Greatest Hits (Tupac Shakur album)

Last updated
Greatest Hits
2PacGreatestHits.jpg
Greatest hits album by
ReleasedNovember 24, 1998
Genre
Length114:43
Label
Producer
2Pac chronology
R U Still Down? (Remember Me)
(1997)
Greatest Hits
(1998)
Still I Rise
(1999)
Singles from Greatest Hits
  1. "Changes"
    Released: October 13, 1998
  2. "Unconditional Love"
    Released: January 26, 1999

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.

Contents

The album's non-chronological sequence focuses on the highlights of 2Pac's career. 21 of his tracks are accompanied by four previously unreleased songs: "God Bless the Dead", "Unconditional Love", "Troublesome '96", and "Changes". Some tracks have alternate mixes, while the original mix of "California Love" makes its first proper album appearance after initially only being available as a single.

"Changes" earned 2Pac the first and only posthumous Grammy Award nomination for Best Rap Solo Performance. This is one of two 2Pac releases—and one of only nine hip hop albums—to have been certified Diamond in the United States. [1]

Commercial performance

Greatest Hits debuted at number five on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling 268,000 copies in its first week. In January 1999, the album reached its peak at number three on the chart. It has spent 433 weeks on the Billboard 200. [2] On October 16, 2000, it was certified 9× platinum. Nearly 11 years later, in June 2011, it was certified by the RIAA for shipments of over 10 million, the late rapper's first RIAA Diamond award. [3] [4] With 5.33 million units sold which is 10.66 million in RIAA sales, [5] it remains the best-selling rap greatest hits compilation of all time and the twentieth best-selling rap album since Nielsen Soundscan began tracking record sales in 1991. [6]

Tupac Shakur's virtual appearance at the annual Coachella Festival on April 15, 2012, spurred a re-entry for the album on the Billboard 200 chart; it jumped in at No. 129 with 4,000 copies sold according to Nielsen SoundScan (a gain of 571% over the previous week). [7]

The album was certified Platinum by the BPI on 16 August 2002, making it 2Pac's highest selling album in the UK. [8]

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [9]
Christgau's Consumer Guide Five Pointed Star Solid.svg [10]
Entertainment Weekly A− [11]
Los Angeles Times Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svg [12]
Rolling Stone Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svg [13]

Track listing

Disc 1
No.TitleFromLength
1."Keep Ya Head Up" (features uncredited vocals by Dave Hollister) Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z... (1993)4:22
2."2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted" (featuring Snoop Doggy Dogg) All Eyez on Me (1996)4:07
3."Temptations" Me Against the World (1995)5:00
4."God Bless the Dead" (features uncredited vocals by Stretch)Previously unreleased4:22
5."Hail Mary" (features uncredited vocals by Outlawz and Prince Ital Joe) The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory (1996)5:12
6."Me Against the World" (featuring Dramacydal) Me Against the World (1995)4:39
7."How Do U Want It" (featuring K-Ci & JoJo) (Some lyrics are censored from the original album version) All Eyez on Me (1996)4:48
8."So Many Tears" Me Against the World (1995)3:58
9."Unconditional Love" (features uncredited vocals by Nanci Fletcher)Previously unreleased3:59
10."Trapped" (Some lyrics are censored from the original album version) 2Pacalypse Now (1991)4:44
11."Life Goes On" All Eyez on Me (1996)5:01
12."Hit 'Em Up" (featuring Outlawz)"How Do U Want It" single (1996)5:12
Total length:55:24
Disc 2
No.TitleFromLength
1."Troublesome '96"Previously unreleased4:36
2."Brenda's Got a Baby" 2Pacalypse Now (1991)3:53
3."I Ain't Mad at Cha" (featuring Danny Boy) All Eyez on Me (1996)4:53
4."I Get Around" (with Digital Underground) Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z... (1993)4:19
5."Changes" (features uncredited vocals by Talent)Previously unreleased4:29
6."California Love" (featuring Dr. Dre and Roger Troutman)"California Love" (Long Radio Edit) from "How Do U Want It" single (1996)4:45
7."Picture Me Rollin'" (featuring Danny Boy, CPO, Syke) All Eyez on Me (1996)5:14
8."How Long Will They Mourn Me?" (featuring Nate Dogg and uncredited vocals by Thug Life) Thug Life: Volume 1 (1994)3:52
9."Toss It Up" (A new mix with some altered lyrics featuring uncredited vocals by K-Ci & JoJo, Danny Boy, Aaron Hall) The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory (1996)4:42
10."Dear Mama" Me Against the World (1995)4:40
11."All About U" (featuring Nate Dogg, Top Dogg, Dru Down and uncredited vocals by Hussein Fatal and Yaki Kadafi)Non-album remix of "All Bout U", made for Greatest Hits(Snoop Dogg is replaced by Top Dogg)4:36
12."To Live & Die in L.A." (featuring Val Young) The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory (1996)4:32
13."Heartz of Men" All Eyez on Me (1996)4:43
Total length:59:14

Charts

Certifications

[5]

Certifications and sales for Greatest Hits
RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA) [67] 2× Platinum140,000^
Belgium (BEA) [68] Gold25,000*
Canada (Music Canada) [69] Platinum100,000^
Denmark (IFPI Danmark) [70] 2× Platinum40,000
France (SNEP) [71] Gold100,000*
Germany (BVMI) [72] Gold250,000^
Netherlands (NVPI) [73] Platinum100,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ) [74] Platinum15,000^
Poland (ZPAV) [75] Gold50,000*
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland) [76] Gold25,000^
United Kingdom (BPI) [77] 3× Platinum900,000
United States (RIAA) [78] Diamond10,000,000 / 5,330,000 [6]

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

See also

Related Research Articles

<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 11, 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).

<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. It is his last double-album.

<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 Records. 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 his first album to be released without his creative input. It 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>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 Records. The album contains all previously unreleased, albeit remixed material. It was released on December 21, 1999 via Interscope Records.

<i>Legend</i> (Bob Marley and the Wailers album) 1984 greatest hits album by Bob Marley and the Wailers

Legend is a compilation album by Bob Marley and the Wailers. It was released on 7 May 1984 by Island Records. It is a greatest hits collection of singles in its original vinyl format and is the best-selling reggae album of all-time, with more than 12 million copies sold in the US, more than 3.3 million in the UK and an estimated 25 million copies sold globally. In 2003, the album was ranked number 46 in Rolling Stone magazine's list of the "500 Greatest Albums of All Time", maintaining the ranking in a 2012 revised list, but dropping to number 48 in the 2020 revised list.

<i>Curtain Call: The Hits</i> 2005 greatest hits album by Eminem

Curtain Call: The Hits is the first greatest hits album by American rapper Eminem. It was released on December 6, 2005, under Shady Records, Aftermath Entertainment, and Interscope Records. The album collects Eminem's most popular singles, as well as three new songs: "Fack", "When I'm Gone", and "Shake That" featuring Nate Dogg. A live version of "Stan" performed with English singer-songwriter Elton John at the 43rd Grammy Awards is also included as a bonus track.

<i>TP-2.com</i> 2000 studio album by R. Kelly

TP-2.com is the fourth solo album by American R&B recording artist R. Kelly, released on November 7, 2000, by Jive Records.

<i>The R. in R&B Collection, Vol. 1</i> 2003 greatest hits album by R. Kelly

The R. in R&B Collection, Vol. 1 is the first compilation album released by American R&B singer R. Kelly. The album has sold more than 3 million copies in the United States and 907,680 copies in United Kingdom.

<i>Pain Is Love</i> 2001 studio album by Ja Rule

Pain Is Love is the third studio album by American rapper Ja Rule, released on October 2, 2001 via The Island Def Jam Music Group, Def Jam Recordings, and Irv Gotti's Murder Inc. Records. Although, the album received a mixed reception from critics, Pain Is Love debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and was supported by four singles: "Livin' It Up", "I'm Real ", "Always on Time" and "Down Ass Bitch". It was certified triple-platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for selling over 3,000,000 copies. Pain is Love received numerous awards and nominations including a nomination for Best Rap Album at the 44th Grammy Awards. The album's first two singles "Livin' It Up" featuring Case and "Always on Time" featuring Ashanti collected nominations for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration in 2002 and 2003.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Changes (Tupac Shakur song)</span> 1992 single by 2Pac

"Changes" is a song by American rapper 2Pac. 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 features Talent, an R&B trio from Kansas City consisting of Marlon “Castor Troy” Hatcher, Keith “Casino” Murrell and Ernest “Bishop” Dixon that was active from 1998 to 2005. The song makes references to the many wars in the Middle East, 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.

<i>Get Rich or Die Tryin</i> 2003 studio album by 50 Cent

Get Rich or Die Tryin' is the debut studio album by American rapper 50 Cent. It was released on February 6, 2003, by Interscope Records, Eminem's Shady Records, Dr. Dre's Aftermath Entertainment, and 50 Cent's G-Unit Records. After signing with Eminem, 50 Cent also worked heavily with Dr. Dre acting as the album's executive producers, who worked to combine the gangsta rap and R&B combo prevalent in New York hip hop. Additional production is provided by Mike Elizondo, Sha Money XL, Mr. Porter, Rockwilder, Dirty Swift, Megahertz, and more.

<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.

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

All Eyez on Me is the fourth and final studio album by American rapper 2Pac 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.

The discography of K-Ci & JoJo, an American R&B duo made up of Cedric and Joel Hailey, consists of five studio albums, five compilation albums, fifteen singles, and fifteen music videos. K-Ci & JoJo were originally the lead singers of the R&B group Jodeci before signing a record deal with MCA Records. In 1997, they released their debut album, Love Always. In the United States, Love Always peaked at number five on the Billboard 200, and number two on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and was certified triple-platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Internationally, the album reached the top 50 on the Swiss, Canadian, and Australian Charts, and appeared on the UK and Swedish Albums Chart. The album produced four singles, including the multi-national number-one song, "All My Life".

<i>The Heist</i> (album) 2012 studio album by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

The Heist is the debut studio album by American hip hop duo Macklemore & Ryan Lewis. It was released on October 9, 2012, by Macklemore LLC, distributed under the Alternative Distribution Alliance. The album was independently self-produced, self-recorded and self-released by the duo, with no mainstream promotion or support. After the album's release, the duo hired Warner Music Group's radio promotion department to help the push with their singles for a small percentage of the sales.

<i>Greatest Hits</i> (The Notorious B.I.G. album) 2007 greatest hits album by The Notorious B.I.G.

Greatest Hits is a compilation album by The Notorious B.I.G. The album was released on March 6, 2007 by Bad Boy Records and Atlantic Records, three days before the 10th anniversary of his death.

<i>4Ever</i> (album) 2016 greatest hits album by Prince

4Ever, also known as Prince 4Ever, is a greatest hits album by American recording artist Prince, released on November 22, 2016, by NPG Records and Warner Bros. Records. It is the first Prince release following the musician's death on April 21, 2016.

References

  1. Trevor Smith (1 August 2014). "2Pac's "All Eyez On Me" Achieves Diamond Sales". HotNewHipHop.
  2. "2Pac". Billboard .
  3. "Recording Industry Association of America". RIAA. Archived from the original on 2011-11-23. Retrieved 2011-08-13.
  4. "Chart Watch Extra: All The Greatest Hits". Archive.today.com. Archived from the original on 25 May 2012. Retrieved 24 December 2021.
  5. 1 2 "Billboard 200 Chart Moves: 2Pac Returns to Top 40 After More Than 10 Years". Billboard.
  6. 1 2 Caulfield, Keith (March 13, 2015). "Billboard 200 Chart Moves: 'Hozier' Has Sold a Half-Million". Billboard . Retrieved March 14, 2015.
  7. "Tupac's Virtual Coachella Appearance Spurs Huge Sales Bump". Billboard. 27 April 2012.
  8. "Certified Awards". www.bpi.co.uk. Archived from the original on 31 March 2013. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  9. Erlewine, Stephen. "Greatest Hits – 2Pac > Review". AllMusic . Retrieved December 8, 2011.
  10. Christgau, Robert. "CG: 2Pac". RobertChristgau.com. Retrieved October 12, 2012.
  11. Diehl, Matt (December 11, 1998). "2PAC: Greatest Hits Review". Entertainment Weekly . Archived from the original on November 10, 2013. Retrieved October 12, 2012.
  12. Baker, Soren (November 20, 1998). "Capturing Shakur's Passion and Defiance". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved December 8, 2011.
  13. Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian (2004). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide . Simon and Schuster. pp.  830–832. ISBN   978-0-7432-0169-8. 2004 new rolling stone album online. Portions posted at "Tupac Shakur: Album Guide". Rolling Stone . Retrieved 2012-10-12.
  14. "Australiancharts.com – 2Pac – Greatest Hits". Hung Medien.
  15. "Austriancharts.at – 2Pac – Greatest Hits" (in German). Hung Medien.
  16. "Ultratop.be – 2Pac – Greatest Hits" (in Dutch). Hung Medien.
  17. "Ultratop.be – 2Pac – Greatest Hits" (in French). Hung Medien.
  18. "Top RPM Albums: Issue 6980". RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved August 6, 2022.
  19. "Dutchcharts.nl – 2Pac – Greatest Hits" (in Dutch). Hung Medien.
  20. "European Top 100 Albums" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 16, no. 11. March 13, 1999. p. 15 via World Radio History.
  21. "2Pac: Greatest Hits" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland.
  22. "Offiziellecharts.de – 2Pac – Greatest Hits" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts.
  23. "Top National Sellers: Ireland" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 16, no. 11. March 13, 1999. p. 16 via World Radio History.
  24. "Charts.nz – 2Pac – Greatest Hits". Hung Medien.
  25. "Norwegiancharts.com – 2Pac – Greatest Hits". Hung Medien.
  26. "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  27. "Swedishcharts.com – 2Pac – Greatest Hits". Hung Medien.
  28. "Swisscharts.com – 2Pac – Greatest Hits". Hung Medien.
  29. "2Pac | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart.
  30. "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company.
  31. "2Pac Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard.
  32. "2Pac Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard.
  33. 1 2 "Chart Log UK: Numerals". Zobbel.de. Retrieved December 8, 2011.
  34. "GFK Chart-Track". Chart-track.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2012-06-04. Retrieved 2011-08-13.
  35. "2 Pac – Greatest Hits". Ultratop.be (in French). Archived from the original on September 8, 2011. Retrieved December 8, 2011.
  36. "2 PAC". OfficialCharts.com .
  37. "2Pac Chart History (Catalog Albums)". Billboard . 2019. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
  38. "2Pac Chart History (Digital Albums)". Billboard . 2019. Archived from the original on April 25, 2019. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
  39. "2Pac Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  40. "ARIA Charts – End of Year Charts – Top 100 Albums 1999". Australian Recording Industry Association . Retrieved February 4, 2012.
  41. "Jaaroverzichten 1999". Ultratop. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
  42. "Jaaroverzichten – Album 1999". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
  43. "Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts" (in German). GfK Entertainment . Retrieved September 8, 2016.
  44. "End of Year Album Chart Top 100 - 1999". Official Charts Company . Retrieved June 30, 2019.
  45. "Year-end Charts: The Billboard 200". Billboard . 1999. Retrieved December 8, 2011.
  46. "Year-end Charts: Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard . 1999. Archived from the original on May 25, 2012. Retrieved December 8, 2011.
  47. "Canada's Top 200 R&B; albums of 2001". Jam! . January 8, 2002. Archived from the original on July 26, 2002. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
  48. "The Official UK Albums Chart 2001" (PDF). UKChartsPlus . Retrieved April 1, 2021.
  49. "Canada's Top 200 R&B; albums of 2001". Jam! . Archived from the original on September 6, 2004. Retrieved March 25, 2022.
  50. "Top 100 rap albums of 2002 in Canada". Jam! . Archived from the original on October 12, 2003. Retrieved March 28, 2022.
  51. "Year-end Charts: The Billboard 200". Billboard . 2015. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
  52. "Year-end Charts: The Billboard 200". Billboard . 2016. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
  53. "Year-end Charts: The Billboard 200". Billboard . 2017. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
  54. "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2017". Billboard. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
  55. "Year-end Charts: The Billboard 200". Billboard . 2018. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
  56. "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2018". Billboard. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
  57. "Year-end Charts: The Billboard 200". Billboard . 2019. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
  58. "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2019". Billboard. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
  59. "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2020". Billboard. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
  60. "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2020". Billboard. Retrieved December 14, 2020.
  61. "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  62. "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  63. "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2022". Billboard. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
  64. "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2022". Billboard. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
  65. "Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2023". Billboard . Retrieved November 23, 2023.
  66. "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2023". Billboard . Retrieved November 23, 2023.
  67. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2011 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association . Retrieved December 8, 2011.
  68. "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – albums 1999". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved December 8, 2011.
  69. "Canadian album certifications – 2Pac – Greatest Hits". Music Canada . Retrieved December 8, 2011.
  70. "Danish album certifications – 2Pac – Greatest Hits". IFPI Danmark . Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  71. "French album certifications – 2 Pac – Greatest Hits" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique.
  72. "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (2 Pac; 'Greatest Hits')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie . Retrieved December 8, 2011.
  73. "Dutch album certifications – 2 Pac – Greatest Hits" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers . Retrieved August 24, 2020.Enter Greatest Hits in the "Artiest of titel" box. Select 1999 in the drop-down menu saying "Alle jaargangen".
  74. "New Zealand album certifications – 2Pac – Greatest Hits". Recorded Music NZ . Retrieved October 20, 2020.
  75. "Wyróżnienia – Złote płyty CD - Archiwum - Przyznane w 1999 roku" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry . Retrieved January 3, 2014.
  76. "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('Greatest Hits')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved December 8, 2011.
  77. "British album certifications – 2Pac – Greatest Hits". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved March 15, 2024.
  78. "American certifications – 2 Pac – Greatest Hits". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved December 8, 2011.