LOS ANGELES, CA. (Top40 Charts/ Universal
Music Enterprises) - Amaru Entertainment/Interscope/UMe announce the release of "THE BEST OF 2PAC - Part 1: Thug" and "THE BEST OF 2PAC - Part 2: Life," the 2 CDs are a retrospective showing the complex creativity of this lyrical genius. The CDs will be available on December 4, 2007.
2PAC is the top-selling rap artist of all time. His force was evident during the height of his popularity in the Nineties, but his influence as the voice of the streets continues to echo today throughout urban culture. He has become an eternal icon of youthful brilliance and rebellion with an immeasurable impact on each new generation.
The CDs also shows us why anyone listening to the breadth of his work knows that behind the laconic delivery lies a vision. 2PAC's uncanny ability enabled him to represent the disenfranchised he hoped to galvanize with his philosophy of T.H.U.G. L.I.F.E. (which stood for "The Hatred U Give Lil Infants ------s Everybody"). "I didn't create the thug life. I diagnosed it," Tupac stated.
Each album contains one previously unreleased recording and one new remix along with nine classic tracks. Each album is available in edited and explicit versions. The collections were assembled with the assistance of his mother, Afeni Shakur, who is also the executive producer of the albums. The CDs represent different key phases of 2PAC's evolution and shows how his talent hit a high note right from the start and never wavered.
"THE BEST OF 2PAC - Part 1: Thug" features the previously unreleased "Resist the Temptation" and a fresh mix of "Dear Mama," featuring Anthony Hamilton, whose original Grammy-nominated version went Platinum and charted Top 10 Pop and No 1 Rap. Also included are "Trapped" (2PAC's debut single), the Grammy-nominated "California Love" (with Dr. Dre), the double Platinum, No 1 Pop/No 1 Rap, Grammy-nominated "How Do U Want It" with K-CI & JoJo, and Top 10 Rap "So Many Tears." The remaining tracks are "2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted," "I Ain't Mad At Cha," "Hail Mary," "Changes," and "Unconditional Love."
"THE BEST OF 2PAC - Part 2: Life" highlights the previously unreleased recording of "Dopefiend's Diner" featuring 2PAC using a vocal sample of the melody line of "Tom's Diner" by Suzanne Vega in addition to the acoustic remix of "Thugz Mansion" featuring all three verses by 2PAC. The album also brings together the Top 5 Rap "Brenda's Got a Baby" and Gold, Top 15 Pop/No 2 Rap "Keep Ya Head Up." The tracklisting adds "Definition of a Thug Nigga," "When I Get Free," "Until the End of Time" (RP Remix), "Never Call You Bitch Again," "They Don't Give a Fuck About Us," "Still Ballin" (Nitty Remix) and "Ghetto Gospel."
2PAC has sold nearly 40 million albums in the U.S. alone, where he has claimed 11 Platinum-or-better awards. Eight of those are for posthumous releases.
1996's "The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory" from 2PAC's Makaveli alter ego hit No 1 Pop and No 1 R&B/Hip-Hop while going quadruple Platinum, a mark also reached by the following year's "R U Still Down? (Remember Me)" which charted No 2 Pop and No 1 R&B/Hip-Hop. 1998's "Greatest Hits," No 3 Pop and No 1 R&B/Hip-Hop, is currently nine times Platinum. In 2000, "Still I Rise" scored No 6 Pop and No 1 R&B/Hip-Hop while going Platinum. The next year's "Until the End of Time," No 1 Pop and No 1 R&B/Hip-Hop, reached triple Platinum and 2002's "Better Dayz," No 5 Pop and No 1 R&B/Hip-Hop, double Platinum. 2004's "Loyal to the Game" charted No 1 Pop and No 1 R&B/Hip-Hop and was certified Platinum. The soundtrack to "Tupac: Resurrection" that same year hit No 2 Pop and No 3 R&B/Hip-Hop and was also Platinum.
A portion of the profits of the albums will go to the Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation ("TASF").
THE BEST OF 2PAC - PART 1: Thug
1. So Many Tears
2. Trapped
3. California Love (Original Mix)
4. How Do U Want It
5. I Aint Mad At Cha
6. 2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted
7. Hail Mary
8. Changes
9. Unconditional Love
10. Resist the Temptation (Previously Unreleased)
11. Dear Mama (featuring Anthony Hamilton - NEW MIX)
THE BEST OF 2PAC - PART 2: Life
1. Definition of a Thug Nigga
2. Brenda's Got a Baby
3. Keep Ya Head Up
4. When I Get Free
5. Until the End of Time (RP REMIX)
6. Never Call U Bitch Again
7. They Dont Give a ---- About Us
8. Still Ballin (NITTY REMIX)
9. Ghetto Gospel
10. Dopefiend's Diner - (Previously Unreleased)
11. Thugz Mansion Acoustic Remix (NEW REMIX)
