Me Against the World

Me Against the World
Studio album by 2Pac
Released March 14, 1995
Recorded November 1994
Genre West Coast hip hop, conscious hip hop, political hip hop
Length 65:57
Label Amaru/Jive/Interscope/Atlantic/Warner Bros. Records
Producer Easy Mo Bee, Sam Bostic, D-Flizno Production Squad, Brian G, Shock G, Johnny "J", Mike Mosley, Tony Pizarro, Soulshock & Karlin, Le-morrious "Funky Drummer" Tyler, Moe Z.M.D.
2Pac chronology
Thug Life: Volume 1
(1994)		 Me Against the World
(1995)		 All Eyez on Me
(1996)
Singles from Me Against the World
  1. "Dear Mama"
    Released: February 21, 1995
  2. "So Many Tears"
    Released: June 13, 1995
  3. "Temptations"
    Released: August 29, 1995

Me Against the World is the third studio album by American hip hop artist 2Pac, released March 14, 1995 on Jive Records through Interscope Records.

The album was recorded in a matter of weeks before the artist was to go to prison on sexual assault charges stemming from a 1993 case in which a woman accused him and two others in his entourage of sexual abuse. It was this impending prison sentence which many believe might have contributed to 2Pac's artistic re-emergence on record, as his material is believed to have become markedly more "confessional," "reflective," and "soul-baring."[1]

Me Against the World, released while 2Pac was imprisoned, made an immediate impact on the charts, soaring to the number one spot upon its release, and making 2Pac the first artist to have an album debut at the top of the Billboard 200 while serving time in prison. The album was also one of 2Pac's most well received by critics and fans, with many calling it the best effort of his career, and one of the greatest hip hop albums of all-time.

Contents

Background

In 1993, Tupac Shakur was already a success in the hip hop industry, with two gold-certified singles that had managed to reach the top twenty on the pop charts ("I Get Around", "Keep Ya Head Up"), and a gold-selling sophomore album that would peak just inside the top twenty-five of the Billboard 200 (Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z.).[2][3] However, the young artist did not have much time to celebrate his accomplishments due to his constant encounters with the law. In the summer of 1993, Shakur was brought up on charges for assaulting director Allen Hughes, whom the artist was shooting the film Menace II Society with; he was sentenced to fifteen days in jail in early 1994. Later, in October 1993, Shakur was charged with shooting two off-duty police officers in Atlanta, though the charges would eventually be dismissed. However, the most notable of Shakur's numerous run-ins with the law came the following month, when he and two members of his entourage were charged with sexually assaulting a female fan[4] During this time Shakur was in the midst of recording his third solo effort. In light of the way Shakur felt his image was being portrayed by the general press and public, he considered titling the album Crucified; eventually, the album was changed to its current title.[5] According to Shakur, the album was made to show the hip hop audience his respect for the art form. Lyrically, Shakur intentionally tried to make the album more personal and reflective than his previous efforts.[6]

Music

Production

The musical production on the album was considered by many to be the best on any of Shakur's albums up to that point in his career. Steve 'Flash' Juon at RapReviews gave the production on the album a perfect 10 of 10 rating, giving particular note to tracks like "So Many Tears" and "Temptations."[7] Jon Parales remarked that the production had a "fatalistic calm, in a commercial mold." He compared the album's production and synthesized hooks to that of Dr. Dre's G-funk style, stating that "while 2Pac doesn't sing, other voices do, providing smooth melody."[8] James Bernard at Entertainment Weekly wasn't quite as enthusiastic about the album's production, remarking that Shakur's "vocals are buried deep in the mix. That's a shame—if they were more in-your-face, the lackluster beats might be less noticeable."[9]

Lyricism

It was like a blues record. It was down-home. It was all my fears, all the things I just couldn't sleep about. Everybody thought I was living so well and doing so good that I wanted to explain it. And it took a whole album to get it all out. I get to tell my innermost, darkest secrets I tell my own personal problems.[6]
—Tupac Shakur

Some of the album's main themes concern the loss of innocence, paranoia, and occasional self-loathing.[1] Much attention is paid to subjects such as the pain of urban survival.[7] Not all of the music deals with such extremely bleak subject matter, however. Some tracks, such as "Old School," lean more to the nostalgic, though somewhat bittersweet side in Shakur's remembrance of his youth and the early days of hip hop music.[1][7] The album is also well-known for the more sensitive tracks "Dear Mama" and "Can U Get Away," which are both directed towards and reveal Shakur's devotion to the women he loves. On "Mama," Shakur pays tribute to and expresses his undying affection for his own mother, continuously reminding her that though his actions might sometimes seem to state otherwise, "you are appreciated."[7][10] On the track "Can U Get Away," Shakur attempts to woo the woman who's managed to gain his affections away from an abusive relationship. Three of the most eerie and revered tracks on the album are "Death Around the Corner", "If I Die 2Nite", and "So Many Tears," the songs which many have in hindsight called prophetic due to their themes dealing with what would become Shakur's own tragic fate; premature death.[1]

Throughout the entirety of the album Shakur employs various poetical deliveries, ranging from alliteration ("If I Die 2Nite"), to the use of paired couplets ("Lord Knows").[7]

Singles

"Dear Mama" was released as the album's first single in February 1995, along with the track "Old School" as the B-side.[11] "Dear Mama" would be the album's most successful single, topping the Hot Rap Singles chart, and peaking at the ninth spot on the Billboard Hot 100.[12] The single was certified platinum in July 1995.[2]

"So Many Tears" was the second single from the album, released four months after the first in June.[13] The single would reach the number six spot on the Hot Rap Singles chart, and the forty-fourth on the Billboard Hot 100.[12]

"Temptations," released in August, would be the third and final single from the album.[14] The single would be the least successful of the three released, but was still able to manage well on the charts, reaching number sixty-eight on the Billboard Hot 100, thirty-five on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks, and 13 on the Hot Rap Singles charts.[12]

The album's recording sessions took place at ten different studios, while it was mastered at Bernie Grundman Mastering. Although the album was originally released on Interscope, Amaru Entertainment, the label owned by 2Pac's mother Afeni Shakur, has since gained its rights.

Reception

 Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
Allmusic 5/5 stars [15]
Robert Christgau (C+) [16]
New York Times (favorable) [17]
Rap Central 5/5 stars [18]
RapReviews (10/10) [19]
Rolling Stone 3.5/5 stars [20]
The Source 4/5 stars1995 [21]
The Source 5/5 stars2002[22]
Vibe (Favorable) [23]

The album was very successful commercially, reaching the number one spot on the Billboard 200 chart and being certified double platinum.[24][25] Since it was released while he was in prison, Shakur became the first (and remains the only) artist to ever have a number one album while serving a prison sentence. The album is also notable for beating out legendary rock artist Bruce Springsteen's Greatest Hits album for the number one spot, a feat Shakur took much pride in while imprisoned.[6]

The album received a five-star rating from Allmusic, with reviewer Steve Huey calling it "[Shakur's] most thematically consistent, least self-contradicting work," and stating "it may not be his definitive album, but it just might be his best."[1] However, Steve 'Flash' Juon of RapReview seemed to feel differently, remarking that the album "is not only the quintessential 2Pac album, but one of the most important rap albums released in the 1990's as a whole." Juon awarded the work a perfect ten out of ten rating.[7] Cheo H. Coker at Rolling Stone magazine also called the album Shakur's best, giving it three-and-a-half out of five stars. Robert Christgau spoke out against the album, saying "the subtext of his persecution complex is his self-regard". Of the overall effect of the album, Coker said it was "by and large a work of pain, anger and burning desperation — [it] is the first time 2Pac has taken the conflicting forces tugging at his psyche head-on."[26] In The Source's original review of the album, it was stated that though 2Pac's talents had finally become whole, the album's tracks would, "for a change, overshadow him." However in the re-review years later, the remark was acknowledged as an overstatement, with those at the magazine recognizing in hindsight that "it would take quite a backdrop to exceed his tales of run-ins with the law, awarding the album the coveted 5 mic rating.[27] Jon Pareles of The New York Times gave the album a favorable review, calling 2Pac the "St. Augustine of gangster rap" due to his ambivalence towards the behavior and nature of the gangster lifestyle.[8]

The album was later nominated for Best Rap Album at the 1996 Grammy Awards, which was a new category, but lost to Naughty By Nature's Poverty's Paradise.

Track listing

# Title Time Producer(s) Performer(s) Sample(s)[28]
1 "Intro" 1:40 Tony Pizarro Sarah Diamond, Debby Hambrick, Jay Jensen, Jill Jones, Dan O'Leary
2 "If I Die 2Nite" 4:01 Easy Mo Bee 2Pac
  • "Deep Cover" by Dr. Dre
  • "Tonight" by Kleeer
  • "Tonight's the Night" by Betty Wright
3 "Me Against the World" 4:40 Soulshock & Karlin 2Pac, Dramacydal
  • "Inside My Love" by Minnie Riperton
  • "Walk On By" by Isaac Hayes
4 "So Many Tears" 3:59 Shock G 2Pac
5 "Temptations" 5:00 Easy Mo Bee 2Pac
6 "Young Niggaz" 4:53 Le-morrious "Funky Drummer" Tyler, Moe Z.M.D. 2Pac
  • Contains interpolation of "She's Strange" by Cameo
7 "Heavy in the Game" 4:23 Sam Bostic, Mike Mosley 2Pac, Lady Levi, Richie Rich
  • Contains interpolation of "Just Be Good to Me" by The SOS Band
8 "Lord Knows" 4:31 Brian G 2Pac
  • "All I Ask" by The Blackbyrds
9 "Dear Mama" 4:40 Tony Pizarro 2Pac
  • Contains interpolation of "Sadie"
  • "In My Wildest Dreams" by Joe Sample
10 "It Ain't Easy" 4:53 Tony Pizarro 2Pac
11 "Can U Get Away" 5:45 Mike Mosley 2Pac
  • Contains interpolation of "Happy Feelin's" by Maze feat. Frankie Beverly
12 "Old School" 4:40 Soulshock 2Pac
  • "Dedication" by Brand Nubian
  • "We Share" by the Soul Searchers
13 "Fuck the World" 4:13 Shock G 2Pac
14 "Death Around the Corner" 4:07 Johnny "J" 2Pac
15 "Outlaw" 4:32 Moe Z.M.D. 2Pac, Dramacydal

Accolades

The information regarding accolades attributed to Me Against the World is taken from AcclaimedMusic.net.[29]

Publication Country Accolade Year Rank
Blender USA 500 CDs You Must Own Before You Die 2003 *
Ego Trip Hip Hop's 25 Greatest Albums by Year 1980–98 1999 7
New Nation UK Top 100 Albums by Black Artists 49
Nude as the News USA The 100 Most Compelling Albums of the 90s 1999 47
Pause & Play Albums Inducted into a Time Capsule, One Album per Week *
Robert Dimery 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die 2005 *
The Source The 100 Best Rap Albums of All Time 1998 *
About.com The Greatest Hip-Hop Albums of All Time[30] 12

In 1996, Me Against the World was nominated for Best Rap Album at the 38th Grammy Awards. The album's single "Dear Mama" was also nominated for Best Rap Solo Performance.[31] In 2008, the National Association of Recording Merchandisers, in conjunction with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, recognized Me Against the World as one of the "most influential and popular albums," ranking it #170 on a list of 200 other albums by artists of various musical genres.[32]

Chart history

Album

Chart (1996) Peak
position
Australian Albums Chart[33] 40
Swedish Albums Chart[34] 40
U.S. Billboard 200[24] 1
U.S. Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums[12] 1

Singles

Year Single Peak positions[12]
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
1995 "Dear Mama" 9 1 3 1 16
"So Many Tears" 44 41 21 6 —
"Temptations" 68 — 35 13 —

Personnel

Information taken from Allmusic and CD booklet.[31][35]

Notes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Huey, Steve. "Me Against the World Overview at Allmusic". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:fifexq8hldje. Retrieved 2009-03-16. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "RIAA - Gold & Platinum - May 13, 2009 : Search Results - 2 Pac". RIAA. http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=&artist=2%20Pac&format=&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=&before=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2009&sort=Artist&perPage=25. Retrieved 2009-05-14. 
  3. ↑ "allmusic ((( Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z. > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles )))". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:gvfyxqugldse~T31. Retrieved 2009-05-14. 
  4. ↑ "allmusic ((( 2Pac > Biography )))". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:dcftxq95ld6e~T1. Retrieved 2009-05-14. 
  5. ↑ "Nothing stops Shakur and Slick Rick > Tupac Shakur > Pop Culture News > News + Notes > Entertainment Weekly". Entertainment Weekly. http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,304920,00.html. Retrieved 2009-05-14. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Ali, Hoye, 166.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 Juon, Steve 'Flash'. "2Pac :: Me Against the World :: Interscope". RapReviews. http://www.rapreviews.com/archive/BTTL_meagainst.html. Retrieved 2009-03-20. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Pareles, Jon (1995-04-09). "RECORDINGS VIEW; Confession of a Rapper Who Done Wrong - The New York Times". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/1995/04/09/arts/recordings-view-confessions-of-a-rapper-who-done-wrong.html?scp=1&sq=Me%20Against%20the%20World&st=cse. Retrieved 2009-03-28. 
  9. ↑ Bernard, James. "Me Against the World : Music Review : Entertainment Weekly". Entertainment Weekly. http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,296404,00.html. Retrieved 2009-05-15. 
  10. ↑ ""Me Against the World" lyrics at OHHLA.com". OHHLA.com. http://www.ohhla.com/anonymous/2_pac/matworld/dearmama.2pc.txt. Retrieved 2009-03-20. 
  11. ↑ "Dear Mama (US Single #1) at Allmusic". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:gpftxqrhldje. Retrieved 2009-03-20. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 "Me Against the World: Billboard Singles". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:fifexq8hldje~T31. Retrieved 2009-03-15. 
  13. ↑ "So Many Tears (EP) at Allmusic". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:jpftxqrhldje. Retrieved 2009-03-22. 
  14. ↑ "Temptations (CD/Cassette Single) at Allmusic". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:jzftxqrjld6e. Retrieved 2009-03-22. 
  15. ↑ Allmusic Review
  16. ↑ Robert Christgau Review
  17. ↑ New York Times Review
  18. ↑ Rapcentral Review
  19. ↑ RapReviews Review
  20. ↑ Rolling Stone Review
  21. ↑ The Source Review
  22. ↑ The Source Review
  23. ↑ Vibe Review
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 "Me Against the World: Billboard Albums". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:fifexq8hldje~T3. Retrieved 2009-03-15. 
  25. ↑ "RIAA - Gold & Platinum - May 13, 2009 - Search Results - Me Against the World". RIAA. http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=Me%20Against%20the%20World&artist=2%20Pac&format=&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=&before=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2009&sort=Artist&perPage=25. Retrieved 2009-03-15. 
  26. ↑ Coker, Cheo H.. "2Pac: Me Against The World". Rolling Stone. http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/tupacshakur/albums/album/219703/review/6067996/me_against_the_world. Retrieved 2008-02-02. 
  27. ↑ "The Source Magazine's 5 Mic Rap Albums - Rate Your Music". Rate Your Music. http://rateyourmusic.com/list/scottbdoug/the_source_magazines_5_mic_rap_albums. Retrieved 2009-03-28. 
  28. ↑ "Rap Sample FAQ - Quick FAQ Search: Tupac". The-Breaks.com. http://the-breaks.com/search.php?term=Tupac&type=6. Retrieved 06-02-2009. 
  29. ↑ "Me Against the World at AcclaimedMusic.net". http://www.acclaimedmusic.net/Current/A1612.htm. Retrieved 2009-03-22. 
  30. ↑
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 "Me Against the World by 2Pac CD". CD Universe. http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=1004928. Retrieved 2009-01-28. 
  32. ↑ "Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - Definitive 200". RockHall.com. http://www.rockhall.com/pressroom/definitive-200. Retrieved 2009-03-20. 
  33. ↑ "australian-charts.com - 2 Pac - Me Against The World". Australian-Charts.com. http://australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=2+Pac&titel=Me+Against+The+World&cat=a. Retrieved 2009-05-30. 
  34. ↑ "swedishcharts.com - 2 Pac - Me Against The World". SwedishCharts.com. http://swedishcharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=2+Pac&titel=Me+Against+The+World&cat=a. Retrieved 2009-05-30. 
  35. ↑ "Me Against the World: Credits at Allmusic". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:fifexq8hldje~T2. Retrieved 2009-01-23. 

References

External links

Me Against the World at Allmusic

Preceded by
Greatest Hits by Bruce Springsteen		 Billboard 200 number-one album
April 1–28, 1995		 Succeeded by
The Lion King (soundtrack) by Various artists
Tupac Shakur
Studio albums
2Pacalypse Now · Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z. · Thug Life: Volume 1 · Me Against the World · All Eyez on Me · The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory
Posthumous albums
R U Still Down? (Remember Me) · Still I Rise · Until the End of Time · Better Dayz · Loyal to the Game · Pac's Life
Live albums
2Pac Live · Live at the House of Blues
Compilation albums
Greatest Hits · The Rose That Grew from Concrete · The Prophet: The Best of the Works · Nu-Mixx Klazzics · Tupac: Resurrection · The Rose, Vol. 2 · The Prophet Returns · Beginnings: The Lost Tapes 1988–1991 · Nu-Mixx Klazzics Vol. 2 · Best of 2Pac
Extended plays
Makaveli & Dillinger Don't Go 2 Sleep
Singles
"Brenda's Got a Baby" · "If My Homie Calls" · "Trapped" · "Holler If Ya Hear Me" · "I Get Around" · "Keep Ya Head Up" · "Papa'z Song" · "Cradle to the Grave" · "Dear Mama" · "So Many Tears" · "Temptations" · "California Love" · "2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted" · "How Do U Want It" · "All bout U" · "I Ain't Mad at Cha" · "Toss It Up" · "Life Goes On" · "To Live & Die in LA" · "Hail Mary" · "Wanted Dead or Alive" · "Made Niggaz"
Posthumous singles
"I Wonder If Heaven Got a Ghetto" · "Do for Love" · "Changes" · "Unconditional Love" · "Baby Don't Cry (Keep Ya Head Up II)" · "Who Do U Believe In" · "Until the End of Time" · "Letter 2 My Unborn" · "Thugz Mansion" · "Still Ballin'" · "Runnin' (Dying to Live)" · "One Day at a Time (Em's Version)" · "Thugs Get Lonely Too" · "Ghetto Gospel" · "Untouchable" · "Pac's Life"
Other songs
"Runnin' (From tha Police)" · "Hit 'Em Up"
Featured singles
"Smile" · "Playa Cardz Right"
Documentaries
"Tupac Shakur: Thug Angel: The Life of an Outlaw" · "Biggie & Tupac" · "Tupac: Resurrection" · "Tupac: Assassination"
Related articles
Discography · Outlawz · Digital Underground · Afeni Shakur · Assata Shakur · Mopreme Shakur · Mutulu Shakur · The Notorious B.I.G. · Death Row Records · East Coast-West Coast hip hop rivalry · Makaveli Branded Clothing · Orlando Anderson  · Johnny "J" · Tupac Amaru Shakur Center for the Arts · Billy Garland