2Pac Album: “Still I Rise (Explicit)”

The worst aspect of Tupac Shakur's death was the uncontrollable inevitability of it all. Even if he hadn't been cruelly gunned down, anyone who was paying attention knew his story wouldn't have a happy ending. His public persona was so confused: a tempestuous mix of poet, thug, sensitive soul, and woman-chasing playa. The same elements that made his downfall so unavoidable are the ones that make it a no-brainer that he would continue to fascinate and sell records years after he took his residence in heaven's ghetto. STILL I RISE is 2Pac's fifth posthumous release. For all his posing and posturing, 2Pac did possess a lifetime worth of talent, talent that was crammed into his brief time in the spotlight. Even what's left over at this late date has significant artistic merit. From "Letter to the President," an earnest, simple, and direct admonition to Bill Clinton to the simple, perfectly old-school "Homeboyz" (which harkens back to his DU days), the tracks on STILL I RISE showcase what 2Pac was--an intelligent, complex talent.

Really, Tupac scares me. Not because he's become the black Elvis-with Tupac sitings as common as those of the famed entertainer-but because he continues to be so good, even in his death. One of the phenomenal talents of the late 20th century, Tupac Shakur didn't know how to write a bad song. Drawing from a life filled with pain and more pain, Tupac laid down his rhymes with an honest heart, never fearing consequences. He wrote about his Mama when it wasn't cool to be soft, forever etching him in the hearts of women everywhere. The rap-ballad "Still I Rise" could be a sequel to "Dear Mama," as it reaches for clarity in a world gone mad. "Baby Don't Cry (Keep Ya Head Up II)" offers hope to youths who can't see their way out of the crime-prison-death cycle. "Even when the road is hard / Never give up," he preaches. The long-anticipated album unites him with his beloved Outlawz, what's left of them anyway. When Pac was alive, his Outlawz were his family-five teens he rolled with, boys he took care of when no one else cared. Shortly after Pac's death, the Outlaw-Yafeu Fula-was also murdered and the death goes on and on. Much of this record speaks to death, and it's not surprising. From the Golden Gate to the Apple State, the streets are filled with kids like Tupac, and even in his death, he's still giving them hope.

BUY THIS CD... It's the greatest.

The worst aspect of Tupac Shakur's death was the uncontrollable inevitability of it all. Even if he hadn't been cruelly gunned down, anyone who was paying attention knew his story wouldn't have a happy ending. His public persona was so confused: a tempestuous mix of poet, thug, sensitive soul, and woman-chasing playa. The same elements that made his downfall so unavoidable are the ones that make it a no-brainer that he would continue to fascinate and sell records years after he took his residence in heaven's ghetto. STILL I RISE is 2Pac's fifth posthumous release. For all his posing and posturing, 2Pac did possess a lifetime worth of talent, talent that was crammed into his brief time in the spotlight. Even what's left over at this late date has significant artistic merit. From "Letter to the President," an earnest, simple, and direct admonition to Bill Clinton to the simple, perfectly old-school "Homeboyz" (which harkens back to his DU days), the tracks on STILL I RISE showcase what 2Pac was--an intelligent, complex talent.

Really, Tupac scares me. Not because he's become the black Elvis-with Tupac sitings as common as those of the famed entertainer-but because he continues to be so good, even in his death. One of the phenomenal talents of the late 20th century, Tupac Shakur didn't know how to write a bad song. Drawing from a life filled with pain and more pain, Tupac laid down his rhymes with an honest heart, never fearing consequences. He wrote about his Mama when it wasn't cool to be soft, forever etching him in the hearts of women everywhere. The rap-ballad "Still I Rise" could be a sequel to "Dear Mama," as it reaches for clarity in a world gone mad. "Baby Don't Cry (Keep Ya Head Up II)" offers hope to youths who can't see their way out of the crime-prison-death cycle. "Even when the road is hard / Never give up," he preaches. The long-anticipated album unites him with his beloved Outlawz, what's left of them anyway. When Pac was alive, his Outlawz were his family-five teens he rolled with, boys he took care of when no one else cared. Shortly after Pac's death, the Outlaw-Yafeu Fula-was also murdered and the death goes on and on. Much of this record speaks to death, and it's not surprising. From the Golden Gate to the Apple State, the streets are filled with kids like Tupac, and even in his death, he's still giving them hope.

EVEN IN THE NEW MILLENIUM 2PAC'S "STILL I RISE" IS A FURTHER EXAMPLE WHY HE IS THE GREATEST RAPPER OF ALL TIME. JUST WHEN PEOPLE BEGAN CALLING DMX AND JA-RULE NEW 2PAC'S, THIS ALBUM IS A VIVID DISPLAY OF WHY THEY DON'T EVEN COME CLOSE. THE LIVE INSTRUMENTS COUPLED WITH THE RAW VOCALS OF 2PAC AND THE OUTLAWS MAKE THIS CD AN INSTANT CLASSIC.

"Still I Rise" is easily the most complete 2pac album since 1995's, "Me Against The World". Unlike his Death Row recordings, on "Still I Rise", Pac focuses more on the music itself, while putting more thought into the lyrics, instead of simply lashing out on rival NY rappers. "Still I Rise" is arguably tighter than 1996's 9x platinum, "All Eyez On Me". Where "All Eyez.." was harsh and rough around the edges with little sentimental value, "Still I Rise" is a smooth, better put together recording, and perhaps the most emotional Tupac work to date. "Baby Don't Cry (Keep Ya Head Up II)", the sequel to the 1993 hit, focuses on saving women from harmful relationships, while "The Good Die Young" is an emotional insight into the mind, heart, soul, and beliefs of the fallen rap star. Despite the added thought, feeling, and emotion to this album, 2pac's rage still burns as his voice goes hoarse on "Hell 4 A Hustler". Tupac also adds his political views on "Letter To The President" the albums though provoking opening track, and "Tear Drops and Closed Caskets" a more in depth look at ghetto life. The album is tight from beginning to end. It would have been nice to hear more of Tupac on the album, but the Outlawz are equally respectable in their role. "Still I Rise" is out to prove that indeed, Tupac is not dead.

Tupac Shakur comes out with an album that makes me glad he left the kind of legacy behind that he did. Its a classic 2pac album, with songs you can dance too, songs that make you think, and songs that make you realize just how much the world lost when Tupac died.