The song is a hidden gem of inspiration encouraging those battling lifeвЂ™s ills to hold on. вЂњHold On Be StrongвЂќ вЂ“ Driven by a smooth live bass and a funky sped up trumpet sample, the track was released on the second disc of 1997вЂ™s R U Still Down? (Remember Me). The opening line is so visual and memorable: вЂњAt night I watch the sky/ I take another breath / I smoke my Newport to the butt like itвЂ™s the last m*thafucka left.вЂќ вЂPac goes on with his classic story-telling about the never ending struggle against the court system and his dedication to his homies: вЂњMy enemies your enemies/ cuz you ainвЂ™t never had a friend like me.вЂќ The ride or die approach on the track showcases his loyalty and dedication to those he rode for. вЂњNever Had A Friend Like MeвЂќ вЂ“ The GridlockвЂ™d soundtrack вЂs solo 2Pac track is one of the most under-appreciated songs in his discography. Big Syke brings a uniqueness with his verse opening: вЂњI got keys/ coming from overseas/ Cost a ni*ga 200 GвЂ™s.вЂќ This is вЂPacвЂ™s flamboyant defiance to the people who locked him up for what he felt was unjust, pointing out the District Attorney on his case: вЂњCan you see me hoe?вЂќ He also references the officers at Clinton Correctional Facility and dedicates the song to the people he was locked up with.

вЂњPicture Me RollinвЂќ вЂ“ 2Pac almost seems to be speaking directly to his fans when you hear the end of the song: вЂњIf you wanna see me again, rewind this track right here, close your eyes and picture me rolling.вЂќ Produced by the late Johnny вЂњJвЂќ the guitar twang the song rides on is one of the most memorable parts of it. вЂPac is far more menacing in his approach, though, as the song is a reference to his love for his firearm: вЂњAll I need in this world of sin/ Is me and my girlfriend/ down to ride to the bloody end/ Me and my girlfriend.вЂќ 2Pac revealed in an interview the inspiration for the track came from NasвЂ вЂњI Gave You Power.вЂќ вЂњMe and My GirlfriendвЂќ вЂ“ When you inspire JAY Z and BeyoncГ© to cover your song, itвЂ™s truly a testament to your song writing ability. As he reminisces over life in New York, the track oozes nostalgia over the classic boom-bap snare and percussion. Fresh, Red Alert, Queen Latifah, Rakim, LL Cool J and more on this classic track. Nothing but love for you.вЂќ A nod to the pioneers of Hip Hop, Pac reveals some of his favorite MCs, shouting out everyone everyone from Doug E. 2Pac starts off giving love to вЂњAll the Muthaf*ckas in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Staten Island, Queens, all the muthaf*ckas who laid it down the foundation. вЂњOld SchoolвЂќ вЂ“ This track is one of the happier tracks on the legendary album Me Against the World, long before the East Coast/West Coast feud. вЂњI can feel your heart beat fast/ cuz itвЂ™s time to die/ getting high watching time fly,вЂќ he raps, which ultimately became true because time flew by so quickly for him.

Once again heвЂ™s prophetic in rapping about his own death, which was a common theme or even a self-fulfilling prophecy. вЂњStaring Through My RearviewвЂќ вЂ“ This song is one of вЂPacвЂ™s somber reflective tracks that is thought provoking and powerful. The rhymes are practical, describing the pain of the urban condition, voicing the frustrations and pain of a generation.With assistance from Big Stretch of Thug Life, this was an early glimpse of the realness вЂPac would bring with his future music. вЂњPainвЂќ вЂ“ Released on Above The Rim Soundtrack, the piano keys on the production have been sampled by many like Slim Thug, Ja Rule and many more. The passion in this song is palpable and showcases a social awareness rarely matched with lyrics: вЂњOr send me to hell cuz I ainвЂ™t begging for my life/ AinвЂ™t nothing worse then this cursed hopeless life.вЂќ вЂњTroublesomeвЂќ was released officially on The Greatest Hits album in 1998, but was wildly popular on the Makaveli bootleg mixtapes in the subsequent years after his demise. вЂњTroublesome 96вЂ™вЂќ вЂ“ This is 2Pac in his most volatile state.

Tupac makaveli album tracklist