Best of 2Pac

Last updated

Best of 2Pac
Greatest hits album by
ReleasedDecember 3, 2007
Genre Hip-hop
Label
2Pac chronology
Nu-Mixx Klazzics Vol. 2
(2007)
Best of 2Pac
(2007)

Best of 2Pac is a posthumous greatest hits compilation series from rapper Tupac Shakur released in two parts – Thug and Life. Both albums were released on December 4, 2007 in the United States and December 3, 2007 in the United Kingdom, [1] having had been leaked on November 30. As of September 2011, more than 212,399 copies of Thug have been sold in the United States, while Life has sold more than 135,249. [2]

Contents

Best of 2Pac, Part 1: Thug

Best of 2Pac, Part 1: Thug
2pac-thebestofthugpart1-front.jpg
Greatest hits album by
Recorded1991–1996
Length51:54
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg link
Mobster MusicStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg

Best of 2Pac, Part 1: Thug is a posthumously released compilation album which is the first part of Best of 2Pac. It is sold separately from part 2 and was released on December 4, 2007. It consists mostly of songs released before his death.

Track listing

No.TitleProducerLength
1."2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted" (feat. Snoop Doggy Dogg, from All Eyez On Me , 1996) Dat Nigga Daz 4:06
2."California Love (Original Mix)" (feat. Dr. Dre, Roger Troutman, from All Eyez On Me (UK), 1996) Dr. Dre 4:44
3."So Many Tears" (from Me Against The World , 1995)Shock G3:58
4."I Ain't Mad at Cha" (feat. Danny Boy, from All Eyez On Me , 1996) Dat Nigga Daz 4:54
5."How Do U Want It" (feat. K-Ci & JoJo, from All Eyez On Me , 1996) Johnny "J" 4:47
6."Trapped" (from 2Pacalypse Now , 1991)Ramon Pee Wee Godson4:45
7."Changes" (feat. Talent, from Greatest Hits , 1998)Deon Big D The Impossible Evans4:29
8."Hail Mary" (feat. Outlawz, from The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory , 1996)Hurt-M-Badd5:12
9."Unconditional Love" (from Greatest Hits , 1998) Johnny "J" 3:58
10."Dear Mama (Remix)" (feat. Anthony Hamilton, from Pac's Life , 2006)Frank Nitty5:29
11."Resist the Temptation" (feat. Amel Larrieux, previously unreleased) Jake One (Originally produced by Big D The Impossible)5:44

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI) [8] Silver60,000Double-dagger-14-plain.png

Double-dagger-14-plain.png Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Best of 2Pac, Part 2: Life

Best of 2Pac, Part 2: Life
2pac-thebestoflifepart2-front.jpg
Greatest hits album by
Recorded1989–1996
Length46:50
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg link
Mobster MusicStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg

Best of 2Pac, Part 2: Life is a posthumously released compilation album which is the second part of Best of 2Pac. It is sold separately from part 1 and was released on December 4, 2007. It consists mostly of songs released after his death.

Track listing

No.TitleProducerLength
1."Definition of a Thug Nigga" (from R U Still Down? (Remember Me) , 1997) Warren G 4:08
2."Still Ballin' (Nitty Remix)" (feat. Trick Daddy, from Better Dayz , 2002)Frank Nitty (Original by Johnny "J")2:50
3."Until the End of Time (RP Remix)" (feat. Richard Page, from Until the End of Time , 2001)Johnny "J" & Frank Nitty4:28
4."Never Call U Bitch Again" (feat. Tyrese, from Better Dayz , 2002) Johnny "J" 4:38
5."They Don't Give a Fuck About Us" (feat. The Outlawz, from Better Dayz ) Johnny "J" 5:06
6."Keep Ya Head Up" (feat. Dave Hollister, from Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z. , 1993)DJ Daryl4:24
7."Ghetto Gospel" (feat. Elton John, from Loyal to the Game , 2004) Eminem (Originally produced by Big D The Impossible)3:58
8."Brenda's Got a Baby" (from 2Pacalypse Now , 1991)Deon Big D The Impossible Evans3:53
9."Thugz Mansion" (feat. J. Phoenix, from Better Dayz , 2002)A. "Pitboss" Johnson, Aulsondro "Novelist" Hamilton, and Claudio Cueni (Original by Johnny "J")4:12
10."When I Get Free III" (from Until the End of Time , 2001) Cold 187um 4:30
11."Dopefiend’s Diner" (previously unreleased) Ivan "Orthodox" Barias & Carvin "Ransum" Haggins Vocals by Jessica "Betty Jo" Santos/Salinaz (Originally produced by Big D The Impossible)4:53

Charts

Chart (2007)Peak
position
US Billboard 200 [4] 77
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard) [5] 15
US Top Rap Albums (Billboard) [6] 8

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tupac Shakur</span> American rapper (1971–1996)

Tupac Amaru Shakur, also known by his stage names 2Pac and 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.

<i>Me Against the World</i> 1995 studio album by 2Pac

Me Against the World is the third studio album by American rapper 2Pac. It was released on March 14, 1995, by Interscope. 2Pac draws lyrical inspiration from his impending prison sentence, troubles with the police, and poverty.

<i>Greatest Hits</i> (Tupac Shakur album) 1998 greatest hits album by 2Pac

Greatest Hits is a posthumous double-disc greatest hits album by American rapper 2Pac, released by Amaru Entertainment, Death Row Records, and Interscope Records on November 24, 1998.

<i>The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory</i> 1996 studio album by Makaveli

The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory is the fifth studio album by American rapper Tupac Shakur, his first posthumous album and the last released with his creative input. Recorded in seven days in August 1996, it was released on November 5, 1996, almost two months after his death, under the stage name of Makaveli, through Death Row Records, Makaveli Records, and Interscope Records.

<i>Loyal to the Game</i> 2004 studio album by 2Pac

Loyal to the Game is the ninth studio album and fifth posthumous studio album by American rapper Tupac Shakur. The album was produced by Eminem and consists of remixes of previously unreleased music recorded by Tupac before his death in 1996. Released in the United States on December 14, 2004, Loyal to the Game debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart. It was later certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

Maurice Harding, better known by his stage name Mopreme Shakur, originally known as Wycked, is an American rapper. He was a member of the hip-hop group Thug Life and is the stepbrother of rapper Tupac Shakur. He was also a member of the Outlawz, but later dropped out because of a financial disagreement with Death Row Records.

<i>Better Dayz</i> 2002 studio album by 2Pac

Better Dayz is the eighth studio album and fourth posthumous album by the late American rapper 2Pac, and is his last to be a double-album.

<i>R U Still Down? (Remember Me)</i> 1997 studio album by 2Pac

R U Still Down? is the sixth studio album and second double album by American rapper, 2Pac, released on November 25, 1997. It is his second posthumous release and the first to be released without his creative input and contains previously unreleased material from the time period of his albums Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z., Thug Life: Volume 1 and Me Against the World. Throughout the album, 2Pac airs his views on life from a time before he became involved in the controversial East Coast–West Coast rivalry. His lyrics foreshadow his death in songs like "Open Fire", "Thug Style" and "Only Fear of Death." The album spawned two hits, "Do for Love" and "I Wonder If Heaven Got a Ghetto", of which "Do for Love" was certified Gold by the RIAA. R U Still Down? sold 549,000 copies in its first week, and topped the R&B charts in the United States for three weeks.

<i>Thug Life, Volume I</i> 1994 studio album by Thug Life

Thug Life, Volume I is the only studio album by American hip hop group Thug Life started by American rapper Tupac Shakur (2Pac) and also comprising Big Syke, The Rated R, Macadoshis and Mopreme Shakur, Tupac's stepbrother. It was released on October 11, 1994, through Interscope and Atlantic Records. The album features guest appearances by Y.N.V. and Nate Dogg and production by Warren G, Easy Mo Bee, Big Syke and Stretch.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Changes (Tupac Shakur song)</span> 1998 single by 2Pac featuring Talent

"Changes" is a song by American rapper 2Pac featuring vocals by the group Talent first released as a single from Shakur's greatest hits compilation on October 13, 1998. The song makes references to the war on drugs, the treatment of black people by the police, racism, the reconciliation between the black and white people in America, the perpetuation of poverty and its accompanying vicious-cycle value system in urban African American culture, and the difficulties of life in the ghetto. "Changes" samples Bruce Hornsby and the Range’s song "The Way It Is".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thugs Get Lonely Too</span> 2004 single by 2Pac featuring Nate Dogg

"Thugs Get Lonely Too" is a song by rapper Tupac Shakur. The song was released as a 12" promo single for his 2004 posthumous album Loyal to the Game. The song was also used as the b-side to the album's lead single Ghetto Gospel. The song features singer Nate Dogg and was produced by Eminem.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dear Mama</span> 1995 single by Tupac Shakur

"Dear Mama" is a song by American rapper 2Pac from his third studio album, Me Against the World (1995). It was released on February 21, 1995, as the lead single from the album. The song is a tribute to his mother, Afeni Shakur. In the song, Shakur details his childhood poverty and his mother's addiction to crack cocaine, but argues that his love and deep respect for his mother supersede bad memories. The song became his first top ten on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number nine. It also topped the Hot Rap Singles chart for five weeks. As of March 2021, the song is certified 3× Platinum by the RIAA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Runnin' (Dying to Live)</span> 2003 single by Tupac featuring The Notorious B.I.G.

"Runnin' (Dying to Live)", is a posthumous song by American rapper 2Pac, with an additional posthumous verse from The Notorious B.I.G. It was released as the first single from the soundtrack album Tupac: Resurrection on September 30, 2003.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tupac Shakur discography</span>

The discography of Tupac Shakur, an American rapper, consists of 11 studio albums. Throughout his career, Shakur has sold over 75 million records worldwide. He has scored 5 No. 1 albums on Billboard 200 and 8 No. 1 albums on Top R&B/Hip-Hop albums. In 2001, Guinness World Records hailed him as the then Best-selling artist of rap in the US. According to Recording Industry Association of America, he has sold 55.3 million albums and an additional 4 million under his alias Makaveli with "The Don Killuminati", making him the second best-selling hip-hop artist in history.

<i>Pacs Life</i> 2006 studio album by 2Pac

Pac's Life is the tenth and final studio album by American rapper 2Pac. It is also his seventh posthumous album, released on November 21, 2006, in the United States, on Amaru Entertainment. Its 2006 release date was intended to commemorate the tenth anniversary of his murder. The album debuted at number nine on the US Billboard 200 chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pac's Life (song)</span> 2006 single by 2Pac featuring Ashanti and T.I.

"Pac's Life" is a single written and performed by American rappers Tupac Shakur and T.I and R&B singer Ashanti, produced by L. T. Hutton for Shakur's posthumously released album of the same name. It is a hip hop and R&B song; the second Tupac verse was recycled from a song titled "This Life I Lead". T.I. said in an interview that working on the song was an honor, as he idolized him while growing up.

"Still Ballin'" is a song by American rapper Tupac Shakur from the 2002 posthumous album Better Dayz. The song was released as a promo single in 2003 and features Trick Daddy. It is part two of the song "Str8 Ballin'" from the album Thug Life Vol. 1. On the album, Better Dayz, the song is listed under the name "Still Ballin' ", due to the song not being the original version. The original version, produced by Johnny "J" and featuring Kurupt, was recorded in 1995 during the All Eyez on Me sessions and has never been officially released.

<i>All Eyez on Me</i> 1996 studio album by 2Pac

All Eyez on Me is the fourth studio album by American rapper 2Pac and the last to be released during his lifetime. Released on February 13, 1996, by Death Row and Interscope Records, the album features guest appearances from Dr. Dre, Snoop Doggy Dogg, Redman, Method Man, Nate Dogg, Kurupt, Daz Dillinger, E-40, K-Ci & JoJo, and the Outlawz, among others.

<i>A 2Pac Tribute: Dare 2 Struggle</i> 2006 studio album by Dr. Mutulu Shakur

A 2Pac Tribute: Dare 2 Struggle is a posthumously released tribute album dedicated to the late hip hop icon, Tupac Shakur.

Johnny Lee Jackson was a Mexican-American multi-platinum songwriter, music producer and rapper best known for his early career with Death Row Records, and for his work with 2Pac on Me Against the World and All Eyez on Me, as well as 2Pac's posthumously released albums. He was born in Juárez, Mexico, in 1969 and raised in South Los Angeles. Johnny "J" was co-owner and CEO of Klock Work Entertainment.

References

  1. Cooper, Lana (January 20, 2008). "2Pac: The Best of 2Pac - Part 1: Thug / The Best of 2Pac - Part 2: Life". PopMatters. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  2. "Tupac Month: 2Pac's Discography" . Retrieved May 27, 2013.
  3. "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
  4. 1 2 "2Pac Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
  5. 1 2 "2Pac Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
  6. 1 2 "2Pac Chart History (Top Rap Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
  7. "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2008". Billboard. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
  8. "British album certifications – 2Pac – The Best Of Pt 1 - Thug". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved September 26, 2020.