This came out in 1999 – or at least that’s when I got it. Here’s what I said about it back then (with some minor editing):
Eulogy or explotation? Commendation or cash-grab?
It’s hard to know precisely what to make of this two-CD compilation from slain rapper Tupac Shakur. And in a way, that’s fitting — the rapper known as 2Pac gave off mixed signals for much of his career. Half the time he was glorifying the thug life (down to having it tattooed on his torso) while hurling threats, taunts and insults; the rest of the time he was preaching peace , family and harmony. Whichever you prefer, you get plenty of it on these 25 stellar tracks (including four unreased songs). Still, the death-wish nature of much of this stuff (“How long will they mourn me?”) is eerily prescient.
