“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