This is part seven of 411 Music’s groundbreaking 10-part series on the impact and influence of Tupac Shakur.
Can an album that’s comprised of almost 75% previously released material be considered a good purchase? That’s the question we’ll attempt to answer as Amaru Entertainment unveils the soundtrack to the highly anticipated documentary Tupac: Resurrection.
In an effort to lure hardcore and casual rap fans, much of the already-heard tracks were cuts that received little to no commercial airplay or radio rotation. While it remains to be seen whether or not this album can breathe new life into a handful of out-of-circulation songs, the other marketing ploy is sure to attract a few more buys.
OK, maybe “ploy” isn’t the right word, but the involvement of Eminem on this project wasn’t based on his rapping or producing skills. Don’t get me wrong, Slim Shady is easily one of the best in the game in both fields…but don’t discount the fact that anything his name is attached to automatically gains that “suburban cred” that frightened little record executives love to exploit.
A quick word before we begin…I’m taking the same song-by-song approach that I used in the previous parts of this series. As some of these tracks have also appeared in albums I’ve already looked back on, you’ll see that I’ve simply copied those applicable comments into this review.
Ghost – Eminem lays down a crazy, ominous beat with a methodical pacing that accentuates Pac’s equally tight verses. It moves from a night in the hood to a day on the streets and the tragic acceptance of the path that’s been chosen. Tupac doesn’t break any new ground lyrically, but, as usual, his haunting images will stay with you on this one.
Papa was a muthaf*ckin’…joke
Used to find dope in his coat
And nearly choked when he’d tell me not to smoke
Damn, don’t get me started
My mama smoked so God damn much
when she was pregnant…I’m surprised I ain’t retarded
One Day At A Time – Another very tight track, this features Eminem in the second verse and one of the better contributions from The Outlawz that you’ll find. This joint serves as a reminder to take each day as it comes and handle the drama the best way you can. It’s edgy, cynical and uplifting all at once.
Sometimes its hard, to wake up in the morning
Mind full of demons I don’t wanna hear them anymore
Got me heartbroken, fine, so many babies screamin’
Cuz they seein destruction before they see a human being.
Death Around The Corner – The dread and paranoia continue on a track that, again, sounds more like the Hit ‘Em Up” version of Pac. His barely contained rage is boiling to the surface on this one as is evident by the hidden messages (threats?) that seem to be directed to those involved in his sexual assault case.
Here’s hopin I die the way I lived, straight thuggin
Huggin my trigger for all them niggas that was buggin’
Secretz Of War – This one’s from the underrated Still I Rise album and only features Pac in the second verse. It’s mostly wall-to-wall Outlawz and the final results are decidedly subpar. The beat is simple and uncluttered, but the lyrical volleys are almost entirely clichés. A very questionable inclusion as Letter To The President would’ve been a more captivating choice.
I’m seein’ demons hittin’ weed
Got me hearin’ screamin’
Scared to go to sleep, watch the scene like a dope-fiend
Runnin’ (Dyin’ To Live) – The first single from the soundtrack, this one thunders with another Slim Shady beat that’s layered with gunshots and a familiar sample. Biggie Smalls’ verse is just ridiculously hot and the finely woven dialogue between Pac and B.I.G. on the bridge is a nice touch. Just a decent Pac verse, though.
We was young, and we was dumb, but we had heart
In the dark, will we survive through the bad parts
Holler If Ya Hear Me – Brash and boisterous, the production on this one blends perfectly with the urgency in Pac’s flow. Pac’s lyrical game is stepped up and improved from most of his first album, even though the barely-there jab at Dan Quayle was obviously tacked on at the last minute.
So we live like caged beasts
Waitin for the day to let the rage free
Still me, till they kill me
I love it when they fear me
Starin’ Thru My Rear View – A tremendously powerful track and one of the best songs Tupac ever wrote. It begins with the frustration of a senseless murder, as Pac explores the decline of civilization and his role in it. By the end, he has the answers he’s seeking and proceeds to share them with the world.
Multiple gunshots fill the block, the fun stops
Niggaz is callin cops, people shot, nobody stop
I wonder when the world stopped caring last night
Two kids shot while the whole block staring
I will never understand this society, first they try
to murder me, then they lie to me, product of a dying breed
Bury Me A ‘G’ – Before The Outlawz, there was another group of hangers-on that Pac propped up with an album. Amazingly, the Thug Life group might have had even less talent. An Isley Brothers sample is used here that would turn R. Kelly into a super-duper star a few years later, but it’s wasted on this track with generic lines about f*ckin’ hoes and bustin’ n*ggaz.
Same Song – Tupac’s first big break came with Digital Underground. First as a roadie, then a dancer and finally on the mic. He barely gets eight bars to work with on the last verse, but he keeps time with the funky lil’ beat and hold his own. Younger fans surely don’t remember, but this one was a huge hit back in 1991 when it first dropped.
Now I clown around when I hang around with the Underground
Girls use to frown, say I’m down, when I come around
gas me and when they pass me they use to diss me
harass me, but now they ask me if they can kiss me
Panther Power – Originally recorded in 1989, this track follows in the Public Enemy anti-establishment model. The beat is very rudimentary and Pac’s lyrics aren’t much more evolved, but it’s interesting to hear such an old-school flow coming from him. It would’ve been fascinating to hear more from the “political” Tupac before his immersion into the Death Row lifestyle.
The American Dream wasn’t meant for me
Cuz Lady Liberty is a hypocrite she lied to me
Promised me freedom, education, equality
Never gave me nothing but slavery
Str8 Ballin’ – This is another track from the Thug Life album. The only good thing about it is that the Thug Life crew took the day off and left the rapping to Pac. The themes are pretty much paint-by-numbers gangsta tripe, as Shakur sounds bored out of his mind and pretty much mails it in. The cartoony beat doesn’t help matters in the least.
Rebel of the Underground – A pretty good cut here, even though the us-against-them subject matter wasn’t quite played out in rap yet. The production mixes in a few horns on the bridge, which wasn’t all that sophisticated, but still a nice touch.
On the streets or on TV
It just don’t pay to be, a truth tellin MC
They won’t be happy till I’m banned
The most dangerous weapon: an educated black man
Tha Realest Killaz – 50 Cent’s high-profile cameo is mostly a letdown on this one. He brings his own agenda to the mic and furthers his feud with Ja Rule with a verse that kills the albums momentum. Thankfully, it was on the last track. The beat is made up of sparse drums and bass, while Tupac comes with some strong words that were originally meant for the One Nation project.
And since my life is based on sinnin, I’m hell bound
Rather be buried than be worried, livin held down
My game plan to be trained and, military
Mind of a Thug Lord, sittin in the cemetery
The intention of this album was to capture the different faces of Tupac at the different points of his career. Overall, Amaru Entertainment did a fine job, however, it would’ve been nice to see something from either of his 1996 releases, such as Ambitionz Az A Ridah or Me & My Girlfriend.
Next, in Part VIII of Countdown to Resurrection, it’s the review of the documentary that Tupac’s fans have waited seven years for. Our look at Resurrection.
The 411: The Eminem contributions are excellent and, save for the Thug Life material, this album is a solid representation of Tupac’s brief life.
Rating: 8.0
