R U Still Down?

R U Still Down? (Remember Me)
Studio album by 2Pac
Released	November 25, 1997
Recorded	1992-1995 (2Pac's vocals) 1996-1997 (added guest vocals and reproduction)
Genre	Gangsta rap, West Coast hip hop, G-funk
Length	102:40
Label	Amaru, Jive Records
Producer	Afeni Shakur (exec.), Lisa Smith-Putnam (exec.), Akshun, Choo, Def Jef, DJ Daryl, Warren G, Khalid A. Hafiz, Johnny "J", Laylaw, Live Squad, Levant Marcus, Michael Mosley, Tony Pizarro, QDIII, Quimmy Quim, Chris Rosser, Conrad Rosser, Ricky Rouse, Soulshock & Karlin, 2Pac
2Pac chronology
The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory (1996) R U Still Down? (Remember Me) (1997) Greatest Hits (1998) Singles from R U Still Down? (Remember Me) "I Wonder If Heaven Got a Ghetto" Released: September 21, 1997 "Do for Love" Released: October 24, 1997

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R U Still Down? (Remember Me) is the second posthumous album by 2Pac, released in 1997. Although it is the second album release after his death, it is the first to be finished without the creative input of 2Pac. Having left a large body of work behind, this was the first release from his mother's new imprint Amaru Entertainment, set up to control his posthumous releases.

It spawned two hit singles, "Do for Love" and "I Wonder If Heaven Got a Ghetto", the former of which ("Do for Love") has been certified Gold by the RIAA. The album eventually reached multi-platinum status, a trend that some of his subsequent posthumous albums would follow. The album opened up with 549,000 copies on the first week.

Album information

This album contains previously unreleased material coming from the time period of his albums Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z., Thug Life: Volume 1, Me Against the World and All Eyez on Me.

The first release on his own Amaru Records, R U Still Down? (Remember Me) was overseen by 2Pac's mother, Afeni Shakur. This album features a younger, more inexperienced 2Pac, and it airs his views on life from a time before he became involved in the controversial east coast/west coast rivalry. His lyrics foreshadow his death in songs like "Open Fire" and "Thug Style."

The art work shows a letter from 2pac saying the following "Keep the faith in me. I will not let u down! love 2pac".

The album cover was previously used on Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z.

R U Still Down? is 2pac's first album released after his death without the rapper's input. A few songs in the album Tupac mentions his life in the streets of Oakland, California in songs such as "Nothin' But Love" where he started his career, and how he started his "Thug Life" mentality in those streets. As more of the original songs are leaked it has become evident that many of the album's tracks were kept true to the originals by mastering and perfecting the original instrumentals and vocals. Songs like: "Hold On Be Strong", "Nothing To Lose", "Only Fear Of Death", "When I Get Free", "Open Fire" are kept true to original. Some with fundamentally similar compositions include: "Lie 2 Kick It", "I'm Gettin' Money", "Thug Style". On the other hand a few tracks with completely new instrumentals include: "Wonder If Heaven Got A Ghetto", "Hellrazor" and "Enemies With Me".

"Definition of a Thug Nigga" also appears on the soundtrack of the 1993 film, Poetic Justice.

Track listing

Disc one

Disc two

Unused tracks

• "Thugs Get Lonely Too" (feat Nate Dogg)
• "Black Cotton"
• "Dont Call Me Bitch"

Samples

• Redemption:

Bob Marley - Redemption Song

• Open Fire:

NWA - 100 Miles & Runnin'

• R U Still Down? (Remember Me):

Curtis Mayfield - He's a Fly Guy

• Hellrazor:

J Flexx ft. Tha Realist - Free 'Em All

• Where Do We Go From Here? (Interlude):

Bootsy Collins - Munchies for Your Love

• I Wonder If Heaven Got a Ghetto:

Roger Troutman - Do it, Roger

• Nothing to Lose:

Micah Paris - I Want to Hold On to You
Ice Cube - Us
The Notorious B.I.G. ft. Big Daddy Kane, 2Pac, Big Scoob & Shyheim - Garden Freestyle
The D.O.C. - The Grand Finalé

• I'm Gettin' Money:

The SOS Band - Even When You Sleep

• Lie to Kick it:

Bernard Wright - Haboglabotribin'
James Brown - Funky President
James Brown - Funky Drummer

• Let Them Thangs Go:

2Pac - Ambitionz az A Ridah
Parliament - Flashlights

• Definition of a Thug Nigga:

Donald Byrd - Wind Parade

• Ready 4 Whatever:

Gil Scott-Heron - 1980

• When I Get Free:

Bob Marley - No More Trouble

• Hold On, Be Strong:

Earth Wind & Fire - I'll Write a Song For You

• Do For Love:

Bobby Caldwell - What You Won't Do for Love
The Pharcyde - Y? (Be Like That)(Jay Dee Remix)

• Nothin' But Love:

Lakeside - Something About That Woman

• I Wonder If Heaven Got a Ghetto (Hip Hop Version):

Cameo - The Two of Us

• When I Get Free II:

Stanley Clarke - Concerto for Jazz/Rock Orchestra

• Black Starry Night (Interlude):

Roger Troutman - Do it, Roger

• Only Fear of Death:

Lafayette Afro Rock Band - Hihache

Album chart positions

Album singles

Samples later used

• "I Wonder If Heaven Got a Ghetto"
  • "Black President" by Nas from the album Untitled

See also

• List of number-one R&B albums of 1997 (U.S.)
• List of number-one R&B albums of 1998 (U.S.)

References