The 100 Best 2Pac Songs
By Rob Marriott | Nov 3, 2011 | 12:54 pm | Permalink
44. 2Pac f/ Rappin' 4-Tay "Only God Can Judge Me" (1996)
Producer: Doug Rasheed and Harold Scrap Fretty
Album: All Eyez On Me
Label: Death Row/Interscope
Tupac's ability to give memorable performances with mediocre rappers is unsurpassed in all of hip-hop. Bay Area MC Rappin 4-Tay (SMH) comes through with some heartfelt—if rhythmically challenged—rhymes. “When you're locked down/That's when I'll be around.” Ugh.
Still, Pac gives one of his most powerful lyrical performances. He struggles with memories of multiple betrayals by friends, family and society, seeming to question everything—including his own sanity. “And in my mind/I'm a blind man doing time.”
The electronic voice on hook makes the “he who is without sin” argument, an extension of the looming synthesizer whine that seems to cosign Pac's desolation. The affect is chilling and hard to dispute. “I been trapped since birth... And they say the white man i should fear/But it's my own kind doing all the killing here.”
About midway, Pac knowingly rhymes over the beeping of a heart monitor until it flatlines. “I'd rather die like a man than live as a coward/Dear mama can you save me?” Pac keeps a brave face at the end of this record, but he's already losing his religion.
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