Thug Life, Volume I
| Thug Life: Volume 1 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | September 26, 1994 | |||
| Recorded | 1994 | |||
| Genre | Hardcore hip hop, Gangsta rap, G-funk[1] | |||
| Length | 42:28 | |||
| Label | Interscope | |||
| Producer | ||||
| 2Pac chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from Volume 1 | ||||
| ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   link |
| Entertainment Weekly | A− link |
| Q | [2] |
| Select |   [3] |
| Sputnikmusic |  link |
Thug Life: Volume 1 is the only studio album by American hip hop group Thug Life, started by rapper Tupac Shakur, it was released on September 26, 1994 by Interscope Records. The group featured Big Syke, Macadoshis, Mopreme, The Rated R and Tupac Shakur. Due to heavy criticism on gangsta rap at the time, the original version of the album was scrapped and re-recorded with many of the original songs being cut. The album only contains ten tracks because Interscope Records felt many of the other recorded songs were too controversial to release. It has been said that 2Pac created two other versions of this album, with many of the songs still remaining unreleased.[4]. Several of these unreleased recordings include a 4 verse solo version of Bury Me A G with two new 2Pac verses, a radio version of Bury Me A G with another new unreleased verse by 2Pac and two alternate recordings of Str8 Balllin', which include never before released adlibs by the rapper.
Although the original version of the album never came to fruition as the album went through a number of changes, Tupac performed the planned first single from the album, "Out on Bail" at the 1994 Source Awards.[5] Although the album was originally released on Interscope Records, Amaru Entertainment, the label owned by Tupac's mother, Afeni Shakur, gained the rights to it. Thug Life: Volume 1 was certified Gold. The track "How Long Will They Mourn Me?" appeared later in 1998 from 2Pac's Greatest Hits album.[6]
It sold 500,000 copies in the United States in 1994.[7]
In commemoration of its twenty-fifth anniversary, it was released on vinyl on November 22, 2019. In 2019, Universal Music Group posted the video version to the song "How Long Will They Mourn Me?" to their YouTube channel. This version features an alternate verse by 2Pac with different lyrics that was not issued on the album. [8]
Critical reception
"Full of machismo and do or die stances," wrote Jake Barnes in Q, "the lyrics' hardcore posturing is perversely undercut by sweet and delicate backings from artists like Curtis Mayfield, George Clinton and The Isley Brothers."[2]
"A shockingly considered, thoughtful rap record," opined Select's Matt Hall. "And a very chilling one."[3]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Bury Me a G" (featuring Natasha Walker) |
| Thug Music | 4:58 |
| 2. | "Don't Get It Twisted" |
| 3:19 | |
| 3. | "Shit Don't Stop" (featuring Y.N.V.) | Thug Music | 3:46 | |
| 4. | "Pour Out a Little Liquor" | T. Shakur | Johnny "J" | 3:29 |
| 5. | "Stay True" |
| Thug Music | 3:09 |
| 6. | "How Long Will They Mourn Me?" (featuring Nate Dogg) |
| 3:52 | |
| 7. | "Under Pressure" |
| Thug Music | 4:32 |
| 8. | "Street Fame" |
| Stretch | 4:00 |
| 9. | "Cradle to the Grave" |
| 6:13 | |
| 10. | "Str8 Ballin'" | T. Shakur | Easy Mo Bee | 5:04 |
| Total length: | 42:28 | |||
Charts
| Chart (1994–95) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard 200[9] | 42 |
| U.S. Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums[10] | 6 |
Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States (RIAA)[11] | Gold | 500,000^ |
|
* Sales figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
- ^ "Thug Life, Vol. 1 – Thug Life – Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved February 16, 2018.
- ^ a b Q, February 1995
- ^ a b Select, January 1995
- ^ DJ Vlad (April 25, 2016). "Thug Life Details Meeting 2Pac, Gang Affiliation, Pac's Thug Life Tattoo". Retrieved November 26, 2016 – via YouTube.
- ^ "2Pac - Out On Bail (live 1994)". YouTube. 2007-01-08. Retrieved 2012-03-12.
- ^ "Recording Industry Association of America". RIAA. Retrieved 2012-02-23.
- ^ "Tupac Month: 2Pac's Discography". Retrieved May 27, 2013.
- ^ Shakur, Tupac. "Thug Life - How Long Will They Mourn Me? ft. Nate Dogg". YouTube. Universal Music Group. Retrieved 31 January 2020.
- ^ "Thug Life Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved 2019-11-12.
- ^ "Thug Life Chart History: Top R&B Albums". Billboard. Retrieved 2019-11-12.
- ^ "American album certifications – Thug Life – Volume 1". Recording Industry Association of America.