2Pac began his career as a roadie and backup dancer for the group Digital Underground. In 1991, Pac finally got his opportunity and released his debut album, 2Pacalypse Now. In the early part of 1993, Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z. was released and it went platinum. In September of 1994, 2Pac released an album with his group Thug Life. Volume 1 was the name of the album, and it was released a couple months before he was shot for the first time in New York. During that time, 2Pac went to jail and his Me Against the World dropped in March of 1995. Me Against the World went double platinum and was nominated for a Grammy for Best Rap Album. Dear Mama was also nominated for Best Rap Solo. I’ve stated several times that this is my favorite album of all-time.
Dramacydal was featured on this album and later they became the Outlawz and added members in the process. They were featured on All Eyez on Me and the Makaveli projects. Towards the end of 1999, 2Pac and Outlawz Still I Rise album was released. The 2Pac and Outlawz Still I Rise album turns 25 years old today. With its anniversary, EDI Mean has talked about this album and told why Young Noble replaced Hussein Fatal. EDI Mean has also mentioned that the Outlawz were on the verge of signing with Rap-A-Lot Records. Afeni Shakur, Pac’s mom called and wanted them to drop everything and work on this album. Still I Rise has sold over two million copies and there was only one single from the album. Baby Don’t Cry (Keep Ya Head II) was that single and it’s one of my favorite tracks from the album.
The video made for the song was shot during September 1–3, 1999. This is the only track with a video from the Still I Rise album. The song shows the Outlawz performing and features footage of Keep Ya Head Up. Still I Rise debuted at number seven on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling 408,000 in the first week. This is one of those albums that I’ve always listened to from the beginning to end without a skip. Below are my top 5 tracks from Still I Rise. After that, check out the track listing and stream link for the album.
Top 5 Tracks: The Good Die Young, As the World Turns, Baby Don’t Cry, Letter to the President, and High Speed
Still I Rise Track Listing
- Letter to the President ft. Big Syke
- Still I Rise
- Secretz of War
- Baby Don’t Cry (Keep Ya Head Up II)
- As the World Turns
- Black Jesuz
- Homeboyz
- Hell 4 a Hustler
- High Speed
- The Good Die Young
- Killuminati
- Teardrops and Closed Caskets ft. Nate Dogg & Val Young
- Tattoo Tears
- U Can Be Touched
- Y’all Don’t Know Us
