To Live & Die in L.A. (song)

Last updated
"To Live & Die in L.A."
Single by Makaveli featuring Val Young
from the album The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory
B-side "Just Like Daddy"
ReleasedNovember 16, 1996
RecordedJuly 17, 1996
Studio Can-Am Studios (Tarzana, Los Angeles)
Genre West Coast hip hop, [1] conscious hip hop [2]
Length4:34 (album version), 4:29 (radio edit)
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Quincy Jones III
Makaveli singles chronology
"Toss It Up"
(1996)		"To Live & Die in L.A."
(1996)		"Hail Mary"
(1997)
Music video
"To Live & Die in L.A." on YouTube

"To Live & Die in L.A." is a song by rapper Tupac Shakur from his fifth studio album, The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory (1996). Released in Europe and parts of Oceania under the Makaveli stage name as the album's second single, it featured vocals from Val Young. The song peaked at number ten on the UK Singles chart and number 2 on the UK R&B chart.

Contents

Production

The song was produced by QDIII, son of producer Quincy Jones and brother of Shakur's girlfriend, Kidada Jones. QDIII produced numerous tracks for the album, but only "To Live & Die in L.A." made the final cut. "Lost Souls", one of the cut songs, was released the following year on Gang Related - The Soundtrack . QDIII told XXL Magazine :

I was in the studio with 'Pac, I had some records with me, and there was this old song that I played for him to see if he liked the vibe. He felt it and told me to go home and hook up a beat like that. I went home and hooked it up as fast as I could, and I think I came back the same night and he listened to the track three times, and in like 15 minutes he was already done with his lyrics. He went in the booth without telling anyone what the track was about he just laid it in one take—over about three tracks. Then he told Val Young what the concept was, and she went in and laid her chorus vocal in one take, too. After the vocals were done, 'Pac had Ricky Rouse [Makaveli musician] replace my keyboard bass and guitar parts with live bass and guitar parts, and the song was done—less than two hours total. This song just flowed out of everyone that was a part of it. No one thought twice; no one doubted anything. It was full speed ahead until it was done—as if it was guided or meant to be. Ever since recording like that, without thinking twice like that, I have changed the way I look at making music. [3]

Music video

A music video was filmed the same day that Shakur recorded the "radio edit" version of the song , which was used for the video, radio play, and single released in Europe and parts of Oceania. It features Shakur working at a fruit stand driving around Los Angeles in a car filled with women and also features various scenes and pictures of notable places and events in Los Angeles. [4] To Live & Die In L.A. was filmed on July 23, 1996. [5] It was the first video shot for The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory , as well as one of the last videos that Tupac filmed before his death. The video can be found on the DualDisc of the album.

Versions

Track listing

Featuring Val Young
Producer: QDIII
4:27

Featuring Val Young
Producer: QDIII
4:33

Featuring Outlawz
Producer: Hurt-M-Badd
5:08

Credits

Charts

Chart performance for "To Live & Die in L.A."
Chart (1997)Peak
position
Australia (ARIA) [7] 82
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) [8] 9
UK Singles (OCC) [9] 10
UK Dance (OCC) [10] 18
UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC) [11] 2

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>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.

<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>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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hit 'Em Up</span> 1996 song by 2Pac featuring the Outlawz

"Hit 'Em Up" is a diss track by American rapper 2Pac, featuring the Outlawz. It is the B-side to the single "How Do U Want It", released on June 4, 1996. The song's lyrics contain vicious insults to several East Coast rappers, chiefly Shakur's former friend turned rival, The Notorious B.I.G.. The song was recorded at Can Am Studios in 1996. A previous version of the song was recorded in October 1995.

<i>Tha Doggfather</i> 1996 studio album by Snoop Dogg

Tha Doggfather is the second studio album by American rapper Snoop Dogg. It was released on November 12, 1996, by Death Row and Interscope Records. After the success of his debut album Doggystyle (1993), Snoop was arrested and charged with murder and in 1995, spent time preparing for the case that went to trial. On February 20, 1996, he was cleared of all charges and began working on his second album without Dr. Dre providing work as a record producer. This was Snoop's final album on Death Row until 2022, when he acquired the rights to the Death Row trademarks from MNRK Music Group, releasing BODR the same year. This would also be his last album under the moniker Snoop Doggy Dogg before it was shorted to Snoop Dogg. Recording sessions took place from February 1996 to October 1996, with Suge Knight as the executive producer on the album, alongside the additional production from several record producers such as DJ Pooh, Daz Dillinger, Soopafly and L.T. Hutton; as well as guest appearances from Charlie Wilson, Kurupt, Tray Dee and Warren G, among others.

Valaria Marie Young is an American recording artist from Detroit, Michigan, who achieved success during the 1980s. She is now based in Los Angeles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">'03 Bonnie & Clyde</span> 2002 song by American rapper Jay-Z

"'03 Bonnie & Clyde" is a song recorded by American rapper Jay-Z, released on October 10, 2002 as the lead single from his seventh studio album The Blueprint 2: The Gift & The Curse (2002). Composed by Jay-Z, Kanye West, Prince, Tupac Shakur, Darryl Harper, Ricky Rouse and Tyrone Wrice, and featuring Jay-Z's then-girlfriend, now wife, American singer Beyoncé Knowles, "'03 Bonnie & Clyde" sampled its beat from Shakur's 1996 song "Me and My Girlfriend", paraphrasing its chorus, and was inspired by the crime film Bonnie and Clyde. The instrumentation is based on programmed drums, bass instruments, and a flamenco guitar.

<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">East Coast–West Coast hip hop rivalry</span> 1990s dispute between artists / fans of the East Coast and West Coast hip hop scenes in the US

The East Coast–West Coast hip hop rivalry was a dispute between artists and fans of the East Coast hip hop and West Coast hip hop scenes in the United States, especially from the mid-1990s. Focal points of the feud were East Coast–based rapper The Notorious B.I.G. with Puff Daddy and their New York City–based label, Bad Boy Records, and West Coast–based rapper Tupac Shakur with Suge Knight and their Los Angeles–based label, Death Row Records. The feud culminated in the murders of both rappers in drive-by shootings within six months of each other; both murders remain unsolved. The rivalry ended with a "peace" summit in 1997 at the behest of Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hail Mary (2Pac song)</span> 1997 single by Makaveli featuring Outlawz

"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 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">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">Who Shot Ya?</span> 1995 song by the Notorious B.I.G.

"Who Shot Ya?" is a song by American rapper the Notorious B.I.G., backed by Sean Combs. Bad Boy Entertainment released it on February 21, 1995, on an alternate reissue of Wallace's single "Big Poppa/Warning". Its new B-side "Who Shot Ya", a revision of a track already issued earlier in 1995, was "controversial and hugely influential." Widely interpreted as a taunt at Tupac Shakur, the single provoked a "rap battle" between the two rappers, formerly friends.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Untouchable (Tupac Shakur song)</span> 2006 single by 2Pac featuring Krayzie Bone

"Untouchable (Swizz Beatz Remix)" is a song by rapper Tupac Shakur. The song was released as a remix by Swizz Beatz and Krayzie Bone and was used to promote the 2006 posthumous album Pac's Life. Tupac recorded the song in June, 1996, just prior to the Makaveli recording sessions. The original version has never been officially released. In the Swizz Beatz remix, rapper Krayzie Bone replaces the original featured artists, recording his part sometime in 2005. As the song was released as a promotional single only, no official music video for the song was created. The song contains lyrics similar to other Tupac songs, such as "Killuminati", "Untouchable (Freestyle Version)" and "Capture The Flag".

<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">Toss It Up</span> 1996 single by Makaveli featuring Danny Boy, K-Ci & JoJo, and Aaron Hall

"Toss It Up" is a song by rapper Tupac Shakur from his fifth studio album, The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory (1996). Released under the stage name Makaveli, the song served as the lead single to the posthumous album. It was first released in the United States just under two weeks after his death, peaking at number thirty-three on the R&B singles chart. The song is known for including a diss toward Dr. Dre and instrumentally being very similar to the production on the song "No Diggity". It features vocals and singing from Aaron Hall, Danny Boy, and K-Ci & JoJo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DJ King Assassin</span> American rapper

Craig Venegas Alvarado, known by his stage name DJ King Assassin, is an American disc jockey, producer, and engineer from Los Angeles, California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Demetrius Shipp Jr.</span> American actor (born 1988)

Demetrius Shipp Jr. is an American actor. He portrayed rapper and actor Tupac Shakur in the 2017 biopic All Eyez on Me, as well as gang leader Tyrone Moore in All American.

References

  1. ↑ Drew Tewksbury (2009-07-30). "Songs For Our City: Tupac Lives And Dies In L.A." LA Weekly . Retrieved 2019-11-04.
  2. ↑ "Tupac Shakur's Most Socially Conscious Lyrics: 10 Times He Was at His Most Woke". Billboard . 12 November 2016.
  3. ↑ "The Making of Makaveli - The 7 Day Theory | African American Music | Hip Hop". Scribd.com . Retrieved June 26, 2017.
  4. ↑ "Makaveli Feat. Val Young: To Live & die in L.A. (Video 1996) - IMDb". IMDb .
  5. ↑ "1996-07-23 / TUPAC FILMS THE MUSIC VIDEO FOR "TO LIVE & DIE IN L.A." & RECORDED "BLASPHEMY"". 2PacLegacy. October 9, 2016. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
  6. ↑ "#PrinceDay: The Top 10 Hip-Hop and R&B Songs That Sample Prince". 7 June 2016.
  7. ↑ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 287.
  8. ↑ "Makaveli feat. Val Young – To Live & Die in L.A.". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved October 23, 2022.
  9. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
  10. ↑ "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
  11. ↑ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 28, 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.