2Pac - Me Against The World

[ImmortalOne]

Pac has three albums under his belt and was one of raps biggest and most controversial stars, but it wasnt until 1995 when he was thrown into the upper echolon of the hip hop world. It came while he was in prison serving time for a sexual assault conviction.....He recieved his first #1 album, Me Against The World, which also became his first multi-platinum album, and more importantly, his finest album to date [at the time]. Though Pac's first three albums were all solid efforts, Me Against is where everything really came together. It was one of the best autobiographical albums ever made and Pac had truly matured as an artist. The album starts with various reporters talking about his shooting and his run ins with the law, which immediatly sets the tone for the concept of the album. The album is recorded in an almost cinematical format, and documents the life of the rap star as an adolescent [AEOM was also autobiographical, but documented his life as a rap STAR, rather than as a youngster in the ghetto]. Me Against The World has sold 3 million copies to date, and is often regarded as his best work [though many also consider AEOM and 7 Day Theory to be his best also, depending on who you ask]. Pac's lyrics and content expanded on this album, from his previous ones, and the production took a more modern but lowkey form. Indeed, this is probably his tamest album to date. There are many instances of early death predictions on this album, including album opener "If I Die 2Nite" and "Lord Knows".......Pac had developed a fanbase in large part to positive women songs like Keep Ya Head Up and Brendas Got A Baby. This album continues that trend with one of his best written songs ever, Dear Mama, a song which everyone should relate to. There are plenty of songs for the youth too, such as "Young Niggaz", a song warning childeren to stay out of gangs, and "It Aint Easy". Of course, it has its raw songs too......."Fuck The World" is among one of his angriest songs ever, as is "Death Around The Corner. Overall, this is a far more complete album than his first 3 LP's. This is a hip hop classic which should be in everyone's collection. Here are the song descriptions/ratings:

1. Intro - just a bunch of reporters speaking about Pac's shooting and his troubles with the law....sets the tone for the album. No rating.

2. If I Die 2Nite - The album starts with a bang with this dark, gritty, and haunting song. Pac talks about street life and many hints towards his knowing of an early death are present....one of the first songs known which Pac goes into detail about dying early. 5/5

3. Me Against The World - This is an uplifting song, about no matter the odds, you can accomplish anything you want if you put your mind to it. Pac's last verse in particular is essential. The production is eeire and dark, but goes with the uplifting message of the song. One of his best.....5/5

4. So Many Tears - This is such a classic it aint even funny. One of the best and most well know songs in his arsenal, So Many Tears is perhaps one of his top 5 penned songs ever. Pac drops 4 amazing verses, and the Stevie Wonder sample works to perfection. 5/5

5. Temptations - Another great song. The production here is amazing as it contains three different samples, but Easy Mo B flipped them to perfection. Pac talks about relationships here, and his conflicting "player" and "committed soul" personalties......5/5

6. Young Niggaz - How consistant can Pac get?? So far, every song is perfect, something his first 3 albums cant claim. This song continues the strong pace of MATW. The production is slightly dull compared to the first 3 songs, but Pac's knowledge and message here are still as strong as before. If you have a young brother or cousin who's gonna get into trouble, play them this song!!! 4.75/5

7. Heavy In The Game - This has a Bay Area sound to it, and it was recorded with Richie Rich. Pac and Richie Rich would go on to make several more duo songs. This is one of their better ones.......production is bangin, and both drop hot verses.....Richie Rich's first verse is very nice, as is Pac's last verse.....pretty much a song about loyalty......4.5/5

8. Lord Knows - This song is just....whoa.....extremely deep, emotional, and graphic lyrics by Pac, especially in his last verse......"my homie died in my arms with his brain hangin', fucked up I had to tell him it was alright, he knew it was a lie as he shook and died"....those lyrics send chills down my spine everytime I hear them.....it also shows his fear of living in the world sober "if I wasnt high id probably try to blow my brains out".....Overall, this is a great song and one of his best........5/5

9. Dear Mama - Not much to say about this song, except that its not only one of the greatest hip hop songs ever, but one of the greatest in ANY genre of music.......5/5

10. It Aint Easy - Nice laidback song. Its deep, but not as dramatic as the last two songs. Basically a song about staying out of prison, and about dealing with someone you know who is locked up.....very good song overall.....4.5/5

11. Can U Get Away - This is a very deep song, an alert to women in abusive relationships.....however, the production is very shoddy, and the chorus gets annoying after awhile.....not a bad song, but damn it coulda been BRILLIANT......3.5/5

12. Old School - Pac's respect to the old school and all the pioneers. This brings back alot of memories from my childhood, so it has some sentimental value to me.....the production is good, but a bit bland. I love that voice sample though!! 4.5/5

13. Fuck The World - This might be the angriest song on the album. Basically, a song about dealing with all the build-up pressures that life throws at you, and just snapping.....we all get that feeling sometimes, where nothing is going right, and you just wanna say "FUCK THE WORLD!!!".....production is kinda bland once again, but I relate to the song, big time.......4.5/5

14. Death Around The Corner - Hot song here....very hot. Pac tells about his troubles as an adolescent, and the wicked environment he grew up in. The production reminds me alot of another song he made, "Picture Me Rollin" [from the AEOM album]......the song contains a sample from the movie "The Untouchables", Robert DeNiros movie where he plays Al Capone. It samples his infamous rage scene "I want his family dead, I want his house burnt to the ground!!!!!!".........very dope song......5/5

15. Outlaw - Pretty much what the song says. Its kinda the same subject matter as Death Around The Corner, but it features a couple of the Outlaw members, and the production isnt as strong as that song.......nevertheless, its a good song, and the outro where Pac speaks at the end appropriatly ends the album.....4/5

Overall, this is a classic album which should be in every hip hop fans collection. The production is slightly shoddy in a few spots, and sometimes the subject matter is a bit repetitive, but overall, this surely is one of the better albums to come out in the 90's, and it remains one of the finest albums in Pac's now enormous collection........

4.75/5

[_That_Cracka_J]

Cool review.....I'd give it a 4.25/5

[shlomid1]

tight review. 1-10 songs to me are all 5/5. old school also 5/5. i agree with the rest of the ratings you gave.

[40oz GRApHire]

Its a classic fo sho, I agree with the rating..

[ImmortalOne]

Thanx for all the feedback im getting on these reviews.....

Im working on the All Eyez On Me review now....should be up next week!!

[40oz GRApHire]

Thanx for all the feedback im getting on these reviews.....

Im working on the All Eyez On Me review now....should be up next week!!

Good shit.  

[THEDONKILLUMINATI]

the review is good thanks now i should get the album

[Uneek Nicca]

  ^^,you dont have the CD???...

To me Me Against The World is Tupac's best CD ever.. (next to The 7 Day Theory).....

[Immortal]

what an excellent review that was, i agree

[TheSheriff]

5, 11, 14, 15 = 3/5

7, 12, 13 = 5/5

[T.J.]

def agree with the rating.... dope album

[No Name Ever]

me against the world is my  favorite 2Pac album,i love the production,he sounds great over that kinda sound,.

the best tracks from this disc(in my opinion)

Old school
Me against the world
Outlaw
Dear mama
heavy in the game

nice review too,good writing,.

[Lost__Soul]

Good review.

[Smooth]

Its a classic fo sho, I agree with the rating..

[Chad]

classic