Im sure most of you guys know the history behind 2-Pac and this album, but to those who dont here's a brief history. Me Against the World is the third album by American hip hop artist 2Pac, released March 14, 1995 on Interscope Records. The album's recording sessions took place at ten different studios(I don't know why). The album was recorded in a matter of weeks before 2-Pac was to go to prison on sexual assault charges stemming from a 1993 case in which a woman accused he and others in his entourage of sexual abuse. It was also during these sessions that 2Pac was infamously shot five times in the lobby of the Quad Recording Studios in New York City, which, along with his impending prison sentence, many believe might have contributed to his artistic re-emergence on record, as his material is believed to have become increasingly more "confessional," "reflective," and "soul-baring."(It also marked the Beginning of the East Vs. West War with former friend Biggie Smalls)Me Against the World, released while the artist was imprisoned, made an immediate impact on the charts, soaring to the number one spot upon its release, and making 2Pac the first artist to have an album debut at the top of the Billboard 200 while serving time in prison. The album was also one of 2Pac's most well received by critics and fans, with many calling it the best effort of his career, and one of the greatest hip hop albums of all-time. Lets see if it still holds up.
1. "Intro"
Basically the intro is some basic ominous beat, with people talking in a 'news-reporter' like way about his 1994 Shooting in the Manhattan recording studio. It's quite interesting the first time you listen to it, but naturally after a while you'll be skipping it.
2. "If I die 2nite"
I think this was the actual time when Tupac started thinking about his own fate. The whole track is about ballin', about how he is known, his former life and of course, about his own death. A fairly deep track,that gives a decent mental picture of how he lived and what he was thinking. The beat isn't anything spectacular, and it doesn't impress me that much. Not a terrible track, but it doesn't match up with the rest of the album.
3. "Me Against The World"
This track is definitely a classic, very nice production, intelligent verses, catchy hook. This track has it all. It is based, similarly to the previous track,which was on ballin' and how Tupac himself, as a rapper, and a person, is facing the world. Tight verse by Dramacydal, this makes for a quality Pac track. Even a sample of it was played in the movie 'Bad Boys' and is on the sound-track, if I recall correctly.
4. "So Many Tears"
Another great track from 2-Pac. i love the Stevie Wonder sample. (I'm a sucker for harmonicas) The track is a very deep one mainly about death, his death, god, his peers passing and him trying to give up ThugLife. This is a Pac classic.
5. "Temptations"
This is more of a party track, and as the title suggests, its about women. The beat is aight, but you wouldn't be able to just play it when your chillin' maybe stoned or pissed. On the movie '8 Mile'(great movie by the way)while some of the characters are driving around, a sample of this track can faintly be heard. So this track just reaches average.
6. "Young Niggaz"
I can really vibe to this track. Nice production, real lyrics. 'Pac gives a shout out to the young/late Robert Sanderford, who if y'all don't know that is; was a young L.A. gangsta who slang dope, and was found shot dead in his brothers room. 'Pac really thought about this track and the message he was trying to put out. Over. Great Track
7. "Heavy In The Game"
WHAT. THE. FUCK. This track sucks!! Is it me, or did every Hip-hop album in the 90's have at least one reggae song on it? its a track based on hustlin' and keeping yourself alive while being, heavy in the game; not that you could tell from Lady Levi's random singing, which is annoying as fuck. all in all stay away from the track. FAR AWAY
8. "Lord Knows"
First Line: "I smoke a blunt to take the pain out", simple; the track is based around pain, god and once again ballin'. Tight production, some of the best 'Pac verses I’ve ever heard. Thus, Over-Average song.
9. "Dear Mama"
the track that leaded the album to its Number 1 spot. It’s a highly deep, sensitive song about, you guessed it; his Mother, Afeni Shakur. He's reminiscing back on all the stress he put on her through the years. This is a Mother's Day anthem.
10. "It Ain't Easy"
Fuck Yeah! Now we're bangin' again. This track has some slow but good verses by 'Pac, spittin' about his life, ballin' and how life ain't easy. Nice song, it has a nice relaxing vibe to it.
11. "Can U Get Away"
Ok, this is a wack-ass track. I think Tupac was trying to show his sensitive side towards women or something i dunno what he was smoking, the beat is neary like something in the background of a porno movie. Slow and boring, skip.
12. "Old School"
This is a good track, not too fast or slow. Its interesting to just listen to his lyrics, they rock! He's basically just reminiscing on the, yep, the old school.(Its crazy, cuz Pac was rapping about his old school, and to me pac is my generations old school)
13. "Fuck The World"
Another one of them tracks that are wild to slowly concentrate on what he’s saying. Decent beat, the track is based around all the shit that has or was happening to him at the time, then he’s saying, Fuck The World!! (Boy Pac was angry on this album. i wonder why.....? jk)
14. "Death Around The Corner"
This track has one tight-ass beat placed under 'Pacs crazy verses. Once again speaking on his own death and his life. I personally think this track can be placed up there with 'Me Against the world' or 'If I die 2Nite'.
15. "Outlaw"
This track has a tight-production, decent verses but the OUTLAW, OUTLAW, OUTLAW, will be getting circulated around your mind for days to come. It bores you also after a while. Basically track is about ballin' and being an outlaw.(Side note: Is that lil Bowwow in the beginning?)
Well there you have it, give the most controversial rapper one fucked up year, a recording studio and you get 'Me Against The World'. All in all, This Album is a good sign of Tupac's amazing talent to give you a mental picture or message through his music. Not only were the tracks bangin', lyrically they had meaning. I would recommend this album to anyone who is a Hip-Hop fan.
Score: 95 out of 100
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