... 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 ... Read review
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A review by bigdiship-hop on The Don Killuminati - 2Pac July 28th, 2004
Author's product rating:
Originality
Average
Lyrics
Thought-provoking
Quality and consistency of tracks
A couple of weak links
Value for Money
Advantages:
Very Dark, Quality Production, Haunting Lyrics, Eerie Feel, Creativity
Disadvantages:
Outlawz Guest Appearances, Some Thuggish Subject Matter, Simple Rhyming
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
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...
Advantages: Excellent Music Disadvantages: only 12 tracks
The 7 Day Theory was released a month and a half after Tupac's death under the alias Makaveli, which comes from an Italian writer who Tupac enjoyed greatly, Niccolo Machiavelli. Included are the outstanding tracks, 'Hail Mary', 'Toss It Up', 'Just Like Daddy' and 'Against All Odds'. Unlike his previous album, this album is more of a solo effort with only a few guest appearances.
Today it stands as my favorite Death Row and/or 2Pac album. Every song ...
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07.08.2000
7 day theory Review ofThe Don Killuminati - 2Pacby
aazdogg
Advantages: 2pacs last recorded album Disadvantages: none
...he will always undoubtbly be the greatest rapper ever. this album under Makaveli caused a lot of contriversy when it was released in late 97 after the death of tupac.it opens in the first 3 seconds with a phrase (clear if u know what your looking for!!!) saying "suge shot him" any 2pac fans will know who Suge knight is (owner of death row records,just released after five years in prison) but as soon as the intro starts you know this is goping to ... ...was going on in the west coast / east coast rivalry at the time and 2pac starts on Notorious b.i.g,Jay z,Nas and Chino xl.
2pac's lyrics are strangly different as usual compared to all eyez on me and me against the world and he seems to be not himself whilst he is rhyming on this album but it still is great..hail mary seems to have an almost gothic feel to it and toss it up is an up tempo diss at dr dre. to live and die in l.a is a new updated california ...
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14.05.2001
You need this Review ofThe Don Killuminati - 2Pacby
PeterBacon
Advantages: Gothic Feel, legendary Rapping Disadvantages: Not as many tracks as some of 2pacs albums
Don Kiluminati : The 7 Day theory was one of Tupac Shakurs best albums with a medeavil gothic sense to every song this is truly a great album which you should buy and add to your rap collection whether your a 2pac fan or not! With Tracks like "Hail Mary" and "Me and My Girlfriend" you will find this album one of the best you will buy. Recorded shortly after 2pacs death this album is really in tribute to him with some of his best songs on one album!! ...
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Advantages: Consistent Disadvantages: Nothing specific
...“The DonKilluminati: The 7 Day Theory” came out late in 1996, and had 2Pac take on a new persona as Makaveli (following the time spend reading Machiavelli’s “The Prince” in prison). It was the second album from him in the year, after dropping the classic “All Eyez On Me” earlier on, but unfortunately he was killed before he was given a chance to drop this, his final completed work.
1. “Intro”
2. “Hail Mary”
This track begins a string of recordings which went on to become singles for him, and for this one, it is probably the most significant track off the album as it is considered to be one of his best creations ever as he flows on top of the type of beats which we would associate from the Horrocore phase a few years later. It is a very dark one, and it is all about the lyrics, so you need to follow closely to stay up on it all...
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Advantages: One of the best 2pac albums created, it also makes you think about his death Disadvantages: I do not believe that there is much wrong with this album just brilliant
...This is one of the best but one of the last albums 2pac ever created. The lyrics created are touching and appeal to all of his friends, enemys and to the rest of the world. This album does not just explain about 2pacs enemys but it also helps explain the theories behind his tradgic death. Does the album mean he is alive or being reincarnated into one of 2pacs heros. The name makaveli comes from 2pacs hero who wrote many poems and stories about faking you own death to decieving your enemys. The name makaveli is very interesting because 2pacs new name spells out I Am Alive. The songs on this album are from 2pacs greatest i belive this album has to have 9/10. A must have for Hip Hop lovers especially from the legends....
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Advantages: Fresh 2pac verses - great production Disadvantages: Outlawz - not enough 2pac
...than the other ones, 'LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT' is a letter aimed at the past President, Bill Clinton. 'SECRETZ OF WAR' has the most unusual beat but the lyrics are somewhat confusing and excellent at the same time. 'BLACK JESUZ' is another track to look out for, sounds a bit like 'HAIL MARY' but other than that, it's a good track. I enjoy 'HOMEBOYZ', it's one of 2Pac's finest party songs. The beat is unusual but the whole song is put together nicely. Definately worth a listen. I don't listen to 'HIGH SPEED' very much but has a familiar chorus to it. 'Y'ALL DON'T KNOW' is another track I hardly listen to so I can't quite comment on it. Overall, the whole album is put together nicely and has to be 2Pac's finest posthumous album with 'UNTIL THE END OF TIME' and 'DONKILLUMINATI'. This is definately worth the money so if you don't have it, go...
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