Confirmed, and I will own it-straight up. It's important to me to own it. That story is a huge part of why this channel exists, and I hope everyone can appreciate and believe me when I say I am working hard to dispel these misconceptions. I'm very happy to say that Tupac proved me wrong on every level.
Hey Bob, I love your use and reference of the phrase "M.A.A.D. City" from Kendricks GKMC, but I noticed in your reaction video that you didn't mention the fact that *"M.a.a.d."* was spelled the way it is. So I'm not sure if you realize that it's actually an acronym. I won't tell you what it's an acronym for, because part of the fun is figuring it out, and it actually has multiple meanings! I'm sure you'll figure it out before you get to *"TPAB"* (an album name which also has some secret layers to its meaning, that I won't spoil). Besides that, I just want to say I love your work, and I love your transparency with your outdated ideas and misconceptions of a genre that is so layered, complex, and beautiful because it quite literally gives a voice to the marginalized communities in America. Hip Hop is an American art form that has changed the world. And as a Puerto Rican / Black person from The Bronx, New York City, which is the home of hip hop, I love seeing you change for the better in real time. It's inspiring, and I wish that more people had an open mind like yours because the world would be a better place. 🖤
@Matt Negron Thank you, Matt. Thank you a million times over. It's been a joy and a privilege to go on this musical journey and have so many people like you supporting me on the way. I truly believe that music can unify so many people if we simply take the time to listen. I feel like I've learned so much, yet have only scratched the surface of what hip-hop brings. I look forward to learning so much more 🤘
Tupac’s mother was a member of the black panthers and Tupac’s godmother is Asata Shakur who was wrongly convicted of the murder of 2 cops, she escaped prison and has political asylum in Cuba. His background is unique definitely where he gets his perspective from
Tupac shot two off duty police offers who were drunk and beating up a black man on the side walk. When Pac pulled over and told them to stop, they pointed their guns at him and told him to keep moving. He got out of his car, grabbed a gun from the trunk, crouched Call of Duty style and shot them both in the back. He was let off because the officers were off duty and harassing people with guns that were stolen from the evidence room. Tupac’s legacy is much bigger than his music, which is why he is a legend. His family are founding members of the Black Panthers and he spent his whole life under FBI surveillance. He was a civil rights activist who began his career making political music with an uplifting message. But as time went by and things didn’t change, his music became more about tales of the other side. Instead of telling people to fight for their rights, he began to portray the consequences of inequality, and created the Thug Life image. He never glorified the street life but aimed to be a constant reminder that it exists. Because until then, no one was listening to him. In his own words, he went from “knocking on the door, asking politely to be let inside” to “kicking down the door with guns and taking what was his”
He never glorified street life? Lol. This is some pretty solid backwards rationalizing. I love Tupac but come on, as the Hughes Brothers describe, his image eventually morphed into something more gangster after his ego started to expand. It wasn’t due to some carefully conceal motive. There’s a difference between poetically penning a song from a perspective like Nas did and what Tupac did later in his career, especially considering what he was condoning in interviews.
I legit laughed out loud when you said “this guys turning me into a fan real fucking fast”. This is one of the first albums I remember really turning me on to hip hop.
Fun fact: Tupac was listening to Nas’ “It Was Written” on the way to Vegas the day of his murder. They had a beefing period and it came to culmination at an award show one night. Their crews were about to go to war but like generals they stood in front, clarified any misunderstandings, dapped each other up and went their respective ways. This was weeks if not days before his death.
2pac was a complicated, brilliant man. He would be the first to tell you that he was only human, that he was more than just one thing. Because of that, on the same album you'd hear him being a sweet and socially conscious poet and then become a fucking war dog ready to open fire on the entire world if need be. The truth is, as a rapper he was never the most complex lyrically, unlike Nas or Kendrick he didn't have double and triple entendres and crazy rhyme schemes. What he had was an unmatched charisma, emotion and rawness that was undeniable and magnetic. He knew the life he lived would catch up with him and his last few albums really saw him wrestling both sides of it. But to your point, he would never apologize for any of it, not even if he was staring into the face of oblivion itself. I miss this man dearly. That kind of brutal raw honesty with that talent for words only comes along once in a generation. Edit: I should add as a point of clarification that while 2pac often used the term "baby mama" he himself never did have kids and was not in fact a deadbeat dad. Just thought I'd offer a point of clarification. Edit 2: Fuck it, might as well mention how heavily this album leans on funk and R&B samples for the beats and choruses, I think of it as a good way to juxtapose his very nihilistic lyrics. Off the top of my head: If I Die 2nite samples Betty Wright's Tonight is the Night and I'm pretty sure Kleer's Tonight (and that real obvious Dr Dre Deep Cover sample). Me Against the World samples Minnie Ripperton"s Inside My Love So Many Tears and that beat you love is direct from Stevie Wonder's That Girl The chorus on Temptations reinterprets a line from Zapp & Roger's classic Computer Love Dear Mama samples Sadie by The Spinners. Lots of the foundations of hip-hop are built directly on top of r&b and funk, and especially the first 15-20 years of the art, from the late 70s to about 2000 leaned heavily on those genres musically. Oh and if you want rage in hip hop, wait until you hear Hit Em Up from 2pac. It was the diss track he made after he became convinced that Biggie & Puff were the ones that set him up in NY and got him shot. The last minute of that song is just pure raw anger pouring out.
He didn't have double entendres and crazy rhyme schemes? Don't agree here. There's a lot of playfulness with words to find in his music. People might be missing it because it's overshadowed by his more straightforward approach and he wasnt trying to impress you with it that much. As for crazy rhyme schemes he had them too when he cared to construct them (the last verse on Me against the world is a prime example).
2pac is my favorite hands down....he did all of his albums before he was 25. His story is fucking remarkable and the movies he did... you would love Juice or Gridlock'd. Just a huge huge loss
Tupac has a famous quote that essentially says “I don’t think I’m going to change the world. But i will be the seed that sparks the mind of the person who does”. He has a documentary i recommend called Tupac : Resurrection which is a really incredible documentary of both Tupac’s life, his vision, and social issues he talks about. Another thing about him is his mom was a member of the Black Panthers, (and was brutalized by the police while pregnant with him, but the documentary goes into things like that). The greatness of the Black Panthers and all the lies we were told about them, is another story. Growing up, Tupac started my journey of being aware of social issues, as someone born into a more fortunate upbringing. I also loved Can U Get Away growing up, its not talked about much but i think its one of his most underrated songs and i just loved it as a romantic, caring song
Tupac never had kids, when he speaks on his “baby momma” he’s speaking from the shoes of many black males in the inner city. He often mixed his personal issues and struggles, with the struggles and issues of others.
I think its so dope that you chose this album as your introduction to 2pac. To me, this album represents the purest form of Tupac Shakur as an artist. This album is definitive, quintessential 2pac.
You’ve mentioned wanting to get a more clear idea of what life is like from the perspective of a rapper/ someone from the inner-city and I think “Ready to Die” by Biggie is easily one of if not the best example of that. It’s brutally honest and Biggie is not only obviously one of the most enigmatic figures in the history of the genre but also simply one of the best ever. He raps with great conviction and has vivid story telling.
I think when it comes to the production, Biggie is also better than Pac in that respect. Ready to Die has a timeless sample-based sound to it while a lot of Pac’s beats sound dated now.
@@cloudyriver Yup, Biggie pretty much stole the whole theme of that album from Tupac. Tupac was supposed to release R U Still Down but because Biggie stole his concept and released Ready To Die where the whole theme was about death, Tupac had to scrap that album and pretty much remake it which eventually lead to Me Against The World being released.
@@BobMarley-nd9vq I could say a lot about this, but I’ll just leave it at this: they were both friends and inspired each other. Any narratives created to linger on a beef that led to both of their demises isn’t even worth entertaining.
Hands down the best Tupac album. Classic. He was only like 23/24 years old when he made this. I dunno about you but I was still a kid at 23 yet he sounds so grown up on this record. Always found this pretty insane. Love this channel. Good shit bro!
The 'game's been good to me' line along with the 'lost too many homies to the game' line show that in his eyes and the eyes of the people in the game feel that survival is success. While he has faced an incredible amount of hardships and serious depression and paranoia, he feels that survival is his prize.
‘Can You Get Away’ is believed to be about Left Eye from the R&B group TLC. She was in an alleged abusive relationship with a Football player. Tupac and her had a short relationship before she got with the football player, and he supposedly wrote this for her, out of concern for her.
Interesting fact about Pac, he was actually born in NYC. He moved to California in his teens. It's always been super interesting to me that he became the West Coast's greatest rapper entirely by chance. Another interesting fact, Me Against the World was the first album by an American artist to go platinum while the artist was incarcerated. The point you made at the end about Pac seeing himself as a martyr is 100% spot on; I'd recommend listening to The Don Killuminati: The Seven Day Theory under 2Pac's "Makaveli" alias. It was produced, beginning to end, in 7 days and was meant to kick off a change in 2Pac's career direction. The album cover is/was somewhat controversial and relates to the concept of martyrdom. On another note, it's been great re-experiencing all the albums I listened to as a kid (GKMC, This album, Late Registration, Illmatic, etc), and I really respect your bravery for uploading these reactions to RUclips!
@@gamexsimmonds3581 He spend quite some time in New York, and initially felt connected to the place in such a way that he wanted to represent the name of the city
Man this made my soul smile for this man not only appreciate the music but witnessing in real time a white man who can’t even fathom these stories to be reality for me & my family & peers to watching Tupac have him understand or deepest pains. THAT is why 2Pac is the greatest who gives af about a rhyme scheme when he can relay this message which is all our black struggles so beautifully
15 minutes in and he’s still on “If I die tonight”. Looks at tracklist and sees the next two songs are Me Against The World and So Many Tears) Yeah…this is about to be a long reaction video 😆
It always joys my heart when someone unfamiliar with Pac's work finally listens and realizes that the image the media fed us about Pac just wasn't accurate. Lyrically Pac isn't anywhere near the GOAT, but sometimes you just have to listen to music and let hit you. When you do that you start to appreciate the artistry of Pac. Edit Pac definitely has some rage tracks. But theres more. If you listen to his 7 Day Theory album it's closer to what you were talmbout at the end. the rapping is more in your face, introspective, and he trimmed the fat.
I’m sure you’ve heard this a lot but I’m really appreciating that a guy like you who doesn’t really listen to this type of music is really opening up and taking a deep dive and really analyzing this type of stuff. The rap game is dirty but Tupac did his best to clean it up. It’s unfortunate the street game took him out but this music is timeless. This album is the greatest rap album of all time from top to bottom. I’m glad you enjoyed this.
In “old school” Pac is actually recounting how he grew up. He was born & raised in NYC before moving to Baltimore then the west coast. I love this song & it shows how much he really loved his original home town but things got effed up when he got shot & that estranged him from the place he loved. I’m Jamaican, I left when I was 15. I’m 41 now but home is always home now matter how far away I might go & different influences & perspectives I may gain. Pac will always be a NewYorker to me.
The one thing I always took from Tupac's music, speaking as someone who's been personally hooked on his music since I was 11 years old, is that while it is very much real, and very much comes from personal experience, the narrative from which he writes is almost entirely fictionalized. In one song he may be the person holding the gun; the next, begging for mercy. I feel like to understand Tupac truly is to understand the sense of responsibility he felt for the world. His mother was a Black Panther. He came into the world with a purpose and it only became more clear as time went on. I say all that to say that when he writes a song like "If I Die 2Nite", he's not necessarily broadcasting his personal feelings, or even philosophy, at that time. He's writing songs that speak to people, first and foremost, and with the understanding that for things to truly change he has to reach the most untouchable human beings -- those who he couldn't find any other way than by behaving as they behave, speaking their language. That's not to say that what he was saying wasn't real; In fact, it is the exact opposite. Most people look at him and try and see only one thing, but you can't fully understand him without first learning about the Black Panthers -- Huey Newton, Fred Hampton, Bobby Rush and so on. You can't fully understand him without really appreciating the life, and death, of Malcolm X. Tupac came into this world in 1971. By that time all of the famous black intellectuals at that time were dead or in prison. The Black Panther Party was on its way, through subversion, of breaking apart and disbanding. His whole life up until becoming known as this larger than life figure was the aftermath of so much struggle and death, and the tidal wave of crack addiction, poverty, gentrification and mass incarceration. He came onto the rap scene, in 1992, with a true purpose. That isn't to say that everything went as planned or that he behaved perfectly, but his agenda was first and foremost to liberate black people. If you listen to his music through any lens, view it through this one. When things seem inconsistent, recognize that this person he's playing in a particular song may be for someone so entirely lost in the struggle. He's speaking for millions and millions of people to find the strength to see themselves for what they are, before this country and all its horrors fell onto their shoulders. I'm not saying that it will make his music sound any better. I just think it will clarify the person behind the music, given he is so often misunderstood. Even I can't pretend to know what was actually on his mind, but I do know that it's his conscience that I connected with before all else and I very deeply appreciate where it's coming from. I didn't have a father growing up. My mother was raped (sorry to be so direct) as a teenager and has been struggling ever since. In so many ways, I feel like one of the people who was saved by his music. As crazy or as corny as that may sound, I had an intense level of disappointment and anger within me that went away through listening to his music. Again, I was 11 years old when I first played "Keep Ya Head Up" and it changed my world. It was from then that I realized this person was something truly special, and as an artist I think it would be a huge disservice to pin him to any particular song or lyric with any sort of judgment. He's using his words to spark a message, and in the 26 years since his death I'd say that his impact is so largely felt that it really can't be counted in sheer numbers. It's only because he was murdered so young that we view him in a vacuum, as this image of a young thug full of tattoos and such. Had he lived we would see the full person. We would see the remarkable human being behind the music.
Pac's rap persona could definitely be interpreted as a character, just an exaggerated version of himself. After all, he was a classically trained actor & in most of his roles he was typecast as a "thug" because that's how American society viewed him... so he leaned into that. You also can't grow up where he did, in his financial situation & avoid being implicated in some sort of crime. So it's not that Pac was 1 or the other, as people who like to argue about how "real" he was always bring up. He was definitely straddling both worlds, ironically even more so once he became famous.
I’ve said this for almost 30 yrs now. This is my favorite album of alltime and to this day, it’s stands alone in its uniqueness. It perfectly captures the feelings of a man that can feel the specter death looming over him. And through that, he somehow creates a masterpiece.
Your depiction of tupac and how you didn't like him at first, I can relate to that because I kinda felt the same with Kurt kobane. The funny thing like you I ended up checking out nivana later in my life and absolutely loved their music. It was one of my biggest regrets because I could have saw Kurt live during that time but due to my ignorance I missed the opportunity. You know how it was in the 90s everyone had their own little cliques going. That's why I try to stay as open as possible today. Lol. Actually you've inspired me to go look into some great rock bands.
@@bobthepoppop The story also continues on "Sing About Me", where he says "you wrote a song about my sister and called it Section 80, the message resembles Brenda's got a baby"
RESPECT!! Your transparency is on a 1000. We need more like you as they mature. 2pac raised so many children through his music. Glad you enjoyed the poetry. Definitely wish were able to see the finished process of his growth to continue to teach the youth not to fully desensitize. Raw
It’s really cool that u like “can u get away.” U should really check out the silk sonic album if you like that sound. It just came out and it has all these really cool retro style tracks, some soul/funk/r&b/rock and more. Such an awesome blast from the past and actually a really good introduction to that kind of sound because they really bring back the most classic, memorable moments of those times
This is great content. Great to see someone willing to listen to the music and change their pre conceived ideas of the artist. 2 pac is an icon. Not the most technical lyricist just an incredible rapper and song writer. only rapper that has ever brought tears to my eyes.
GREAT APPRECIATION FOR RECOGNIZING YOUR FLAW OF PREJUDICE WHETHER FROM C0NDITI0NING OR OTHER ‼️ WE ARE ALL HUMAN. Including Tupac. Tupac IS great because he portrayed real people. Although he maybe shouldn't have conformed in some ways because it would've caused much more greatness and influence for many more people with longevity, he still did a lot of great things with longevity. And it seems like he realized later on. Which still means greatness. We all try. Also, sometimes it's characters made up in the lyrics but that doesn't mean the circumstance isn't real.. Understanding that will help people to understand what they don't experience and couldn't imagine exists.. but does. People.. think yourself with consideration for others and act on it regardless of what mainstream tells you. Love. Blessings.
Just a heads up the first time i heard Tpap i wasn't used to the sound of it but over time it grew on me. Also it's very dense so you'll miss alot of things on first listen so don't worry. Just a heads up. Love content man 👍🏼
This has to be the first time I've ever heard someone say Tupac wasn't angry enough... But honestly, this was an entertaining video. Me Against the World is my favorite Tupac album. Interesting to revisit it from fresh eyes.
This is I think my number one album of all time, thanks for doing this, my close to number 1 favorite song of all time is it ain't easy, I grew up on this. Perfect pac album to start with.
Great channel and great reaction 👏🏼 I was going to write a full blown 100 pages long essay about Tupac but then figured it would be too long and you'd maybe not read it. So here's a 10 pages long essay instead lol. But basically. You said you missed a bit of rage from Pac right? You should listen to his album "7 day theory". It was released right after his death. Literally weeks after. It is dark and eerie and he doesn't hold back on that album. But other than that he generally went on a furious rampage after he was released from prison (for a crime he did not commit btw). He was shot and put in jail and people started talking smack about him while he was in prison. He came out and literally destroyed everyone and became the biggest Hip Hop artist in the world. His first album after his release was All Eyes On Me. An instant classic. You should definitely listen to that as well. It's a mixed bag of everything. He is "up in yo face", he's "partying and celebrating", he's getting "deep" - it has it all. To most people it's his greatest album. For me personally, it's in his top three with, with Me against the world and 7 day theory sharing the spot. I can't put them in order because it depends on my mood lol. But in terms of you missing the rage and versatility in the album Me Against the World, then you'll definitely get that in those two albums. And oh btw Hit em Up which is arguably the greatest diss song ever is out of this world and you have to listen to it. But it kinda needs a bit of background story as well. It makes 100 times more sense when you know the background story. Against all odds is another diss track on the 7 day theory album. And that won't make any sense at ALL unless you know the background story. It would just sound like he's mad and name dropping people. But once you know the background story you'll understand why he's mad and exactly who he is name dropping. I'll just end by saying that Pac was only 25 when he was killed. Most people tend to forget that. All these songs and deep lyrics in this album (Me against the world) were written by a "kid" maybe 22-23 years old at that time. It kinda blows your mind when you think about it for a second. A young man that age shouldn't be feeling that way. He had deep songs before this album as well, such as Brenda got a baby, Keep ya head up and more. His career was only 5 years long and yet he managed to release 5 albums while he was alive and did like 5-6 movies meanwhile also being locked up for almost a year on that span as well. Plus he had like 150-200 unreleased songs when he died. That's why the albums kept dropping even after he died. Last fact then I'll stop typing. Everyone who worked with Pac said that he was a workaholic. He literally would listen to a new beat and by the time the beat would end he would have written his lyrics. Producers that worked with him said that he would finish a whole song in 20 minutes from the time he heard the beat till he had recorded his vocals and everything. And he still managed to drop gems in every song he released. All Eyez on Me was recorded and mixed in two weeks I think. And that's a double album. The first Hip Hop double album in history with 27 tracks. In two weeks! That's just insane. He went on selling 6 million copies on that album before he died. And it just kept climbing after he died. The album 7 day theory was supposed to be called 3 day theory because he literally recorded the whole thing in three days. You can hear him say "three day theory" in some of the songs on the album. But the mixing of the songs took another 4 days so that's why it was called 7 day theory. Just to give a perspective that this man was something else. He was a genius at his craft and true legend. Okay I'm out. I hope it helps out a bit more. But there's tons more to his story. It's really interesting.
Pretty wild, man. The guy really was possessed by what he was doing. And really, that kind of work ethic probably goes to prove that he really did believe he was going to get killed any day, so he probably attacked each day with everything he had for fear it may be his last. That's a lot of strain, however, I can't help but wonder what kind of clarity that brought him as well. I have to imagine that kind of mindset helps a person to see through so much bullshit that the rest of us get hung up on. Great write up, an. Thanks for sharing 🤘
I really felt your humanity in "Me Against The World". Thank you for opening your mind to this genre of music. We cant put a color on emotions!! Peace to you brother!!!!
Tupac's BET interview is a must watch to understand just how he was misrepresented in the media. He was a revolutionary at heart and always looked out for friends and family. Robbie Williams once told a story about him on the phone allocating his money to family and friends, and even saying to not give too much to someone because they had a drug habit and he didn't want to feed the habit but also wanted to make sure they could eat and had help. Such responsibility for someone who died at 25. People say he was an old soul in a young mans body. Wise beyond his years.
It’s super cool to see you compare your previously held beliefs to the new things you have been learning from these reactions. I think that kind of introspection is very cool, and I really enjoy the content that comes out of that. Keep up the great work! This album was sick.
You were right about the illmatic opinion at the end too. Illmatic you'll come back to years down the road, its more of a perfect album from all angles if you wanted to show someone what golden age hiphop was. Its kind of the middle zone of every element at once. Like Chuck Berry when you listen to Johnny B Goode, its not like older as in the blues... its a turning of the page into rock. Illmatic was kind of like that. Kind of the difference between "hiphop" and "rap" in terms of genre. Hiphop is more technical and Rap as a genre is more in your face. I'd say on this album "Fuck The World" is a rap song, and then "Oldschool" would be more traditional hiphop. Illmatic is like goldilocks when the porridge is just right, after you listen to 100s of albums its like "oh this is the perfect balance at the perfect time" You're gonna love 2pacs first few albums before he got famous, they are very aggressive and militant.
Temptations, old school and Dear Mama is my favorite tracks off this album. It's a great album classic. His mom was in the black panthers. He is a true poet! Great actor too. Very talented.
"theres no apologies is there?You wanna kill me?fuck you" you caught that first verses meaning completely,theres a reason he started the album with that song and its exactly that
As I was rolling my blunt i was thinking to myself... yo maybe that me against that world reaction dropped! I searched it up and it was there, and now we’re here
Great reaction bob. This album is amazing. If you know the story behind his music and what he went through. You get a better understanding and great appreciation as him as an artist and why he’s considered one of the greats if not the great. Would love to see more reacts on Tupac music and also biggie, wu tang, jay z and more Kendrick. Just few suggestions. Keep more reacts coming.
20:17 he’s actually got a song on one of the albums that came out right after he died called Nothin To Lose. It’s off R U Still Down? One of my favourite songs from that album. Killer beat 👍🏼
I appreciate how you see the lyrics are special coming from completely different music. I grew up on pac and the rappers now you can't even understand. Pac stressed ever word with so much meaning!
Another classic album ✅ Can’t wait for the to pimp a butterfly listen. Just a heads up its not as accessible as GKMC. it takes time to digest & grow on you but after a few listens hopefully you will see why it is held up to such high regards. Pac was originally from the east coast (New York)
I really love your reactions, I can see your reactions is genuine and I love seeing someone listening to rap from a different background and appreciating the art form with an unbiased view... much love from South Africa.
With your thoughts on "Dear Mama" about the fathers missing and so many growing up without a father... have you realized WHY they are missing?? that the missing fathers are from the previous generation all the "dead friends and homies" that got caught up in the "GAME" killed or locked up for life and never made it out of the "MAZE" Its a vicious cycle in the inner city...Pac was able to give that clarity and present that fact to the world about how now he is now seeing the same thing happen in his own generation.... gangbanging and drugs have been in the inner cities for decades, way before Pac.... the 80's and 90's was just his turn to witness and deal with it and expose it to the world.
You’re right. Tupac isn’t just talking about himself in his songs. The character Tupac is taking up is representing a sort of dualism. It’s himself and people that share his situation.
Man thank you for this. I enjoy your reaction, your point of view and passion for trying to understand the lyrics. I hope you can now listen to 2pac All Eyez On Me. This Album is a masterpiece.
@@bobthepoppop As a suggestion, break it up into two separate sessions. I'll tune in! I've watched almost all of your videos in a little under a month. As @IAS Productions mentioned, your passion for removing bias and the empathy that you posses are refreshing. There is a lot of power attached to the expression that comes from experiencing and observing traumatic events. Kudos to you for this journey!
2Pac is all about raw emotion, personality. It feels like he is screaming in the mic, without it sounding like screaming if that makes sense lol. In some of his more emotional songs you can hear every stumble in his voice so you know he really is into the song himself. Also know how workaoholic he was. He pumped out albums in such a short period. Corredt me if i am wrong, but he finished most of All Eyez On Me in 2 weeks (not the mixing). Also the 7 Day theory. I also find the context of this album really interesting. He made it in a time where he got shot 7 or 8 times and survived while also having to go to court and facing jail sentence (which he also got). Then released it while he was in prison. I'd also recommend watching some of his interviews. That's where you see how intelligent he was for such a young age. Always has memorable quotes in his interviews. Without Pac we wouldn't have artists like a Kendrick Lamar, who once said that Pac came through a vision to him and said he should continue Pac's work. Anyway appreciate you for the content. I love it that you also react a lot to old school as well.
I've spent a couple hours watching interviews with him today. Incredible person. I was so absolutely, 100% wrong about him. In every way. It's mind blowing to me. I grew up thinking Tupac was some sort of evil/bad person. Today, I'd love to sit down a drink a beer with him and just talk for hours upon hours.
@@bobthepoppop Glad you took the time to look into him and see what kind of person he really is :). I think a lot of people don't know what Pac means when he says he is a 'thug'. A word that has a negative connotation to it and a lot of people don't dive in to Pac's interpretation of the word. Can't wait to see you react to All Eyez On me (one of my favourite hiphop albums ever).
You should definitely check out Danny Brown's Atrocity Exhibition, the production is really experimental and the writing about Danny's problems with drug addiction is genuinely terrifying
I just subscribed I really respect what your doing I engineered music for 20 years more people need to do what your doing. I cross all genres of music I enjoy breaking down my bias barriers. Nice vids
I think the reason the chorus in heavy in the game uses those phrases is because it uses the melody from thé chorus of “just be good to me “ from the S.O.S band that goes “i don’t care what you do to them, just be good to me”
I really appreciate your hip hop and rap reviews. I am a 41 year old UK guy that was deep into the early 90's scene .Love to hear your perspective,.. Keep the videos coming.
2Pac’s song Can U Get Away he writ that song for Lisa LEFT EYE from the TLC singing group she had a hard time with her boyfriend and they had a really hard time so Tupac found out and he wrote this song for her
46:47 you hit it right on the head. Heavy in the game he’s talkin about the street game in the drug dealing & hustling sense in his case rap was his hustle so that as well bc gangsta music is dangerous. The game on lord knows is the street game as well but looking at the reality that comes with the situation he put himself immersing himself in the streets falling victim to his oppression
thanks man its incredible to see a fan of another genre appreciate and mostly just try to understand it. as someone who loves heavy metal and rock but also has a string passion for rap i love how you really put aside past judgments and opinions. i see so much negativity towards hip hop, but when you scratch to get to the simple core, rap is expression ; its poetry; its from the heart. thank you and rest in peace to the most poetic, thoughtful and hardworking artist 2PAC!
Amazing reaction. You’ve got a new subscriber. You articulate music very very well. So much so that I played the vid from start to finish. 2pac left amazing music. Love the way you started the vid and the way you broke down every song. I was born in 95 so I discovered 2pac as soon as I got ahold of my parents CDs as a child and when I realized my neighbor would always play 2pac. As I got older I always kept a tab on him because he was ahead of his time and stayed relevant till this day. What a legend with the time he had
Here yet again to comment please react micheal jacksons thriller its only nine tracks and has great lyrics, beats and redefine pop culture thriller effected every genre of music and i cant forget to mention his vocals and friendship with kanye west
Honestly... this is a great suggestion. I've always "known" (aka, been told and just believed) that MJ was amazing, but I've never taken the time to listen to his music like I have with these albums. MJ has never crossed my mind in this sense. Adding him to the list, and given him a boost toward the top as well 👍
@@kazamere7 Oh well that first comment was actually sarcastic because when i first saw the comment youtube for some reason only showed "here yet again to comment please react to" and i thought you were making a joke on people suggesting him to react to album so i sarcastically responded with "Good suggestion" But now that youtube finally showed me the rest of your comment i can safely say that "thriller" is a genuinely good suggestion.
Can’t wait for you to listen to “DAMN.” by Kendrick. That album is literally his version of “Me Against The World”, the only album that made me ever cry because of how relatable and touching it is to the soul to the deepest level, for me at least
I think a great way to appreciate rap as an art form is by peeping the rhyme schemes in rappers verses. The attention to detail in near rhymes or alliteration or whatever in verses paired with the lyrical content makes rap even more mind boggling. A good example is the 4th verse (i think?) on Me Against The World on this album and if you look up on youtube the genius youtube channel you can see them highlight each rhyme in 2pacs verse, it’s a great example just from this album. i’m assuming you don’t know much about it so if it’s the same color highlighted in the verse, it rhymes when said out loud. just thought you might be interested in this.
So many tears seems like someone asked Tupac why he hated being alive and put his entire broken heart into that track. That song gives me goosebumps every time I hear it.
Hater bob confirmed 2:14
Confirmed, and I will own it-straight up. It's important to me to own it. That story is a huge part of why this channel exists, and I hope everyone can appreciate and believe me when I say I am working hard to dispel these misconceptions. I'm very happy to say that Tupac proved me wrong on every level.
Hey Bob, I love your use and reference of the phrase "M.A.A.D. City" from Kendricks GKMC, but I noticed in your reaction video that you didn't mention the fact that *"M.a.a.d."* was spelled the way it is. So I'm not sure if you realize that it's actually an acronym. I won't tell you what it's an acronym for, because part of the fun is figuring it out, and it actually has multiple meanings! I'm sure you'll figure it out before you get to *"TPAB"* (an album name which also has some secret layers to its meaning, that I won't spoil).
Besides that, I just want to say I love your work, and I love your transparency with your outdated ideas and misconceptions of a genre that is so layered, complex, and beautiful because it quite literally gives a voice to the marginalized communities in America. Hip Hop is an American art form that has changed the world. And as a Puerto Rican / Black person from The Bronx, New York City, which is the home of hip hop, I love seeing you change for the better in real time. It's inspiring, and I wish that more people had an open mind like yours because the world would be a better place. 🖤
@@bobthepoppop if people can’t see your sincerity that’s on them Bob. You are a legend and we love you and your reactions ❤️
@Matt Negron Thank you, Matt. Thank you a million times over. It's been a joy and a privilege to go on this musical journey and have so many people like you supporting me on the way. I truly believe that music can unify so many people if we simply take the time to listen. I feel like I've learned so much, yet have only scratched the surface of what hip-hop brings. I look forward to learning so much more 🤘
@@bobthepoppop bob please do a video on the makaveli album. The last project he worked on
Tupac’s mother was a member of the black panthers and Tupac’s godmother is Asata Shakur who was wrongly convicted of the murder of 2 cops, she escaped prison and has political asylum in Cuba. His background is unique definitely where he gets his perspective from
Assata Shakur’s autobiography is incredible, and really changed my life in being aware of so much thats wrong in society
He was also a card carrying communist. Absolutely goated
They tried to Breyona Taylor her she fought back and now she on the most wanted list smh smdh
@@shobhit2197and a leader of the youth noi or black panthers, lol be of the two
Tupac shot two off duty police offers who were drunk and beating up a black man on the side walk. When Pac pulled over and told them to stop, they pointed their guns at him and told him to keep moving. He got out of his car, grabbed a gun from the trunk, crouched Call of Duty style and shot them both in the back. He was let off because the officers were off duty and harassing people with guns that were stolen from the evidence room.
Tupac’s legacy is much bigger than his music, which is why he is a legend. His family are founding members of the Black Panthers and he spent his whole life under FBI surveillance. He was a civil rights activist who began his career making political music with an uplifting message. But as time went by and things didn’t change, his music became more about tales of the other side. Instead of telling people to fight for their rights, he began to portray the consequences of inequality, and created the Thug Life image. He never glorified the street life but aimed to be a constant reminder that it exists. Because until then, no one was listening to him. In his own words, he went from “knocking on the door, asking politely to be let inside” to “kicking down the door with guns and taking what was his”
Great breakdown man
100
This is killer, thanks for taking the time to share 🤘
He never glorified street life? Lol. This is some pretty solid backwards rationalizing. I love Tupac but come on, as the Hughes Brothers describe, his image eventually morphed into something more gangster after his ego started to expand. It wasn’t due to some carefully conceal motive. There’s a difference between poetically penning a song from a perspective like Nas did and what Tupac did later in his career, especially considering what he was condoning in interviews.
They need to make a documentary on this album in it’s 30th anniversary in 2025 that’s 3 years from now.
I legit laughed out loud when you said “this guys turning me into a fan real fucking fast”. This is one of the first albums I remember really turning me on to hip hop.
I've been watching a lot of interviews with him today. Dude is so legit I don't even know where to begin.
Right, something about Pac just draws you in even if you don’t relate to him you can at least feel him
@@samuelemosca951 nah, that wasnt the best movie... I would rather suggest watching Ressurection
Fun fact: Tupac was listening to Nas’ “It Was Written” on the way to Vegas the day of his murder. They had a beefing period and it came to culmination at an award show one night. Their crews were about to go to war but like generals they stood in front, clarified any misunderstandings, dapped each other up and went their respective ways. This was weeks if not days before his death.
The Nas incident happened at the MTV awards, 3 or 4 days before Tupac was shot in Vegas.
Yup. Glad they got to squash their beef before his death
He also listened to a bootleg copy of Illmatic during his trial in 1994. He was playing it so loud in court, they told him to turn it down.
You heared something in an interview, and now it's a 'fact'. LOL
Because people never lie. LOL!
@@sanantoballa4834 pac listened to every one he said it , not just Nas ! lol
2pac was a complicated, brilliant man. He would be the first to tell you that he was only human, that he was more than just one thing. Because of that, on the same album you'd hear him being a sweet and socially conscious poet and then become a fucking war dog ready to open fire on the entire world if need be.
The truth is, as a rapper he was never the most complex lyrically, unlike Nas or Kendrick he didn't have double and triple entendres and crazy rhyme schemes. What he had was an unmatched charisma, emotion and rawness that was undeniable and magnetic.
He knew the life he lived would catch up with him and his last few albums really saw him wrestling both sides of it. But to your point, he would never apologize for any of it, not even if he was staring into the face of oblivion itself.
I miss this man dearly. That kind of brutal raw honesty with that talent for words only comes along once in a generation.
Edit: I should add as a point of clarification that while 2pac often used the term "baby mama" he himself never did have kids and was not in fact a deadbeat dad. Just thought I'd offer a point of clarification.
Edit 2: Fuck it, might as well mention how heavily this album leans on funk and R&B samples for the beats and choruses, I think of it as a good way to juxtapose his very nihilistic lyrics. Off the top of my head:
If I Die 2nite samples Betty Wright's Tonight is the Night and I'm pretty sure Kleer's Tonight (and that real obvious Dr Dre Deep Cover sample).
Me Against the World samples Minnie Ripperton"s Inside My Love
So Many Tears and that beat you love is direct from Stevie Wonder's That Girl
The chorus on Temptations reinterprets a line from Zapp & Roger's classic Computer Love
Dear Mama samples Sadie by The Spinners.
Lots of the foundations of hip-hop are built directly on top of r&b and funk, and especially the first 15-20 years of the art, from the late 70s to about 2000 leaned heavily on those genres musically.
Oh and if you want rage in hip hop, wait until you hear Hit Em Up from 2pac. It was the diss track he made after he became convinced that Biggie & Puff were the ones that set him up in NY and got him shot. The last minute of that song is just pure raw anger pouring out.
Hit Em Up would be a funny quick reaction video if he wants to
He didn't have double entendres and crazy rhyme schemes? Don't agree here. There's a lot of playfulness with words to find in his music. People might be missing it because it's overshadowed by his more straightforward approach and he wasnt trying to impress you with it that much. As for crazy rhyme schemes he had them too when he cared to construct them (the last verse on Me against the world is a prime example).
Love comments like these, man. Thank you for this 👍
@@cloudyriver yeah
This is one of the best comments Ive read. Well said!!!
2pac is my favorite hands down....he did all of his albums before he was 25. His story is fucking remarkable and the movies he did... you would love Juice or Gridlock'd. Just a huge huge loss
Juice and Poetic Justice are CLASSICS.
Tupac has a famous quote that essentially says “I don’t think I’m going to change the world. But i will be the seed that sparks the mind of the person who does”. He has a documentary i recommend called Tupac : Resurrection which is a really incredible documentary of both Tupac’s life, his vision, and social issues he talks about. Another thing about him is his mom was a member of the Black Panthers, (and was brutalized by the police while pregnant with him, but the documentary goes into things like that). The greatness of the Black Panthers and all the lies we were told about them, is another story.
Growing up, Tupac started my journey of being aware of social issues, as someone born into a more fortunate upbringing. I also loved Can U Get Away growing up, its not talked about much but i think its one of his most underrated songs and i just loved it as a romantic, caring song
Tupac never had kids, when he speaks on his “baby momma” he’s speaking from the shoes of many black males in the inner city. He often mixed his personal issues and struggles, with the struggles and issues of others.
I think its so dope that you chose this album as your introduction to 2pac. To me, this album represents the purest form of Tupac Shakur as an artist. This album is definitive, quintessential 2pac.
You’ve mentioned wanting to get a more clear idea of what life is like from the perspective of a rapper/ someone from the inner-city and I think “Ready to Die” by Biggie is easily one of if not the best example of that. It’s brutally honest and Biggie is not only obviously one of the most enigmatic figures in the history of the genre but also simply one of the best ever. He raps with great conviction and has vivid story telling.
I think when it comes to the production, Biggie is also better than Pac in that respect. Ready to Die has a timeless sample-based sound to it while a lot of Pac’s beats sound dated now.
hands down one of the best albums in hiphop history. On par with illmatic and 36 chambers.
Biggie was influenced by 2pac too.
@@cloudyriver Yup, Biggie pretty much stole the whole theme of that album from Tupac. Tupac was supposed to release R U Still Down but because Biggie stole his concept and released Ready To Die where the whole theme was about death, Tupac had to scrap that album and pretty much remake it which eventually lead to Me Against The World being released.
@@BobMarley-nd9vq I could say a lot about this, but I’ll just leave it at this: they were both friends and inspired each other. Any narratives created to linger on a beef that led to both of their demises isn’t even worth entertaining.
No other rapper (maybe even any artist) would let you into his state of mind and emotions like Tupac.
I love listening to his interviews
@@bobthepoppop Me too. He was very articulate and profound at such a young age.
Mac Miller is the only one i can think of that can compare
J Cole and 2pac are the absolute best at that in terms of rappers... Stevie Wonder is one too even though he's a singer
Nas, Kendrick and Cole and Kanye too and mac
Tpab is gonna be something else. Album is gonna blow ur mind.
I fucking. Cannot. Wait.
I am so excited to listen to TPAB.
@@bobthepoppop is it gonna be the next reaction you do?
@@usrnam8795 A Jay-Z project then TPAB
Love the album but ur getting his expectations waaay to high
@@nickgavrilis2079 nah tpab is one of those albums which exceeds anyone's expectations
Hands down the best Tupac album. Classic. He was only like 23/24 years old when he made this. I dunno about you but I was still a kid at 23 yet he sounds so grown up on this record. Always found this pretty insane. Love this channel. Good shit bro!
Pac actually was a huge role model and Kendrick’s idol.
Right! You can clearly hear the influence in his music, I remember I lost my mind when I first heard the last track of TPAB
@@twinkles2ya ikr
Pac a true GOAT won’t ever see what he did ever again , he’s missed !
The 'game's been good to me' line along with the 'lost too many homies to the game' line show that in his eyes and the eyes of the people in the game feel that survival is success. While he has faced an incredible amount of hardships and serious depression and paranoia, he feels that survival is his prize.
‘Can You Get Away’ is believed to be about Left Eye from the R&B group TLC. She was in an alleged abusive relationship with a Football player. Tupac and her had a short relationship before she got with the football player, and he supposedly wrote this for her, out of concern for her.
That's really interesting, yeah this came out around the time she was with Andre Rison and set his shoes on fire
@@mortgagesdemystified Actually she set his shoes on fire in the bathtub, and it ended up burning down the entire house. Crazy stuff
Having listened to your whole reaction now I can’t tell you how much you’re going to love All Eyez On Me. Lots of aggression on that album.
Def one of the greatest Albums ever. This album goes with any mood you can have.
Interesting fact about Pac, he was actually born in NYC. He moved to California in his teens. It's always been super interesting to me that he became the West Coast's greatest rapper entirely by chance.
Another interesting fact, Me Against the World was the first album by an American artist to go platinum while the artist was incarcerated.
The point you made at the end about Pac seeing himself as a martyr is 100% spot on; I'd recommend listening to The Don Killuminati: The Seven Day Theory under 2Pac's "Makaveli" alias. It was produced, beginning to end, in 7 days and was meant to kick off a change in 2Pac's career direction. The album cover is/was somewhat controversial and relates to the concept of martyrdom.
On another note, it's been great re-experiencing all the albums I listened to as a kid (GKMC, This album, Late Registration, Illmatic, etc), and I really respect your bravery for uploading these reactions to RUclips!
He didn't live in NY for long though, he spent a lot of time in Baltimore
@@gamexsimmonds3581 but he rapped under the moniker MC New York until he joined Shock G and the crew (Digital Underground)
@@viktorvondoom9119 What does that have to do with anything
@@gamexsimmonds3581 He spend quite some time in New York, and initially felt connected to the place in such a way that he wanted to represent the name of the city
@@viktorvondoom9119 Okay and they he called Cali his home. So let's just drop it which trying speak to where he is from.
Man this made my soul smile for this man not only appreciate the music but witnessing in real time a white man who can’t even fathom these stories to be reality for me & my family & peers to watching Tupac have him understand or deepest pains. THAT is why 2Pac is the greatest who gives af about a rhyme scheme when he can relay this message which is all our black struggles so beautifully
15 minutes in and he’s still on “If I die tonight”. Looks at tracklist and sees the next two songs are Me Against The World and So Many Tears) Yeah…this is about to be a long reaction video 😆
…and that’s a good thing!
Pac was a great actor too. And his work ethic was amazing. He has hundreds of actually good unreleased songs
And he directed music videos
It always joys my heart when someone unfamiliar with Pac's work finally listens and realizes that the image the media fed us about Pac just wasn't accurate. Lyrically Pac isn't anywhere near the GOAT, but sometimes you just have to listen to music and let hit you. When you do that you start to appreciate the artistry of Pac.
Edit
Pac definitely has some rage tracks. But theres more. If you listen to his 7 Day Theory album it's closer to what you were talmbout at the end. the rapping is more in your face, introspective, and he trimmed the fat.
I’m sure you’ve heard this a lot but I’m really appreciating that a guy like you who doesn’t really listen to this type of music is really opening up and taking a deep dive and really analyzing this type of stuff. The rap game is dirty but Tupac did his best to clean it up. It’s unfortunate the street game took him out but this music is timeless. This album is the greatest rap album of all time from top to bottom. I’m glad you enjoyed this.
Easily one of my favorite albums of all time by far. This man is a goat and this album is an all time classic🔥
This guy definitely gets it bro
In “old school” Pac is actually recounting how he grew up. He was born & raised in NYC before moving to Baltimore then the west coast. I love this song & it shows how much he really loved his original home town but things got effed up when he got shot & that estranged him from the place he loved. I’m Jamaican, I left when I was 15. I’m 41 now but home is always home now matter how far away I might go & different influences & perspectives I may gain. Pac will always be a NewYorker to me.
Bro i can't stop watching this video only y'all can bring light to this problem we go through .
Me Against The World is the most prolific, thought-provoking rap album of all time. I vote as the greatest hip hop album of all time.
The one thing I always took from Tupac's music, speaking as someone who's been personally hooked on his music since I was 11 years old, is that while it is very much real, and very much comes from personal experience, the narrative from which he writes is almost entirely fictionalized. In one song he may be the person holding the gun; the next, begging for mercy. I feel like to understand Tupac truly is to understand the sense of responsibility he felt for the world. His mother was a Black Panther. He came into the world with a purpose and it only became more clear as time went on.
I say all that to say that when he writes a song like "If I Die 2Nite", he's not necessarily broadcasting his personal feelings, or even philosophy, at that time. He's writing songs that speak to people, first and foremost, and with the understanding that for things to truly change he has to reach the most untouchable human beings -- those who he couldn't find any other way than by behaving as they behave, speaking their language.
That's not to say that what he was saying wasn't real; In fact, it is the exact opposite. Most people look at him and try and see only one thing, but you can't fully understand him without first learning about the Black Panthers -- Huey Newton, Fred Hampton, Bobby Rush and so on. You can't fully understand him without really appreciating the life, and death, of Malcolm X. Tupac came into this world in 1971. By that time all of the famous black intellectuals at that time were dead or in prison. The Black Panther Party was on its way, through subversion, of breaking apart and disbanding. His whole life up until becoming known as this larger than life figure was the aftermath of so much struggle and death, and the tidal wave of crack addiction, poverty, gentrification and mass incarceration.
He came onto the rap scene, in 1992, with a true purpose. That isn't to say that everything went as planned or that he behaved perfectly, but his agenda was first and foremost to liberate black people. If you listen to his music through any lens, view it through this one. When things seem inconsistent, recognize that this person he's playing in a particular song may be for someone so entirely lost in the struggle. He's speaking for millions and millions of people to find the strength to see themselves for what they are, before this country and all its horrors fell onto their shoulders.
I'm not saying that it will make his music sound any better. I just think it will clarify the person behind the music, given he is so often misunderstood. Even I can't pretend to know what was actually on his mind, but I do know that it's his conscience that I connected with before all else and I very deeply appreciate where it's coming from. I didn't have a father growing up. My mother was raped (sorry to be so direct) as a teenager and has been struggling ever since. In so many ways, I feel like one of the people who was saved by his music. As crazy or as corny as that may sound, I had an intense level of disappointment and anger within me that went away through listening to his music.
Again, I was 11 years old when I first played "Keep Ya Head Up" and it changed my world. It was from then that I realized this person was something truly special, and as an artist I think it would be a huge disservice to pin him to any particular song or lyric with any sort of judgment. He's using his words to spark a message, and in the 26 years since his death I'd say that his impact is so largely felt that it really can't be counted in sheer numbers. It's only because he was murdered so young that we view him in a vacuum, as this image of a young thug full of tattoos and such. Had he lived we would see the full person. We would see the remarkable human being behind the music.
Pac's rap persona could definitely be interpreted as a character, just an exaggerated version of himself. After all, he was a classically trained actor & in most of his roles he was typecast as a "thug" because that's how American society viewed him... so he leaned into that. You also can't grow up where he did, in his financial situation & avoid being implicated in some sort of crime. So it's not that Pac was 1 or the other, as people who like to argue about how "real" he was always bring up. He was definitely straddling both worlds, ironically even more so once he became famous.
I’d love to see a DMX album reaction. It’s dark and hell is hot or flesh of my flesh, blood of my blood would be dope
I’ve said this for almost 30 yrs now. This is my favorite album of alltime and to this day, it’s stands alone in its uniqueness.
It perfectly captures the feelings of a man that can feel the specter death looming over him.
And through that, he somehow creates a masterpiece.
Love this album
Your depiction of tupac and how you didn't like him at first, I can relate to that because I kinda felt the same with Kurt kobane. The funny thing like you I ended up checking out nivana later in my life and absolutely loved their music. It was one of my biggest regrets because I could have saw Kurt live during that time but due to my ignorance I missed the opportunity. You know how it was in the 90s everyone had their own little cliques going. That's why I try to stay as open as possible today. Lol. Actually you've inspired me to go look into some great rock bands.
1:14 you're thinking of Keisha's Song by Kendrick Lamar. That song is heavily inspired by Brenda's Got a Baby.
Yup, that's the one
@@bobthepoppop The story also continues on "Sing About Me", where he says "you wrote a song about my sister and called it Section 80, the message resembles Brenda's got a baby"
This is BY FAR the best Tupac album. Me Against The World & Strictly 4 My Niggaz really show you what Tupac was about.
RESPECT!!
Your transparency is on a 1000. We need more like you as they mature. 2pac raised so many children through his music. Glad you enjoyed the poetry. Definitely wish were able to see the finished process of his growth to continue to teach the youth not to fully desensitize. Raw
WTFFFFFF HES REACTING TO MY FAVOURITE ALBUM OF ALL TIME I CANT CONTAIN MY SELF. WAS A FOLLOWER SINCE WLR MUCH LOVE.
pac’s best album imo . rest in peace 2 the goat 🖤
It’s really cool that u like “can u get away.” U should really check out the silk sonic album if you like that sound. It just came out and it has all these really cool retro style tracks, some soul/funk/r&b/rock and more. Such an awesome blast from the past and actually a really good introduction to that kind of sound because they really bring back the most classic, memorable moments of those times
This is great content. Great to see someone willing to listen to the music and change their pre conceived ideas of the artist. 2 pac is an icon. Not the most technical lyricist just an incredible rapper and song writer. only rapper that has ever brought tears to my eyes.
GREAT APPRECIATION FOR RECOGNIZING YOUR FLAW OF PREJUDICE WHETHER FROM C0NDITI0NING OR OTHER ‼️ WE ARE ALL HUMAN. Including Tupac. Tupac IS great because he portrayed real people. Although he maybe shouldn't have conformed in some ways because it would've caused much more greatness and influence for many more people with longevity, he still did a lot of great things with longevity. And it seems like he realized later on. Which still means greatness. We all try. Also, sometimes it's characters made up in the lyrics but that doesn't mean the circumstance isn't real.. Understanding that will help people to understand what they don't experience and couldn't imagine exists.. but does. People.. think yourself with consideration for others and act on it regardless of what mainstream tells you. Love. Blessings.
Just a heads up the first time i heard Tpap i wasn't used to the sound of it but over time it grew on me. Also it's very dense so you'll miss alot of things on first listen so don't worry. Just a heads up. Love content man 👍🏼
This has to be the first time I've ever heard someone say Tupac wasn't angry enough...
But honestly, this was an entertaining video. Me Against the World is my favorite Tupac album. Interesting to revisit it from fresh eyes.
J Cole - 2014 Forest Hills Drive is a must !!!
seconded!
Doing that one Jan 28th (apparently that's his birthday?)
@@bobthepoppop his album 4 your eyez only is amazing too. I think the title track will genuinely blow your mind it’s that good
Let’s go, it’s awesome that you are doing the classics to have a perspective on how the game has changed. Kudos!
This is I think my number one album of all time, thanks for doing this, my close to number 1 favorite song of all time is it ain't easy, I grew up on this. Perfect pac album to start with.
Great channel and great reaction 👏🏼
I was going to write a full blown 100 pages long essay about Tupac but then figured it would be too long and you'd maybe not read it. So here's a 10 pages long essay instead lol.
But basically. You said you missed a bit of rage from Pac right? You should listen to his album "7 day theory". It was released right after his death. Literally weeks after. It is dark and eerie and he doesn't hold back on that album. But other than that he generally went on a furious rampage after he was released from prison (for a crime he did not commit btw). He was shot and put in jail and people started talking smack about him while he was in prison. He came out and literally destroyed everyone and became the biggest Hip Hop artist in the world. His first album after his release was All Eyes On Me. An instant classic. You should definitely listen to that as well. It's a mixed bag of everything. He is "up in yo face", he's "partying and celebrating", he's getting "deep" - it has it all. To most people it's his greatest album. For me personally, it's in his top three with, with Me against the world and 7 day theory sharing the spot. I can't put them in order because it depends on my mood lol. But in terms of you missing the rage and versatility in the album Me Against the World, then you'll definitely get that in those two albums.
And oh btw Hit em Up which is arguably the greatest diss song ever is out of this world and you have to listen to it. But it kinda needs a bit of background story as well. It makes 100 times more sense when you know the background story.
Against all odds is another diss track on the 7 day theory album. And that won't make any sense at ALL unless you know the background story. It would just sound like he's mad and name dropping people. But once you know the background story you'll understand why he's mad and exactly who he is name dropping.
I'll just end by saying that Pac was only 25 when he was killed. Most people tend to forget that. All these songs and deep lyrics in this album (Me against the world) were written by a "kid" maybe 22-23 years old at that time. It kinda blows your mind when you think about it for a second. A young man that age shouldn't be feeling that way. He had deep songs before this album as well, such as Brenda got a baby, Keep ya head up and more. His career was only 5 years long and yet he managed to release 5 albums while he was alive and did like 5-6 movies meanwhile also being locked up for almost a year on that span as well. Plus he had like 150-200 unreleased songs when he died. That's why the albums kept dropping even after he died.
Last fact then I'll stop typing. Everyone who worked with Pac said that he was a workaholic. He literally would listen to a new beat and by the time the beat would end he would have written his lyrics. Producers that worked with him said that he would finish a whole song in 20 minutes from the time he heard the beat till he had recorded his vocals and everything. And he still managed to drop gems in every song he released. All Eyez on Me was recorded and mixed in two weeks I think. And that's a double album. The first Hip Hop double album in history with 27 tracks. In two weeks! That's just insane. He went on selling 6 million copies on that album before he died. And it just kept climbing after he died.
The album 7 day theory was supposed to be called 3 day theory because he literally recorded the whole thing in three days. You can hear him say "three day theory" in some of the songs on the album. But the mixing of the songs took another 4 days so that's why it was called 7 day theory. Just to give a perspective that this man was something else. He was a genius at his craft and true legend. Okay I'm out. I hope it helps out a bit more. But there's tons more to his story. It's really interesting.
Pretty wild, man. The guy really was possessed by what he was doing. And really, that kind of work ethic probably goes to prove that he really did believe he was going to get killed any day, so he probably attacked each day with everything he had for fear it may be his last. That's a lot of strain, however, I can't help but wonder what kind of clarity that brought him as well. I have to imagine that kind of mindset helps a person to see through so much bullshit that the rest of us get hung up on.
Great write up, an. Thanks for sharing 🤘
I really felt your humanity in "Me Against The World". Thank you for opening your mind to this genre of music. We cant put a color on emotions!! Peace to you brother!!!!
Tupac's BET interview is a must watch to understand just how he was misrepresented in the media. He was a revolutionary at heart and always looked out for friends and family. Robbie Williams once told a story about him on the phone allocating his money to family and friends, and even saying to not give too much to someone because they had a drug habit and he didn't want to feed the habit but also wanted to make sure they could eat and had help. Such responsibility for someone who died at 25. People say he was an old soul in a young mans body. Wise beyond his years.
Tupac knew he would die early in life, and spoke of it often in his music.
90s hip hop was incredible bro. wish you had been there.
It’s super cool to see you compare your previously held beliefs to the new things you have been learning from these reactions. I think that kind of introspection is very cool, and I really enjoy the content that comes out of that. Keep up the great work! This album was sick.
2pac - Changes would be a good solo video reaction since its not on an album... just a classic B-side!!!! Very strong message and video
He’s got so many great non album tracks. Picture Me Rollin’, Troublesome 96, Hit Em Up
You were right about the illmatic opinion at the end too. Illmatic you'll come back to years down the road, its more of a perfect album from all angles if you wanted to show someone what golden age hiphop was. Its kind of the middle zone of every element at once. Like Chuck Berry when you listen to Johnny B Goode, its not like older as in the blues... its a turning of the page into rock. Illmatic was kind of like that. Kind of the difference between "hiphop" and "rap" in terms of genre. Hiphop is more technical and Rap as a genre is more in your face. I'd say on this album "Fuck The World" is a rap song, and then "Oldschool" would be more traditional hiphop. Illmatic is like goldilocks when the porridge is just right, after you listen to 100s of albums its like "oh this is the perfect balance at the perfect time"
You're gonna love 2pacs first few albums before he got famous, they are very aggressive and militant.
Thanks for this write up. I've never taken the time to understand the difference between those two terms (rap and hip-hop). That helped a lot 👍
Temptations, old school and Dear Mama is my favorite tracks off this album. It's a great album classic. His mom was in the black panthers. He is a true poet! Great actor too. Very talented.
I appreciate how committed you are to understanding these albums. Kudos man.
Btw just subscribed. Thank you for the content.
Two-Pack Shaker
rofl
Me against the world is the best hip hop album ever
AGREED THIS ALBUM IS IN THE HISTORY BOOKS
"theres no apologies is there?You wanna kill me?fuck you" you caught that first verses meaning completely,theres a reason he started the album with that song and its exactly that
As I was rolling my blunt i was thinking to myself... yo maybe that me against that world reaction dropped! I searched it up and it was there, and now we’re here
lol, I love how you've posted like 12 fuckin' times on this video ❤🤜🤛
@@bobthepoppop I'm high asl bro🤣 much love🤝🏾❤
Had to subscribe brother love your breakdowns and honesty about your opinions and past opinions.
I think you'd really enjoy Denzel Curry's cover of Bulls on Parade as a song reaction and if he intrigues you his albums are certainly worth a dive!
I've seen it. It was great. Denzel Curry is definitely on the list 👍
And that song “Can U Get Away” that Tupac did made me realise to give women more respect they need
100 years from now this album will be studied to understand the psychology of urban youth during this time I guarantee it.
Wait till you hear the Makaveli album. By far his darkest and most intense album. His vocals on that one are VERY aggressive.
Great reaction bob. This album is amazing. If you know the story behind his music and what he went through. You get a better understanding and great appreciation as him as an artist and why he’s considered one of the greats if not the great. Would love to see more reacts on Tupac music and also biggie, wu tang, jay z and more Kendrick. Just few suggestions. Keep more reacts coming.
Just got into your videos . love em so far! That intro was really thoughtful . appreciate it
20:17 he’s actually got a song on one of the albums that came out right after he died called Nothin To Lose. It’s off R U Still Down? One of my favourite songs from that album. Killer beat 👍🏼
25:21 in school, tupac actually got a degree in poetry, and he uses his poetic skills so perfectly
I appreciate how you see the lyrics are special coming from completely different music. I grew up on pac and the rappers now you can't even understand. Pac stressed ever word with so much meaning!
Another classic album ✅
Can’t wait for the to pimp a butterfly listen.
Just a heads up its not as accessible as GKMC. it takes time to digest & grow on you but after a few listens hopefully you will see why it is held up to such high regards.
Pac was originally from the east coast
(New York)
I really love your reactions, I can see your reactions is genuine and I love seeing someone listening to rap from a different background and appreciating the art form with an unbiased view... much love from South Africa.
With your thoughts on "Dear Mama" about the fathers missing and so many growing up without a father... have you realized WHY they are missing?? that the missing fathers are from the previous generation all the "dead friends and homies" that got caught up in the "GAME" killed or locked up for life and never made it out of the "MAZE" Its a vicious cycle in the inner city...Pac was able to give that clarity and present that fact to the world about how now he is now seeing the same thing happen in his own generation.... gangbanging and drugs have been in the inner cities for decades, way before Pac.... the 80's and 90's was just his turn to witness and deal with it and expose it to the world.
You’re right. Tupac isn’t just talking about himself in his songs. The character Tupac is taking up is representing a sort of dualism. It’s himself and people that share his situation.
I can tell you really know music, for someone who is new to rap your compression is off the charts.
Me Against the World is one of my favorite records all time.
I love this channel so much 🔥
Man thank you for this. I enjoy your reaction, your point of view and passion for trying to understand the lyrics. I hope you can now listen to 2pac All Eyez On Me. This Album is a masterpiece.
I want to, just tough with it being a double album and all the time that will have to go into it.
@@bobthepoppop As a suggestion, break it up into two separate sessions. I'll tune in! I've watched almost all of your videos in a little under a month. As @IAS Productions mentioned, your passion for removing bias and the empathy that you posses are refreshing. There is a lot of power attached to the expression that comes from experiencing and observing traumatic events. Kudos to you for this journey!
2Pac is all about raw emotion, personality. It feels like he is screaming in the mic, without it sounding like screaming if that makes sense lol.
In some of his more emotional songs you can hear every stumble in his voice so you know he really is into the song himself. Also know how workaoholic he was. He pumped out albums in such a short period. Corredt me if i am wrong, but he finished most of All Eyez On Me in 2 weeks (not the mixing). Also the 7 Day theory.
I also find the context of this album really interesting. He made it in a time where he got shot 7 or 8 times and survived while also having to go to court and facing jail sentence (which he also got). Then released it while he was in prison.
I'd also recommend watching some of his interviews. That's where you see how intelligent he was for such a young age. Always has memorable quotes in his interviews.
Without Pac we wouldn't have artists like a Kendrick Lamar, who once said that Pac came through a vision to him and said he should continue Pac's work.
Anyway appreciate you for the content. I love it that you also react a lot to old school as well.
I've spent a couple hours watching interviews with him today. Incredible person. I was so absolutely, 100% wrong about him. In every way. It's mind blowing to me. I grew up thinking Tupac was some sort of evil/bad person. Today, I'd love to sit down a drink a beer with him and just talk for hours upon hours.
@@bobthepoppop Glad you took the time to look into him and see what kind of person he really is :). I think a lot of people don't know what Pac means when he says he is a 'thug'. A word that has a negative connotation to it and a lot of people don't dive in to Pac's interpretation of the word.
Can't wait to see you react to All Eyez On me (one of my favourite hiphop albums ever).
Wu Tang Clan: Enter The 36 Chambers is a great album you have to check out Bob.
You should definitely check out Danny Brown's Atrocity Exhibition, the production is really experimental and the writing about Danny's problems with drug addiction is genuinely terrifying
I just subscribed I really respect what your doing I engineered music for 20 years more people need to do what your doing. I cross all genres of music I enjoy breaking down my bias barriers. Nice vids
I think the reason the chorus in heavy in the game uses those phrases is because it uses the melody from thé chorus of “just be good to me “ from the S.O.S band that goes “i don’t care what you do to them, just be good to me”
I really appreciate your hip hop and rap reviews. I am a 41 year old UK guy that was deep into the early 90's scene .Love to hear your perspective,.. Keep the videos coming.
I love your channel because it normalizes coming clean with your biases and moving forward.
2Pac’s song Can U Get Away he writ that song for Lisa LEFT EYE from the TLC singing group she had a hard time with her boyfriend and they had a really hard time so Tupac found out and he wrote this song for her
46:47 you hit it right on the head. Heavy in the game he’s talkin about the street game in the drug dealing & hustling sense in his case rap was his hustle so that as well bc gangsta music is dangerous. The game on lord knows is the street game as well but looking at the reality that comes with the situation he put himself immersing himself in the streets falling victim to his oppression
Ayo this album is amazing, my fav from 2pac
thanks man
its incredible to see a fan of another genre appreciate and mostly just try to understand it.
as someone who loves heavy metal and rock but also has a string passion for rap i love how you really put aside past judgments and opinions.
i see so much negativity towards hip hop, but when you scratch to get to the simple core, rap is expression ; its poetry; its from the heart.
thank you and rest in peace to the most poetic, thoughtful and hardworking artist 2PAC!
Amazing reaction. You’ve got a new subscriber. You articulate music very very well. So much so that I played the vid from start to finish. 2pac left amazing music. Love the way you started the vid and the way you broke down every song. I was born in 95 so I discovered 2pac as soon as I got ahold of my parents CDs as a child and when I realized my neighbor would always play 2pac. As I got older I always kept a tab on him because he was ahead of his time and stayed relevant till this day. What a legend with the time he had
Here yet again to comment please react micheal jacksons thriller its only nine tracks and has great lyrics, beats and redefine pop culture thriller effected every genre of music and i cant forget to mention his vocals and friendship with kanye west
Good suggestion
@@necroxd3423 thank you u want bob to react too micheal jackson too
Honestly... this is a great suggestion. I've always "known" (aka, been told and just believed) that MJ was amazing, but I've never taken the time to listen to his music like I have with these albums. MJ has never crossed my mind in this sense. Adding him to the list, and given him a boost toward the top as well 👍
@@kazamere7 Oh well that first comment was actually sarcastic because when i first saw the comment youtube for some reason only showed "here yet again to comment please react to" and i thought you were making a joke on people suggesting him to react to album so i sarcastically responded with "Good suggestion" But now that youtube finally showed me the rest of your comment i can safely say that "thriller" is a genuinely good suggestion.
@@bobthepoppop MJ is good but you should avoid the controversy around him because i feel it personally makes the music worse
Can’t wait for you to listen to “DAMN.” by Kendrick. That album is literally his version of “Me Against The World”, the only album that made me ever cry because of how relatable and touching it is to the soul to the deepest level, for me at least
How can you compare those albums 😂
@@nash06 LMFAOOOO yea he lost me there damn and me against the world two different albums moe
I think a great way to appreciate rap as an art form is by peeping the rhyme schemes in rappers verses. The attention to detail in near rhymes or alliteration or whatever in verses paired with the lyrical content makes rap even more mind boggling. A good example is the 4th verse (i think?) on Me Against The World on this album and if you look up on youtube the genius youtube channel you can see them highlight each rhyme in 2pacs verse, it’s a great example just from this album. i’m assuming you don’t know much about it so if it’s the same color highlighted in the verse, it rhymes when said out loud. just thought you might be interested in this.
So many tears seems like someone asked Tupac why he hated being alive and put his entire broken heart into that track. That song gives me goosebumps every time I hear it.
I genuinely love this
Big Pun - Capital Punishment is a front to back classic album