Exclusive | 2pac And Outlawz Still I Rise Album
was a commercial success, eventually being certified Platinum. While some purists critiqued the posthumous remixes and the exclusion of certain original verses (often due to label politics or sample clearances), the album remains a fan favorite. It succeeded in: Humanizing the Outlawz:
Key tracks and features
Released on December 21, 1999, Still I Rise stands as a pivotal entry in the posthumous discography of Tupac Shakur, serving as the only official collaborative studio album between 2Pac and his hand-picked collective, the Outlawz. Arriving three years after Shakur’s death, the project captures a specific window of 1996—the "Death Row era"—defined by high-intensity work ethics, themes of revolutionary struggle, and the heavy weight of paranoia. Historical Context and Production 2pac and outlawz still i rise album
One of the criticisms leveled at Still I Rise is its inconsistent production. Unlike All Eyez on Me , which had a specific sonic identity (Dre, Daz, Johnny "J"), this album is a patchwork. You have contributions from , Kurt "Kobane" Couthon , and even Damizza . The beats range from polished (the Teddy Riley-esque bounce of "Tattoo Tears") to raw demo quality. Arriving three years after Shakur’s death, the project
A controversial track for its time, Black Jesuz reimagines religious iconography through the lens of a hustler. It isn't blasphemous; it’s allegorical. Pac compares the struggle of the Black man in America to the crucifixion. The Outlawz act as the apostles. It is dense, intellectual, and weird—everything a late-night Pac session should be. You have contributions from , Kurt "Kobane" Couthon
Listening to Still I Rise in 2024 (or beyond), the overwhelming emotion is melancholy. You hear Tupac talking about his "unborn child" and his "fear of reincarnation." You hear Yaki Kadafi, a teenager full of venom, who died of an asthma attack (or, as some conspiracy theories claim, a covert hit) just months after Pac. You hear a crew promising to hold down the fort for their general.