Top 7 Iconic Songs by Tupac Shakur of All Time

Tupac Amaru Shakur, also known as 2Pac or Makaveli, was honored as the fourth Greatest Rapper of All Time by both Billboard and Vibe magazine in 2023. Despite his tragic murder in 1996 at the age of just 25, Tupac’s influence has persisted across various generations of artists and has even inspired numerous academic explorations.

Regarded as a pivotal figure in the realms of hip-hop and gangsta rap, Shakur’s extensive discography and significant contributions to music are widely recognized.

He was inducted into the Hip-Hop Hall of Fame in 2002 and later into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in April 2017. With a staggering sales record of over 75 million albums globally, he stands out as one of the best-selling music artists in history.

Note: The following rankings are based on Spotify streams as of the time of writing.

Top 6 Must-Listen Tupac Songs in 2024: California Love, Ambitionz az a Rida, and More

1) California Love (807,411,194 Spotify streams)

California Love marked Tupac’s triumphant return as his first single following his release from prison in 1995. This track also signifies his debut with Death Row Records.

Featuring Dr. Dre, the acclaimed American rapper and producer, it’s noted that Tupac composed his verse in a mere fifteen minutes. Released on December 3, 1995, California Love quickly rose to the top of the Billboard Hot 100, holding the number one spot for two weeks.

The song’s lyrics celebrate Tupac’s newfound freedom as well as the vibrant lifestyle of California. An excerpt from the initial verse states:

“Now let me welcome everybody to the Wild Wild West/ A state that’s untouchable like Eliot Ness/ The track hits your eardrum like a slug to your chest/ Pack a vest for your Jimmy in the city of s*x.”

2) Ambitionz az a Rider (777,853,765 Spotify streams)

Tupac wrote Ambitionz az a Rider while incarcerated for sexual assault in 1995. He co-wrote this piece with Delmar Arnaud.

This track samples Joeski Love’s iconic Pee-wee’s Dance and was released on February 13, 1996, as a part of 2Pac’s fourth studio record, “All Eyez on Me.”

Ambitionz az a Rider reflects Tupac’s acceptance of the gangster lifestyle and his readiness to confront all obstacles life throws at him, as articulated in this verse:

“My murderous lyrics, equipped with spirits of the thugs before me/ Stay off the block, evade the cops ’cause I know they comin’ for me/ I been hesitant to reappear, been away for years (I’m back, baby).”

3) Hit ‘Em Up (674,237,755 Spotify streams)

Released on June 4, 1996, as the B-side to the single How Do U Want It, Hit ‘Em Up features the Outlawz and is notorious for being one of the most impactful diss tracks in the East Coast-West Coast rivalry.

This song served as a direct retort to Biggie’s Who Shot Ya, escalating tensions during the feud. The chorus powerfully declares:

“See, grab your Glocks when you see 2Pac/ Call the cops when you see 2Pac, uh/ Who shot me? But you punks didn’t finish/ Now you ’bout to feel the wrath of a menace/ Ni**a, I hit ’em up! (Yeah).”

4) All Eyez On Me ft. Big Skye (636,048,946 Spotify streams)

The track All Eyez On Me delves into Tupac’s persona, encompassing the fame he acquired and the perils associated with it. The lyrics reflect his resolve to live boldly as a “thug ni**a”and a “boss player.”

A snippet from the chorus reads:

“Live the life of a thug ni**a until the day I die/ Live the life of a boss player (All eyes on me) ’cause even gettin’ high/ All eyes on me/ Live the life of a thug ni**a until the day I die.”

Released on February 3, 1996, this track is from 2Pac’s pivotal fourth studio album, All Eyez On Me, which has achieved gold certification in the UK, Denmark, and Italy.

5) Changes (564,880,568 Spotify streams)

Released as a single on October 13, 1998, Changes is featured in Tupac’s Greatest Hits collection.

The track, which includes vocals from the R&B trio Talent, is notable as the only posthumous nomination for a Grammy Award in the Best Rap Solo Performance category. It samples Bruce Hornsby and the Range’s 1986 hit, The Way It Is.

As a politically charged song, Changes tackles issues such as racism, gang violence, police brutality, and societal injustices. One of the initial verses poignantly highlights this:

“I see no changes, wake up in the morning and I ask myself/ Is life worth livin’? Should I blast myself?/ I’m tired of bein’ poor and, even worse, I’m black/ My stomach hurts so I’m lookin’ for a purse to snatch/ Cops give a damn about a N**ro.”

6) Hail Mary (353,301,482 Spotify streams)

In Hail Mary, Tupac attempts to transcend the violence and chaos surrounding him, communicating with the divine while referencing biblical themes. Through his lyrics, he unveils his vulnerabilities and fears.

A key excerpt reflects the song’s depth:

“Bow down, pray to God, hopin’ that he’s listenin’/ Seein’ ni**as comin’ for me through my diamonds when they glistenin’/ Now pay attention: bless me please, Father, I’m a ghost/ In these killing fields, Hail Mary, catch me if I go.”

Released posthumously, Hail Mary features the Outlawz and contributions from reggae artist Prince Ital Joe, peaking at number twelve on the US Billboard R&B/Hip Hop Airplay chart.

7) Do For Love (349,337,732 Spotify streams)

Originally titled Sucka 4 Luv, Do for Love is 2Pac’s second posthumous single from the album R U Still Down? Remember Me.

This heartfelt song peaked at number 21 on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached number 10 on the Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs chart. The narrative revolves around the overlooked sacrifices made for love, as illustrated in this portion of the chorus:

“Just when I thought I broke away and I’m feelin’ happy, you tried to trap me/ Said you’re pregnant and guess who the daddy? Don’t wanna fall for it/ But in this case what could I do? So now I’m back/ To makin’ promises to you, tryna keep it true.”

Other notable songs by Tupac include Dear Mama, Keep Ya Head Up, and Ghetto Gospel.

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