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Elements => Tha Vault => Album Review => Topic started by: ImmortalOne on March 04, 2003, 02:08:42 AM

Title: 2Pac - All Eyez On Me
Post by: ImmortalOne on March 04, 2003, 02:08:42 AM
Although Tupac was already a well known rap star, it wasnt until his first #1 album, Me Against The World, that he reached the upper echolon of the hip hop world. The album debuted #1 while he was incarcerated [the album to ever do so by an incarcerated artist] and became his first multi-platinum album. However, little did people know this was only a stepping stone for an EVEN BIGGER album that was to follow a year later. That album was a 27 track titan, known today as All Eyez On Me. All Eyez On Me is, quite possibly, the most well known, talked about, played, and bought rap album of all time, and it turned Pac from a mere rap star into a global icon. Is it the best of all time?? Well, thats up to the listener. But one thing that cant be denied is that its certainly one of the most influential. All Eyez On Me is an album almost as amazing, misunderstood, raw, respected, and hated as the man who recorded it. This is by far 2Pac's most complete work, and probably the most complete rap album ever made period. The album it an autobiographical documentation of Pac's life as a rap star, and the troubles, trials, tribulations, rewards, love, hate, and interaction with the people around him. It shows all sides of him, and almost every type of track imaginable is featured on this album. Almost all of today's rap albums are measured by this album. It was the album that rappers would go on to use as a formula for recording their own albums. Whether its club songs [How Do U Want It], thugged out songs [Cant C Me], story telling songs [Wonda Why They Call U Bitch], classic collaberations [Got My Mind Made Up], deep/heartfelt songs [Life Goes On], introspective songs [Only God Can Judge Me], battle songs [Holla At Me], or straight up raw songs [Ambitionz Az A Ridah], Pac covers it all.........In some ways, this album is similiar to Me Against The World, in that it is about Pac's life, though MATW was more about him at a younger age rather than as a rap star. This, however, is a far more uptempo and intense album than MATW is. This is the album where Pac's charisma became unmatched. He had always captured the attention of his listeners, but this album took it to a whole new level......another important aspect is that it started the double cd trend. Many other artists saw the incredible success of this album, and tried to duplicate it. However, this stands as the pinnacle of all double albums in rap. Today, its influence is still being felt, as many of its songs have been sampled by various other rappers, and its concept has been used as well....the album itself shows Pac improving as an MC, and the album has that classic west coast g-funk sound to it, but with more patterns and variations.....

7 years after its release, All Eyez On Me is still on the charts [making it one of the top 3 longest charting rap albums of all time, at over 350 consecutive weeks on the chart], and to date has sold an incredible 10 million in the USA alone. Here are the song descriptions/ratings:

Disc 1

1. Ambitionz Az A Ridah - the album opens immediatly with this classic song. Daz produced one of his finest beats ever here, and Pac drops 3 hot verses, basically a song about him coming up outta jail.....one of his best.....5/5

2. All About U - This was Pac's most commercial album, and its songs like this that prove so.....this is a nice laidback yet uptempo commercial song....this one is for the female groupies who couldnt get enough of him, especially once he signed to the row.....4.5/5

3. Skandolouz - Song for the shady women.....Daz produced this as well, and the song features a nice piano loop with a perfect bassline. Captures that Death Row sound very nicely. Pure G-funk, with classic Pac rapping over it.......5/5

4. Got My Mind Made Up - This is quite possibly one of the greatest posse cuts of all time. Daz, Kurupt, Pac, Meth, and Funk Doctor on the same cut? :eek:........Daz drops an ok verse, but Pac and Kurupt are the stars here......Daz also produced this track, though it has more of an east coast feel to it.....in any case, classic song.......5/5

5. How Do U Want It - Quite simply, one of the greatest club songs of all time.....Johnny J made himself a big name producer for this song. Despite it being commercial, there is also alot of "fuck u's" to the media.....Pac rapped about how he felt while STILL making you nod your head and/or dance. This song ruled the radio waves well into 98'..........5/5

6. 2 Of Amerikaz Most Wanted - Another classic collab. Pac and Snoop both drop amazing verses here.....basically a song about the pressures of fame and living life fast......Daz produces probably his most recognizable beat ever here......5/5

7. No More Pain - One word to describe this song: Raw. Devante flipped RZA's beat perfectly, to turn a grimey east coast beat into pounding west coast thumper. Pac's lyrics here are pure venom, just raw.....there is alot of subliminal disses towards Bad Boy, but in general, I dont think this song was made for anyone......but its a banger nevertheless....5/5

8. Heartz Of Men - Quik produced this one. Nice sample, with some good scratching and a piano loop. Pac flows nice over this track, with lyrics about trust, loyalty, and betrayal.....4.5/5

9. Life Goes On - Emotion to the core. The beat itself is a banger, but has that tragic feel to it.....Pac's lyrics here speak for themselves.....5/5

10. Only God Can Judge Me - This is my fav song on the album. The beat is just fucking SICK, with the synthesizer and the electric violin like instrument. However, even more amazing are the first two verses Pac penned here. The lyrics are introspective and thought provoking....pure dopeness, pure Pac.......Rappin 4 Tay comes in as a nice guest too....5/5

11. Tradin War Stories - This has a nice concept to it, but I think they coulda done more with it. Each verse it supposed to be a story about something bad that happened to each rapper, but alot of it is just lyrics about nothing. The beat is sick though, and Pac's chorus is dope.....4/5

12. California Love - What is there to say about this song?? Classic club song, one of Dre's best beats ever......the lyrics arent great but they serve their purpose.....5/5

13. I Aint Mad At Cha - One of the most personal songs Pac wrote, no need to really explain this one.........5/5

14.  Whatz Ya Phone # - the weakest song on the album, at least on Disc 1.....the beat is super commercial, and the song is just about fuckin', and there's a break in the middle with him having phone sex with some broad.....I play it occasionally, but its not one of his better songs......3/5
Title: Re:2Pac - All Eyez On Me
Post by: ImmortalOne on March 04, 2003, 02:09:21 AM
Disc 2

1. Cant C Me - This song is just wicked....this is quite possibly Dre's best beat ever, and Pac's vocals are bananas. The song isnt very deep, but it isnt meant to be. Just pure, hardcore Pac rapping over a classic g-funk production....5/5

2. Shorty Wanna Be a Thug - This is kinda of story telling song about warning kids not to join gangs. Similiar concept to Lil Ghett Boy [from the Chronic]....The beat is again very nice, one of the best synths ive heard on a cut......5/5

3. Holla At Me - This song was for Biggie, and the woman who accused him of rape. Alot of subliminal shots are taken, but you can tell Pac was mad when he wrote this, but not in the same way as when he did Hit Em Up. This was more of an angry "surprised" Tupac here. The beat is again wicked......5/5

4. Wonda Why The Call U Bitch - Probably his most misunderstood song. Alot of people thought it was degrading to women, but its actually a very positive song, telling women to not sleep around. The beat isnt as strong as the first 3 songs on the disc, but the lyrics and story telling are great........4.75/5

5. When We Ride - This song COULD have been amazing, but Pac's verse is very short, and the Outlawz are inconsistant here. Some verses are dope, others not so dope. The beat is bangin though, courtesy of DJ Pooh....4/5

6. Thug Passion - Another song which had great potential, but was messed up a bit. The computer love sample is sick, but the song is filled with mediocre guest appearances. Its listenable, but certainly not one of the better songs on the album, even if Pac drops a nice verse.....3/5

7. Picture Me Rollin - Nice smooth song here. Pac and Syke have always done good duos, and this one is no different. Basically a song about him gettin out jail and stayin out.......4.5/5

8. Check Out Time - Another average song....its a good song to cruise to, but not one of the better songs on the album. Smooth production, with a hot verse from Kurupt......Pac and Syke are aight here, but they have done better......3/5

9. Ratha Be Ya Nigga - Finally, a dope commercial song! Very nice sample here, and Pac and Richie Rich trade verses about a woman they want a friendship/relationship with.......The chorus will stick in your head for days!!.........4.5/5

10. All Eyez On Me - Bangin. Pac rips this song to pieces, and Syke adds a hot verse himself. The beat is a banger [Nas even sampled it for Street Dreams].....this song is pretty much the entire concept of the album in a nutshell......5/5

11. Run Tha Streetz - Song about relationships, but giving your partner their desired space........Nice production, but the chorus is annoying.......the guest appearances are actually solid.....4/5

12. Aint Hard 2 Find - Dont like this song at all, my least fav song on the whole album.........filled with mediocre guest appearances. The only hot verse is Pac's. The beat is ok, but nothing great....definatly a filler cut....2/5

13. Heaven Aint Hard 2 Find - Another song for the ladies, but its not a bad song.....the beat sounds like something from the Makaveli album almost....maybe Pac wanted to give you preview :).......4/5

Overall, a hip hop classic, and one of the most influential ones ever made. Even though Disc 1 is clearly stronger than Disc 2, the album is very consistant for a 132 minute double cd.....probably as consistant as a double cd can get. There's a few missteps, but the good far outweighs the bad, and if you combine that with the albums historical importance, you have a classic on your hands......almost 7 years later, all eyez are still on Pac......

5/5
Title: Re:2Pac - All Eyez On Me
Post by: Lord Funk on March 04, 2003, 06:04:08 AM
Another on-point review homie - I've enjoyed reading your reviews of Pac's back catalogue. I listened to this in one sitting on a long, early morning train journey last week, and was surprised. I've often written it off as far below the standard of either MATW or 7 Days, but it's much more cohesive and entertaining than I gave it credit for. True, I still don't think it comes close to either of those other albums, simply because I'd like some rawer, less poppy beats, but for the tough task of a double CD, Pac did good.

Only one disagreement really - 2/5 for Ain't Hard 2 Find? Pac and The Click is a dope combination IMO, and that beat is banging. You're right about Pac stealing that one with his verse though:  "I heard a rumour I'd died, murdered in cold blood, traumatised / Pictures of me in my final state, you know mama cried / But that was fiction, some coward got the story twisted / Like I no longer existed, mysteriously missing." Those are some dope lines right there!
Title: Re:2Pac - All Eyez On Me
Post by: Twentytwofifty on March 04, 2003, 07:40:10 AM
I think it's the best double album ever.  (Beats Wu-Tang Forever & Life After Death)

9/10
Title: Re:2Pac - All Eyez On Me
Post by: KVB on March 04, 2003, 11:44:52 PM
Dope review homie, props. More like 7.5/10 for me though, but it's all opinions... ;)
Title: Re:2Pac - All Eyez On Me
Post by: _That_Cracka_J on March 06, 2003, 05:10:08 PM
Tight review.  I'd give "What's ya phone #" a 1/5 and "Ain't hard to find" a 4.5/5.  Everything else I pretty much agree with.
Title: Re:2Pac - All Eyez On Me
Post by: verbalassaulta on March 08, 2003, 11:43:01 AM
KVB can put his crack pipe down anytime now...7.5?????  ...anyway

your review is right on point.except whats your phone number is a 4.5/5(why doesnt anyone else like this track) ....some of the younger ones must not understand how good this album was when it came out....im not playing when i say this...when i got this cd it was the ONLY cd i listened to for almost a year...my only rotation was book 1 &2...and i still listen to it today and sounds just as good
Title: Re:2Pac - All Eyez On Me
Post by: smartass on March 09, 2003, 11:04:53 AM
whatz ya phone number sucked. i remember reading somewhere pac said he should've left it off. ain't hard 2 find is at least 4/5.
Title: Re:2Pac - All Eyez On Me
Post by: Disceptive AssAssin on March 25, 2003, 08:05:41 AM
whats your phone number really did suck ballz...

i consider the cd over  the track before whats your phone number... cuz its the last track on the first disc... bizst
Title: Re:2Pac - All Eyez On Me
Post by: TheSheriff on March 28, 2003, 08:25:42 PM
A bit top heavy. This album is 9.5/10, not 10/10. MATW is better, Thug Life Vol. 1 is better, 7 Dayz is as good. And that's just Pac's.

However, Only God Can Judge Me is my favourite song ever, so I gotta give ya props for that.
Title: Re:2Pac - All Eyez On Me
Post by: ImmortalOne on March 29, 2003, 02:21:33 AM
Thug Life Vol.1 better than AEOM?? No way.......

Me Against The World and 7 Day Theory you could make an argument for.
Title: Re:2Pac - All Eyez On Me
Post by: TheSheriff on March 29, 2003, 06:20:20 PM
Thug Life Vol.1 better than AEOM?? No way.......

Me Against The World and 7 Day Theory you could make an argument for.

I prefer Vol. 1.
Title: Re:2Pac - All Eyez On Me
Post by: T.J. on March 30, 2003, 11:36:03 PM
i stopped listening to this album for ages, now i cant stop playing it again.
definitely a 5/5 album.
Title: Re:2Pac - All Eyez On Me
Post by: King Tech Quadafi on March 31, 2003, 12:08:05 PM
1. great review hellrazor
2. 3/5 for check out time?
3. whats ya phone number is bangin, i love that joint

IF YOU REALLY WANNA FUCK WITH MEEEEEEEEEEE , IM READY!
Title: Re:2Pac - All Eyez On Me
Post by: TheSheriff on March 31, 2003, 05:11:53 PM
1. great review hellrazor
2. 3/5 for check out time?
3. whats ya phone number is bangin, i love that joint

IF YOU REALLY WANNA FUCK WITH MEEEEEEEEEEE , IM READY!

Is that really you Tech? Are you sure your sister hasn't hacked your account?
Title: Re:2Pac - All Eyez On Me
Post by: King Tech Quadafi on April 02, 2003, 12:08:26 PM
LMFAO. Thats it, Im comin clean. Ive hidden this secret for years. I LOVE WHATS YA PHONE #!!!!


CRUCIFY ME!!
Title: Re:2Pac - All Eyez On Me
Post by: E. J. Rizo on April 03, 2003, 02:35:36 AM
this is by far the greatest double album ever....no doubt about it......every song is a banger.....best fuckin double cd ever and up there in my top 5 cds of all time take a look at my sigVVVVVVVVV
Title: Re:2Pac - All Eyez On Me
Post by: Immortal on April 25, 2003, 12:54:27 AM
that was a good review, but i strongly disagree with 2 tracks that were underrated by you

1)Heartz of Men--5/5
This song is completely off the hook, the beat has to be the best beat ever produced by Dj quick, the saxaphones in the background and the voices were excellent and perfectly gelled in the track. Pacs verse was great and had an excellent flow to it, this song is a perfect song while cruising at high speeds.

2)Picture ME rollin-this track is another great one where pac and his homie bik syke rip it, id give it 5/5. The beat is off the hook once again.

overall, the album is 9.55/10
Title: Re:2Pac - All Eyez On Me
Post by: _That_Cracka_J on April 27, 2003, 03:23:56 PM
Damn, I'm really surprised at how many people like "What's ya phone #"
Title: Re:2Pac - All Eyez On Me
Post by: Lincoln on April 28, 2003, 01:40:49 PM
i really didn't like this album, this is pac's worst cd IMO, my fave song is Ain't HArd 2 Find, how could you give this a 2/5?????
Title: Re:2Pac - All Eyez On Me
Post by: White-Chocolate on April 28, 2003, 01:41:35 PM
i'd give the album 9.5, just not feeling whats your phone # even tho i consider myself a big Pac fan an all but thats where i stand
Title: Re:2Pac - All Eyez On Me
Post by: pappy on April 28, 2003, 08:30:43 PM
good review a few songs i think u rated to high,  some of them more like 4.5/5's not 5/5.  Heartz of men gets a six outta 5 in my book.  Whats ya phone number gets a 1/5 worst pac song ever.
Title: Re: 2Pac - All Eyez On Me
Post by: Machiavelli on August 03, 2004, 09:41:40 PM
"Whatz your phone #" is tite. Its pretty commerical but so what. The hook is tite and so is the beat. Pac lays a nice verese to...The Phone Sex is also interesting.
Title: Re:2Pac - All Eyez On Me
Post by: 7even on August 04, 2004, 05:21:25 AM
Tight review.  I'd give "What's ya phone #" a 1/5 and "Ain't hard to find" a 4.5/5.  Everything else I pretty much agree with.

Whats ya phone number gets a 1/5 worst pac song ever.
Title: Re: 2Pac - All Eyez On Me
Post by: akaDRooPY on August 04, 2004, 09:36:39 AM
in case no one knows, this IS a classic album, why is this being discussed?
Title: Re: 2Pac - All Eyez On Me
Post by: teecee on August 07, 2004, 11:59:58 AM
I h8 when people say because of one song that an album isnt a classic!!!  It is pretty hard to say this isnt a classic, some of oy uare just too hard to please. THis album is FULL of hits, i like MATW better but u cant deny this album, it is DOPE! 

All About U to me is a 5/5,  maybe because everyone i know played this song ALL THE TIME for a whole summer, it was the song of the summer back in the day


I pretty well feel the whole cd, but WHATS YA PHONE NUMBER is perhaps the worst 2pac song ever recorded, and i do not know one person who liked that song.......thank god it was at the end of the disc!

THis cd had so many potential its,   U CAnt C Me woulda been huge,  ALl About U,  THug Passion,  damn, they coulda released like 10 singles off here.   

As for being "by far the greatest double cd ever",  has anyone ever heard of LIFE AFTER DEATH?  Pretty comparable IMO, and that has sold just as many copies, it actually reached 10 million b4 AEOM did.   Both had huge singles and way more potentially huge singles  (Goin Back to Cali,  Notorious thugs,  etc)  id probably take AEOM too, but its pretty close 





Title: Re: 2Pac - All Eyez On Me
Post by: white Boy on October 03, 2004, 07:06:24 AM
Quote
9. Life Goes On - Emotion to the core. The beat itself is a banger, but has that tragic feel to it.....Pac's lyrics here speak for themselves.....5/5
10. Only God Can Judge Me - This is my fav song on the album. The beat is just fucking SICK, with the synthesizer and the electric violin like instrument. However, even more amazing are the first two verses Pac penned here. The lyrics are introspective and thought provoking....pure dopeness, pure Pac.......Rappin 4 Tay comes in as a nice guest too....5/5
my 2 fav pac songs ever
Title: Re: 2Pac - All Eyez On Me
Post by: prince on December 06, 2004, 06:43:52 PM
this album is fukkin classic material!!!
Title: Re: 2Pac - All Eyez On Me
Post by: salvador on March 27, 2005, 08:45:56 AM
gangsta shit
10/10
Title: Re: 2Pac - All Eyez On Me
Post by: kywhiteboy on March 30, 2005, 07:15:14 PM
In my top 25 rap albums of alltime. Still like Me Against The World the best.
Title: Re: 2Pac - All Eyez On Me
Post by: Chad on April 05, 2005, 08:58:46 AM
I still think MATW is his best shit, but AEOM was a dope west coast album
Title: Re: 2Pac - All Eyez On Me
Post by: authentic on April 08, 2005, 09:41:36 PM
another great review...awesome CD.. thanks for the review
Title: Re: 2Pac - All Eyez On Me
Post by: Juronimo on April 17, 2005, 09:55:31 PM
"Whatz your phone #" is tite. Its pretty commerical but so what. The hook is tite and so is the beat. Pac lays a nice verese to...The Phone Sex is also interesting.

What's your phone number is tight. I remember when this album dropped I used to play that song when I had females in the car with me, just to watch their reaction.

I'd rate this album 4.5 mics. I put it on par with 7 day theory, Me Against the world I'd give 5 mics.

I had a ton of fun just going cruising and bumping this album. Whenever I hear it it brings back memories. I remember when I bought it on tape, I took it home and listenend to it and my jaw dropped when that joint with the Dogg Pound, Method Man and Redman came up. I call up  my boy on the phone and was like "damn I can't believe this shit, 2pac, DPG, Redman and Method man all on the same track OH SHIT" and then "Only God Can Judge Me" was just vintage 2pac right there.
Title: Re: 2Pac - All Eyez On Me
Post by: Wicked977 on May 02, 2005, 11:20:35 AM
Classic ;D
Title: Re: 2Pac - All Eyez On Me
Post by: gchild213 on May 12, 2005, 03:26:00 PM
classic
Title: Re: 2Pac - All Eyez On Me
Post by: J$crILLa on April 02, 2006, 09:28:19 PM
10/10

i agree with most rating on here

AINT HARD TO FIND 2/5 NO WAY!!!!!!!!! 5/5 great pac verse and the click CBO.. great collabo..

WHATS YA PHONE # , 3/5, id go 3.5/5, didnt like the song at first or for a long time, but it grew on me...

CLASSIK ALBUM