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Hellrazor1978 reviews the 1995 Tupac LP; Me Against The World

Tupac Shakur had somewhat of a different career then most of the other great MC's. Unlike Nas, Rakim, Biggie, Ice Cube, or Snoop, he didnt drop a debut album that was universally hailed as classic, but instead he improved slowly from album to album, which culminated in the subject of today, Me Against The World. This album is a masterpiece in every sense of the word and easily one of the greatest albums ever recorded in hip hop history, possibly even THE greatest, but I will explain why momentarily. First, i would like to discuss the circumstances and reasons behind the albums creation. Controversy followed Pac throughout his turbulent career, but it reached its peak in late 1994 when he was accused by a young woman of raping her. In addition, he was shot 5 times outside of a recording studio during a robbery gone wrong. This shooting would eventually lead to the famous east/west feud that the media would publicize heavily. Although he beat the main charges in the expensive case, he was found guilty of several lesser charges and would have to serve time. It was during this time he was recording Me Against the World, and the album is a product of the struggle he was going through at this time.

Me Against the World is probably the most powerful hip hop album ever to hit store shelves. It is very well known for packing incredible depth and emotion on every track, while addressing a variety of topics. The album is very personal but it also speaks to his peers much like his first two albums did. The big difference between this album though and previous ones, this one has STELLAR production to back it. The extremly dark and soulful beats perfectly compliment the somber mood of much of the lyrics, and every beat on here is top notch. Also, this album followed a theme moreso then his others: Paranoia, struggle and death. All these factors culminated in him making his first classic album. Its almost a story, from the intro to OutLaw. By now, Pac was known for putting amazing emotion into his tracks but here it is felt more then ever, even publications that generally were not in favor of rap gave this album rave reviews. Even though Pac didnt come out with a classic in his first album like many of the other greats, this album makes up for it and then some, as it launched him from being a good rapper that made some great songs, into elite status. This album was the perfect bridge to the other two eras of his music: the young political rapper and the angry thugged out rapper we would see on Death Row records. However, the album isnt just great for its emotion, consistency and production, it also is home to some of the best songs in hip hop history: Dear Mama, So Many Tears, If I Die 2Nite, and Death Around The Corner, among others. Here is the track by track analysis:

Intro: Though only a little over a minute long, this is the foundation for the albums concept and why it was created. Its a bunch of news reporters talking about his shooting, the controversy, and the negative light he was being portrayed in. It truly was him against the world during this time.

If I Die 2Nite: The album jumps immediatly into this track which is one of the main themes seen here: death. Pac said at times after the shooting he comtemplated suicide, and in this song it shows clearly he felt there was no hope for him. The beat is very dark, produced by Easy Mo Bee. "I see cemetary photos of my peers conversating like the still here, if i die tonight". "Never die ill live eternal/who shall I fear/ dont shed a tear for me n!gga I aint happy here/I hope they bury me and send me to my rest/headlines reading Murderd to death"..... Surprised

Pac was a prophet.

Me Against the World: Another very dark beat, but this song is a bit more inspirational and less morbid then If I Die 2Nite. Pac drops two of his most deep verses ever, and the second of them in particular is one of his best ever, so many quotable lines its crazy. Dramacydal, who would be later known as The Outlawz, are featured on this track, one of the few guest appearances on the album. They hold their own and their verses fit the theme of the song. But its clearly Pac who shines here the most. This song wasnt a single but its considered one of his best tracks and it even made the Greatest Hits album.

So Many Tears: "Back in elementary I thrived on misery, left me alone i grew up amongst a dying breed/Couldnt find a place to rest, until i got that Thug Life tatted on my chest" I dont even know where to begin on this song. Simply one of the greatest tracks not only recorded in rap, but in the HISTORY OF MUSIC itself. The beat samples a Stevie Wonder track, and is very dark. But its the lyrics that are unbelievable. I dont think there has ever been a song that goes as deep into the mind of a man who truly was on the edge and ready to fall over as this one does. If you are suicidal, I dont advise playing this song, cause it just may push you over the edge, it is THAT deep. There are a ton of quotables, but my fave is probably the following: "And though my soul was deleted, I couldnt see it/I had my mind full of demons trying to break free, they planted seeds and they hatched sparking the flame inside my brain like match/No memories just a misery, painting a picture of enemies killin me in my sleep/Will I survive till the morning to see the sun/Please Lord forgive me for my sins cause hear I come" Surprised

Temptations: This is the closest to a club song we get on this album, but the production is still very dark like the most of the album. This one is about the pressures of staying faithful being a star and out on the road with the temptation to get with female fans. Almost kind of like a prequel to All About U, but this song is much better cause the context of it doesnt promote the lifestyle as in the AEOM track. For awhile this wasnt one of my fave songs on the album but ive grown to really like it.

Young N!iggaz: A track for the young kids out on the streets gettin' into trouble. I personally relate to this song alot cause I have a little brother that gets into alot of trouble. I feel like Pac is talking to him and his peers through this track. Kind of a prelude to "Shorty's Gonna Be a Thug", but Pac's writing on this one is more focused. Good fast pace beat, and the chorus is extremely catchy "always g'd up from head to toe, got it goin' like Al Capone, hes the downest G I evvveeer knnneewwww". Great song, which showed how much Pac's writing was really elevated during the making of this album.

Heavy In the Game: Awesome Bay area style beat! This song talks about the in's and outs of the drug game and the mayhem it has on those who live it. Richie Rich guests here and drops a nice verse. Double R has a more smooth and easy going flow to compliment Pac's more rugged style. They've done many collabs together, but this is one of the better ones. Of the three verses, Pac's second verse is the best overall cause it breaks down negatives of the drug game perfectly. And that beat....truly the definition of a classic west coast beat, this song might have been well at home on AEOM even.

Lord Knows: CRIMINALLY underrated. Whenever I hear people talking about Pac's greatest songs, I rarely hear this one mentioned. But dont be fooled by that, this track is a gem in every way, right up there with So Many Tears even. Beautiful beat, love the synths. But as great as the production is, its the lyrics that truly shine. Pac speaks of the struggles of living in the ghetto and seeing so much violence: "Done lost to many n!ggaz to this gang bangin, homie died in my arms with his brains hangin'/Fuked up I had tell him it was alright, and thats lie and he knew it when he shook and died, my god". "Im gettin lost in the weed mayyne, gettin high liviin everyday like im gonna die/I smoke a blunt to take the pain, if wasnt high prolly try to blow my brains out lord knows" are just a few of the lines that reflect the paranoia and hopelessness Pac was feeling at the time of this album.

Dear Mama: This was the biggest hit on the album, and one of the greatest songs recorded in rap music. Probably the most popular mothers day anthem of all time. If you love your mama, you love this song, period. Another woman positive song that became a standout in his catalog. Not really much else to say about this one, it speaks for itself. The production isnt as dark as some of the other tracks and has more of a melodramatic feel then a dark one.

It Aint Easy: Like Dear Mama, this song has somewhat lighter production. Nice little synth and keyboard beat with some strings added in. Pac' looks back at his childhood as a young boy growing up poor in the projects, and looking ahead at his possible prison sentence. "It Aint easy being me, will I see the penitentiary or will I stay free". This is easily one of the most introspective songs on the album. "Just a project kid without a conscience/Im having dreams of hearing screams at my concerts/Me and all my childhood peers through trying to stack a lil green"....just a nice song to chill to and reminisce on old times.

Can U Get Away: A track where Pac (sort of) tells a story about an woman in an abusive relationship and how he wants to save her. Although the meaning of the song is great, Im not too crazy about the way Pac flows on this song, it seems a bit lacksidasical, but its well written. The production is good but not fantastic like the other songs. Overall this is a good song that could have been a bit better. Its many peoples least fave song on the album, and I tend to agree. But its still good, not a filler cut as some people say. If Pac rapped with just a little more gusto and the beat was just a bit tighter, this song would have been perfect.

Old School: So crazy that in this song Pac is giving LL props, then just a year later he would be dissing him. This song catches Pac in happier times and shows his true love for hip hop and the greats who came before him. Everyone from Rakim, Slick Rick to LL to De La is shouted out. I love this song cause I relate to in the fact I do the same thing by shouting out the artists I grew up on, ironically Pac himself being one of them. "Forget the TV, id rather hit the streets and do graffiti, careful dont let the transit cops see me!" Another great song to reminisce to. The production is great too, love the horns in the background and the voice sample on the chorus.

Fuk the World: It is perhaps this song which best describes how Pac felt when making this album: FUK THE WORLD!! Truly all the pressure at this point was bearing down on him harder then ever and this song is a product of that. A perfect song to listen to when you feel all of lifes pressures are getting to heavy and u just want to explode. Ive always wondered how many times the word "fu.ck" is used in this song, possibly the most ever in a rap song. This is almost a prelude to the angry songs he would spit on his Death Row work, though it doesnt diss anyone. But you can certainlly hear Pac's anger in his voice and the lyrics arent as uplifting as some of the songs on the album. I can listen to this song when im pissed off and feel better afterward, Pac was venting on this one and it helps me vent too when I need to.

Death Around the Corner: Simply put, one of my 5 fave songs on the album, along with If I Die 2Nite, So Many Tears, Dear Mama, and Lord Knows. This beat uses a very similiar melody to the later "Picture Me Rollin", but I like this one more cause its darker. Its very similiar to If I Die 2Nite" in that Pac paints pictures of his own death and his paranoia surrounding it. "Murder me now but see me later man"--so prophetic are those words, its scary really. Love the "Untouchables" sample at the end of the track too.

OutLaw: Very smooth song to close out the album. Love the strings over the synth driven beat. This song sorta has a different feel the the other ones on the album, cause while most of the album shows a man trying to find a better way for himself, this one promotes the thug life like on his Death Row albums, though to a lesser extent. Dramacydal is featured on this track. A solid song to close out the album, though "Only Fear of Death" might have been more fitting.

And there you have it, Me Against the World, Pac's first classic album. If there is any album that exemplifies why Pac is still so revered today, its this one. He took his songwriting to a whole new level, got better beats and just in general was much more focused on this album then he ever was before. This is a perfect album, there are no true or clear flaws to it. Beats, lyrics/content, album theme, consistency, are all A+ across the board. For those who think All Eyez on Me is his best work, you better listen to this album again, and listen to it closely. 1995 was a special time for hip hop, many great albums came out. But this one stands out above all of them. Me Against the World is artistry at its best, and on a final note, its probably the greatest hip hop album of all time, every bit as legendary as its creator. Pretty much every song is a jewel. Also, it was his first album to reach #1 on the charts, and it would eventually be certified triple platinum.

5/5 easily GOAT album

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