IS ANOTHER POSTHUMOUS 2PAC CD REALLY NECESSARY?

By Nick Kaoma

After being recognised earlier this year by Rolling Stone magazine as one of the top music earners (from the grave), it seems like Tupac aims to further justify that with yet another posthumous release.

But of course, we all know that it is not Shakur that is releasing these albums, it’s the ‘creative’ people at Interscope Records that wield enough power and marketing gimmicks to unleash regurgitated albums as if we didn’t already have all of the icon’s music on our iPods.

Clearly trying to capitalise on the lucrative Christmas season when every Tom, Dick and Thandi is excited enough to purchase anything as long it is nicely wrapped up, the cunning folks at Interscope/Universal are set to release “The Best of 2Pac – Part 1: Thug” and “The Best of 2Pac – Part 2: Life”.

The tentatively titled album features classics such as “Trapped”, “California Love”, “I ain’t mad at cha”, “Keep ya head up” and “Brenda’s got a baby”. But wait a sec, aren’t these all tracks that are either cramped in the Greatest Hits double disc released in 1998 which sold more than 10 million copies worldwide or in the other many 2Pac compilations?

The only thing that would make me consider buying the album is the fact that a portion of the profits will go to the Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation which is run by his mother Afeni Shakur.

But judge for yourself, here’s the tracklisting for the double-disc album:

THE BEST OF 2PAC - PART 1: Thug
1. So Many Tears
2. Trapped
3. California Love (Original Mix)
4. How Do U Want It
5. I Aint Mad At Cha
6. 2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted
7. Hail Mary
8. Changes
9. Unconditional Love
10. Resist the Temptation (Previously Unreleased)
11. Dear Mama (featuring Anthony Hamilton - NEW MIX)

THE BEST OF 2PAC - PART 2: Life
1. Definition of a Thug Nigga
2. Brenda's Got a Baby
3. Keep Ya Head Up
4. When I Get Free
5. Until the End of Time (RP REMIX)
6. Never Call U Bitch Again
7. They Dont Give a F*** About Us
8. Still Ballin (NITTY REMIX)
9. Ghetto Gospel
10. Dopefiend's Diner - (Previously Unreleased)
11. Thugz Mansion Acoustic Remix (NEW REMIX)