Thug Life: Volume 1 | Thug Life | The most overlooked chapter of the 2Pac saga

Thug Life: Volume 1 | Thug Life | The RAWEST Of 2PAC's albums and often overlooked

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Thug Life: Volume 1

	Thug Life: Volume 1 Thug Life Priority Records, 1994 average customer review:based on 95 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Slick, groove-based hip-hop from Tupac Shakur, his half-brother MoPreme, and a handpicked posse that includes Syke, Macadoshis, and the Rated R, along with guest appearances from Nate Dogg and Y.N.V. The huge "Thug Life" tattoo on Tupac's chest shows exactly how committed Shakur was to this long-term project. The first batch of songs Thug Life submitted to Interscope Records was allegedly rejected as being too hardcore for release; the material that was ultimately approved for release as Vol. 1 is very accessible musically and foreshadows the "morbid party" approach Shakur later perfected on All Eyez on Me. "Pour Out a Little Liquor" and "Bury Me a G" are classic 2Pac tracks, and this project shows a remarkable consistency of quality, no matter who's got control of the mic. --Greg Turkington

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The most overlooked chapter of the 2Pac saga

In 1994, 2Pac had established himself as a west coast power, and while he was not yet at the level of superstardom that affiliation with Death Row Records would bring, he was established from his first two albums, 2Pacalypse Now and Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z.. Thug Life was a group of 2Pac's friends including Mopreme, Macadoshis, Rated R, and Big Syke. Many tracks were recorded for this album, and a lot were cut, and this album was not nearly as violent a work as it could have been (for instance, a song with the verse from the song "Runnin'" from "2Pac Resurrection" was cut). "Volume 1" is a ten-track release that clocks in at just over forty minutes, and it's got more of a relaxed, laidback vibe than Pac's later music. It's really, really good. Pac's strength is obvious, but his boys are also very capable MCs. On "Volume 1," the songs range from upbeat party songs to more laidback street cuts, as well as a handful of the deep, philosophical cuts that 2Pac so perfected. The party jams are good, but they're at their best on songs deep songs like "Pour Out a Little Liquor." The deep lyrics over laidback beats is a cool product. Two of these, "Bury Me a G" and of course the legendary "How Long Will They Mourn Me?" are among the best of 2Pac's discography. Like Pac himself, Thug Life are better artists than rappers. When I say that, I mean that their entire product is greater than the sum of their parts. For instance, none of them are great vocabularists, they might use the word "motherf...in'" eight times in a verse to take up syllables. But like 2Pac, they are so emotional and convey so much emotion in their raps that it's really effective and dramatic. They are gangstas first, and even with so much deep philosophizing, you won't lose sight that they're from the streets. The production is excellent. 1994 produced a lot of beautiful sounding hip hop from the west coast, and the production on "Volume 1" is just great. It's the kind of sound that evokes pure California imagery, yet it's not g-funk at all. It's laidback and soulful, but not the kind of rolling, synth-heavy g-funk that would soon take over. There are multiple classic jams here, you'd be hard pressed to find another single album with as many true classics as this, even if every song isn't. There's so much to be said for this album, but overall, "Volume 1" is a truly fine work of lyrically and musically appealing music, and I highly recommend it to all fans of 2Pac and west coast hip hop.

The first song is a true hip hop classic, "Bury Me a G." This song utilizes a gorgeous Isley Brothers soul sample, later artists like Nas, UGK, and Master P would use the same sample trying to recapture the glory. This song's a true anthem of ghetto lifestyle, from the chorus, ("I ain't got time for b...s, gotta keep my mind on my motherf...in' switches...") to the verses talking about the dangers and trials of slangin' and bangin'. This shows a slightly philosophical style that 2Pac embraced, yet the laidback production is settling, creating a unique feel. All the verses are great. "Don't Get It Twisted" is fairly standard gangsta fare, but the upbeat production is good. "S... Don't Stop" is more of a party jam, fast and funky. I love the slow, winding beat on "Pour Out a Little Liquor," a toast to lost homies. 2Pac made a lot of songs like this during his career, and this is among the best. "Stay True" is an upbeat summertime anthem, and it's awesome. The next song is truly one of my favorites of all time, the epic "How Long Will They Mourn Me?" This song has all the elements you could need for a classic: a legendary Warren G beat, Nate Dogg on the hook, and all the members of the group. The raps are among the most emotional they ever did, and the chemistry and execution are perfect. By the second and third verse, it seems like every other word is "motherf...in'," but you won't even notice because you'll be yelling along with Syke and Rated R. "Under Pressure" is an appealing, dark, streets track. "Street Fame" is solid but not amazing. "Cradle to the Grave" is a definite classic, though, with great production, an awesome chorus, and some of Pac's most noteworthy styles. The album closes with one more awesome song, the ultra-catchy "Str8 Ballin'."

I feel like "Volume 1" gets overlooked in comparison to a lot of Pac's other classics, and while it certainly isn't on the level of Me Against the World or All Eyez on Me, it contains multiple classic singles and is a great album from start to finish. It seems like even Outlawz got more press than Thug Life. I highly recommend "Volume 1," it has all the characteristics of Pac's great solos, and the chemistry and production is awesome. This is a classic, those who have yet to hear it might consider it a must-have!

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The RAWEST Of 2PAC's albums and often overlooked

This one was actually a short-lived group that 2PAC had known as "Thug Life." Admittedly, the other rappers were not nearly as talented as 2PAC himself though Big Sike Daddy had style. Still, it managed to come together pretty nicely.

"Bury Me A G" w/Natasha Walker (using one of my favorite love songs in The Isley Brothers' "For The Love Of You" was a nice hook), "Don't Get It Twisted", the classic "Pour Out A Little Liquor" (from the film "Above The Rim") and "Pressure" were my favorites on this one.

Very raunchy album admittedly though! While this is classic hardcore rap, DO NOT BUY THIS FOR YOUR KIDS! Or if you are kind that gets offended easily, do not pick up this album. Otherwise, see the tragic genius of Tupac Amaru Shakur.

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Great CD

Good CD that demonstrates the old, west coast style of hip-hop. One of 2Pac's great albums, with great lyrics and mellow beats.

A definite 2 Pac Collector's Item

I have no problem admitting that I was a late bloomer to 2Pac Shakur. Growing up and being a fan of rap music I was a heavy listener of East Coast Rap Music. You say something about Boogie Down Productions, EPMD, Gang Starr, Public Enemy, Run DMC, Eric B. & Rakim or LL Cool J, I knew exactly what you were talking about. My introdcution to 2 Pac other than the obligatory, "Same Song", "Trapped", "Brenda's Got A Baby", "Holla If Ya Hear Me", and "I Get Around" actually started when I heard Pac and MC Breed on "Gotta Get Mine" and with "Definition Of A Thug N****" that appeared on the Poetic Justice soundtrack and was produced by Warren G.

Slowly but surely I finally started paying attention to 2 Pac and my 1st purchase ended up being the classic "Me Against The World". (After his tragic death, I purchased "2Pacalypse Now" and "Stricly 4 My N*****"). Eventhough "Dear Mama" was being wore out on the radio that song still was one of my favorite tracks, as well as, "If I Die 2 Nite", "Outlaw", "So Many Tears", "Death Around The Corner", and "Temptations". One day I happened to be in my dorm room and I heard a 2Pac track that wasn't on "Me Against The World" and I had never heard the track before. Although, I only had a tape collection back then, I had a pet peeve with artists releasing a cassette and then 3 months later after they release a single that ends up being on a soundtrack or on a B Side cassette single that you have to end up buying if you collected music like I did. I asked the guy who was in the room, bobbing his head endlessly what the track was and he told me it was entitled "Str8 Ballin'" and it was on Thug Life Volume 1. I remembered 2 Pac always screaming "Thug Life" but I never knew that they had a whole tape/CD that was in stores. I did remember the track "Pour Out A Little Liquor" that was featured on the "Above The Rim" soundtrack that was labeled Thug Life and had 2Pac appearing solo. I didn't even have to hear anymore tracks, I remember going to the local record store (Waxie Maxie's if I remember correctly) and purchasing the tape, which I eventually purchased on CD when I started my CD collection.

As soon as I put the tape in I was immediately floored by "Bury Me A "G". I instantly recognized the Isley Brothers' "For The Love Of You (Parts 1 & 2)" sample and 2Pac sounded as good as he did on "Gotta Get Mine". The last verse on this track will always be one of 2Pac's best verses, in my opinion. I had to rewind the tape back to the beginning and listen to the track again, not only to hear 2 Pac's verses but I recognized some familiar voices and I couldn't pin point the track that I heard them on. When I looked at the track listing, I then remembered that I was familiar with "Cradle To The Grave", which the Video Jukebox use to wear out constantly. The next track to immediately catch my attention ended up being "How Long Will They Mourn Me?" w/featured the infamous West Coast vocalist Nate Dogg. The track ended up being a track for one of their fallen homies and Nate's "I wish it would have been another" was in my head for a long time. "Under Pressure" was also another track that caught my attention when I heard a familiar voice in Stretch. I remembered that I bought the "Above The Rim" soundtrack CD and one of my boys bought the tape. In an eerie event, the "Above The Rim" tape had more songs than the CD which was unheard of in those times with the exception of Nas' "Silent Murder" which appeared on the "It Was Written" tape and not the CD. When I heard "Pain" which featured 2 Pac and Stretch and "Loyal To The Game" that had 2 Pac, Treach from Naughty By Nature and some cat named Riddler if I remember correctly, I was highly disgusted that I had the CD. 'Til this day "Pain" is one of my favorite 2 Pac songs of all time. So when I heard Strecth with the "When the pressure on it's a hit, ski mask, extra gats, bring the clips, don't nobody move when we walk the streets, they stay silent 'cause talk is cheap", the track immediately became one of my favorites.

This CD's best track is clearly "Str8 Ballin'". I have no idea what 2Pac's mindframe was when he made this song. Possibly it was the glorification of Thug Life, but this is clearly one of 2Pac's best tracks ever. When they had a remastered version of the track on the 2 Pac "Resurrection" soundtrack I was definitely pleased. Easy Moe Bee, who produced "If I Die 2 Nite" and "Temptations" from "Me Against The World", laid down the production for "Str8 Ballin'" and 2Pac took care of the rest.

Other than the tracks that I mentioned "S*** Don't Stop" is worth checking out because of its use of the "Aqua Boogie" sample and so are the tracks "Stay True" and "Street Fame". Overall, I recommend this CD because some people may just be familiar with just the actual 2Pac disc catalog and not this collector's item if you are a 2Pac fan. You get a disc where 2Pac is featured on 8 out of 10 tracks and this should be added to your collection if you have the rest of his releases.

James' Top 6

1) Str8 Ballin'
2) Pour Out A Little Liquor
3) Bury Me A "G"
4) Cradle 2 The Grave
5) How Long Will They Mourn Me w/Nate Dogg
6) Under Pressure w/Stretch

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Thug Passion Put To Wax {4.5 Stars}

Can't really add much to the reviews. This is one of those albums that increases in listening value as it gets older. I'll admit that when this came out in '94, I only bumped the singles. It didn't grab me at the time. Sometime around '97 I gave it a spin and I've been loving it ever since. There are plenty of bangers on the album, but classics like "Pour Out A Little Liquor", "Str8 Ballin' ", "How Long Will They Mourn Me", Cradle To The Grave", and "Under Pressure" make this album worth owning all by themselves. The rest of the songs are on point too -- there isn't much filler on this album. The production is handled by Warren G. & Nate Dogg (1), the awesone yet underrated Easy Mo B (1), Johnny J (1), Jay & Mopreme (1), Jay & Syke (1), Stretch (1), and Thug Music (4). I'd say that all contributing producers turned in dope tracks.

The only tracks that I would call skip material are "Sh** Don't Stop" and "Don't Get It Twisted". "Sh** Don't Stop" is probably the most lazily produced track on the whole album and the lyrics are unimpressive. The production is on "Don't Get It Twisted" cool, but it's one of those songs that you have to be in the mood for it (in my opinion).

Volume 1 is a passionate, if at times misdirected, release from the Thug Life camp. The production is nothing short of vintage mid 90's Cali vibes. It holds up very well 13 years after its release. Of course, if you're a Tupac completist, you probably have this album already. But even if you're not a Pac fan, this should be a part of your collection.

R.I.P. Tupac

Standout Tracks: How Long Will They Mourn Me feat. Nate Dogg, Pour Out A Little Liquor, Str8 Ballin' (My Favorite), Cradle To The Grave, Under Pressure, Bury Me A G feat. Natasha Walker (of Y.N.V.)

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