The Don Killuminati - 2Pac

In celebration of the new movie "Tupac: Ressurection", i've decided to go back and re-review 2pac's final album that he completed before his death. In 1996, Tupac Shakur was on top of the world. With his highly successful two-disk album All Eyez on Me going multiple-times platinum, the man was rolling in money... and controversy. At the same time, his beef with east-coast rapper Notorious B.I.G. was beginning to ignite and enlargen ...
...his alter ego of Makaveli, the Don Killuminati, on the microphone. The name derives from a long-dead Italian War Strategist named Nichollo Machiavelli, who wrote philosophical literature about the secrets to winning wars and faking your own death. It was because of this simple fact that 7 Day Theory was so shrouded in controversy. Throughout the album, Makaveli drops several lines indicating clues that perhaps he might be alive. The subliminal messages ... more

In celebration of the new movie "Tupac: Ressurection", i've decided to go back and re-review 2pac's final album that he completed before his death. In 1996, Tupac Shakur was on top of the world. With his highly successful two-disk album All Eyez on Me going multiple-times platinum, the man was rolling in money... and controversy. At the same time, his beef with east-coast rapper Notorious B.I.G. was beginning to ignite and enlargen from just simple disses to some acts of street violence. For his fifth studio album, 2pac decides to take a twist into darkness, adopting his alter ego of Makaveli, the Don Killuminati, on the microphone. The name derives from a long-dead Italian War Strategist named Nichollo Machiavelli, who wrote philosophical literature about the secrets to winning wars and faking your own death. It was because of this simple fact that 7 Day Theory was so shrouded in controversy. Throughout the album, Makaveli drops several lines indicating clues that perhaps he might be alive. The subliminal messages are actually fun to spot and add to the album, but sadly, just circumstantial evidence. It has yet been proven that 2pac is indeed alive. However, it has been proven that 7 Day Theory is one of his best albums.

Track List & Rating

1. Bomb First (My Reply) f/ Outlawz (3 1/2 Stars)
2. Hail Mary f/ Outlawz (5 Stars)
3. Toss It Up f/ K-Ci & JoJo (5 Stars)
4. To Live and Die in L.A. f/ Val Young (5 Stars)
5. Blasphemy (5 Stars)
6. Life of an Outlaw (4 Stars)
7. Just Like Daddy f/ Outlawz (5 Stars)
8. Krazy f/ Bad A$$ (3 Stars)
9. White Manz World (4 Stars)
10. Me and My Girlfriend (5 Stars)
11. Hold Ya Head (5 Stars)
12. Against All Odds (4 Stars)

Makaveli opens the album off with "Bomb First (My Reply"). After an interesting spoken-word introduction, followed by eerie church bells, followed by 7 shots, in which after the seventh, the rapping begins. 2pac lays down some disses towards his enemies in the east-coast ranging from Jay-Z, Nas, Mobb Deep, and those on Bad Boy Entertainment like his rival Notorious B.I.G.. Backed by some mafiosio violins, guitars, and pianos, Makaveli drops his typical thuggish rhymes threatening his enemies. Joined by Outlawz, they're performance is mediocre compared to 2pac's energetic delivery, but still... very simple rhymes.

7 Day Theory doesn't kick into high-gear until we get to the lead-single "Hail Mary", one of the more famous 2pac joints of his allustrious career.

The production is very familiar, featuring eerie church bells, a hi-hat clap, thumping drums, thumping bass, and some high-key xylophone to add to the melody. The melodic feel of the song is very atmospheric, and Makaveli only adds to the feel. You can tell 2pac was serious from his legendary opening bars: "I ain't a killer but don't push me, Revenge is like the sweetest joy next to gettin p*ssy, Picture paragraphs unloaded, wise words bein quoted, Peeped the weakness in the rap game and sewed it". By listening carefully to the lyrics, it seems as if 2pac is rapping in the past-tense, which brings more eerie questions and gives it one of those posthumous, after-death feelings. The Outlawz perform relatively good, but it is, as expected, 2pac who steals the show. The hook is one of the most famous in the industry, giving it that eerie feeling. Its not a question why this song is often considered one of his best among fans.

Makaveli returns to his All Eyez on Me mentality, which is more thuggish on the single "Toss It Up", with R&B duo K-Ci and JoJo. This is one of those pro-female love songs similar to his previous collaborations with K-Ci and JoJo. Besides the obvious lavish subject matter, 2pac decides to throw in some disses towards Dr. Dre who had left Death Row a couple of months prior to the release of this album. The instrumental is a G-Funk inspired track with high-pitched whistling and thumping bass, providing another memorable song.

The album takes a much more introspective turn on the legendary "To Live and Die in L.A.". Featuring some R&B influenced production with violins, a minimalistic keyboard arrangement, and hard bass kicks, it provides a soulful atmosphere for 2pac's light-hearted view of Los Angeles, and his pride for his city. Val Young delivers a classic hook, but its Makaveli himself who steals the show. 2pac decides to describe and narrate the life of California, as well as throw props to his buddies and to those who supported him. The light-hearted, hopeful feel of the music is nice, but its 2pac's lyrics that really shine.

After the light-hearted previous song, 2pac takes a MUCH darker turn on the incredibly eerie "Blasphemy". Opening with a passage from the Holy Bible, we get more of that eerie production found earlier on the album. This time, we are given some eerie violins, mesmerizing drum loops, and a variety of instruments which are difficult to point out. But I can tell you that it is perfectly fitting for the subject matter. Makaveli gets angry on this track, throwing out shots at his enemies showing that he has no fear. Hardcore 2pac fans should know that this particular song is chock-full of posthumous lines and clues to his ressurection, which are incredibly eerie to be quite honest. Lines like: "Brothas getting shot, comin back resurrected, It's just that raw sh*t, n*gga check it", and "There's ten rules to the game, but I'll share with you two, Know, n*ggaz gon' hate you for whatever you do, Now rule one -- get your cash on, M.O.B., That's Money Over B*tches, cause they breed envy, Now rule two is a hard one, watch for phonies, Keep yo', enemies close n*gga, watch yo' homies", its no wonder fans search through this song for clues.

"Just Like Daddy" soon follows and its another joint with the Outlawz and Makaveli together. Backed by soft, beautiful production, 2pac decides to drop the idiotic thuggish nature of his character and turn to a more introspective, socially-conscious commentary style of subject matter. The song is very touching, and the subject matter is creative and shows 2pac's love for family, which is something he has always given us through his catalogue of songs. He raps about taking responsibility of being a father, even if the children aren't your seeds, because of your love for the woman. Basically, the song is one of those hopeful classics that 2pac is known for.

Skipping ahead, "White Manz World" soon enters the speakers. Makaveli goes to a nice mix of political and social commentary, reminiscent of a lot of his older, early 90s work. 2pac speaks about female African-Americans struggling through the world of white men and having to put up with their racial injustices. Lyrically, the song shines and each message that Makaveli puts out is thought-provoking and poetic, which is what he has always been good at. Backed by a nice beat featuring synthesizers and windpipes, 'Pac provides another easy listen.

One of 2pac's most creative, and most copied, classics comes next. The legendary metaphoric "Me and My Girlfriend" is a song im positive most have heard.

Being one of 2pac's greatest songs ever, of course you know the production is going to be top-notch. Featuring mafiosio guitar flicks, backed by thumping bass, you can easily tell it is going to be a street joint. However, the lyricism and the concept of the song is exactly what makes it a pure classic. 2pac uses an incredible extended metaphor comparing his gun to his girlfriend, which takes a couple of listens to understand. Makaveli never acknowledges that he is talking about a gun, but you have to take the context clues that he throws in the lyrics to fully understand, which is what truly makes the song poetic, metaphoric, and basically, an untouchable classic. Listening to lines like: "Picked you up when you was 'nine', started out my life of crime, wit you, bought you some 'shells' when you turned 'twenty-two'". Calling his gun his "girlfriend" was a genius idea and shuts down any head who doesn't think that 2pac is creative. Overrated, indeed, but he is definetely not a bad rapper whatsoever.

It would be difficult to top an untouchable classic, but 2pac does deliver another classic with the introspective "Hold Ya Head". On here, 2pac raps about jail life and gives props to all of his homies in jail. The lyrics are thought-provoking and eye-opening, as he vividly describes the life of a prison mate and how close to hell it really is. Taking a close listen at 2pac's lyrics would make anybody truly appreciate freedom. Backed by piano-influenced production and some R&B background vocals, this is yet another highlight.

The album comes to a close after the memorable "Against All Odds" where 2pac basically drops disses towards all of his east-coast enemies, such as Nas and Mobb Deep. Definetely a good listen...

7 Day Theory is honestly not a classic album, but it is one of the best in 2pac's discography. The eerie feel of the production and the haunting lyrics of 2pac are what make it the most diverse and different album out of all of 2pac's work. Featuring a hand-ful of classics, this album should be enough to shut down all 2pac haters and make them understand that, though 'Pac is far from being the best emcee on the planet, he was no push-over either. He proved he has what it takes to be political, introspective, creative, angry, AND tell a story. 2pac has indeed done it all. I suggest you cop it...

4 Stars

 

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