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All Eyez on Me

 
Album Review: All Eyez on Me
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All Eyez on Me

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Section 8, It's Dark and Hell Is Hot, Featuring...Ice Cube, Tha Doggfather, Chronic
  • Artist: 2 Pac
  • Rating: StarStarStarStarStar
  • Release Date: February 13, 1996
  • Total Time: 132:18
  • Type: Contains explicit content, Enhanced CD-ROM
  • Genre: Rap

Review

Maybe it was his time in prison, or maybe it was simply his signing with Suge Knight's Death Row label. Whatever the case, 2Pac re-emerged hardened and hungry with All Eyez on Me, the first double-disc album of original material in hip-hop history. With all the controversy surrounding him, 2Pac seemingly wanted to throw down a monumental epic whose sheer scope would make it an achievement of itself. But more than that, it's also an unabashed embrace of the gangsta lifestyle, backing off the sober self-recognition of Me Against the World. Sure, there are a few reflective numbers and dead-homiez tributes, but they're much more romanticized this time around. All Eyez on Me is 2Pac the thug icon in all his brazen excess, throwing off all self-control and letting it all hang out -- even if some of it would have been better kept to himself. In that sense, it's an accurate depiction of what made him such a volatile and compelling personality, despite some undeniable filler. On the plus side, this is easily the best production he's ever had on record, handled mostly by Johnny J (notably on the smash "How Do U Want It") and Dat Nigga Daz; Dr. Dre also contributes another surefire single in "California Love" (which, unfortunately, is present only as a remix, not the original hit version). Both hits are on the front-loaded first disc, which would be a gangsta classic in itself; other highlights include the anthemic Snoop Dogg duet "2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted," "All About U" (with the required Nate Dogg-sung hook), and "I Ain't Mad at Cha," a tribute to old friends who've gotten off the streets. Despite some good moments, the second disc is slowed by filler and countless guest appearances, plus a few too many thug-lovin' divas crooning their loyalty. Erratic though it may be, All Eyez on Me is nonetheless carried off with the assurance of a legend in his own time, and it stands as 2Pac's magnum opus. ~ Steve Huey, All Music Guide

Tracks



CD 1

Track TitleComposersPerformersTime
Ambitionz Az a Ridah (Lyrics) 2Pac, Delmar Arnaud 2Pac (4:39)
All About U 2Pac, Larry Blackmon, Johnny Jackson, Calvin Broadus, Bruce Washington, Nathaniel Hale Snoop Dogg, Dru Down, 2Pac, Nate Dogg, Fatal, Yani Hadati (4:37)
Skandalouz (Lyrics) 2Pac, Delmar Arnaud 2Pac, Nate Dogg (4:09)
Got My Mind Made Up 2Pac, R. Brown, Delmar Arnaud Redman, 2Pac, Method Man, Dat Nigga Daz, Kurupt (5:13)
How Do You Want It (Lyrics) J.J. Jackson, 2Pac 2Pac, Jojo the Elf (4:47)
2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted (Lyrics) 2Pac, Calvin Broadus, Delmar Arnaud Snoop Dogg, 2Pac (4:07)
No More Pain (Lyrics) 2Pac, DeVante Swing, Robert Diggs, C. Smith 2Pac (6:14)
Heartz of Men (Lyrics) Prince, 2Pac, David Blake, G. Clinton, Jr., C. Haskins, W.O. Collins 2Pac (4:43)
Life Goes On (Lyrics) J.J. Jackson, 2Pac, Joseph B. Jefferson 2Pac (5:02)
Only God Can Judge Me 2Pac, Doug Rasheed Rappin' 4-Tay, 2Pac (4:57)
Tradin War Stories Kenn Cox, 2Pac, Rahiem Prince Thomas, Michael Mosley CPO, C-BO, 2Pac, Storm, Outlawz (5:29)
California Love [Remix] Dr. Dre, 2Pac, Woody Cunningham, Norman Durham, Roger Troutman Dr. Dre, 2Pac, Roger Troutman (6:25)
I Ain't Mad at Cha 2Pac, D. Stewart, E. Jordan, Delmar Arnaud 2Pac, Danny Boy (4:53)
What'z Ya Phone No. J.J. Jackson, 2Pac 2Pac, Danny Boy (5:10)


CD 2

Track TitleComposersPerformersTime
Can't C Me (Lyrics) Dr. Dre, 2Pac, George Clinton 2Pac, George Clinton (5:30)
Shorty Wanna Be a Thug J.J. Jackson, 2Pac 2Pac (3:51)
Holla at Me (Lyrics) Bobcat, 2Pac, Bobby Ervin 2Pac (4:56)
Wonda Why They Call U B____ J.J. Jackson, 2Pac 2Pac (4:19)
When We Ride (Lyrics) 2Pac, DJ Pooh, Bruce Washington 2Pac (5:09)
Thug Passion (Lyrics) Shirley Murdock, Kenn Cox, J.J. Jackson, 2Pac, Larry Troutman, Roger Troutman 2Pac, Storm, Outlawz, Dramarydal, Jewell (5:08)
Picture Me Rollin' J.J. Jackson, 2Pac CPO, 2Pac, Big Syke, Danny Boy (5:15)
Check Out Time (Lyrics) J.J. Jackson, 2Pac, R. Brown 2Pac, Big Syke, Kurupt (4:39)
Ratha Be Ya N____ 2Pac, Doug Rasheed 2Pac, Richie Rich (4:14)
All Eyez on Me (Lyrics) J.P. Pennington, J.J. Jackson, 2Pac 2Pac, Big Syke (5:08)
Run tha Streetz J.J. Jackson, 2Pac 2Pac, Michel'le, Storm (5:17)
Ain't Hard 2 Find 2Pac, E. Stevens, Rahiem Prince Thomas, D. Stevens, S. Thomas B-Legit, E-40, C-BO, 2Pac, Richie Rich (4:29)
Heaven Ain't Hard 2 Find (Lyrics) 2Pac, QDIII 2Pac (3:58)

Credits

CPO (Performer), Redman (Performer), Dr. Dre (Producer), Dr. Dre (Performer), Dr. Dre (Mixing), B-Legit (Performer), E-40 (Performer), Snoop Dogg (Vocals), Snoop Dogg (Performer), C-BO (Performer), Rappin' 4-Tay (Performer), Dru Down (Performer), 2Pac (Producer), 2Pac (Main Performer), 2Pac (Assistant Producer), Dave Aron (Engineer), Dave Aron (Mixing), David Blake (Producer), David Blake (Talk Box), David Blake (Mixing), Rick Clifford (Engineer), George Clinton (Vocals), George Clinton (Performer), Tommy D (Engineer), Ebony (Vocals (Background)), Bobby Ervin (Producer), Brian Gardner (Mastering), Michael Geiser (Assistant Engineer), Puff Johnson (Vocals (Background)), Michel'le (Performer), DJ Pooh (Producer), DJ Pooh (Mixing), Doug Rasheed (Producer), Carl "Butch" Small (Percussion), DeVante Swing (Producer), DeVante Swing (Mixing), Sean "Barney" Thomas (Keyboards), Roger Troutman (Performer), Roger Troutman (?), Roger Troutman (Talk Box), Barbara Wilson (Vocals (Background)), Keston Wright (Engineer), Method Man (Performer), Dat Nigga Daz (Producer), Dat Nigga Daz (Performer), Michael Mosley (Producer), Michael Mosley (Assistant Engineer), Michael Mosley (Mixing), Storm (Performer), Nate Dogg (Vocals), Johnny J (Producer), Johnny J (Mixing), Jojo the Elf (Performer), Big Syke (Performer), Carlos Warlick (Engineer), Carlos Warlick (Mixing), Troy Staton (Engineer), Ken Nahoum (Photography), Tommy "D" Daugherty (Engineer), Alvin McGill (Engineer), Alvin McGill (Assistant Engineer), Patrick Shevelin (Assistant Engineer), Stacey Smallie (Vocals (Background)), Roy Tesfay (Project Coordinator), Suge Knight (Executive Producer), George Pryce (Art Direction), George Pryce (Design), Rick Rock (Producer), Barbara Warren (?), Barbara Warren (Stylist), Natasha Walker (Vocals (Background)), Danette Williams (Vocals (Background)), Danny Ray (Vocals (Background)), Danny Ray (Performer), Fatal (Performer), Kurupt (Performer), Larry Chatman (Production Assistant), Larry Chatman (Assistant Producer), Outlawz (Performer), Henry "Hendogg" Smith (Illustrations), Norris Anderson (Project Supervisor), Dorothy Coleman (Vocals (Background)), Mike Mosley (Producer), Mike Mosley (Mixing), Richie Rich (Performer), Dramarydal (Performer), Yani Hadati (Performer)
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Wikipedia: All Eyez on Me
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Home > Library > Miscellaneous > Wikipedia
All Eyez on Me
Studio album by 2Pac
Released February 13, 1996
Recorded 1995-1996
Genre West Coast hip hop
Length 132:18
Label Death Row
Interscope Records
Producer Suge Knight (exec.)
DJ Quik, Dat Nigga Daz, DeVanté, DJ Pooh, Dr. Dre, Bobby "Bobcat" Ervin, Johnny "J", Mike Mosley, Doug Rasheed, Rick Rock, 2Pac
Professional reviews
2Pac chronology
Me Against the World
(1995)		 All Eyez on Me
(1996)		 The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory
(1996)
Singles from All Eyez on Me
  1. "California Love"
    Released: December 1995
  2. "2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted"
    Released: May 1996
  3. "How Do U Want It"
    Released: June 4, 1996
  4. "All Bout U"
  5. "Life Goes On"
  6. "I Ain't Mad at Cha"
    Released: September 15, 1996

All Eyez on Me is the Grammy-nominated fourth studio album by West Coast rapper 2Pac. It was released on February 13, 1996. This was the last album released during 2Pac's lifetime, as he died exactly 7 months later on September 13, 1996.

The album is often regarded as 2Pac's magnum opus, and is frequently recognized as one of the crowning achievements of 1990s Rap music.[2] It has been called "despite some undeniable filler easily the best production 2Pac's ever had on record"[3]. About.com rap experts ranked All Eyez On Me the 80th greatest rap album of all time on their list of the 100 Greatest Hip-hop albums of all time.[4] It was certified 9x platinum in June 1998 by the RIAA.[5] The album also had two Billboard 100 Number One singles: How Do U Want It and California Love.

Contents

Background

All Eyez on Me was released after Suge Knight, CEO of Death Row Records, bailed 2Pac out of jail in exchange for signing to Death Row, fulfilling part of 2Pac's brand new contract. This double-album served as the first two albums of his three album contract. He arrived in the studios just hours after being released from prison to begin work on this 27 track hip-hop "tour de force". The prolific rapper finished this album in only two weeks.

The songs on All Eyez on Me are, in general, unapologetic celebrations of living the "Thug Lifestyle". Though there is the occasional reminiscence about past and present friends, it is a definite move away from the social and political consciousness of 2Pacalypse Now. The hit single "2 Of Amerikaz Most Wanted" is a collaboration with Snoop Doggy Dogg. Tupac claimed the song to be the West coast anthem in one of his interviews

The album features occasional guest spots from 2Pac's regulars, such as former-Thug Life members and The Outlawz, as well as Snoop Dogg, George Clinton, and other guests. The song "Heartz of Men" samples a portion of Richard Pryor's comedy album "That Nigger's Crazy". Most of the album was produced by Johnny "J" and Daz Dillinger, with help from Dr. Dre on the songs California Love, which he himself appeared in also as an album guest spot and "Can't C Me", which was Clinton's appearance. Along with Greatest Hits album, All Eyez On Me is 2Pac's best selling album, reaching a nine times platinum status.

In 2008 The National Association Of Recording Merchandisers in conjunction with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has recognized this album, as well as Me Against The World, as extremely influential to the music industry and has added this album to their Definitive 200 list.

It was re-released in 2001 as enhanced CDs containing the "California Love" music video. Both CDs contained the same data track. It was also re-released as a Dual-Disc in 2005.

Reception

 This article is in a list format that may be better presented using prose. You can help by converting this article to prose, if appropriate. Editing help is available. (July 2009)

Rolling Stone (5/13/99, p. 74) - Included in Rolling Stone's Essential Recordings of the 90's.

Spin (5/96, p. 106) - 7 (out of 10) - "As long as you don't expect philanthropy from him, you'll find honesty and some pleasurably twisted scenarios."

Entertainment Weekly (12/27/96-1/3/97, p. 146) - Ranked #3 on Entertainment Weekly's list of the Top 10 Albums And Singles Of 1996.

Q magazine (12/99, p. 90) - Included in Q magazine's 90 Best Albums Of The 1990s.

Musician (6/96, p. 90) - "...gangsta rappers pretty much share the values of their Republican detractors: the emphasis on making money, the righteousness of bearing arms, the wonderfulness of consumption, respect for hierarchy and loyalty to one's own as overriding principles..."

Rap Pages (5/96, p. 30) - 7 (out of 10) - "Backed by `everything we push goes platinum' Death Row Records and a new crew of comrades...the lyrical Jesse James is back to expound on his lengthy dogmas within the infrastructure of his music....[T]his album conveys sudden gleams of brilliance and thick and chunky hits, radio-friendly or not."

NME (3/2/96, p. 47) - 9 (out of 10) - "All Eyez is his angry, end-of-tether, couldn't-give-a-shit meditation....an immense spewing of indignation and provocation, set to a brilliantly varied range of G-funk grooves....Tupac blasts out his non-PC opinions...with a competition-eliminating relentlessness."

Track listing

Book 1

# Title Producer(s) Featured guest(s) Sample(s) Time
1 "Ambitionz Az a Ridah" Daz Dillinger 4:39
2 "All Bout U" Johnny "J", 2Pac Nate Dogg, Hussein Fatal, Yaki Kadafi, Dru Down & Snoop Dogg (Additional Vocals) contains a sample from "Candy" as recorded by Cameo 4:37
3 "Skandalouz" Daz Dillinger Nate Dogg Contains interpolation of "She's Strange" by Cameo 4:09
4 "Got My Mind Made Up" Daz Dillinger Daz Dillinger, Kurupt, Method Man, Redman & Inspectah Deck (Additional Vocals) 5:13
5 "How Do U Want It" Johnny "J" K-Ci & JoJo contains a sample from "Body Heat" as recorded by Quincy Jones 4:47
6 "2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted" Daz Dillinger Snoop Dogg 4:07
7 "No More Pain" DeVanté Swing contains an interpolation from "Bring The Pain" by Method Man 6:14
8 "Heartz of Men" DJ Quik contains samples from "Darling Nikki" as recorded by Prince & The Revolution; "That Nigger's Crazy" as recorded by Richard Pryor; "Up For The Down Stroke" as recorded by Parliament. 4:43
9 "Life Goes On" Johnny "J" contains a sample from "Brandy (You're A Fine Girl)" as recorded by O'Jays. 5:02
10 "Only God Can Judge Me" Doug Rasheed, Harold Scrap Freddie Rappin' 4-Tay 4:57
11 "Tradin War Stories" Mike Mosley, Rick Rock C-Bo, Dramacydal & Storm contains a sample from "It's A Man's Man's Man's World" as recorded by James Brown. 5:29
12 "California Love" (Remix) Dr. Dre Dr. Dre, Roger Troutman (Additional Vocals) contains interpolations of "So Ruff So Tuff"; interpolation of "Joe Cocker"'s "Woman to Woman"; "Roger Troutman's "West Coast Poplock"; "Kleeer"'s "Intimate Connection" 6:25
13 "I Ain't Mad at Cha" Daz Dillinger Danny Boy contains a sample from "A Dream" by Debarge 4:53
14 "What'z Ya Phone #" Johnny "J", 2Pac Danny Boy contains a sample from "777-9311", as recorded by The Time and written by Prince. 5:10

Book 2

# Title Producer(s) Featured guest(s) Sample(s) Time
1 "Can't C Me" Dr. Dre George Clinton 5:30
2 "Shorty Wanna Be a Thug" Johnny "J" contains a sample from "Wildflower", as recorded by Hank Crawford. 3:51
3 "Holla at Me" Bobby "Bobcat" Ervin and Dj Naya 4:56
4 "Wonda Why They Call U Bitch" Johnny "J", 2Pac 4:19
5 "When We Ride" DJ Pooh Outlaw Immortalz 5:09
6 "Thug Passion" Johnny "J", 2Pac Jewell, Dramacydal, Storm & DJ Quik (Additional Vocals) contains an interpolation from "Computer Love" by Zapp & Roger 5:08
7 "Picture Me Rollin'" Johnny "J" CPO, Danny Boy & Big Syke contains a sample from "Winter Sadness", as recorded by Kool & The Gang 5:15
8 "Check Out Time" Johnny "J" Kurupt & Big Syke 4:39
9 "Ratha Be Ya Nigga" Doug Rasheed Richie Rich contains a sample from "I'd Rather Be With You". 4:14
10 "All Eyez on Me" Johnny "J" Big Syke contains a sample from "Never Gonna Stop" by Linda Clifford 5:08
11 "Run Tha Streetz" Johnny "J", 2Pac Michel'le, Napoleon & Storm contains a sample from "Piece Of My Love", as recorded by Guy. 5:17
12 "Aint Hard 2 Find" Mike Mosley, Rick Rock B-Legit, E-40, D-Shot, C-Bo & Richie Rich 4:29
13 "Heaven Aint Hard 2 Find" QD3 Danny Boy 3:58

Singles

Single information
"California Love" [Non Album Single]
  • Released: 1995
  • B-side: N/A
"2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted"
  • Released: May, 1996
  • B-side: N/A
"How Do U Want It"
"Life Goes On"
  • Released: 1996
  • B-side: N/A
"All About U"
  • Released: 1996
  • B-side: N/A
"I Ain't Mad at Cha"

Chart history

Album

Chart (1996) Peak
position
Australian Albums Chart[6] 19
French Albums Chart[7] 99
New Zealand Albums Chart[8] 15
Norwegian Albums Chart[9] 34
Swedish Albums Chart[10] 7
Swiss Albums Chart[11] 15
UK Albums Chart[12] 32
U.S. Billboard 200[13] 1
U.S. Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums 1

Singles

Year Single Peak positions[14]
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 U.S. Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales U.S. Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks U.S. Hot Rap Singles U.S. Rhythmic Top 40 U.S. Top 40 Mainstream
1996 "California Love (Remix)" 1 1 — — 2 34
"2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted" — — — — — —
"How Do U Want It" 1 — — 1 23 —
"All Bout U" — — — — — —
"I Ain't Mad at Cha" — — — — — —
"Life Goes On" — — — — — —

Personnel

Information taken from Allmusic and CD booklet.[15][16]

In Entertainment

  • The song "Ambitionz Az a Ridah" has been used as UFC fighter's Mike Swick & Georges St-Pierre's entrance song.
  • The song "Picture Me Rollin'" has been used on several occasions as UFC fighter Chris Leben's entrance song
  • The song "Can't C Me" was used as Josh Neer's entrance song at UFC 104
  • The song "2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted" was used as an entrance song for Gray Maynard at both UFC 90 & UFC 96

See also

Portal.svg Hip hop portal

Notes

  1. ^ XXL (2007). "Retrospective: XXL Albums". XXL Magazine, December 2007 issue. 
  2. ^ XXLMagazine October 2004, Page 104
  3. ^ All Eyez on Me AMG review
  4. ^ http://rap.about.com/od/toppicks/ss/Top100RapAlbums_3.htm
  5. ^ RIAA Gold and Platinum Search for All Eyez on Me
  6. ^ "australian-charts.com - 2 Pac - All Eyez On Me". Australian-Charts.com. http://australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=2+Pac&titel=All+Eyez+On+Me&cat=a. Retrieved 2009-05-30. 
  7. ^ "lescharts.com - 2 Pac - All Eyez On Me". LesCharts.com. http://lescharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=2+Pac&titel=All+Eyez+On+Me&cat=a. Retrieved 2009-05-30. 
  8. ^ "charts.org.nz - 2 Pac - All Eyez On Me". charts.org.nz. http://charts.org.nz/showitem.asp?interpret=2+Pac&titel=All+Eyez+On+Me&cat=a. Retrieved 2009-05-30. 
  9. ^ "norwegiancharts.com - 2 Pac - All Eyez On Me". NorwegianCharts.com. http://norwegiancharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=2+Pac&titel=All+Eyez+On+Me&cat=a. Retrieved 2009-05-30. 
  10. ^ "swedishcharts.com - 2 Pac - All Eyez On Me". SwedishCharts.com. http://swedishcharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=2+Pac&titel=All+Eyez+On+Me&cat=a. Retrieved 2009-05-30. 
  11. ^ "2 Pac - All Eyez On Me - swisscharts.com". SwissCharts.com. http://swisscharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=2+Pac&titel=All+Eyez+On+Me&cat=a. Retrieved 2009-05-30. 
  12. ^ "Search Results -- Albums". everyHit.com. http://www.everyhit.com. Retrieved 2009-05-24. 
  13. ^ "allmusic ((( All Eyez on Me > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums )))". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:wzfixqlhld0e~T3. Retrieved 2009-05-24. 
  14. ^ "allmusic ((( All Eyez on Me > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles )))". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:wzfixqlhld0e~T31. Retrieved 2009-05-24. 
  15. ^ "allmusic ((( All Eyez on Me > Credits )))". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:wzfixqlhld0e~T2. Retrieved 2009-05-22. 
  16. ^ "Tupac All Eyez On Me CD". CD Universe. 1996–2006. http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=1631853. Retrieved 2009-01-28. 

External links

All Eyez on Me at Allmusic

Preceded by
Jagged Little Pill by Alanis Morissette		 Billboard 200 number-one album
March 2, 1996 – March 15, 1996		 Succeeded by
Jagged Little Pill by Alanis Morissette
v • d • e
Tupac Shakur
Studio albums
Posthumous albums
Compilation albums
Singles
Posthumous singles
Other songs
Featured singles
"Smile" · "Thug Luv"
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This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)

 
 

 

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