... Still I Rise is the album that they released with 2Pac before they went onto doing other solo projects after his death such as Ride Wit Us Or Collide Wit Us and Novakane. In these solo projects the artists have not had the guidance and expertise to guide them as with Still I Rise because of ... Read review
Still I Rise, the third posthumous release of "new" material by Tupac Shakur, is not ... more
surprisingly a mixed bag. Recorded in 1996 with the Outlawz, the disc at its best does showcase the power of 'Pac. More politically acute (and complexly anti-Clinton) than most gangsta rap even attempts to be, "Letter to the President" and "The Good Die Young" find the star turning in some of his most focused lyrics and performances. Elsewhere, he often cedes the mic to other voices; the collaborations that result--"Secretz of War", "Tattoo Tears", the title cut--are the equivalent of campfire songs for the latter-day black cowboy. Dominated by phat beats and familiar imagery, they entertain but hardly illuminate. --Rickey Wright
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Still I Rise, the third posthumous release of "new" material by Tupac Shakur, is not ... more
surprisingly a mixed bag. Recorded in 1996 with the Outlawz, the disc at its best does showcase the power of 'Pac. More politically acute (and complexly anti-Clinton) than most gangsta rap even attempts to be, "Letter to the President" and "The Good Die Young" find the star turning in some of his most focused lyrics and performances. Elsewhere, he often cedes the mic to other voices; the collaborations that result--"Secretz of War", "Tattoo Tears", the title cut--are the equivalent of campfire songs for the latter-day black cowboy. Dominated by phat beats and familiar imagery, they entertain but hardly illuminate.--Rickey Wright
Postage & Packaging:£1.21 Availability:Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Advantages: Great E.D.I production and lyrical brilliance of 2Pac Disadvantages: Other Outlawz don't shine.
...2Pac shortly before his death. Still I Rise is the album that they released with 2Pac before they went onto doing other solo projects after his death such as Ride Wit Us Or Collide Wit Us and Novakane. In these solo projects the artists have not had the guidance and expertise to guide them as with Still I Rise because of course 2Pac is dead and there was a lot of controversy as to if the artists would be able to rap and produce a good album by themselves. ... ...artists further improved in Novakane, Still I Rise is still considered the Outlawz best album, mainly because of 2Pac’s presence.
2Pac and the Outlawz within the album adopt a poetic writing style and the beats implanted definitely promote this fact. Although 2Pac is definitely the best rapper on the album, it is E.D.I who is the most prominent out of the rest of the Outlawz and his role as producer further establishes this ... more
The Outlawz are a group of rappers that were joined together by 2Pac shortly before his death. Still I Rise is the album that they released with 2Pac before they went onto doing other solo projects after his death such as Ride Wit Us Or Collide Wit Us and Novakane. In these solo projects the artists have not had the guidance and expertise to guide them as with Still I Rise because of course 2Pac is dead and there was a lot of controversy as to if the artists would be able to rap and produce a good album by themselves. Ride Wit Us Or Collide Wit Us showed that the artists were definitely talented and collaborations with artists such as Val Young in a song called Black Rain who had previously worked with 2Pac in hits such as 2 Live & Die In L.A and r ‘n’ b artist TQ showed that 2Pac’s influence had definitely made an impact on them. Although the artists further improved in Novakane, Still I Rise is still considered the Outlawz best album, mainly because of 2Pac’s presence.
2Pac and the Outlawz within the album adopt a poetic writing style and the beats implanted definitely promote this fact. Although 2Pac is definitely the best rapper on the album, it is E.D.I who is the most prominent out of the rest of the Outlawz and his role as producer further establishes this point. This is good in some aspects as E.D.I is the most lyrically talented out of the Outlawz and his flow resembles 2Pac’s in the sense that he does not simple rhyme words with common ending but instead with similar syllables and sounds that they create. This is appreciated especially when emcees such as P.Diddy and Mase persist on making up their own words in a desperate attempt to make their lyrics rhyme. This is why Pac felt so aggravated when Notorious B.I.G came out with his Ready To Die album with hits such as Juicy because it was clear that he had emulated his rapping patterns and style of hip hop. Throughout the album a high standard of lyrical writing and execution is preserved and this makes the album very nice. But because it is rappers such as 2Pac and E.D.I who take charge of the rap, other rappers such as Napoleon are not given enough exposure and don’t shine as much as their counterparts.
The production on the album is led by E.D.I, there are no big names such as the Neptunes etc, and this is not a bad thing. The purpose of this album was for 2Pac to promote the Outlaw Immortalz, as he wanted to start a new record company entitled Makaveli Records and exposure for the artists was a necessity. 2Pac hoped that with his already established and influential position in the hip hop world the Outlawz could retain a similar status. E.D.I production is part of this idea as E.D.I was supposed to be the producer of the album alongside the likes of other Death Row producers such as Daz Dillinger. It was crucial the E.D.I made an impression and the care that he takes in the production and fine tuning of songs on the album are essential and the quality of the songs are all round bettered. The beats are similar to that on DMX’s The Great Depression in the sense that they are quite dark and base heavy, mostly motivated by a base vibe and the deep vocals of the artists nicely interlink with the instrumentals. Songs such as Tear Drops and Closed Caskets, Still I Rise and Tattoo Tears use this style of hip-hop. Tattoo Tears is probably the mostly successful at this because of Nate Dogg as a feature. His dark, deep G Funk Death Row vocals are well appreciated by the beats and further more the harmony that he forms with the rappers is exceptional. There are also beats that are up-tempo and jazzy such as Hell 4 A Hustler in which the flopping of disc and jazzy instrumentals make for an excellent song.
The Outlaw Immortalz, first and for most were supposed to be a rap group, but in a song entitled Hell 4 A Hustler in which several of the Outlawz sing the hook, “Help me change my ways/Show a little mercy on judgement day”, I was surprised to see that the Outlawz were also good singers and despite their unusual singing vocals the harmony that they as a group create behind Pac’s fast and automatic lyrical execution is delightful. In addition E.D.I’s production really shines through on the single.
The subject matter for Still I Rise is very underground and nothing like what mainstream rappers such as Jay Z and Fabolous are producing. Baby Don’ Cry sees that the Outlawz story telling ability is a rare but crucial necessity for the album and it is becoming an acquired taste in the mainstream with songs such as Ja Rule’s Lost Little Girl. But it is songs such as Hell 4 A Hustler, Letter To the President and Killuminati that the album is based around. Real subject matter, the Outlawz and Pac rapping about the situations in the ghettos and political issues. In Killuminati Pac adopts the name Killuminati which means kill the Illuminati. The Illuminati were a racist group of people living in America, by putting Kill in front of their name 2Pac showed that he was strongly against them. The subject matter is best related to that of 2Pac’s song Changes in which he raps about things in America for black people not changing.
Nate Dogg is the only feature on the album and in retrospect this is good because it allows the Outlawz a whole LP to demonstrate what they are capable. It was disappointing to see that Storm the only female member of the Outlawz never made an appearance on Still I Rise. He light female vocals would have definitely been appreciated as they were in songs such as Thug Passion on the All Eyez On Me album. Still I Rise is a great album for a fan of gangster west coast rap and 2Pac. Still I Rise will mesmerize people that enjoyed the Outlawz latest work whereas fans of Makaveli The 7 Day Theory will also remain in awe.
Here are the tracks available on the album:
1. Letter To The President (10/10 – Dark base heavy beats and vocals for the hook)
2. Still I Rise (9/10 – Light overlapping vocals and mid-tempo instrumentals)
3. Secretz Of War (7/10 – Monotonous chorus but good verses)
4. Baby Don't Cry (Keep Ya Head Up II) (10/10 – Excellent sequel to 2Pac’s smash hit Keep Ya Head Up)
5. As The World Turns (9/10 – Tupac shines)
6. Black Jesuz (7/10 – Not daring enough of the Outlawz, the beats and lyrics are very central)
7. Homeboyz (8/10 – Similar to Pac’s original song When My Hommie Calls)
8. Hell 4 A Hustler (10/10 – E.D.I’s production is sheer brilliance and is supported by superb lyrics)
9. High Speed (9/10 – Up-tempo lyrics with mid-tempo beats)
10. The Good Die Young (10/10 – Similar in subject content to 2Pac’s Changes)
11. Killuminati (9/10 – The Outlawz melody is a great addition)
12. Teardrops And Closed Caskets (7/10 – Average beats and good lyrical content)
13. Tattoo Tears (10/10 – Nate Dogg’s vocals are excellent for the base heavy track)
14. U Can Be Touched (8/10 – Good lyrical content)
15. Y'all Don't Know Us (8/10 – good single, but not the best outro to an album)
...his residence in heaven's ghetto. STILL I RISE is 2Pac's fifth posthumous release. For all his posing and posturing, 2Pac did possess a lifetime worth of talent, talent that was crammed into his brief time in the spotlight. Even what's left over at this late date has significant artistic merit. From "Letter to the President," an earnest, simple, and direct admonition to Bill Clinton to the simple, perfectly old-school "Homeboyz" (which harkens back ... ...this record speaks to death, and it's not surprising. From the Golden Gate to the Apple State, the streets are filled with kids like Tupac, and even in his death, he's still giving them hope.even in britain kids role model themselfs on him.
BUY THIS CD... It's the greatest. ...
Iva_Biggin 23.03.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Still I Rise (Clean) - 2Pac & The Outlawz
...to this album, 2pac's rage still burns as his voice goes hoarse on "Hell 4 A Hustler". Tupac also adds his political views on "Letter To The President" the albums though provoking opening track, and "Tear Drops and Closed Caskets" a more in depth look at ghetto life. The album is tight from beginning to end. It would have been nice to hear more of Tupac on the album, but the Outlawz are equally respectable in their role. "Still I Rise" is out to ...
Al 14.07.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Still I Rise (Clean) - 2Pac & The Outlawz
Advantages: Rhymes, Flows, potential Disadvantages: Kadafi and 2Pac are now sadly deceased.
...a court case against Death Row Records, their former record company. Unfortunately, arguably the most promising and talented Outlaw Kadafi (R.I.P) was shot 2 months after the fateful death of Tupac Shakur (R.I.P). This aside the Outlawz are still a force to be reckonned with and this album proves it! ...
Kozz 09.07.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Still I Rise (Clean) - 2Pac & The Outlawz
Still I Rise, the third posthumous release of "new" material by Tupac Shakur, is not surprisingly a mixed bag. Recorded in 1996 with the Outlawz, the disc at its best does showcase the power of 'Pac. More politically acute (and complexly anti-Clinton) than most gangsta rap even attempts to be, "Letter to the President" and "The Good Die Young" find the star turning in some of his most focused lyrics and performances. Elsewhere, he often cedes the ...
Al 14.07.2000
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Still I Rise (Clean) - 2Pac & The Outlawz
Advantages: Not many Disadvantages: Boaring lyrics, smae old-same old
This album has changed the way I look at 2Pac. I used to look at him with some amount of awe and think, "My what a good rapper" but thias album crused that veiw. I now think of him as dead for a start but also as a less good rapper. His first albums were amazing. His songs before this album have all been amazingly good and I woundered how he came up with it all. But this album is full of dull, slow moving songs and all the lyrics are cheesy and boaring ... ...not on his albums then on some other rappers. To be honest I wish i could have my money back, I would then go and buy a Jay-Z or Dre. album. I hear Eminem is working on a new album, that may be worth the cash. But not this. I think it is the Outlawz which have bought him down from his heavenly cloud in this album. If you want 2Pac, go back to some of his early stuff and you will find much better quality. ...
EddM 06.12.2000
· Read full review
Review of Still I Rise (Clean) - 2Pac & The Outlawz
Product Information for "Still I Rise (Clean) - 2Pac & The Outlawz" »
Product details
Title
Still I Rise (Clean)
Performer
2Pac & The Outlawz
Genre
R&B
Sub Genre
Rap
Release Date
20/12/1999
Recomended Retail Price
12.99 GBP
Original Release Year
1999
Label / Distributor
Interscope / Universal Music
Guest Artist(s)
2Pac & The Outlawz
Pieces in Set
1
Studio / Live
Studio
Stereo
Stereo
Format
Performer
EAN
606949041724
Catalogue Number
4904172
Additional notes
Album Notes
Personnel includes: 2Pac, Big Syke, Niamyja Tyler Jackson, Ta'He, Outlawz (vocals); Soulshock, Karlin (various instruments, programming); Jay Valentine (various instruments); Darrell Crooks (acoustic & electric guitars, synthesizer, bass); Femi Ojetunde, Eric Jackson, Greg Dalton (guitar); Cassandra O'Neal (piano); Claudio Cueni (Fender Rhodes piano); Ronnie King (keyboards); Keith Rouster (bass); E. Allen Foreman, Zaram Lopez (programming); Darryl "Big D" Harper, Nate Dogg, Val Young (background vocals). Producers include: Tony Pizzaro, Damon Thomas, Daz, Johnny J, QDIII. Engineers include: Claudio Cueni, Ian Boxill, Brad Gilderman. Includes liner notes by Justin Troy. The worst aspect of Tupac Shakur's death was the uncontrollable inevitability of it all. Even if he hadn't been cruelly gunned down, anyone who was paying attention knew his story wouldn't have a happy ending. His public persona was so confused: a tempestuous mix of poet, thug, sensitive soul, and woman-chasing playa. The same elements that made his downfall so unavoidable are the ones that make it a no-brainer that he would continue to fascinate and sell records years after he took his residence in heaven's ghetto. STILL I RISE is 2Pac's fifth posthumous release. For all his posing and posturing, 2Pac did possess a lifetime worth of talent, talent that was crammed into his brief time in the spotlight. Even what's left over at this late date has significant artistic merit. From "Letter to the President," an earnest, simple, and direct admonition to Bill Clinton to the simple, perfectly old-school "Homeboyz" (which harkens back to his DU days), the tracks on STILL I RISE showcase what 2Pac was--an intelligent, complex talent.
Album Reviews
Uncut (3/00, p.91) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...It's pleasingly diverse..." The Wire (3/00, p.64) - "...In places Tupac sounds split in two, playing the part of wise father 'for himself'..."
Titles on disc 1
1.
Letter To The President
2.
Still I Rise
3.
Secrets Of War
4.
Baby Don't Cry (Keep Your Head Up)
5.
As The World Turns
6.
Black Jesus
7.
Homeboyz
8.
Hell 4 A Hustler
9.
High Speed
10.
Good Die Young
11.
Kiluminati
12.
Teardrops And Closed Caskets
13.
Tattoo Tears
14.
U Can Be Touched
15.
Y'all Don't Know Us
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Listed on Ciao since
04/07/2000
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