2Pac Strictly 4 My Niggaz Released 30 Years Ago Today

To celebrate the 50^th anniversary of hip hop, Billboard just released their 50 greatest rappers of all-time. Many people didn’t like it as expected, but I’m not getting upset over someone’s else’s opinion. Jay-Z and Kendrick Lamar finished as the top-2 MCs ever and Nas, 2Pac and Eminem rounded out the top-5. If you have followed me over the years, you know that 2Pac is my GOAT and Nas is right behind him. Unfortunately, 2Pacalypse Now wasn’t played by me until after his second album. One of my friends introduced me to Pac’s music and instantly became a fan. 30 years ago today Strictly 4 My Niggaz was released. The original name of the album was Troublesome 21, but it was scrapped by the label. This was during the time when politicians were pushing to ban Pac’s music. The first single gave them more ammunition to continue to target Pac.

Holler If Ya Hear Me was the debut single and it was also the first track off the album. Holler If Ya Hear Me is one of my favorite records from the album. The video was controversial, and it showed how much he despised the cops. The second single is one of Pac’s biggest hits and it was I Get Around. I Get Around featured the group that discovered him Digital Underground. The platinum selling single has been included on many all-time great lists. The third single off Strictly 4 My Niggaz is another all-time classic record from 2Pac. Keep Ya Head Up was the track and it also found itself going platinum. The track was an ode to black women around the world and just a great record. Pac did released and fourth and final single called Papa’z Song.

Papa’z Song dropped in January of 1994 while Pac was gearing up for the Thug Life joint. Strictly 4 My Niggaz didn’t sell a lot during its first week, but picked up steam with those singles. The album has sold over two million copies till this day and is called underrated. Ice-T, Ice Cube, Digital Underground and Treach from Naughty by Nature all made appearances. Keep Ya Head Up, I Get Around, Holler If Ya Hear Me, the title track, and The Streetz R Death Row are top 5. Strictly 4 My Niggaz is one of my top 2Pac albums and as mentioned before it’s very underrated. Below is the track listing and stream link to the album.