Evolution: Duets And Remixes

‘Niggaz is hard… to kill… on my block…’

The immortal words from Tupac resonate through time eternally just as his memory will, as long as people are still buying and supporting hip hop music, but does this new compilation album do him justice?
 
As with any postmortal material released by a record label with the late great in question slapped all over it, I was extremely cynical about this Nu Mixx Klazzics Vol. 2 CD. However, as soon as I heard the first track drop, I knew my skepticism was unfounded…

Now with any Tupac CD, you know the flow and lyricism of the rapper will not be off as any rap fan is already familiar with his material. The only qualities that make each new remix/compilation album headed by the late great Tupac Shakur stand out from the rest are the guest appearances and production.

Snoop Dogg, Styles P and Kurupt are only but a few who take their spots on this album exceptionally well. However, the extensive appearance from the Outlawz takes the show on this album. Styles P and Butch Cassidy kill it on ‘Pain’, with the passion of each rapper truly coming through on the track.

‘So much pain, yeah I did years doing sicker shit
If I cried, it’ll probabl y be a blood and liquor mix…”
Styles P on ‘Pain’

Snoop drops as smooth as ever on ‘Wanted Dead or Alive’, with its quintessential West Coast beat is one of the best tracks of the album. The combination of the two rappers on this track prove why ‘Amerikaz Most Wanted’ is still a classic track unhinged by its age.

‘Staring Through my Rear View’ features that played out sample from ‘Phil Collins – In The Air Tonight’ but does it surprisingly well. The smooth bass conveys a contemplative mood which translates into words with Tupac’s remarkable social commentating. The beat on ‘Whatz Ya Phone #’ with its club-friendly intertwining Arabian basses packaged with Tupac and Candy Hill’s delivery as well as the smooth hook provides the perfect backdrop conjuring images of the raw and sensual female form in the listeners mind.

In conclusion, this album is straight up dope. I would urge any hardcore ‘Pac fans to cop this, as it’s a refreshing change from all the other CDs that have poor production but sell because they slap the name of a legend on the front cover.

01. 2Pac - Picture Me Rollin' (feat. Kurupt & Butch Cassidy) 03:39
02. 2Pac - Keep Goin' (feat. Fatal Hussein) 03:17
03. 2Pac - What'z Ya Phone # (feat. Candy Hill) 03:51
04. 2Pac - Staring Through My Rear View (feat. Dwele) 04:15
05. 2Pac - Hail Mary (feat. Outlawz & Kurupt) (Rock Mix) 04:20
06. 2Pac - Got My Mind Made Up (feat. Outlawz & Kurupt) 04:13
07. 2Pac - Pain (feat. Styles P. & Butch Cassidy) 04:54
08. 2Pac - Lost Souls (feat. Outlawz) 04:37
09. 2Pac - Wanted Dead Or Alive [Gangsta Party] (feat. Snoop Dogg) 03:04
10. 2Pac - Initiated (feat. Boot Camp Click) 03:46
11. 2Pac - How Do U Want It 04:09
12. 2Pac - Picture Me Rollin' (feat. The Outlawz) 05:10