The 100 Best 2Pac Songs
By Rob Marriott | Nov 3, 2011 | 12:54 pm | Permalink
7. 2Pac "Keep Ya Head Up" (1993)
Producer: Daryl "DJ Daryl" anderson
Album: Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z.
Label: Amaru/TNT/Interscope
This blockbuster hit is probably Pac's most famous song, fueled in no small part by the “Ooh Child” sample, sung by The Five Stairsteps, which gives the track an air of '70s nostalgia. Tupac staccato stepped through the track—dedicated to his nephew and goddaughter—pointing out the various struggles he witnessed as he grew up. Certainly his most uplifting and mama-friendly song, and the one that best explains his broad appeal beyond the T.H.U.G.L.I.F.E. demographic.
Pac instinctively knew to balance his revolutionary persona with a more conscious and female-friendly approach. The feel-good nature and lyrics that betrayed his sensitivity to the plight of the black woman—dealing not only with a system that destroys hope but with black men who ignore and abuse their own—Pac took a stand in a new way.
There is some irony here considering his later rape charges. But in 1994, Pac was a rapper who could speak, unprompted, in sensitive, pro-woman language—a rarity at any time. This fact redeems Pac in the eyes of many. He still wins female devotion to this day, despite his checkered past.
Brian Kidd November 3rd, 2011 at 02:03 PM
So where is "If My Homies Call"????????? Def. should be in the top 25!!!
P-Body November 3rd, 2011 at 02:51 PM
Runnin been out for years just mainstream didn't know about it, the original version had Stretch (RIP), Dramacydal (RIP Kadafi) & Bujo Baton on the song also which sounded better than the remix stuff.
king November 3rd, 2011 at 03:33 PM
Good list my only problem is so many tears should be top ten
crackaveli November 3rd, 2011 at 04:26 PM
thought provoking, just a few minor issues... Staring Through My Rearview first appeared on the Gang Related SDTK The text below "Ghost" seems to refer to Hail Mary no mention of Stanley Burrell on your "unconditional love" riff? this obviously took time and attention...much appreciated diversion from day to day stuff...thx...
crackaveli November 3rd, 2011 at 04:28 PM
thought provoking, just a few minor issues... Staring Through My Rearview first appeared on the Gang Related SDTK...The text below "Ghost" seems to refer to Hail Mar...no mention of Stanley Burrell on your "unconditional love" riff? this obviously took time and attention...much appreciated diversion from day to day stuff...thx...
KUNGFoo November 3rd, 2011 at 04:34 PM
No "Pain" feat Stretch off Above The Rim ost ?? that's definately one of Pac's BEST song
johnbox November 3rd, 2011 at 10:14 PM
po nigga blues should b on the list somewhere.not one of his most famous.i think it has two of the best verses he ever wrote.good list though
Shanti November 3rd, 2011 at 11:16 PM
dopeness.
Hannibal November 4th, 2011 at 12:42 AM
Complex is sure pushing that terrible Loyal to the Game Eminem produced trash. Lots of posthumous overproduced stuff like the patch up job that is realist killas.. 2pac and Elton John?no thanks...Glaring omissions: Pain, Life's So Hard, High Til I Die, R U Still Down, Life is A Traffic Jam, Lost Souls, Made Niggaz, High Til I Die, The Original My Block from The Show soundtrack, Definition of a Thug Nigga from Poetic Justice, Lie to Kick It, Mamas Just A Little Girl, Im Gettin Money, Only Fear Of Death, From The Cradle To the Grave, Last Wordz with Cube and Ice T,Baby Dont Cry, Toss it Up.. 2pac had a huge catalogue of songs he actually worked on, not any studio trickery with big names, its like going out of your way to push the Loyal to the game produced stuff to the front ....pS: 83 Nothing To Lose, you guys have Nuttin But Love playing instead.
P4L November 10th, 2011 at 03:28 AM
Oh, you aint know, Complex is on Eminem's dick hard, which makes me think that they're mostly a bunch of wiggers.
dopewill November 4th, 2011 at 09:09 AM
dope list but i strongly disagree with #1