Tag: 2Pac

video review : Straight Outta Compton

video review : Straight Outta Compton

I would’ve preferred a documentary, but here it is; the story of NWA in Hollywood movie form. I was never a fan of the group, but two of its members, Dr Dre and Ice Cube, went on to become megastars in their own right. The same might’ve been said for leader Eazy-E if this story didn’t end the way it did. His dying of HIV, hardly a spoiler, is only one of many highlights the bouncy script touches upon. It’s a straight rundown of the group’s career, from low class teenagers in crime-ridden Compton to famous rap stars, with more focus on the behind-the-scenes drama than the music.

Straight Outta Compton, crudely named after the title of their debut album, isn’t anything special on the whole. Its individual parts; director F Gary Gray has a knack for glamorizing life thru movie scenes; are what keep things interesting. The prologue sequence of Eazy-E getting caught in a dope house raid and a funny bit involving a groupie named Felicia are prime examples. The actors tend to overact; you get the sense that the characters know they’re in a movie; but such flaws are basically forgiven to watch the story, which hints at a sequel focused on Dr Dre’s solo career, unfold.

my rating : 4 of 5

2015

audio review : Rather Be Ya Nigga ( song ) … 2Pac + Richie Rich ( featuring Stacey Smallie )

“I don’t wanna be ya man, I wanna Be Ya Nigga,” 2Pac tells a honey. It’s ebonic word play. “Man” and “Nigga” are near synonyms in his world, but the latter has more of an appealing connotation; one more fitting for, say, a thug with a Benz.

For Richie Rich, the contrast of the terms have more to do with the level of the relationship. As her Nigga, he doesn’t feel obligated to wine and dine her like her “man” would. It’s just periodic sex with no romantic love strings attached.

The only flaws have to do with the girl on the chorus. She should be the highlight of the mix while Pac does his thing in the background. Instead it’s the other way around. Even less sensible is that she’s singing from the guys perspective.

my rating : 4 of 5

1996

audio review : All Eyez On Me ( album ) ... 2Pac

audio review : The Don Killuminati [ The 7 Day Theory ] ( album ) … 2Pac ( posthumous )

audio review : The Don Killuminati [ The 7 Day Theory ] ( album ) ... 2Pac ( posthumous )

2Pac sounds angrier and more aggressive than ever, as if he’s ready for war. “It’s not about east or west,” he declares, “It’s about ‘niggas’ and bitches… riders and punks.” He wastes no time categorizing the latter with rival rap peers. Biggie and Puff make the list, of course, but this time as mere afterthoughts amid an army of faceless targets. If it’s true that all Eyez are on him, he’s finally starting to crack. He can’t black them all, so when he swings, he only hurts himself by leaving his legacy an unfocused mess. None of these beefs, I bet, will mean much 7 months from now, let alone 7 years.

2Pac, a thug rapper who doesn’t have the wit or wordplay to make full diss songs that interesting anyway, is best when he’s in deep poetic thought. Blasphemy, featuring one of the only beats I’ve heard on a major record label release that doesn’t sound like it was distorted on purpose, is a prime example; though there’s a “dada” vocal loop that should’ve been set louder in the mix. Or perhaps he’s best slow-jamming with the ladies. Just Like Daddy is the album’s best song; not necessarily for its verses, but for the passionate vibes of its beat with 2Pac and a girl singing a catchy hook over it.

The way these songs, which are mixed and mastered with murky expediency, blend to and from each other gives the album a sloppy mixtape vibe. In a sense, it seems rushed, as if it’s something he felt he had to make and put out as quickly as possible. With that, it stands in dark contrast to the polished presentation of his last. That album has California Love on it, featuring Dr Dre. This one has the sequel, To Live And Die In LA, without “gay-ass” Dre. I bet the two of them would, or, depending on the depth of this “Makaveli” thing, will, have a friendly laugh about that line in 2003.

my rating : 3 of 5

1996
 

Gaz :

Cool review. I still remember getting home and putting the CD on for the first time. I had it cranked up on my parents’ Marantz stereo. I just about shit myself during the intro. BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG… “You niggaz still fuckin’ talkin’? You niggaz is still fuckin’ breathin’?”

I will never forget that.