ME AGAINST THE WORLD songs No. Title Length Ranking 01. "Intro" 1:40 10.0/10 02. "If I Die 2Nite" 4:02 10.0/10 03. "Me Against the World" (featuring Dramacydal) 4:41 10.0/10 04. "So Many Tears" 3:59 10.0/10 05. "Temptations" 5:01 08.0/10 06. "Young Niggaz" 4:53 07.0/10 07. "Heavy in the Game" (featuring Richie Rich) 4:24 08.0/10 08. "Lord Knows" 4:32 08.0/10 09. "Dear Mama" 4:40 08.0/10 10. "It Ain't Easy" 4:54 07.0/10 11. "Can U Get Away" 5:46 07.0/10 12. "Old School" 4:41 09.0/10 13. "Fuck the World" 4:14 08.0/10 14. "Death Around the Corner" 4:07 09.0/10 15. "Outlaw" (featuring Dramacydal) 4:33 07.0/10 US 1995 Original Release 126.0/150 = 8.40 / 2 = 4.20
Any inspection of my previous reviews shows how much I love rap. But this has aged worse than famous rich men's photos with their buddy Epstein. It's so boringly self involved and tough, with the production sitting in a sort of bland 'make it like Dre' facsimile of 1993's best sounds. It would certainly appeal to 13 year olds, but on the strength of this album, that bullet did more for his legacy than his rhymes ever did. Cliche ridden and standard - how he and Biggie were ever considered rivals is a mystery to me.
A high lyrical quality on this album, like NAS on Illmatic, from deeper like So Many Tears to straight up Gangsta. Tupacs technique might not be the best, but his delivery is amazing. And I can now see why he's regarded as one of the greatest. The beats on the other hand are relaxed but simple. Some would say effective, but they don't do anything for me.
The lyrics to this album (for the most part) are so... hopeless. 2Pac knows he is "born to die." Songs like "Death 'Around The Corner" are just so... nihilistic. It really got depressing after a while, I mean it seemed like there was no point. Although "Old School" made me smile, to know that he honors those that came before him. 2Pac's rhyming skills are definitely there for all to hear, no doubt. Although listening to "Can U Get Away" he sounds a little... cartoony. I didn't take it as seriously as he wanted it to be. All in all, I thought it was a good album, really reflected the hopelessness of the streets. I don't know if I would listen to something so bleak, but I'm glad to have done so.
Tupac was always a solid lyricist, definitely shines through on this album. If I Die 2Nite was pretty powerful, as was Lord Knows. The latter showed some different perspective too, which he really took to new heights on Dear Mama. That was a hell of a song. Breadth and depth of ability right there. Death Around the Corner was prophetic (though not as much as Changes a few years later). I thought some of his samples were tired, that was maybe one thing holding this album back. The mixes and beats were just alright.
Hip hop, con toques soul y funky. Bastante mejor que lo esperado.
Slick and R&B-ish productions, highly masculine rap delivery, chorus composed of a single phrase followed by a hook, over an hour long... This is the most stereotypically '90s rap album that I have heard so far. Not that surprising, considering the fact that 2pac is one of the most popular figures of the genre. And it's not that bad either, just predictable and loooong. The theme of this album is apparently 2pac's reflection on his bad experiences, which is better than the usual look-I-am-rich-I-am-misogynist theme of gangsta rap. Overall, not bad, just forgettable.
This is 2Pac's best album. The musical production is very good, the choice of samples and the list of colaborators are great. The beats are well crafted and songs like "Me Against the World", "Dear Mama" and "It Ain't Easy" are among the biggest classics of the West Coast hip hop subgenre.
I won't claim to know much about rap, but I know 2Pac is good. I enjoyed the gangsta hip hop sound. It's clearly an album from a dark place - some of the lyrics were pretty hard hitting. My top pick is 'So Many Tears', an almost prophetic track sadly (And fuck the world 'cause I'm cursed/I'm havin' visions of leavin' here in a hearse)
Achei legal demais o título. Tudo a ver com a proposta do rap. Gostei das canções e da maneira envolvente das letras. Não domino o inglês, mas quero ler as músicas para entender o que foi dito. E ouvir, é claro, mais 2Pac.
It’s fine I guess. Not a lot of variation with the backing tracks, and I couldn’t really focus on the lyrics to connect with them.
It's kind of crazy that it's taken me this long to sit down and listen to a Tupac album. His lyrical style really makes this album. The beats are good, but very subdued. His charisma is what makes this album a classic
I'm trying to get a bit more in to rap but it's the genre I struggle with the most.
I'm one minute into this and it's immediately aggressive, mysogynistic, gun toting woes of the poor black man's so-called American life. Depressing, unoriginal, unattractive and boring. Absolutely nothing that I, as a black man, can relate to in any shape or form or even believe in or find entertaining. It is so crass and ugly, not eloquent, interesting and far from clever. I will listen to the whole album since it's on the list and I've only ever heard a few 2Pac songs. I look forward to my opinion changing. A few songs in the middle (dear mama) were actually ok where 2pac almost sang. However, it's clear that I really do not have the taste for hard hip hop, just the easy listening gentler styles that are not gangster shooting thug mysogynistic. 2 out of 5 because he rhymes well and the backing tracks are well sampled and put together.
One of the best albums so far 😎
Always keep my eyes on the prize, watch the police Seen so much murder, neighborhoods gettin no sleep But still, I get my money on major, continuously Great Album, not Pacs best, Dear Mama is an alltime song good to listen with the lyrics 4/5
One of the most fun hip-hop albums I've ever heard. Fantastic beats, lyrics and no filler make this one of the best in the genre.
Done good tracks. Rest patchy.
Okay. Not my cup of tea. Better than Eminem.
Rap is not music.
Doesn't hold up, and he was never comparable to Biggie. This is fine when it's 2Pac rapping, mostly, but the production isn't great, the chorus vocals aren't great, the guest features are nobodies, and some of the subject matter "oof."
still not a huge 2pac guy some of the end tracks were pretty good though 2.5
Fantastic album
Blurg, blah, burm, burp! More garbage from the crew that killed rap. I hate this shit.
It does truly feel like 2Pac is fighting alone “Against the World.” Maybe more than any other hip hop album, this one captures the trap and the cycle of hood life and culture. The womanizing and objectification of gangsta rap is mostly missing here, and the focus stays squarely on the drugs and violence that consumed Pac and his peers, enveloping them and leaving them with seemingly no way out. He wants to resist, but can’t find the way. And he holds nothing back in telling the listener about it.
This is the most emo rap album I have ever heard. So much self-loathing, anger, and hopelessness. The bleakness was actually kind of refreshing in a way. He definitely has an opinion on the nature vs. nurture debate.
Mutha fuckin 'Pac
Never knew some of the deeper cuts on this were so good! Really enjoyed it though!
I just never could get into 2pac. I couldn't even finish this album.
While I'm more of the Biggie camp, totally respect 2Pac and his impact upon the genre. Missed out on a lot of great music with the death of those 2 icons. And 'Fuck All Y'All is one of my all time favorite songs, not just from 2 Pac. A lot of solid tunes on this album; the title track, So Many Tears, Temptation, Lord Knows, Dear Mama, Old School, Death Around the Corner...heck, I guess most of the album! Glad a revisited, been a while since I listened to is and has been added to my library
Not my fave Tupac album but it's all right!
Never listened to this before, OK - West Coast sound
pretty good album, not a huge 2Pac fan but I liked this, 7/10
Nothing special. He relies on the quality of his voice more than the quality of his lyrics and music.
2back
Grand
3.7 - Deadly serious, unapologetically macho. Old school R&B beats that give Tupac a canvas to describe the pressures of gangsta life. Some moments of levity with "Can U Get Away" and "Old School."
i'm white as hell, and while i never really cared much one way or the other about cali gangsta rap, i've always kinda loved pac. go figure. this is another fun time capsule, in that it feels like it could only have happened then and there - there's just no other time or place that would've produced this. but also, death around the corner goes HARD
Surprised by this. Very very good indeed. Definitely worth a listen, some blistering bass and drum lines carrying the lyrics along with a sizzle
Picked up steam as it progressed. Enjoyed it. Didn't add but glad I listened. Old school rap is always great.
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
271125 13:47 4 / highlights: me against the world, so many tears, lord knows
El mejor rapero de la historia.
I have avoided listening to Tupac, not for ideological or snobbish reasons, but because I didn't like his big hits. Hit Em Up is genuinely unpleasant to listen to; it just sounds ugly to brag about sleeping with another man's wife, and Tupac makes it as childish as possible. And Changes features the worst sample in the history of music. Why sample such an obviously bad song? Don't talk about the lyrics, as you don't care. You hate the song for such a hateful piano shittening. That said, RZA merging James Brown and Tupac for Django Unchained was masterful, and my only criticism was that he never managed to stick in Robert Johnson at the same time. But how do I feel about a Tupac album with more thought applied? Well, initially rather warmly. He evinces a desire to explore serious, occasionally dark, occasionally bleak themes. Thinking further, this album is often fascinating, yet often unengaging. To compare it to a later album that this influenced, to the extent that it featured a fictional interview between Kendrick Lamar and Tupac, Me Against The World is a more coherent album than To Pimp A Butterfly. I don't doubt the sincerity of Tupac's concerns with thug life, as it were. But Lamar displays far more linguistic fireworks than Tupac, and one problem with Me Against The World is that Tupac sounds so straightforward. Yes, he has flow, but you want more developed imagery, more ambitious rhetoric. I'm trying to recall a metaphor from the album, but I can't. You get the impression of an artist capable of more depth, an artist of promise, but not quite fulfilling it yet. A second listening may bump this up to four stars, and a compilation of Tupac's best songs (not most successful) may well be a 5-starrer, but this sits at a comfortable 3 right now.
not his best but still poppin
you can hear how personal this one seems. I don't listen to Tupac, nor do I know much about him but you can hear how raw he tried to make this one.