My Simple NO Bullshit Review -
The Killuminati (Intro) - This is a pretty good intro, but lets remember thats all it is. The beat reminds me of an Eminem beat and the vocals come from the interlude on the "RUSD" album, and then a clip out of no where for "Dont sleep" like its an exclusive. But As I say I do like the intro and feel it delivers its "purpose" very well.
3 out of 5
Livin The ThugLife (Ft Assassin) - This one grew on me, I hated at it at first and thought the beat was very simple, however I soon relized the simplisty of the beat is what makes this a good opening track for the album. Some will like it, some wont. Assassin backs Pac up well on the chorus with underlaying himself and repeating what Pac says "we living the thug life, we living the thug life". Pacs vocals are from the song "Open Fire".
3 out of 5
Throw Ya Gunz Up (Ft Redman) - When I first read the tracklisting and the feature on this song "Redman" I thought damn this gonna be shit (simply as I dont like Redman) however, this song turned out to be my second favourite track from the entire album. The beat is deep, love the guiter and Redman's Verse comes good and up to Pac's standards. Pac's verse is from "one nation" or a "one nation song" cant remember at this time, however its dope over this beat. The only thing that spoilt the track was the 1 and a half to 2 min interview of pac they put on the song after Pac's verse to simply fill up the track. Also the shout out's at the end werent really needed, they should of just let the beat play out.
4 out of 5
Thug Style - Didnt like this at all. When you here the OG/RUSD version you defiently know thats how 2pac wanted it, and not this poor excuse of a remix. Not much more I can say about this, other than in my opinion its horrible. A large majority of you will like it though.
2 out of 5
Hotel California (Interlude) - I had high hopes for this when I read the tracklisting simply because the tracklisting didnt mention it was an interlude so there was me thinking it was gonna be a dope remake using a beat of The Eagles "Hotel California" instead it was just the california beat in the background with a bunch of people waffling some shit. This wasnt needed especially as we already have a shock G interlude
2 out of 5
Watch Me! (Ft Big Daddy Kane) - "Where ever you are" pretty dope I thought I liked the sound effects they put over the OG beat and kept the verses og, was rocking my head back and forth and than the hook came in...... why why why. Yes the og is missing a hook, but maybe thats how Pac wanted it! and by judging by this hook, its the reason why Pac didnt put a fag on the hook singing some shit! "Still im trying hard to be the man im trying to be........" he groans. Would of been a 4 out of 5 song, but it loses marks for the hook. Everyone complains when Amaru records puts an R n B singer on 2pacs songs spoiling them. Yet people will dick ride assassin on this one, when its no better than Amaru do. This remix has just made me relize when they release the song it will have a gay ass hook on it fucking up the song completly.
3 out of 5
Cradle 2 Tha Grave (Ft Thug Life) - Not much to say, this is dope shit, its the original version of the song that is available on the Papaz song cd single. Top performances from Pac and Co
4 out of 5
Sucka 4 Luv (Ft Kyle Rifkin) - Very dope. This was the reason I ordered the album, and as I guessed, it is, in my opinion the best song on the album. Dope hook/singing skills (how it shoud be done) along with a tight beat makes this song better than the og.
5 out of 5
Thugz Get Lonely 2 (Ft Assasssin, Gonzoe, Mexicali) - This sucked. If ya'll hated the LTTG version (which I didnt) you will commit sucide over this one. Anyone that says its better than the LTTG version needs to visit a doctor or some shit. I really dont want to waste my time talking about this track. Its straight up garbage. The beat and the other rappers made the song lose its feeling which Pac spat throught the ORIGINAL VERSION HOW HE WANTED IT.
2 out of 5
Shock G'z Interlude (Phone Message) - Phone message from shock G, not really neeeded, he's praising Assassin for his work on Volume 1. So lots of acting and waffling from Shock G. Did we need it? NO, however assassin felt the need to have Shock G there praising his work.
2 out of 5
World Wide Dime Pieces (Ft Nice, Smooth & ODB) - Sorry but this sucks. I hated the OG but this "remix" made me love it!! Peoples verses cut from the song I believe, I dont think Pac wanted people he recorded with the track cut from songs, I mean isnt that what everyone complains about Amaru? So why is it ok for Assassin and Co to do it but then label the album "How he wanted it". NO I didnt know 2Pac but rest assured this is not how he wanted it! LOL. Horrible mix - Jossy can do better.
1 out of 5
Thug 4 Life (Ft Havikk) - The previous track left a bitter taste in my mouth, something had to come better, and it did on the track "west coast gangsta team" and not this. The beat is ok and lots will like this, I guess I was a bit disapointed Stretch wasnt on there but this other guy instead, his voice ruined the song for me. Assassin and Co shout out live squad etc in the credits but take stretch off the fucking track? wtf.
3 out of 5
West Coast Gangsta Team) - Perfect track to pick up the album again from the disapointment of the last 4 songs. Everyone comes tight on this. And alot of you Pac fans wouldnt have heard this Pac verse, its from the song "Gangster Team". Alot of you wont own that song on the retail. And its pretty tight. Spice 1 and Ice T dope as ever too.
4 out of 5
Big Tyme (Ft Live Squad) - This is how 2pac wanted it. Left in OG form! Perfect song tight as ever. Just wish the quality was better. Im sure I have heard a better VINYL rip of this going around. Anyway ya'll heard this song, ya'll know what its about and ya'll know its fucking tight! Would of been 5 out 5 but the quality lets it down.
4 out of 5
Gotta Get Mine (Ft M.C. Breed) - Released version, Ya'll heard it, its a sub standard 2pac song. Nothing new on this track.
4 out of 5
Fuck Em All (Bonus Track - Warpath Remix) - I will catch heat for this but I have never liked Warpath's mixes. Yes he has talent but I feel his style dont suit Pac's voice or raps. Take example the last album Warpath put out, he worked on it for like 8-9 months and in my opinion it was horrible. I feel theres no need for this on the album, and its not such a bonus. A bonus would of been Assassin putting out the OG of "Judgement Day" the way Pac wanted it!! Not this. Hearing Noble on the hook makes me cringe. This is a no no. BUT Warpath does have his fans, and ya'll will like this.
2 out of 5
Overall Score - 3 out of 5
The album started off good but fell off after "Sucka 4 luv" it picked up again when "West Coast Gangster team" came on and from there you got a couple of og tracks easily obtainable.
A majority will like this, I did. And will play it for the next couple of weeks. Its 10 bux, so its worth the money. Do pick this up for the good tracks on here.
But please Assassin and Co, please put some og tracks out there for us on Volume 3!
. 5/5
