Loyal to the Game

Last updated

Loyal to the Game
Tupac Shakur - Loyal to the Game.jpg
Studio album by
2Pac
ReleasedDecember 14, 2004 (2004-12-14) [1]
Recorded1991–1994 (2pac's vocals) 2003–2004 (Production, guest vocals and mixing)
Genre
Length64:56
Label
Producer
2Pac chronology
2Pac Live
(2004)		Loyal to the Game
(2004)		 Live at the House of Blues
(2005)
Singles from Loyal to the Game
  1. "Thugs Get Lonely Too"
    Released: September 23, 2004
  2. "Ghetto Gospel"
    Released: April 25, 2005 [2]

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. [3] It was later certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). [4]

Contents

Background

During an interview with MTV, Eminem stated he was so moved by Tupac's life and work that he wrote a letter to Tupac's mother, Afeni Shakur, asking her to consider letting him produce his next album. Shakur agreed, allowing Eminem to produce three new songs for the 2003 soundtrack album, Tupac: Resurrection , and the entirety of Loyal to the Game, bar bonus content. [5]

All songs on the album were recorded prior to Tupac's involvement in the controversial East Coast-West Coast hip hop rivalry, serving as the second posthumous album released consisting of material from this time period, the first being 1997's R U Still Down? (Remember Me) . Although the songs are mostly unreleased, the title track, "Loyal to the Game", was previously released on the cassette edition of the 1994 soundtrack album Above the Rim , and subsequently as the B-side to the album's lead single, "Regulate".

The album featured two singles: "Thugs Get Lonely Too", which served as a promotional single for the album, and "Ghetto Gospel", which served as the lead single. [6] Originally, "Ghetto Gospel" was recorded for inclusion on the 1992 Christmas compilation A Very Special Christmas 2 , but due to Tupac's legal troubles, the song was dropped from the album.[ citation needed ] This original version has a much faster tempo and features a third and fourth verse which didn't feature in Eminem's remix. [7] [8]

Production

Loyal to the Game marks the only posthumous Tupac album not to feature any original production. When remixing these songs, Eminem used various unusual production techniques, namely, modifying the pace and pitch of Tupac's voice to better suit the instrumentals he produced. The style of the production on the album fitted more to the form of a Shady/Aftermath release, of which Eminem partly created, than it did to any original or previous posthumous Tupac release. [9] There were also various uses of cutting and pasting vocals to produce new words synonymous with rap culture at that time, such as making it sound as though Tupac is saying, "2005", "G-Unit", "Obie Trice" and "Em". [9]

Although Loyal to the Game was produced by Eminem, the album does feature four bonus remixes, with production coming from Scott Storch, Red Spyda, Raphael Saadiq, and DJ Quik, though, the bonus track produced by Scott Storch, "Po Nigga Blues", does not feature in Eminem form on the main album. It is unknown if Eminem did or did not produce a version of that song.

Critical reception and commercial performance

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [10]
RapReviews8/10 [11]
Los Angeles Times Star full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [12]
Rolling Stone Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [13]
Vibe Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [14]

Loyal to the Game debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart, with first-week-sales of over 330,000 copies in its first week. [3] On February 15, 2005, the album was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for sales of over a million copies in the US. [4] As of September 2011, the album has sold 1,204,124 copies in the United States. [15]

Track listing

No.TitleProducerLength
1."Soldier Like Me (Return of the Soulja)" (featuring Eminem) Eminem, Luis Resto (Originally produced by Big D The Impossible and Randy "Stretch" Walker)3:50
2."The Uppercut" (featuring E.D.I. Mean and Young Noble of the Outlawz)Eminem, Luis Resto (Originally produced by 2Pac)3:50
3."Out on Bail"Eminem, Luis Resto (Originally produced by LG)3:54
4."Ghetto Gospel"Eminem, Luis Resto (Originally produced by Big D The Impossible)3:58
5."Black Cotton" (featuring Eminem and Kastro and Young Noble of the Outlawz)Eminem, Luis Resto (Originally produced by Big D The Impossible)5:03
6."Loyal to the Game" (featuring G-Unit)Eminem, Luis Resto (Originally produced by Reginald Heard)3:23
7."Thugs Get Lonely Too" (featuring Nate Dogg)Eminem, Luis Resto (Originally produced by Randy "Stretch" Walker)4:48
8."N.I.G.G.A. (Never Ignorant, Getting Goals Accomplished)" (featuring Jadakiss)Eminem, Luis Resto (Originally produced by Big D The Impossible)3:02
9."Who Do You Love?"Eminem, Luis Resto (Originally produced by 2Pac and Randy "Stretch" Walker)3:28
10."Crooked Nigga Too"Eminem, Luis Resto (Originally produced by Big D The Impossible)2:55
11."Don't You Trust Me?"Eminem, Luis Resto (Originally produced by Big D The Impossible)4:55
12."Hennessey" (featuring Obie Trice)Eminem, Luis Resto (Originally produced by Thug Music)3:27
13."Thug 4 Life"Eminem, Luis Resto (Originally produced by Johnny "J")2:54
Bonus tracks
No.TitleProducer(s)Length
14."Po Nigga Blues (Scott Storch Remix)" (featuring Ron Isley) Scott Storch (Originally produced by Daryl L. Anderson (DJ Daryl))3:38
15."Hennessey (Red Spyda Remix)" (featuring E.D.I. Mean and Sleepy Brown) Red Spyda 3:18
16."Crooked Nigga Too (Raphael Saadiq Remix)" (featuring Raphael Saadiq) Raphael Saadiq (Originally produced by Big D The Impossible)4:02
17."Loyal to the Game (DJ Quik Remix)" (featuring Big Syke) DJ Quik 4:20
Sample credits
Notes

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI) [36] Gold100,000^
United States (RIAA) [37] Platinum1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

RegionDate
United States December 14, 2004

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>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>The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory</i> 1996 studio album by 2Pac

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>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>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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ghetto Gospel</span> 2005 single by 2Pac

"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".

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

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

Thug Life, Volume I is the only studio album by the American hip-hop group Thug Life. The album was released on September 26, 1994, by Interscope Records and Out da Gutta Records and distributed by Atlantic Records. The group, started by American rapper 2Pac, comprised 2Pac, his stepbrother Mopreme Shakur, and Stretch, who was heavily involved in 2Pac's previous two albums, Big Syke, The Rated R, and Macadoshis. The album features guest appearances by Y.N.V. and Nate Dogg and production by Thug Music, comprising 2Pac and Stretch, Stretch himself, Professor Jay, Johnny "J", Warren G, and Easy Mo Bee. Since 1998, the album has been reissued by Amaru Entertainment.

<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">Keep Ya Head Up</span> 1993 single by 2Pac featuring Dave Hollister

"Keep Ya Head Up" is a song by American rapper Tupac Shakur from his second studio album, Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z...(1993). It was released on October 28, 1993 as the album's third single.

<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">Hail Mary (2Pac song)</span> 1997 single by Tupac Shakur

"Hail Mary" is a song by American rapper Tupac Shakur from his fifth studio album, The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory (1996). It was released after his September 1996 murder under the Makaveli stage name as the album's third single. Hail Mary features rap verses by Kastro, Young Noble and Yaki Kadafi of the Outlawz rap group and vocals from reggae musician Prince Ital Joe. A music video was shot for the song and can be found on the DualDisc of The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory.

<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.

<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">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. ↑ "Gold & Platinum". Recording Industry Association of America .
  2. ↑ "Ghetto Gospel - 2Pac | Release Credits". AllMusic .
  3. 1 2 "Tupac's 'Game' Haunts Album Chart At No. 1". Billboard . December 22, 2004. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  4. 1 2 "RIAA Certifications – 2Pac". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  5. ↑ village voice > nyclife > The Essay: The End of Eminem by Jon Caramanica
  6. ↑ "Loyal to the Game". Amazon. 2004.
  7. ↑ Evans, Deon. "Deon Evans Interview Part 1: About How He Met 2Pac, Dope Fiends Diner & Breaking Down Ghetto Gospel". 2PacForumChannel. Archived from the original on December 22, 2021. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  8. ↑ Video on YouTube
  9. 1 2 2Pac (Tupac Shakur) Loyal to the Game Lyrics Sounds and More
  10. ↑ Birchmeier, Jason. "Loyal to the Game – 2Pac". AllMusic.com. Retrieved December 11, 2015.
  11. ↑ Juon, Steve. "2Pac: Loyal to the Game". RapReviews. Retrieved December 11, 2015.
  12. ↑ Dreisinger, Baz (January 2, 2005). "Something gets lost in Em's mix". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved December 11, 2015.
  13. ↑ Sheffield, Rob (January 27, 2005). "Tupac Shakur Loyal To The Game". RollingStone.com. Wenner Media LLC. Retrieved December 11, 2015.
  14. ↑ "Tupac – Loyal to the Game". Cd Universe. Retrieved December 11, 2015.
  15. ↑ "Tupac Month: 2Pac's Discography" . Retrieved May 27, 2013.
  16. ↑ "Australiancharts.com – 2Pac – Loyal to the Game". Hung Medien. Retrieved December 11, 2015.
  17. ↑ "ARIA Urban Albums Chart – Week Commencing 27th June 2005" (PDF). The ARIA Report (800). June 27, 2003. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 22, 2008. Retrieved April 15, 2023– via National Library of Australia.
  18. ↑ "Ultratop.be – 2Pac – Loyal to the Game" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved December 11, 2015.
  19. ↑ "2Pac Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved December 11, 2015.
  20. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – 2Pac – Loyal to the Game" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved December 11, 2015.
  21. ↑ "Lescharts.com – 2Pac – Loyal to the Game". Hung Medien. Retrieved December 11, 2015.
  22. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – 2Pac – Loyal to the Game" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
  23. ↑ "Irish-charts.com – Discography 2Pac". Hung Medien. Retrieved December 11, 2015.
  24. ↑ "History - FIMI".
  25. ↑ "Charts.nz – 2Pac – Loyal to the Game". Hung Medien. Retrieved December 11, 2015.
  26. ↑ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
  27. ↑ "2Pac - Loyal to the Game - hitparade.ch".
  28. ↑ "2Pac | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart. Retrieved December 11, 2015.
  29. ↑ "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  30. ↑ "2Pac Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved December 11, 2015.
  31. ↑ "2Pac Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved December 11, 2015.
  32. ↑ "2Pac Chart History (Top Rap Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved December 11, 2015.
  33. ↑ "ChartsPlusYE2005" (PDF). UKchartsplus.co.uk. Official Charts Company . Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  34. ↑ "Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2005". Billboard. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  35. ↑ "YEAR-END CHARTS RAP ALBUMS 2005". Billboard. Retrieved June 30, 2019.
  36. ↑ "British album certifications – 2Pac – Loyal to the Game". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved November 25, 2020.
  37. ↑ "American album certifications – 2 Pac – Loyal to the Game". Recording Industry Association of America.
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.