Ghetto Gospel

Last updated
"Ghetto Gospel"
Ghetto Gospel123.jpg
Single by 2Pac featuring Elton John
from the album Loyal to the Game
B-side "Thugs Get Lonely Too"
ReleasedApril 25, 2005 [1]
Recorded1992
Genre
Length3:58
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Eminem
2Pac singles chronology
"Thugs Get Lonely Too"
(2004)		"Ghetto Gospel"
(2005)		"Untouchable"
(2006)
Elton John singles chronology
"Are You Ready for Love"
(2003)		"Ghetto Gospel"
(2005)		"Electricity"
(2005)

"Ghetto Gospel" is a song by American rapper Tupac Shakur, which was released as the lead single from his 2004 posthumous album Loyal to the Game . The song was produced by American rapper Eminem and features a sample of Elton John's 1971 song "Indian Sunset".

Contents

The single topped the charts in the UK (for 3 weeks), [2] Australia, Czech Republic, and Ireland. In New Zealand it peaked at number 3. The song was written by Tupac as an outcry to "end the war on the streets", addressing the futility of racial difference and dissidence, particularly under the unifying banner of poverty. He also pays tribute to murdered black activists Malcolm X and Bobby Hutton in the song.

In response to Eminem's remix, Elton John said: "how he's managed to meld [Indian Sunset] with Tupac, I'll never know. It's just genius." [3]

Background and recording

Tupac recorded the song for inclusion on the 1992 Christmas-themed compilation album A Very Special Christmas 2 , but due to his legal issues, the song was dropped from the compilation and was never released.[ citation needed ] This version has a much faster tempo and has a third and fourth verse which didn't feature in the 2004 remix. [4] This version was produced by Big D The Impossible, a regular producer on Tupac's first two albums; 2Pacalypse Now and Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z. and does not contain the "Indian Sunset" sample, but builds on a sample of Tracy Chapman's song "Crossroads" instead. [5]

Recounting the experience in 2015, Eminem said: "You wouldn't be able to tell the 18/19-year-old Marshall that he would ever be able to get his hands on some Tupac vocals and have that opportunity. It was such a significant piece of history for me and so much fun. I'm like a kid in a candy store; going nuts with the fact that I'm putting beats under his rhymes." [6]

Music video

"Ghetto Gospel" was the only song on Loyal to the Game with an accompanying YouTube music video. [7] The music video showcases the last day of a man's life before he is fatally shot in the evening. Neither 2Pac nor Elton John physically appeared in the video - though clips of 2Pac are shown on a television. Towards the end of the music video, the actor (J. D. Williams) is shot but then appears at his own funeral, fueling rumors that the rapper's death was faked. At the end of the video, there is a message from 2Pac’s mother, Afeni Shakur, saying "Remember to keep yourself alive, there is nothing more important than that".

Track listing

CD single
No.TitleWriter(s)Sample(s)Length
1."Ghetto Gospel"
*Contains elements from "Indian Sunset" by Elton John 3:58
UK CD single
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Ghetto Gospel"
 Eminem 3:58
2."Thugs Get Lonely Too" (feat. Nate Dogg)
 Eminem 4:48

Official versions

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA) [31] Platinum70,000^
Denmark (IFPI Danmark) [32] Gold45,000‡
Germany (BVMI) [33] Gold150,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ) [34] Gold5,000*
United Kingdom (BPI) [35] Platinum600,000‡

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)Ref.
United StatesNovember 22, 2004 Urban contemporary radio Amaru, Interscope [36]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stan (song)</span> 2000 single by Eminem

"Stan" is a song by American rapper Eminem, with vocals sampled from the opening lines of British singer Dido's song "Thank You". It was released in 2000, as the third single from Eminem's third album, The Marshall Mathers LP (2000). "Stan" peaked at number 51 on the Billboard Hot 100. Outside of the United States, "Stan" topped the charts in 12 countries, including the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, and Ireland.

<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>Tupac: Resurrection</i> (soundtrack) 2003 soundtrack album by 2Pac

Tupac: Resurrection is a soundtrack album for the Academy Award-nominated documentary of the same name. It was released on November 14, 2003, by Amaru Entertainment 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).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">California Love</span> 1995 single by 2Pac featuring Dr. Dre and Roger Troutman

"California Love" is a song by American rapper 2Pac featuring fellow American rapper-producer Dr. Dre and American singer Roger Troutman of the funk group Zapp. The song was released as 2Pac's comeback single after his release from prison in 1995 and was his first single as the newest artist of Death Row Records. The original version is featured on the UK version of his fourth album, All Eyez on Me (1996), and is one of 2Pac's most widely known and most successful singles. It reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for two weeks and also topped the charts of Italy, New Zealand, and Sweden. The song was posthumously nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group in 1997.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Like Toy Soldiers</span> 2005 single by Eminem

"Like Toy Soldiers" is a song by American rapper Eminem, from his fifth album Encore (2004). The song received positive reviews from music critics, and peaked at number 34 on the Billboard Hot 100. Outside of the United States, "Like Toy Soldiers" topped the charts in the United Kingdom, and peaked within the top ten of the charts in 12 countries, including Australia, Denmark, Germany, and New Zealand. The song samples the 1989 song "Toy Soldiers" by Martika. It is the fourth single from the album. The single would appear on the Curtain Call: The Hits compilation released in 2005.

<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 Talent. It was recorded in 1992 before being remixed and 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Wonder If Heaven Got a Ghetto</span> 1997 single by 2Pac

"I Wonder If Heaven Got a Ghetto" is a song by American rapper 2Pac. It was released as the first single from the posthumous album R U Still Down? . The original version, titled "I Wonda if Heaven's Got a Ghetto", was released as a B-side on the 1993 single, "Keep Ya Head Up".

<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 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 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Ain't Mad at Cha</span> 1996 single by 2Pac featuring Danny Boy

"I Ain't Mad at Cha" is a song by American rapper 2Pac from Shakur's fourth studio album, All Eyez on Me (1996). It was released on September 15, 1996 two days after Shakur's death as the album's fourth and final single. The song features contemporary soul singer Danny Boy providing vocals for its hook and was written by Shakur, Danny Boy and Daz Dillinger, who produced the song using a sample from DeBarge's "A Dream". The lyrics focus on Shakur reminiscing about past friends, love interests and associates he has lost touch with. The song is widely considered one of Shakur's best with Cheo Hodari Coker calling it "possibly the best song 2Pac has ever recorded". In 1998, The Source ranked the song's three verses second in its category of "dopest verses" in the history of hip-hop.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Letter 2 My Unborn</span> 2001 single by 2Pac

"Letter 2 My Unborn" is a song by Tupac Shakur, released as a posthumous single from his album Until the End of Time in 2001.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Until the End of Time (Tupac Shakur song)</span> 2001 single by 2Pac featuring R.L. Huggar

"Until the End of Time" is a posthumous single from the 2001 2Pac album of the same name. The song was very successful and was a big contributor to the album going 4x Platinum. The song features R.L. Huggar from the R&B group Next. An alternate version features Mr. Mister's lead singer and bassist Richard Page on vocals and bass. The music video for the song contains a compilation of unreleased footage of Shakur. It charted at #52 on the Billboard Hot 100.

<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.

"Indian Sunset" is a song written by English musician Elton John and songwriter Bernie Taupin, and performed by John. It was released on John's 1971 album Madman Across the Water.

<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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Without Me (Eminem song)</span> 2002 single by Eminem

"Without Me" is a song by American rapper Eminem from his fourth studio album The Eminem Show (2002). "Without Me" was released on May 15, 2002, as the lead single from the album, and re-released on his greatest hits compilation album Curtain Call: The Hits (2005). "Without Me" is one of Eminem's most successful singles, reaching number two on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, and number one in fifteen countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Killshot (song)</span> 2018 diss track by Eminem

"Killshot" is a diss track by American rapper Eminem and produced by IllaDaProducer. The song is Eminem's response to Machine Gun Kelly's song "Rap Devil" that was released in 2018. Eminem had previously dissed MGK in his song "Not Alike" from his tenth studio album Kamikaze.

References

  1. ↑ "Ghetto Gospel - 2Pac | Release Credits". AllMusic .
  2. ↑ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London. pp. 713–4. ISBN   1-904994-10-5.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  3. ↑ Petridis, Alexis (February 4, 2005). "Mylo: Would you ever play Glastonbury? Elton: Oh no - I'm too like the Queen Mother". The Guardian . Retrieved October 9, 2020.
  4. ↑ Video on YouTube
  5. ↑ "2Pac's 'Ghetto Gospel (Original Version)' - Discover the Sample Source". WhoSampled.
  6. ↑ Murphy, Sam (October 9, 2015). "Eminem Calls Tupac A "True Genius" In Heartfelt Tribute Letter".
  7. ↑ "2Pac - Ghetto Gospel". YouTube . 5 July 2011. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  8. ↑ "2 Pac – Ghetto Gospel". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
  9. ↑ "Issue 832" ARIA Top 40 Urban Singles. National Library of Australia. Retrieved March 4, 2022.
  10. ↑ "2Pac – Ghetto Gospel" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
  11. ↑ "2Pac – Ghetto Gospel" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
  12. ↑ "2Pac – Ghetto Gospel" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
  13. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – RADIO – TOP 100 and insert 20061 into search. Retrieved 10 September 2018.
  14. ↑ "2Pac – Ghetto Gospel". Tracklisten. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
  15. ↑ "European Hot 100". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 8, 2012.{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  16. ↑ "2Pac – Ghetto Gospel" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  17. ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Ghetto Gospel". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
  18. ↑ "2 Pac – Ghetto Gospel". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
  19. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
  20. ↑ "2 Pac – Ghetto Gospel". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
  21. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  22. ↑ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
  23. ↑ "ARIA End of Year Singles Chart 2005". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved February 22, 2020.
  24. ↑ "Jahreshitparade Singles 2005". austriancharts.at. Retrieved February 22, 2020.
  25. ↑ "Year End European Hot 100 Singles Chart 2005 01 – 2005 52" (PDF). Billboard. VNU Media. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 18, 2012. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  26. ↑ "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts". GfK Entertainment (in German). offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved February 22, 2020.
  27. ↑ "2005 Irish Singles Chart". IRMA. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  28. ↑ "End of Year Charts 2005". Recorded Music NZ . Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  29. ↑ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2005 – hitparade.ch". Hung Medien. Retrieved February 22, 2020.
  30. ↑ "End of Year Singles Chart Top 100 – 2005". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  31. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2005 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association . Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  32. ↑ "Danish single certifications – 2Pac feat. Elton John – Ghetto Gospel". IFPI Danmark . Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  33. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (2 Pac; 'Ghetto Gospel')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie . Retrieved May 10, 2018.
  34. ↑ "Latest Gold / Platinum Singles". Radioscope. 21 August 2011. Archived from the original on 2011-08-31. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  35. ↑ "British single certifications – 2Pac – Ghetto Gospel". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved July 20, 2018.
  36. ↑ "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records . No. 1582. November 19, 2004. p. 21. Retrieved July 9, 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.