2Pac...Tupac shakur

[Pac]

IMHO this man to me is my Idol and the greatest rapper and musician of all time, now people may shootat me for saying that but we all have different opinions.

2Pac was so much more than a rapper for one he spoke what he thought, he spoke the truth he spoke for the youth, and in the height of his career, he was tragically murdered, then he became mayrted, as the icon he was, but people associate him with gangstas put you gotta look past that,

If you have never listened to 2Pac I suggest you go and buy or download one of his albums and just listen maybe you will be hooked maybe you don't like it, you never know:)


I would like to hear some opinions on Tupac from you.
please do not diss him, because I would never diss your Idol,
but please be truthful on your opinion

peace

[Sypher]

I can see why he was an idol to so many people, and I do love his songs.. but Biggie was better as an overall emcee..

[perfmode]

biggie had the best flow EVER. tupac's music was more about the message and less about delivery.

[krzymono]

Can you give me some names of songs that Tupac had? I can find them on my own, but I want to know the big titles. I'm not a real big fan of rap, but I want to see how Tupac is if he died as a martyr. And also can you give me some names of biggie's songs? I want to compare them. Thanks! :)

[Pac]

ok good Tupac songs..emm
changes, until the end of time, letter 2 my unborn, keep ya head up, hit em up, so many tears, if I die 2nite, can't C me, california love remix.....so many great tupac songs

good Biggie songs
Mo Money Mo Problems, Juicy, everyday struggle, ready to die, Friend of Mine...some good Biggie songs

peace

[DrDoom]

Best way to compare is download Runin (produced by Eminem). It has both Pac and Biggie, and Biggie outshines him.

IMO Nas>Biggie>Pac

If you want to hear some good Nas songs, download; One Mic, Get Down and Made You Look (thats his newer stuff)

[Air Adam]

Not a fan I'm afraid. Early in his career I liked the tunes like "Brenda's Got A Baby" and "Holla If You Hear Me" - he was never exceptional on the mic but he had his own style. When he went to Death Row, IMHO he completely fell off, I couldn't even listen to "All Eyez..." more than one, apart from the odd track.

[DrDoom]

Completely fell off? Thats way too harsh.

[slystad810]

'Pac was the man.

Faves: Changes, Keep Ya Head Up, Me Against The World, Lost Souls, way too many more to list.

[mortal_belleza]

I love(d) Tupac. He was and will always be my favorite rapper. His music wasn't all about glamorizing the lifestyle. He spoke the truth about life as he knew it, and I always respected that. While I will agree that Biggie had a better flow, there's something odd about me that makes me want to hear more heartfelt, real lyrics than anything else. Some of my favorite songs by Pac are 'Changes', 'Dear Mama', 'Brenda Got A Baby', 'Me and My Girlfriend', 'Until the End of Time', 'Violent', and 'Ballad of a Dead Soulja'.

Funny little tidbit for those who didn't know. Pac used to be a back up dancer for Digital Underground who was most popular for the Humpty Dance, which Pac did very well. :p

[Mr94Supra]

Originally posted by mortal_belleza
Funny little tidbit for those who didn't know. Pac used to be a back up dancer for Digital Underground who was most popular for the Humpty Dance, which Pac did very well. :p

Pac? A back up dancer? LOL now thats something I didn't know. I agree Pac was the man, and Biggie did have a better flow but Pacs voice and what he said is what makes him shine. And yes he did have some tight arse lyrics too.

I think he got himself killed by acting the way he did causing all the drama in his personal life not his music. He preached a good game but didn't do anything to show he followed his own preachings. Still luv his music tho I wish he and biggie had not been killed, crap rappers like Nas and JayZ would still be in the back ground. And maybe PDiddy or Puffy or whatever would stop trying to rap.

[DrDoom]

Actually lads, get things right, he was a part of their entourage, and even recorded 2 songs with them.

And only an idiot would say Nas is crap. Nas has produced the definitive rap album, a classic, seen as the best rap album of all time (illmatic)...For all of the positive praise we can give Pac, everyone clearly knows he never managed to put all this into one album. Nas has two 5 Mic (the source rating) albums. And lyrically, who is touching Nas? Check out these songs, and you'll clearly realise youre argument to diss Nas is dead.

We Will Survive, Tribute to Big and Pac, from 1999's I Am

Still somehow I believe, we always survive.. but why?

[Nas]
To my dogs.. wherever you are

Whattup Big? You know ##### is rough after you slid
You in God's hands now, keep a place for me kid
Ain't nuttin changed -- still _Party and Bull#####_
We used to +F*** R&B #####es+ and see who rhyme sickest
For every hit you made, more rappers afraid to come out
_Machine Gun Funk_, from Queens I came through to smoke blunts
You came to my hood, we was broke
I wonder if we stayed that way, would there have been gunsmoke?
Still on the block around fiends numb from coke, I guess so
Cause now with paper, ##### is still ghetto
But f*** it black, you livin your life, though your loved ones
Peace to your daughter and your newborn son
It used to be fun, makin records to see your response
But, now competition is none, now that you're gone
And these n!ccaz is wrong -- usin your name in vain
And they claim to be New York's king? It ain't about that
It's more serious, I plan to toast it up with you
Joke with you, happy we on top, the most official
Ain't too many real ones out there; I feel some
but doubt they're, capable, to take it where you took it to
I missed your wake not cause I'm fake
cause I hate to see somebody so great in that way
I woulda stayed so long with so much to say
I had to put it in writin to keep me and Brooklyn from fightin
Tellin me to pay my respects and move to the side
But I probably wouldn't have got off my knees to let people by
You can't kill nothin that's _Ready to Die_
You was like God to us in the form of Allah

Still somehow I believe, we always survive.. but why?

[Nas]
Still, we, will survive
No matter what, my people just stay alive
Still, we, will survive
No matter what, my people just stay alive

Thug Life never die..

Dear 'Pac, every thug sheds a tear drop -- and use teeth
to bite off beer tops, and _Pour Out a Lil' Liquor_
You was more than just the wildest n!cca
+2Pacalypse+, I understand your style n!cca
It's goin on the third year, since you've been gone
On the East and West Coast the same ##### is goin on
The industry be talkin, offendin me often
They don't believe you dead, wanna see you in your coffin
I can relate, shootouts and court dates
+All Eyez on You+, n!ccaz in your face invadin your space
You asked if I could trade in your place, how would I hold up?
How long would I ride, before I fold up?
How did you know through your rhymes it was your time to go?
You predicted it in every line, all in your flow
There could _Never Be Peace_ I have to quote
Can't believe I heard my name on "the realest ##### you ever wrote"
We had words cause the best supposed to clash at the top
but kept it brotherly, when we seen each other and stopped
in NYC, at MTV, people watched
We was both deep, after you left, I got no sleep
Think about how us real n!ccaz would be
If we united, a nation of thugs, who could fight it?
You was caught in a wild homicide, or were you crucified
like the son of God, when Lucifer lied
and make the world think, young blacks should be extinct?
But Thug Life'll never die, we stay high and just link
Will there ever be another MC as nice?
Will you return to us like the resurrection of Christ?

Still somehow I believe, we always survive.. but why?

[Nas]
Still, we, will survive
No matter what, my people just stay alive
Still, we, will survive
No matter what, my people just stay alive

I wonder what the Commodores went through on tour?
Did Smokey Robinson, have to shoot his way out a war?
What has Al Green seen, that made him religious?
Was it the drugs -- put an end to the music business?
If so, should I put out the indo right now and write down
a plan and pursue my dream turn my life around
Cause I'm bound for the movie screen, cuties that scream
I'll need a extra Uzi riding through my own hood in Queens
It be the ones you always knew, that want it on
Tellin everybody it was him, that you fronted on
Thought we walked a million miles it was just twenty
Not used to walkin in the path of legit money
I thought I made it but we only took baby steps
Up the success ladder, where they pay me checks
To my clicks when I got it I said "Baby bless"
That was the 80's, but now look at this crazy mess
We in the 90's, and finally it's lookin good
Hip-hop took it to billions, I knew we would
A lot of ups and downs in the game, could lose or gain
a couple pounds tryin to maintain -- one day you here
the next you not; when you around n!ccaz, check 'em out
Some is bout it, most individuals plots
and run the spots, some choose to stay to theyselves
While others have no cares and stay in jail
More than fifty percent of us
endin up with holes through the chest
through the head, through the gut it shows
The future for us young shooters and old killers
Who become rich as dope dealers?
Nothing left for us but hoop dreams and hood tournaments
Thug coaches with subs sittin on the bench; either that or rap
We want the fast way outta this trap
Whether it be 9 to 5 or slangin crack
To my deceased Gods wishin I could bring you back
But life is a dream and y'all taught me that

.. always survive.. but why?

[Nas]
Always survive, always
Still, we, will survive
No matter what, my people just stay alive
Still, we, will survive
No matter what, my people just stay alive
Still, we, will survive (no matter what)
Still, we, will survive (no matter what)
Still, we, will survive
No matter what, my #####z just stay alive

Fetus (from the Lost Tapes album)

[Intro]
Yeah..
I want all my n!ggas to come journey with me
My name is Nas, and the year is 1973
Beginning of me, therefore I could see
Through my belly button window, who I am..

[Verse 1]
I existed in a womb, just like an abyss
Came from behind the sun, my hands balled in a fist
Punching on my moms stomach, kicking on her cervix
Twitching cause I'm nervous, thought my intended purpose
Was to be born to reign, not in scorn or vain
But to take on a name, that my pops chose for me
Bloodstream full of indo, developing eyes
Nine month process, infant size
A prophet in his early stage, his mother in the early 30s
Was married to pops wishin what she carried would drop
I'm not worthy to come from a women so pure, Ann Jones
Flesh of her flesh, blood of her blood, her blood and bones
Hearin prayers, she askin for my good health
That I become a man and learn to make a way for myself
Nervous she was, and her paranoia got in my blood
Mixed with marijuana from my daddy's genes
Lotta screams I'm hearin, it's crazy
Both parents is scrappin, I'm not even a baby
A miscarriage can happen

"I shot my way out my mom dukes" x4 (*scratched*)

[Verse 2]
Yo
They must wanna keep me, cause 4 months pass, I'm still alive
Guess I got what they call a Ill Will to survive
When I look hard the lights is killin my eyes
I know when moms is layin down, I get bored, start to get live
Move side to side, hear loud music and vibe
All black babies are born with rhythm, that's no lie
Solar energize, mineralize food flowin through my mothers tube
I'm covered in this thick layer of goo
Month two was the least most comfortable
My umbilical cord choking me
But month 3 was closer, see
Thats when pops took moms to see the doc at the clinic
But I was saved, he changed his mind in the last minute
Watchin 'em yell, heard my moms voice well
Feared fist fights, so terrified when we fell
While they broke up furniture and smashed plates on the wall
I wondered if I am born, will I be safe at all
This place they call the world though my view was so large
Couldn't wait to get out, and grow up and take charge
Month 5, Month 6 went by, hopin I'm born in July
But the Lord already figured out a date and time
Septemeber 14th, '73
Get ready world, doctors in the front waitin for me
Arms open cause they know when I drop, alot of ####'s gon' stop
See how the goverment will start re-training cops
Month 9, I'm a week over due, the labor induced
Pops told my moms "Push and take deep breaths too
Stay calm", holdin her arm, I'm trying to hold on
Surgical gloves touching my scalp, my head pops out
Everything is blurry, my first breath screams out
Tears pouring down my pops face he's so proud
Wantin to hold me, but I was so bloody
They washed me off and he said "At least that ##### aint ugly!"
Placed me in his arms snuggly, laid me on my mother
Finally, I got to see who held me in her body
She love me, and yo I plan to overthrow the devil
Y'all about to see this world in trouble
Mother######s..

(*Baby screams*)

Listen/Read the lyrics to Undying love
http://www.ohhla.com/anonymous/nas/i_am_nas/undying.nas.txt

Listen/Read the lyrics to Dance, a song dedicated to his mother
http://www.ohhla.com/anonymous/nas/gods_son/dance.nas.txt

Book of Rhymes, where he reads from different passages from his old rhyme books (from Gods Son album)
http://www.ohhla.com/anonymous/nas/gods_son/book_of.nas.txt

Re-Wind, where he raps backwards from Stillmatic
http://www.ohhla.com/anonymous/nas/still/rewind.nas.txt

As for Jay-Z, he may be on all the bling rap, but fact is he is seen as Top 5 of all time, Reasonable Doubt is a 5 Mic classic- end of story. And lets not even discuss how Blueprints production changed the game (thanks to Just Blaze and Kanye West). I may not like Jay, but at least I can respect his skill.

[Mr94Supra]

So I'm an idiot? Just because I think a lot of Nas's stuff is crap? I guess you don't listen to the new Nas, all he raps about is his money, bling, and #####es. All mainstream rappers do that, even my no talent arse can do that! Nas first album was his GREATEST! Because he was coming real, from the heart. But after that once he started making loot he turned mainstream. Ok he has two 5 mic source ratings, and? Cause the Source gave him 2 five Mics that makes him a great rapper? But out of how many albums? Eight albums not including QBs Finest? I lost count, JayZ has some good stuff but his 2nd, third and maybe the Black/Grey album are his best. And I have all of JayZs and Nas's albums except for God's Son, Lost Tapes, and Best of. Nas ever win a Grammy? How many Platinum hits does he have? My opinion is he is CRAP now, but I guess I'm an idiot cause I think your idol is crap...funny thing is I like them both and have the majority of both thier albums and their new stuff is CRAP.

Grow up kid, everyone has an opinion.

[NS2000X]

2Pac is not an idol of mine, niether do I (or can I) relate to the content of his music, but I do own 7 2Pac CD's (amoung my first purchases). Many songs of which are now among my most played on my iPod. I have a very eclectic taste in music (rap, hip hop, uk garage, classical, jazz, drum and bass, .....) but I will always appreciate each and every pre-death 2Pac album I have.

Two great driving songs are:

* Open Fire
* Definition of a Thug #####,
(both from 'R U Still Down')

'Me and My Girlfriend' is easily the best song under the name Makaveli. A very clever song, which I admit, took me a couple of my younger years to realize it was about guns.

and I can't think what you could do while listening to 'Do For Love' ;)

NS2000X

[DrDoom]

"o I'm an idiot? Just because I think a lot of Nas's stuff is crap? I guess you don't listen to the new Nas, all he raps about is his money, bling, and #####es. All mainstream rappers do that, even my no talent arse can do that! Nas first album was his GREATEST! Because he was coming real, from the heart. But after that once he started making loot he turned mainstream. Ok he has two 5 mic source ratings, and? Cause the Source gave him 2 five Mics that makes him a great rapper? But out of how many albums? Eight albums not including QBs Finest? I lost count, JayZ has some good stuff but his 2nd, third and maybe the Black/Grey album are his best. And I have all of JayZs and Nas's albums except for God's Son, Lost Tapes, and Best of. Nas ever win a Grammy? How many Platinum hits does he have? My opinion is he is CRAP now, but I guess I'm an idiot cause I think your idol is crap...funny thing is I like them both and have the majority of both thier albums and their new stuff is CRAP.

Grow up kid, everyone has an opinion."

I guess you've missed out alot since you stopped getting his CDs. Lost Tapes is seen as his best material yet, and i dont even remember any bling talk on Gods Son. Fact is Nas sold out during the Nastradamus era, but he's gone back to his roots, hence why he is getting the best reviews since Illmatic. First you question the Source as a judge of good hiphop, then you bring in the Grammys? The Grammys have no reflection of quality music, or Talib Kweli would have 20 of them by now. And actually Everyone of Nas' albums has gone Plat. I AM and God's Son are both Double Platinum. But hey, if sales figures reflected quality music, Common would be 8 times Platinum. Who cares if he had 6 or how ever many albums, so did Pac and Big...i dont see them with that many 5 Mic albums.
As for the Black Album, it has no replay value, and is no where near his best. Lyrically its weak, talks about himself too much.

I admit i came off a bit strong earlier, and I appologise for that. But I just think rap fans are way too off point these days. Critisising artists is the norm, and we dont appreciate them till they die. I doubt you could name any mainstream rappers that are holding it down better than Nas or Jay. Anyways, one love.

[Mr94Supra]

I'm a hip hop fan, so I have gotten away from "rap" which to me is all about money, bling, pistolas, and such. The Hip Hop I like is Talib Kweli (Black Star, Quality, Reflection Eternal), Mos Def, The Roots (LOVE THESE GUYS), Hi TEk, Scratch, Common (good, but stumbles sometimes in his flows), Neptunes (sorta), N.E.R.D. (a bit off the wall), Tribe Called Quest, Missy Elliot (lots o' talent), old old Smif n Wesson, and the list goes on. I've gotten away from the hardcore rap cause there is no in between. And I'm tired of listening to the same old thing that brings you right back to Pac, Biggie, Nas (ok I concede your point). The ppl I listed above are refreshing and actually spit some knowledge. To me they actually say something. I'll even add Kanye West since he has STRONG ties to Talib Kweli. Heh, I just named a few that are holding it down pretty good and these aren't mainstream rappers.

And I did just pull the Platinum and Grammy bit outta me arse. But the Source ain't always right ya know, its all about advertising. They can say one thing but until you hear it, it aint worth the paper they print it on. And besides back when I USE to read the source all they advertised where the crap that started from the "Master P era" with album covers with nothing but bling. That's when they started losing its value to me. I check out sites like Okayplayer.com and go from there.

[DrDoom]

Yeah i listen to all those guys as well, but i still listen to the mainstream also (to an extent). I'd also add Pharoahe Monch, dead prez, Paris to that list. The only problem I have with these artists is, that they usually drop an album evry 3 years or so. I mean Mos Def, i think his album was '99. The thing is, I still really enjoy some mainstream guys, I mean just take a look at Scarface. He's kept it real for a decade, yeah he may be gangsta rap, but if you listen to the The Fix (another 5 Mic'er, but thats besides the point), he talks about so much deep stuff; childhood, death, religion, and so on. Yet this guy is selling enough to be President of Def Jam South. Incidentally, much of The Fix was produced by Kanye West and Neptunes. The mainstream can be good (kanye, Scarface, etc,) you just have to avoid listening to the over-pop crap, though it is hard to avoid I guess.

The Source means ##### now, they are very very bias, especially since all this Benzino beefing with everyone started. The thing is though, their rating system has generally become the way of accepting the credibilty of the mainstream artists, and we cant mock them for raving about artists like Eminem and DMX years before they dropped...they do have their ear on the street, when it comes to talent. I also stick to the net now. Love or Hate them (im with the latter at the moment) The Source is seen as the "Hip Hop Bible"...

[Sypher]

Dont read The Source anymore..

I'm into people you mentioned, Common, Kweli etc, and some mainstream stuff like DMX.. but also what I'd class as underground.. Slug, El-P, Aesop Rock, CunninLynguists, to name a few.

[kyussmondo]

I don't mind 2Pac, however his stuff has been bettered.

I'm into stuff like Talib Kweli, Blackalicious, Atmosphere, Aesop Rock, The Roots etc. which IMHO is much more talented than anything that 2Pac has done.

I think it is partly because I'm not into and don't understand the whole gangster thing that artists like 2Pac and Biggie usually rap about.

[Pac]

I am happy that Pac has stirred up a massive thread,
I think Pac fan or not, nobody can argue the impact Pac had on hip/hop rap and music in general, if yall thought he had gone
then look at this thread his name still gets people talking after 7 yrs.......


peace

[iPac]

OMG, i think i have just found my favourite thread.


You are all my best friends, hehehhee. :p


I can really feel 2pacs songs, some even make me get a shiver, then i hav goosebumps, like : changes, my block, keep ya head, etc. songs about the truth.


He really was something amazing, i wish he was still around, i swear i have to be one of his biggest fans :)

I only got abut 170 songs of pac, but my bros got more, he inspired me alot.

But trust me, if only you knew how much i can feel 2pac, evrywhere i go, i relate stuff to him, from talking to my friends, to school projects.

I probly sound like im some wacko whos obsessed with him, but im not, i just know who he is, and how great he STILL is.

Peace out

[SoundChaser]

tupac has always been a rapper that i have admired
ive never been a big rap fan, but ive always just liked the way his songs sound, the way the words seem to efforlessly roll off his tongue. he always stood out to me as someone who was born with really good rhythm or something, because i think we've all heard rappers who drag on the beat and dont keep up well, something that may add to their appeal to some, but i feel that tupac was always RIGHT on top of the beat, riding it the way a jockey gracefully handles the equine
never thought i'd write such a simile to describe a rapper, but you can't deny it, tupac was, and is, a good rapper

[mndtrp]

I enjoyed some of his songs, and I can see how a lot of people can relate to his lyrics.

Whoever pointed out that he should have lived the life he wrote about, I agree with you.



I never did like Biggie.