TUPAC AMARU SHAKUR "ME AGAINST THE WORLD" ALBUM REVIEW

 

ALBUM TITLE: Me Against The World

LABEL: Out Da Gutta/Interscope

RELEASED: March 14, 1995

TOP TRACKS:  So Many Tears, Me Against The World, Lord Knows, Old School, Death Around The Corner

RAPCENTRAL RATING:

  Tupac Shakur's legacy is well known. The rags to riches story that often felt so unbelievable at times, it would have seemed better to glaze the silver screen. And often forgotten among the controversies in his life, the tragic slaying at just twenty-five years of age and the countless attempts at exploiting his craft after his death. Alot of people seem to think Tupac Shakur's career was all spent at the Death Row Records, and while his creative streak did reach new bounds (see The Don Killuminati: The Seven Day Theory released under the Makaveli banner), his most genuine, personal and paranoid album was released on Interscope in March 1995 (while Shakur incarcerated). It is of course, Me Against The World. It is an inspired sixty-five minute roller-coaster of emotion. From the insightful Intro (explaining his prior shooting and fracas around it) to the last ghetto-inspired anthem "Outlaw", which is a haunting sign of things that would come for the young man. It is easy now to interpret every track in the aftermath of Shakur's death. "If I Die 2Nite" is a good hard opening track, Tupac's rapping on point and deep. The title track of the album is a far easier sounding track on the ears and the young Dramacydal (eventually becomming the Outlawz) do well. It's a song you will be singing along to in no time.

"So Many Tears" is the albums first outstanding track. Everything about this track is classic. The production by Shock G (using a haunting "That Girl" sample by Stevie Wonder), the angst-ridden chorus. Shakur's rhyming is deep and meaningful. It's a touching four minutes. Maybe, if someone is going to criticise the album, they would try and point at the smooth club joint "Temptations", but even at that, the track is just plain fun, one to slow dance with the ladies to. "Young Niggaz" is a track like the later "Outlaw" track, Shakur is preaching to the youth about his memories. He paints a tough picture of his youth. He preaches "'Before you end your life before you begin your life" and "You could be a fuckin accountant, not a dope dealer, you know what I'm sayin? (Go to school nigga, go to school)" It is a strong and good message missing from today's hip hop. "Heavy In The Game" is a straight up banger, Richie Rich and Tupac showing great chemistry. The second outstanding track on the album has to be "Lord Knows", this track is just so heartfelt. It is all personal and a very moving track. To have this track along with "So Many Tears" and "Death Around The Corner" not alone in one career, but one album is a fantastic combination of tough unflinching lyricism and genuine emotion ever to be recorded. "Dear Mama" is another touching personal subject matter. His tough upbringring beautifully exlimplfied yet again. "It Ain't Easy" is a slow and sweet track, Pac's rhyming again on point, he has a message, unlike many of todays rhymers focusing on the the cash, money hoes etc. "Can U Get Away", maybe the one track that is just average. Pac is over-indugent and the track drags out to nearly six minutes.

He more than makes up for it with the magnificent "Old School". The track is flowing with enthusiasm. His love for the origins of hip hop in New York evident. The SoulShock produced beat is sweet on the ears and Pac has a genuine spring in his steps on this. While "Fuck The World's" production now may seem prehistoric and out-of-sync, that was Shock G's style anyway and the tracks quick pace make it a solid track, but no where near a stand out. "Death Around The Corner" is not alone probably one of Tupac Shakur's greatest personal compositions, but one of music's most moving and strikingly relevant tracks to ever emerge. He is spitting from his his heart. The pain in his voice evident and the language and the tone of the track are ultra-gritty. Johnny J's production is top class and the track overall a hainting sign of things to come. All in all, this album, while never as successful as All Eyez on Me, is easily his most personal and touching collection of tracks. This album is so very highly recommended by everyone at RapCentral.

Review By: lostsoul89  

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