All Eyez on Me: Difference between revisions
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'''''All Eyez on Me''''' is the fourth [[studio album]] by American [[rapper]] [[Tupac Shakur|2Pac]]. It was released on [[February 13]], [[1996]], and was the last album released during 2Pac's lifetime, as he was murdered only seven months after the release of this album. |
'''''All Eyez on Me''''' is the fourth [[studio album]] by American [[rapper]] [[Tupac Shakur|2Pac]]. It was released on [[February 13]], [[1996]], and was the last album released during 2Pac's lifetime, as he was murdered only seven months after the release of this album. |
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The album is widely regarded as one of the most influential albums in [[hip hop]] history and recognized as one of the crowning achievements of 1990s [[Rap music|rap]].<ref>XXLMagazine October 2004, Page 104</ref> It has been called "despite some undeniable filler [...] easily the best production [2Pac]'s ever had on record"<ref>[http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&token=&sql=10:w8se4jn72wae All Eyez on Me] [[AMG]] review</ref>. According to the [[Recording Industry Association of America|RIAA]], the album is one of the highest-selling rap albums of all time, with 10 million copies of the album sold in the United States alone by June 18, 1998<ref name="TupacShakurASearch">[http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&title=All%20Eyez%20on%20Me&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2008&sort=Artist&perPage=25 RIAA Gold and Platinum Search for ''All Eyez on Me'']</ref>. Several critics and rappers claim this album as one of the greatest, if not the greatest album ever. |
The album is widely regarded as one of the most influential albums in [[hip hop]] history and recognized as one of the crowning achievements of 1990s [[Rap music|rap]].<ref>XXLMagazine October 2004, Page 104</ref> It has been called "despite some undeniable filler [...] easily the best production [2Pac]'s ever had on record"<ref>[http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&token=&sql=10:w8se4jn72wae All Eyez on Me] [[AMG]] review</ref>. According to the [[Recording Industry Association of America|RIAA]], the album is one of the highest-selling rap albums of all time, with 10 million copies of the album sold in the United States alone by June 18, 1998<ref name="TupacShakurASearch">[http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&title=All%20Eyez%20on%20Me&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2008&sort=Artist&perPage=25 RIAA Gold and Platinum Search for ''All Eyez on Me'']</ref>. Several critics and rappers claim this album as one of the greatest, if not the greatest rap album ever. |
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==Background== |
==Background== |
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Revision as of 03:07, 26 January 2009
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All Eyez on Me is the fourth studio album by American rapper 2Pac. It was released on February 13, 1996, and was the last album released during 2Pac's lifetime, as he was murdered only seven months after the release of this album.
The album is widely regarded as one of the most influential albums in hip hop history and recognized as one of the crowning achievements of 1990s rap.[2] It has been called "despite some undeniable filler [...] easily the best production [2Pac]'s ever had on record"[3]. According to the RIAA, the album is one of the highest-selling rap albums of all time, with 10 million copies of the album sold in the United States alone by June 18, 1998[4]. Several critics and rappers claim this album as one of the greatest, if not the greatest rap album ever.
Background
All Eyez on Me was released after Suge Knight, CEO of Death Row Records, bailed 2Pac out of jail, fulfilling part of 2Pac's brand new contract with Death Row Records. This double-album served as the first two records 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[5]. The album sold more then 6 million copies in its first week of release[6] and was certified platinum in its first four weeks of release.
The songs on All Eyez on Me are, in general, unapologetic celebrations of what is called in the idiom 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 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. It is still 2Pac's best selling album, reaching a multiple diamond 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.[7]
Reception
 |
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 | Featured Guest(s) | Producer(s) | Sample(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Ambitionz Az a Ridah" | Daz Dillinger | 4:38 | ||
| 2 | "All bout U" | Nate Dogg & Snoop Dogg | 2Pac; Johnny "J" | 4:36 | |
| 3 | "Skandalouz" | Nate Dogg | Daz Dillinger |
|
4:08 |
| 4 | "Got My Mind Made Up" | Daz Dillinger, Kurupt, Method Man & Redman | Daz Dillinger | 5:12 | |
| 5 | "How Do U Want It" | K-Ci and JoJo | Johnny "J" |
|
4:47 |
| 6 | "2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted" | Snoop Dogg | Daz Dillinger | 4:06 | |
| 7 | "No More Pain" | DeVante Swing | 6:14 | ||
| 8 | "Heartz of Men" | DJ Quik |
|
4:43 | |
| 9 | "Life Goes On" | Johnny "J" | 5:01 | ||
| 10 | "Only God Can Judge Me" | Rappin' 4-Tay | Doug Rasheed | 4:56 | |
| 11 | "Tradin War Stories" | C-Bo, Dramacydal & Storm | Mike Mosley; Rick Rock |
|
5:29 |
| 12 | "California Love (Remix)" | Dr. Dre & Roger Troutman | Dr. Dre |
|
6:25 |
| 13 | "I Ain't Mad at Cha" | Danny Boy | Daz Dillinger |
|
4:53 |
| 14 | "What'z Ya Phone #" | Danny Boy | 2Pac; Johnny "J" | 5:09 |
Book 2
| # | Title | Featured Guest(s) | Producer(s) | Sample(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Can't C Me" | George Clinton | Dr. Dre | 5:30 | |
| 2 | "Shorty Wanna Be a Thug" | Johnny "J" | 3:51 | ||
| 3 | "Holla at Me" | Jewell | Bobby "Bobcat" Ervin | 4:55 | |
| 4 | "Wonda Why They Call U Bitch" | Faith Evans (Uncredited) | Johnny "J" | 4:18 | |
| 5 | "When We Ride" | Outlawz | DJ Pooh | 5:09 | |
| 6 | "Thug Passion" | Dramacydal, Jewell, & Storm | Johnny "J" | 5:07 | |
| 7 | "Picture Me Rollin'" | Big Syke, C.P.O. & Danny Boy | Johnny "J" |
|
5:14 |
| 8 | "Check Out Time" | Big Syke & Kurupt | Johnny "J" | 4:39 | |
| 9 | "Ratha Be Ya Nigga" | Richie Rich | Doug Rasheed |
|
4:14 |
| 10 | "All Eyez on Me" | Big Syke | Johnny "J" |
|
5:07 |
| 11 | "Run tha Streetz" | Michel'le, Mutah & Storm | Johnny "J" | 5:16 | |
| 12 | "Ain't Hard 2 Find" | B-Legit, C.P.O., & E-40 | Mike Mosley; Rick Rock | 4:28 | |
| 13 | "Heaven Ain't Hard 2 Find" | Danny Boy | QDIII | 3:59 | |
| 14 | "California Love (Short Radio Edit)"* | 4:46 |
* denotes Bonus Tracks
Album singles
| Single information |
|---|
"California Love" [Non Album Single]
|
| "How Do U Want It" |
"I Ain't Mad at Cha"
|
"2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted"
|
"Life Goes On"
|
"All bout U"
|
Album Chart Positions
| Chart | Peak positions |
|---|---|
| Billboard 200 | #1 |
| Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums | #1 |
| Swedish Album Chart | #5 |
Singles Chart Positions
| Year | Song | Chart positions | |||
| Billboard Hot 100 | Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks | Hot Rap Singles | UK Singles Chart | ||
| 1996 | "California Love/How Do You Want It" | #1 | #1 | #1 | #6 |
| 1996 | "2 of Americaz Most Wanted" | - | - | - | - |
| 1996 | "All bout You" | - | - | - | - |
| 1996 | "I Ain't Mad At Cha" | - | - | - | #13 |
| 1996 | "Life Goes On" | - | - | - | #15 |
Personnel
- 2Pac - Performer, Producer, Assistant Producer
- Dr. Dre - Producer, Performer, Mixing
- B-Legit - Performer
- E-40 - Performer
- Snoop Doggy Dogg - Vocals, Performer
- Redman - Performer
- C-Bo - Performer
- Rappin' 4-Tay - Performer
- Dru Down - Performer
- Dave Aron - Engineer, Mixing
- David Blake - Producer, Talk Box, Mixing
- Rick Clifford - Engineer
- George Clinton - Vocals, Performer
- Tommy D - Engineer
- Ebony - Vocals (bckgr)
- Bobby Ervin - Producer
- Brian Gardner - Mastering
- Lumberg - Vocals
- Michael Geiser - Assistant Engineer
- Puff Johnson - Vocals (bckgr)
- Michel'le - Performer
- DJ Pooh - Producer, Mixing
- Doug Rasheed - Producer
- Carl "Butch" Small - Percussion
- DeVante Swing - Producer, Mixing
- Sean "Barney" Thomas - Keyboards
- Roger Troutman - Performer, Talk Box
- Barbara Wilson - Vocals (bckgr)
- Keston Wright - Engineer
- Gaw 'Tha Man' Gobinath - Engineer
- Method Man - Performer
- Daz Dillinger - Producer, Performer
- Michael Mosley - Producer, Assistant Engineer, Mixing
- Storm - Performer
- Nate Dogg - Vocals
- Johnny "J" - Producer, Mixing
- Jo-Jo - Performer
- K-Ci - Performer
- Big Syke - Performer
- Carlos Warlick - Engineer, Mixing
- Troy Staton - Engineer
- Ken Nahoum - Photography
- Tom Daugherty - Engineer
- Alvin McGill - Engineer, Assistant Engineer
- Patrick Shevelin - Assistant Engineer
- Stacey Smallie - Vocals (bckgr)
- Roy Tesfay - Project Coordinator
- Suge Knight - Executive Producer
- George Pryce - Art Direction, Design
- Rick Rock - Co-Producer
- Paren 'Badboy' Chohan - Producer
- Barbara Warren - Stylist
- Natasha Walker - Vocals (bckgr)
- Danette Williams - Vocals (bckgr)
- Danny Boy - Vocals, Performer
- Hussein Fatal - Performer
- Kurupt - Performer
- Larry Chatman - Production Assistant, Assistant Producer
- Advait Kapadia - Design
- Henry "Hendogg" Smith - Illustrations
- Norris Anderson - Project Supervisor
- Dorothy Coleman - Vocals (bckgr)
- Richie Rich - Performer
- Yaki Kadafi - Performer
- Inspectah Deck - Cameo Performer
See also
References
- ^ XXL (2007). "Retrospective: XXL Albums". XXL Magazine, December 2007 issue.
- ^ XXLMagazine October 2004, Page 104
- ^ All Eyez on Me AMG review
- ^ RIAA Gold and Platinum Search for All Eyez on Me
- ^ http://www.mp3.com/albums/181834/reviews.html All Eyez on Me
- ^ Have Gun Will Travel: The Spectacular Rise and Violent Fall of Death Row Records, Ro, Ronin, Broadway 1998
- ^ http://www.rockhall.com/pressroom/definitive-200 Definitive 200 List