Better Dayz

Last updated
Better Dayz
Beterdayz.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedNovember 26, 2002
Recorded
  • 1994–1996 (2Pac's vocals)
  • 2001–2002 (Production, guest vocals, and mixing)
Genre
Length1:52:38
Label
Producer
2Pac chronology
Until the End of Time
(2001)
Better Dayz
(2002)
Tupac: Resurrection
(2003)
Singles from Better Dayz
  1. "Thugz Mansion"
    Released: October 17, 2002
  2. "Still Ballin"
    Released: May 21, 2003

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.

Contents

It was released on November 26, 2002, debuting at number five on the US Billboard 200. This album is the second of two albums (the first being Until the End of Time ) that consists of a collection of previously unreleased material by way of remixed songs from Tupac's "Makaveli" period while signed to Death Row Records, and was produced by Johnny "J", Jazze Pha, Frank Nitty, and E.D.I. Mean of Outlawz. It includes "Military Minds" which features Boot Camp Clik members Buckshot and Smif-n-Wessun (credited as Cocoa Brovaz) which was supposed to be part of a collaborative album between Shakur and BCC titled One Nation but was never officially released due to Shakur's death. Better Dayz has no censored references to Death Row Records unlike the previous album, Until the End of Time. The only track on the album pre-Death Row era is "My Block (Remix)", which was recorded in 1994–1995 during Shakur's time with Interscope Records, and which the original version was released prior on the 1995 soundtrack album The Show . The songs ‘’Late Night’’ and "Who Do You Believe In" were also released previously on Death Row's 1999 compilation Chronic 2000 . "Late Night" is currently unavailable on all digital versions of the album for unknown reasons.

The album features appearances by Outlawz, Ron Isley, Nas, Mýa, Jazze Pha and Tyrese, among others. The hit single, "Thugz Mansion," comes in two versions: an acoustic version featuring Nas and J. Phoenix, on which the music video is based, and a hip hop version featuring Anthony Hamilton.

Recording

It features unreleased recordings from the 1994–1996 period, the majority of which are remixed mainly between Thug Life Volume 1 & The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory. Others retain their original form or are complete finished mixes, such as "Fuck 'Em All", "Late Night", "Ghetto Star", "Better Dayz", "Who Do U Believe In?" and "They Don't Give a Fuck About Us".

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [1]
Entertainment Weekly C [2]
RapReviews7.5/10 [3]
Rolling Stone Star full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [4]
HipHopDXStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [5]

John Bush from AllMusic wrote: "Better Dayz shouldn't be overlooked [...] A lengthy two-disc set, it benefits from a raft of still-compelling material by one of the two or three best rappers in history, as well as excellent compiling by executive producers Suge Knight and Afeni Shakur, 2Pac's mother. Organizing the set roughly into one disc of hardcore rap and one of R&B jams makes for an easier listen, and the R&B disc especially has some strong tracks, opening with a remix of 1995's 'My Block' and including quintessentially 2Pac material—reflective, conflicted, occasionally anguished—like 'Never Call U Bitch Again,' 'Better Dayz,' 'Fame,' and 'This Life I Lead.' [...] It's 2Pac's best album since his death." [1] Kludge magazine included it on their list of best albums of 2002. [6] The track "Ghetto Star" has appeared on the soundtrack to the video game 25 to Life .

Commercial performance

Better Dayz debuted at number five on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling 366,000 copies in its first week. [7] This became 2Pac's eighth US top-ten album. [7] In its second week, the album dropped to number eight on the chart, selling an additional 163,000 copies. [8] As of September 2011, the album has sold 1,765,597 copies in the United States. [9] On July 23, 2014, the album was certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for sales of over three million copies. [10]

In May 2003, the album was also certified triple platinum in Canada for sales of over 300,000 copies in Canada. [11]

Track listing

Disc 1
No.TitleProducer(s)Length
1."Intro" 7 Aurelius 0:56
2."Still Ballin'" (featuring Trick Daddy)Original by Johnny "J", Remix by Nitty2:50
3."When We Ride on Our Enemies"Original by Johnny "J", Remix by BRISS2:54
4."Changed Man" (featuring T.I. & Johntá Austin)Original by Johnny "J", Remix by Jazze Pha 3:52
5."Fuck Em All" (featuring Outlawz)Johnny "J"4:26
6."Never B Peace" (featuring E.D.I. & Kastro of the Outlawz)Original by Johnny "J", Remix by Nitty4:59
7."Mama's Just a Little Girl" (featuring Kimmy Hill)Original by Johnny "J", Remix by Kip "KP" Wilson4:58
8."Street Fame"Original by Daz Dillinger, Remix by BRISS4:30
9."Whatcha Gonna Do" (featuring Kastro & Young Noble of the Outlawz)Original by Johnny "J", Remix by E.D.I.3:39
10."Fair Xchange" (featuring Jazze Pha)Original by Johnny "J", Remix by Jazze Pha 3:52
11."Late Night" (from Chronic 2000 Still Smokin, featuring DJ Quik & Outlawz) DJ Quik 4:18
12."Ghetto Star" (featuring Nutt-So)Go-Twice4:15
13."Thugz Mansion (Acoustic Version)" (featuring Nas & J. Phoenix)Original by Johnny "J", Remix by A. "Pitboss" Johnson, Aulsondro "Emcee N.I.C.E." Hamilton, and Claudio Cueni4:13
Disc 2
No.TitleProducer(s)Length
1."My Block (Remix)"Original by Easy Mo Bee, Remix by Nitty5:22
2."Thugz Mansion" (featuring Anthony Hamilton)Original by Johnny J, Remix by 7 Aurelius4:07
3."Never Call U Bitch Again" (featuring Tyrese) Johnny J 4:38
4."Better Dayz" (featuring Mr. Biggs) Johnny J 4:17
5."U Can Call" (featuring Jazze Pha)Original by Johnny J, Remix by Jazze Pha3:49
6."Military Minds" (from The "One Nation" album, featuring Cocoa Brovaz & Buckshot)Original by Darryl “Big D” Harper, Remix by E.D.I. Mean5:29
7."Fame" (featuring Yaki Kadafi, Kastro, Napoleon & Young Noble from the Outlawz) Hurt M Badd 4:50
8."Fair Xchange (Remix)" (featuring Mýa)Original by Johnny J, Remix by Troy Johnson3:56
9."Catchin Feelins" (featuring Muszamil & E.D.I., Napoleon & Young Noble from the Outlawz)Original by Johnny J, Remix by E.D.I. Mean 4:54
10."There U Go" (featuring Yaki Kadafi, E.D.I. Mean, Kastro, Napoleon of the Outlawz, Big Syke & Jazze Pha) Johnny J 5:30
11."This Life I Lead" (featuring Outlawz) Johnny J 5:21
12."Who Do U Believe In" (from Chronic 2000 Still Smokin, featuring Yaki Kadafi from the Outlawz) Johnny J 5:30
13."They Don't Give a Fuck About Us" (featuring Outlawz) Johnny J 5:08
14."Outro" 0:13

Samples

Personnel

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada) [31] 3× Platinum300,000^
United Kingdom (BPI) [32] Gold100,000^
United States (RIAA) [33] 3× Platinum3,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

See also

Related Research Articles

<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 Records and Out da Gutta Records and distributed by Atlantic Records. 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, Interscope Records, and Jive 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 July and 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 Shakur, 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Outlawz</span> American hip hop group

Outlawz are an American hip hop group founded by rapper Tupac Shakur in late 1995 after Shakur's release from prison and arrival at Death Row Records.

<i>Crunk Juice</i> 2004 studio album by Lil Jon & the East Side Boyz

Crunk Juice is the fifth and final studio album by American Southern hip hop group Lil Jon & the East Side Boyz. It was released on November 16, 2004, under BME Recordings and TVT Records. The production was primarily handled by Lil Jon himself, who also collaborated in the executive production, alongside Bryan Leach, Rob McDowell, Emperor Searcy, Vince Phillips, the Neptunes and Rick Rubin. The album includes guest appearances from rappers and singers, like R. Kelly, Ludacris, Ice Cube, Usher, Bun B from UGK, Jadakiss, Nas, T.I., the Ying Yang Twins and Pharrell.

<i>8 Mile: Music from and Inspired by the Motion Picture</i> 2002 soundtrack album by Various artists

8 Mile: Music from and Inspired by the Motion Picture is the official soundtrack album to the 2002 film of the same name. The album, performed by various artists, was released by Universal Pictures' then subsidiary Universal Music, through Interscope and Shady/Aftermath. It spawned the hit single "Lose Yourself" by Eminem, who also stars in the semi-autobiographical movie.

<i>Until the End of Time</i> (Tupac Shakur album) 2001 studio album by 2Pac

Until the End of Time is the seventh studio album and third posthumous album by American rapper 2Pac.

<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>The Rose That Grew from Concrete</i> 2000 studio album by various

The Rose That Grew from Concrete is a posthumous album based on the poetry/writings of Tupac Shakur, released on November 21, 2000. This album features a large cast of celebrities reading Shakur's poetry and writing, much in the spirit of a traditional spoken-word album. 2Pac is featured on the song "The Rose That Grew from Concrete". These vocals were remixed onto the track from the song "Mama's Just a Little Girl" that was recorded in 1996 and released in 2002 on the album "Better Dayz".

<i>Still I Rise</i> (album) 1999 studio album by 2Pac and Outlawz

Still I Rise is a collaboration album by 2Pac and Outlawz. The album excludes some of the original line up of Outlawz, including Hussein Fatal, who had left the group as he had refused to sign with Death Row. The album contains all previously unreleased, albeit remixed material. It was released on December 21, 1999 via Interscope Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted</span> 1996 single by 2Pac featuring Snoop Doggy Dogg

"2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted" is a song by American rapper 2Pac from his fourth studio album, All Eyez on Me (1996). The song features fellow West Coast rapper Snoop Doggy Dogg and was produced by Dat Nigga Daz. The song was released as a promotional single for the album on May 7, 1996 and later as the B-side to the album's second major and third overall single, How Do U Want It. The song peaked at number 46 on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart. The song contains interpolations of Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five's song "The Message" and "Radio Activity Rap " by MC Frosty and Lovin' C.

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

The discography of American rapper Tupac Shakur consists of 11 studio albums. Throughout his career and posthumously, Shakur sold more than 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 37.5 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thugz Mansion</span> 2002 single by 2Pac featuring Nas and J. Phoenix

"Thugz Mansion" is a song by 2Pac, released as a posthumous single with two known popular versions both released on the 2002 album Better Dayz. It was nominated by the Source Awards for Single of the Year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">One Day at a Time (Em's Version)</span> 2004 single by Tupac and Eminem featuring Outlawz

"One Day at a Time (Em's Version)" is a song by American rapper Tupac from the 2003 soundtrack album Tupac: Resurrection: The Original Soundtrack. The track is American rapper Eminem's take on the 1996 original, which features both Shakur and Spice 1. Eminem's version features vocals from both himself and Outlawz. The song was released as a 12" promo single in 2004, no official music video was ever created. It charted at #80 on The Billboard Hot 100, number 55 in the RNB chart and 22 in rap singles. It also peaked at 134 in the UK.

"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.

Malcolm Greenidge, known as E.D.I Mean and EDIDON, is an American hip hop artist and a member of the Outlawz. The name is a play on the name Idi Amin, former dictator of Uganda. While in the third grade, Malcolm became friends with Katari "Kastro" Cox who later introduced him to his cousin, Tupac Shakur.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Johnny "J"</span> Mexican American songwriter, music producer and rapper

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 Corp.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Bush, John. "2Pac - Better Dayz". AllMusic . Retrieved December 7, 2017.
  2. Ford, Robert (2003-01-03). "Better Dayz Review". Entertainment Weekly . p. 64. Archived from the original on 2013-04-17. Retrieved 2012-10-12.
  3. Juon, Steve 'Flash'. "2Pac :: Better Dayz". RapReviews. Retrieved December 7, 2017.
  4. "Tupac ShakurAlbum Guide". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on February 25, 2011. Retrieved December 7, 2017.{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  5. Tindal, K.B. (16 December 2002). "2Pac - Better Dayz (2 CD)". HipHopDX. Retrieved December 7, 2017.
  6. "The Best of 2002". Kludge . Archived from the original on May 29, 2008. Retrieved November 25, 2015.
  7. 1 2 David Jenison (Dec 4, 2002). ""Up" over McGraw, 2Pac, J.Lo". E!.
  8. Martens, Todd (December 11, 2002). "Mariah's Charms Unable to Send Shania's 'Up' Down". Billboard. Retrieved August 17, 2011.
  9. "Tupac Month: 2Pac's Discography" . Retrieved May 27, 2013.
  10. "RIAA Certifications - 2Pac". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  11. "Gold & Platinum Certification – May 2003". Canadian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on 2009-02-12. Retrieved 2010-08-20.
  12. Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 287.
  13. "2Pac Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 11 December 2015.
  14. "R&B : Top 50". Jam! . December 19, 2002. Archived from the original on December 26, 2002. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
  15. "Dutchcharts.nl – 2Pac – Better Dayz" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 11 December 2015.
  16. "Lescharts.com – 2Pac – Better Dayz". Hung Medien. Retrieved 11 December 2015.
  17. "Offiziellecharts.de – 2Pac – Better Dayz" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
  18. "Irish-charts.com – Discography 2Pac". Hung Medien. Retrieved 11 December 2015.
  19. "Charts.nz – 2Pac – Better Dayz". Hung Medien. Retrieved 11 December 2015.
  20. "Swisscharts.com – 2Pac – Better Dayz". Hung Medien. Retrieved 11 December 2015.
  21. "2Pac | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart. Retrieved 11 December 2015.
  22. "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 11 December 2015.
  23. "2Pac Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 11 December 2015.
  24. "2Pac Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 11 December 2015.
  25. "2Pac Chart History (Top Rap Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 11 December 2015.
  26. "Top 200 Albums of 2002 (based on sales)". Jam! . Archived from the original on August 12, 2004. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
  27. "Canada's Top 200 R&B; albums of 2002". Jam! . Archived from the original on October 12, 2003. Retrieved March 27, 2022.
  28. "Top 100 rap albums of 2002 in Canada". Jam! . Archived from the original on October 12, 2003. Retrieved March 27, 2022.
  29. "Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2003". Billboard. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  30. "YEAR-END CHARTS RAP ALBUMS 2003". Billboard. Retrieved June 30, 2019.
  31. "Canadian album certifications – 2Pac – Better Dayz". Music Canada.
  32. "British album certifications – 2Pac – Better Dayz". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved December 8, 2011.
  33. "American album certifications – 2 Pac – Better Dayz". Recording Industry Association of America.