Apr 25, 2023

Assassin & Friends (Sh'Killa, Rated R...) -1995- Strictly For The Streets : A compilation about the game (ICE Management)

  • first project by DJ Assassin probably recorded around the time of Me Against The World final mix in late 94 or beginning of 95.
  • features Rated R, Sh'Killa and many others
 

Discogs page 
Listen it or grab it there
 
1. Intro - Lay Law (1:25)
2. Strictly For The Streets - Bernie Castro, Tone & Havikk The Rhyme Son (3:49)
3. Hustla's Convention - Gangsta Reese, Rated R, Bloody Mary, Havikk The Rhyme Son, Hot Dolla, Sh'Killa & Buddha (4:29)
4. The Juice - Sh'Killa (1:05)
5. 1-800-Bustah - Bloody Mary, D-Ruff & KM-WR (4:22)
6. Dha Game - Twon (4:44)
7. The Arrival - Ad Kapone (4:40)
8. My Nigga - F. Love (2:12)
9. Unforgiven - Bloody Mary, Sh'Killa, Jazz & Gangsta Reese (4:48)
10. Nina B Da Nine - Bloody Mary (3:41)
11. Don't Fuck Wit' A G - Don Cisco & Quiz (Ghetto Politix) (3:44)
12. Deacon Hemp & Pas-Dah Dank - D-Ruff, F. Love, Kphra & Noizman (2:37)
13. (Bitch) Perpin' Like She's Top Notch - Blackstreet Mentality & Ad Kapone (6:15)
14. Set Trippen' - Ad Kapone, Rated R, Sh'Killa, Havikk The Rhyme Son, Bloody Mary, Hot Dolla & A.M.W. (6:14)
15. Streets Is How We Comin' - Havikk The Rhyme Son, Chunk & Bloody Mary (3:20)
16. Pimp Catalogue - F. Love & Trickbaby (2:55)

Producer - DJ Assassin (1,3,4,9,10,14,15), Anthony Cannon (2,7,13,16), Frank Love (2,4,8,12,15,16), D Ruff (4,5,8,12), Frank Tebo of World Class Wreckin' Cru (5,10,11), John Orr (6).

DJ King Assassin is well known by Tupac's fans to have released the song "Real Bad Boyz" with Dee tha Mad Bitch in 1996 in his album Hitworks, Volume One (featuring many Bay Area artists like Digital Underground, Ryan D, Ant Dog...), and then to have heavily contributed to the fashion of unofficial 2Pac remix albums with dishonestly titled "The Way He Wanted It" volumes (mostly made of patched verses to new songs with new guests). Because of that, we tend to think that he was some kind of a liar capitalizing over Pac's death, and maybe even he had never met him... Dobbs The Wino, producer for Coolio, credited only as a co-producer of the remix, is sometimes said to be the original producer of "Real Bad Boyz" (cf. Honor Among Thugz)... 

Assassin was firstly a member of the group Ghetto Politix. They firstly released Don Cisco single "Audi 5000" in 1992, and two underground EP cassette in 1993 (Ghetto Life) and 1994 (Just Mob). The group is yet here with the song "Don't Fuck Wit' A G". 

When you consider this compilation you can understand that Assassin likes to give opportunity to female rappers to shine. So he could be the real producer of "Real Bad Boyz" by Dee Tha Mad Bitch (two verses) featuring 2Pac & Eddie. But the question of the date of recording remains mysterious, probably in the late '93 - beginning of '94 when Thug Life group started to record together.

The most interesting thing for 2Pac fans could also be the two featurings of Thug Life member Rated R. Apart of "It Don't Stop Radio Version" and maybe unleaked "Make No Mistakes" (cf. Dramacyde), Rated R has not recorded many things with 2Pac/Thug Life in 1994-1995 (maybe some other radio versions for Thug Life Volume One). With Macadoshis as Double Jeopardy, he will also appear in 1995 in Professor Jay's Da Nayborhoodz album Afta Dark, in Coolio's "Is This Me ?" in Gangsta's Paradise album and in Ray Luv second album Forever Hustlin'. After that he will more or less disappear mainly for being incarcerated for murder...

Therefore, like we can see in this compilation probably recorded in late 1994 beginning of 95, Assassin is mainly responsible for the emergence of female rapper Sh'Killa who was about to be featured in Dramacydal/Young Thugz shelved EP in "Don't Make Enemies With Me" featuring 2Pac & Live Squad (cf. Dramacyde) before recording her solo album Gangstrez of Da Bay mainly produced by South Central Cartel. One of them, Havikk The Rhyme Son, first verse in "Gansta Team" S.C.C./2Pac/Ice-T/MC Eight/Spice 1 (cf. Featurings), is also featured here in four songs of the compilation.

The compilation also heavily features Bloody Mary aka Nini X and kind of helped her to start again her career after leaving Dangerous Records after her awesome beginning with Blood & Crips in 1993 in Bangin' On Wax (that was also produced by DJ Battlecat...) and her first album She's Dangerous in 1994.

At last, this compilation features A.M.W. (American Most Wanted) group with Lil Big who will be featured in a late Nutt-So/2Pac song in 1996 : "Don't Sleep OG" (cf. One Nation part 2). After their first album in 1990 (Criminals), they were about to release their second : The Real Mobb with featurings of Nutt-So's Streethugs and a Blackjack beat.


Apr 12, 2023

2Pac -2006- Pac's Life (Amaru / Interscope)

  • November 2006, the 18th 
  • tracks recorded in 1995-1996
This picture is taken from "I Ain't Mad At Cha" video
A strange choice...
 
Discogs Page
 
1. Untouchable (Swizz Beatz Remix) feat. Krayzie Bone
2. Pac's Life (LT Hutton Remix) feat. T.I. & Ashanti
3. Dumpin' (Sha Money XL Remix) feat. Hussein, Papoose & Carl Thomas
4. Play Ya Cardz Right (Female Version) (Carvin & Ivan Remix) feat. Keysha Cole
5. What'z Next (Salih Williams Remix) feat. A3 & Jay Rock
6. Sleep (Sha Money XL Remix) feat. Young Buck & Chamillionaire
7. International (Capital LS Remix) feat. Nipsey Hussle & Young Dre
8. Don't Sleep (Edi Remix) feat.Lil Scrappy, Nutt-So, Kadafi & Stormey
9. Soon As I Get Home feat. Kadafi / QD3
10. Play Ya Cardz Right (Male Version) (Sha Money XL Remix) feat. Ludacris & Keon Bryce
11. Don't Stop (LT Hutton Remix) feat. Big Syke, Kadafi, Hussein, Edi, Young Noble & Stormey
12. Pac's Life (LT Hutton Remix) feat. Snoop Dogg, T.I, Ashanti & Chris Starr
13. Untouchable (Sha Money XL Remix) feat. Kadafi, Hussein & Gravy

Bonus tracks :
14. Dear Mama (Frank Nitty Remix) feat. Anthony Hamilton
15. Scared Straight (Carvin & Ivan Remix) 

Bold : released in its original form (or very close).
 
Originally intended - Outlaw Immortalz : Thug Life Volume 2 (4,5,9,10,11), Thug Pound (3), Troublesome, Tha Secretz of War (6), One Nation or One Nation Part Two (1,7,13), Nutt-So's Betrayal (8), Killuminati or Ghetto Starz (2, 12)
 
Original verses out of 2Pac's ones - Nutt-So (8) Kadafi (8,9,11,13)

 

Another try, another awful fail !

After the mistake of Loyal To The Game 2004, Afeni Amaru and Tom Whalley of Interscope gave the responsibility to modernize 2Pac songs to various producers. Some of them are recognized experienced producers like Swizz Beats, LT Hutton. LT had even already worked with 2Pac whilst he was in Death Row. But the result is still awful. Even worse !

At the same time, what was considered as a profanity for 2Pac fans in the old posthumous compilations, i.e. new guests who have never met 2Pac, are here to the top intensity. The initial goal was probably to make some kind of Hip Hop party around the posthumous resurrected voice of Tupac... But it is more like if it was open doors to come and rape old 2Pac's songs ! Welcome to every singer or rapper who wants to have his name labelled on side of the legend ! A sad thing. Wanting to make money with 2Pac material is more or less OK, but it is important to do it well and not damage Tupac's reputation.

What a struggle to try to listen to this crap ! 

Only one song can be saved from this pathetic comedy : "Soon As I Get Home" very close to its original form.

 
 
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
 
1. Untouchable (Swizz Beatz Remix) feat. Krayzie Bone / Darryl Harper
2. Pac's Life (LT Hutton Remix) feat. T.I. & Ashanti / Darryl Harper
3. Dumpin' (Sha Money XL Remix) feat. Hussein, Papoose & Carl Thomas / Daz
4. Play Ya Cardz Right (Female Version) (Carvin & Ivan Remix) feat. Keysha Cole / Johnny J
5. What'z Next (Salih Williams Remix) feat. A3 & Jay Rock / Johnny J
6. Sleep (Sha Money XL Remix) feat. Young Buck & Chamillionaire / Daz
7. International (Capital LS Remix) feat. Nipsey Hussle & Young Dre / Capital LS REMIX Capital LS
8. Don't Sleep (Edi Remix) feat. Lil Scrappy, Nutt-So, Kadafi & Stormey
  • 1996/08 - 2006. Originally recorded for Nutt-So's Betrayal (cf. One Nation Part Two, complementary sessions).
  • Original version : Don't Sleep (Original) feat. Lil' Big, Napoleon, Kadafi, Kastro & Nutt-So ; Don't Sleep (Go-Twice Remix) feat. Outlawz & Nutt-So
9. Soon As I Get Home feat. Kadafi / QD3
10. Play Ya Cardz Right (Male Version) (Sha Money XL Remix) feat. Ludacris & Keon Bryce / Johnny J
11. Don't Stop (LT Hutton Remix) feat. Big Syke, Kadafi, Hussein, Edi, Young Noble & Stormey / Johnny J
12. Pac's Life (LT Hutton Remix) feat. Snoop Dogg, T.I, Ashanti & Chris Starr / Darryl Harper

13. Untouchable (Sha Money XL Remix) feat. Kadafi, Hussein & Gravy / Darryl Harper

Bonus tracks :
14. Dear Mama (Frank Nitty Remix) feat. Anthony Hamilton / Master T & Tony Pizarro
  • 1993 - 2006. Originally recorded for Out on Bail, then intended in every album projects until being released in Me Against The World. A remix version has been even made during Death Row times.
  • Original versions : Dear Mama (Original Scratched Chorus Mix) ; Dear Mama (Original Master T Intro Mix) ; Dear Mama (Released Pizarro No Reggie Mix) ; Dear Mama (Moe-Z Remix) ; Dear Mama (Big Mama Mix) ; Dear Mama (
15. Scared Straight (Carvin & Ivan Remix) / DJ Fuze & Shock G




2Pac -2004- Loyal To The Game (Amaru / Interscope)

  • Compilation of renewed tracks originally recorded in 1991-1993.
  • 2004, December the 12th.
  • After the success of Resurrection O.S.T., Afeni Amaru gave Eminem the hard charge to lead the producing of the new compilation album of his son...
Picture taken from the same Reising & Taylor shooting taken in 1994 
some of them were used in Me Against The World
Is it an appropriate choice for a compilation gathering songs from 1992-1993 ?

Discogs page

1. Soldier Like Me feat. Eminem
2. Uppercut feat. Edi & Young Noble
3. Out on Bail
4. Ghetto Gospel
5. Black Cotton feat. Eminem, Kastro & Young Noble
6. Loyal To The Game feat. G-Unit
7. Thugs Get Lonely Too feat. Nate Dogg
8. N.I.G.G.A. feat. Jadakiss
9. Who Do You Love ? *
10. Crooked Nigga Too
11. Don't You Trust Me
12. Hennessey feat. Obie trice *
13. Thug 4 Life *
 
Bonus tracks :
14. Po' Nigga Blues (Scott Storch Remix) feat. Ron Isley
15. Hennessey (Red Spyda Remix) feat. Edi & Sleepy Brown *
16. Crooked Nigga Too (Raphael Saadiq Remix) feat. Raphael Saadiq
17. Loyal To The Game (DJ Quik Remix) feat. Big Syke

Producers - Eminem & Luis Resto (1 to 13)
* Bold : Until then these were leaked only in a very poor quality -  9, 12, 13, 15
 
Original producers - Big D The Impossible (1,4,5,8,10,11,16), Live Squad (1,2,7,9,12,15), Johnny J (13), DJ Daryl (14), Reginald Heard (6,17), LG Experience (3)
 
 
Original featuring - Live Squad (1,9,10,13), Thug Life (1,5,8,12,15), Y?N.Vee (2), Treach & Riddler (6,17), Prince's voice (7)

2Pac trapped in the Michigan ! Thank you Em' but stick to what you're able to do...

These tracks were recorded in 1991-1993. It is obvious that Afeni wanted them to sound modern, that's why she confides the remixing work to one of the most successful name of that time : Eminem.. Is Eminem a well-known producer ? No... At the height of the defy ? of course not at all. Was he able to gather competent people to do the job under his supervision ? Yes. Did he do it ? Not at all. The result is childish weak ass productions, average East Cost beats, totally irrelevant. Nothing sounds like 2Pac original work...

In the chosen tracks of this compilation, 2Pac was younger than during his period of fame at Death Row, so Eminem & Luis Resto have often altered his voice to make it sound older... the result is obviously awful (like if you couldn't recognize that the voice of your father/mother had been faked by an A.I. engine, modified... it can mislead only new listeners). More problematic, some sounds of the original can be still heard badly in the far background (like AB Money of Rappin' is Fundamental in "Out on Bail" chorus)... Surprising for an official release... Less good than most of fanmade remixes available on Internet...
 
When you see that the first song of that album combines verses from two different songs (one from beginning of 92, "Revenge of a Soulja" and one of late 93, "Judgement Day") with an average east coast sound and a totally unwelcome verse by Eminem, we can guess that the whole thing will be a waste of time to listen to...

Frankly, a total disaster (maybe not for the bonus remix tracks that were made by professionals), a shame for 2Pac's fans to know that youngsters will listen to this and say : oh this is it, this is 2Pac !

  

 


1. Soldier Like Me (Return of The Soulja) feat. Soulja Voice, Dee Tha Mad Bitch, Mopreme, Stretch, Eminem / Stretch REMIX Eminem & Luis Resto

2. Uppercut feat. Nic Nam (Y?N-Vee), Stretch, Edi & Young Noble / Stretch REMIX Eminem & Luis Resto

3. Out on Bail feat. Rappin' Is Fundamental / LG Experience REMIX Eminem & Luis Resto

4. Ghetto Gospel feat. The Kidz / Big D The Impossible REMIX Eminem & Luis Resto

5. Black Cotton feat. Mouse Man, Eminem, Kastro & Young Noble / Big D The Impossible REMIX Eminem & Luis Resto

  • 1992 - 2004. Originally recorded probably for Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z. or for Wycked & The Mouse shelved album State of Emergency (cf. Ghetto Gospel). The original song has many elements that will be re-used in "Pain".
  • Original Version : Black Cotton (Original) feat. Mouse Man 

6. Loyal To The Game feat. Treach (Naughty By Nature) & Riddler (DBG'z), G-Unit / Reginald Heard REMIX Eminem & Luis Resto

7. Thugs Get Lonely Too feat. Rated R, Macadoshis, Prince (sampled chorus), Nate Dogg / Stretch REMIX Eminem & Luis Resto

8. N.I.G.G.A. feat. Mopreme, Mouse Man, Jadakiss / Big D The Impossible REMIX Eminem & Luis Resto

9. Who Do You Love ? feat. Stretch / Stretch REMIX Eminem & Luis Resto

10. Crooked Nigga Too feat. Stretch / Big D The Impossible REMIX Eminem & Luis Resto

11. Don't You Trust Me feat. Dave Hollister & Roniece / Big D The Impossible REMIX Eminem & Luis Resto

  • 1992 - 2004. The song could have been recorded as a reference track for his friend Yonnie Stokes aka A Sista Named Mista, a woman who was credited in 2Pacalypse Now for "Rebel of The Underground" background vocals, but more likely she is the female rapper of "Part Time Mutha". She was supposed to be a part of 2Pac first shelved project Dayz of a Criminal with Jungle Posse in 90, then she was half of the Ghetto Gospel project in 92 (so with this song), and she was in a short lived lineup of Thug Life group in early 94 (cf. Honor Among Thugz pictures and unreleased song "Thug Bitch"). 
  • Original version : Don't You Trust (Original), not very appreciated because of the Roniece's chorus being not on key ; Don't You Trust (Piano Mix) ; Don't You Trust (Alternate)

12. Hennessey feat. Big Syke, Mopreme, Obie trice / Stretch REMIX Eminem & Luis Resto

  • 1994/03 (~) - 2004. Recorded in the beginning of 94 for the East Thug Life sessions with Live Squad (cf. Exodus). It was the last song in 94 to feature Thug Life members (Dramacydal album excepted, but probably recorded when 2Pac was still in prison). The song seems to be only a kind of freestyle or a short lived project of song left unfinished. The leaked acapella has Big Syke and Mopreme verses in a very poor quality, but the original sample has been recently identified in the background of it and Parish could made a first OG remake version.
  • Original version : "Hennessey (Original) feat. Big Syke & Mopreme [Parish OG remake".

13. Thug 4 Life feat. Stretch / Johnny J REMIX Eminem & Luis Resto

  • 1993/05 (~) - 2004. This song was originally recorded during the Thug Life concept Original album sessions (cf. Thug Life Original : Do U Luv The Thug Life ?), but the song was not supposed to be included in the album, maybe for a B-side, it was more likely recorded for the Kidz/Havenotz side project - 2Pac writing and and recording reference tracks for a group of young kids rapping -, project that was started in late 91 (cf. Ghetto Gospel) and lasted until late 93 (cf. Honor Among Thugz). The song was already available in poor quality leaks and in its acapella form, so it was a good idea to have it in this compilation. Unfortunately, Eminem didn't include the original verse of Stretch which is in a very very distorted state in the acapella leak.
  • Original version : Thug 4 Life (Original) feat. Stretch [juda7 edit] (homemade edited mix with the Stretch lost verse and an alternate unused version of the original instrumental).

14. Po' Nigga Blues (Scott Storch Remix) feat. Knumskull, Ron Isley / DJ Daryl, Shock G of 415 REMIX Scott Storch

15. Hennessey (Red Spyda Remix) feat. Big Syke, Mopreme, Edi & Sleepy Brown / Stretch REMIX DJ Red Spyda

16. Crooked Nigga Too (Raphael Saadiq Remix) feat. Stretch, Raphael Saadiq / Big D The Impossible REMIX Raphael Saadiq

17. Loyal To The Game (DJ Quik Remix) feat. Treach (Naughty By Nature) & Riddler (DBG'z), Big Syke / Reginald Heard REMIX DJ Quik