Black History Music Pt. 19
In celebration of Black History Month, the Ear Candy Update intends to celebrate landmark recordings by black artists that have shaped the collective consciousness, mentality, and sense of cool the world over. Next, 2Pac's "All Eyez on Me."
Contradictions abound in the hip hop galaxy and few figures were as full of contradictions and life as Tupac Shakur.
Emerging from a prison sentence in 1995 Shakur secured a record deal with Death Row Records and immediately entered the studio with Johnny J. and Dr. Dre. The result was the first double album of original material in hip hop history - a sprawling two hours and 12 minutes of contradictions. It would be Pac's magnum opus.
He moves from volatile tension and intensity on "Wonda Why They Call U Bitch," and album opener "Ambitionz az a Ridah" to blurry-eyed reflection on "I Ain't Mad at Cha," to "Picture Me Rollin'" - a self-confessional account from a paranoiac. Pac's thoughts stretch across the gamut of emotions. Not even the libidinous account of "How Do U Want It" can keep him focused as he sprinkles his sex drive with politics and police surveillance.
The requisite bangers are here too. "California Love" glistens with exceptional production and hooks galore (Dre's fingerprint). Snoop turns in a spectacular performance on "2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted." George Clinton arrives in fine P-Funk style on the monster "Can't C Me" that features 2Pac at his most menacing. 2Pac's entire mindset is made manifest, as he turns in a comprehensive performance that is both as illuminated and belligerent as he was.
It can be a frustrating experience - listening to this start to finish. His personality was compelling and once we pushed through his charisma we begin to understand he's in with his entire being.
Emerging from a prison sentence in 1995 Shakur secured a record deal with Death Row Records and immediately entered the studio with Johnny J. and Dr. Dre. The result was the first double album of original material in hip hop history - a sprawling two hours and 12 minutes of contradictions. It would be Pac's magnum opus.
He moves from volatile tension and intensity on "Wonda Why They Call U Bitch," and album opener "Ambitionz az a Ridah" to blurry-eyed reflection on "I Ain't Mad at Cha," to "Picture Me Rollin'" - a self-confessional account from a paranoiac. Pac's thoughts stretch across the gamut of emotions. Not even the libidinous account of "How Do U Want It" can keep him focused as he sprinkles his sex drive with politics and police surveillance.
"Nights full of Alizé, a livin' legend
You ain't heard about these niggas play these Cali days
You'se a motherfucker
Instead of tryin' to help a nigga you destroy a brother
Worse than the others, Bill Clinton, Mr. Bob Dole
You're too old to understand the way the game is told"
The requisite bangers are here too. "California Love" glistens with exceptional production and hooks galore (Dre's fingerprint). Snoop turns in a spectacular performance on "2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted." George Clinton arrives in fine P-Funk style on the monster "Can't C Me" that features 2Pac at his most menacing. 2Pac's entire mindset is made manifest, as he turns in a comprehensive performance that is both as illuminated and belligerent as he was.
It can be a frustrating experience - listening to this start to finish. His personality was compelling and once we pushed through his charisma we begin to understand he's in with his entire being.
“Always seeking without absolutely finding… I am seeking. I am striving. I am in with all my heart.” – Vincent Van GoghTupac lives on in popular culture as perhaps the most magnetic and simultaneously polarizing force in the 1990s - a sensitive thug filled with raw gangsta charisma. All eyes were on him even before he said it.
“Anytime y’all wanna see me again, rewind this track right here. Picture me rollin.”
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