As the sixth posthumously released studio album from Tupac Shakur, Pac’s Life is a valiant effort to allow his music to live on through today and beyond. Commemorating ten years following his untimely death, the album production is overseen by Tupac’s mother, Afeni, and her label imprint Amaru Entertainment.
In addition to the ‘2pac stamp of approval’ that exists with any release attached to his name, Pac’s Life comes with the promise of hearing never before released material. The label claims that all of the verses (except one) on the album have never before been used in any of his releases. The truth however is that a majority of the lyrics have been heard on underground albums, street mix tapes and very early recordings released to the listening public.
What Amaru Entertainment banked on with Pac’s Life is that a casual 2pac listener doesn’t know what they are hearing is not new. Assumptions are made that the audio was dug up from the depths of 2pac’s amazingly large catalog, but that material was mostly used on his five previous posthumous releases (two of which were double-disc albums).
The album itself is a mixed bag of production, and lacks the heart and passion that bled through all of 2pac’s previous work. The beats and production styles used symbolize the current trends in hip-hop, but seem empty when compiled with the vocals of Shakur. Even guest verses from Ludacris, T.I., Young Buck, Papoose and Chamillionaire don’t do much for Pac’s Life, other than to presumably help move units using there A-List star status.
The most obvious sign that there might be an end in sight to 2pac’s posthumous releases is his lack of participation on the actual final product. Most of the material on the thirteen song album, including the original version of Untouchable, garners only one verse or at most two on any one record. Simply put, there isn’t a single song (start to finish) that is strictly 2pac. If you’re searching for serenity in hearing his rhymes nonetheless, there are plenty worthy bars and hooks to salivate over.
DJBooth.net Rating:
3 Spins - Average
DJ Z's Picks
Untouchable (Swizz Remix ft. Krayzie Bone)
Soon As I Get Home (ft. Yaki Kadafi)
Don’t Stop (ft. Big Syke, Yaki Kadafi, Fatal Hussain, E.D.I., Young Noble, Stormy)
Ready for Radio
Pac’s Life (ft. T.I. & Ashanti)
Playa Cardz Right (Female) (ft. Keyshia Cole)
Mixtape Ready
Whatz Next (Ft. A3 & Jay Rock)
Sleep (ft. Young Buck & Chamillionaire)
I really thougth it would get a better score as well! this album was one of the best in years since his death. There is actually a decent number of exclusive new tracks that I, having all 15 makaveli albums have yet to hear. Sometimes, songs use an old verse mixed with a new one and Pac repeats himself a lot, so It may sound like its old, but it is really a different variation that is unheard by the audience. Nevertheless, the review was good and props for putting it up! That firt track with swizzy is the shiznit! the second pac verse is one of the strongest I heard in a long time, and it is also new....
WE FINK TUPAC IZ GR8 E IZ A ONE HELL OV A SIK RAPPA REST IN PEACE WE FINK EZ SONGZ R HEAVY IF NLY E WAZ ALIVE E WULD AV MADE MRE SIK TRACKZ LUVIN UR MUSIC BRAP! BRAP! 2PAC RULEZ YES YES!!
2pac was the best rapper in the world and to me he still is the best rapper R.I.P he is a legend an he i love him and this is my best song off his i love you 2 pac you were brilliant
i DONT KO WAT YALL PPL B3 GOiN THROUGH BUT A Ti AND ASHANTi AND PAC iS ON3 OF TH3 B3ST CALABRATiON iN TH3 WORLD i DNT CAR3 WAT YALL SAY BUT YA GOTTA GiV3 TH3M TH3iR PROPS ADMiT iT TH3 TRACK iS HOT