"Thug Life: Volume 1" is the 1994 release by the group of the same name, they formed in this year as 2Pac brought together several West Coast rappers Big Syke, Macadoshis, Mopreme and The Rated R for his record label 'Out Da Gutta Records'. On this release 'Pac performs on each track and gets a selection of the group, another to rap with him.
1. "Bury Me A G"
You receive some heavy beats from the production group Thug Music, and they really get things going as 'Pac gets straight inot the tunes without any sort of introduction to this record. He just gets to what he plans for the track and talks on how he has time to do things which have him fulfil the position of a "thug" in his community. All of Thug Life make an appearance during this one.
**Three Stars**
2. "Don't Get It Twisted"
This is the only tune not to feaure the raps of the leader, 2Pac as he gives is step-brother, Mopreme a chance to show off what he is capable of along with Macadoshis and The Rated R, who also represent the crew. They do things nicely, but are unable to show that
much energy without the aid of 'Pac.
**Two Stars**
3. "S**t Don't Stop"
This is an exciting one as Thug Music takeover with the beats once again and they manage to swicth up the mood by encorporating some G-Funk into the production, and with such strong foundations, it is difficult for Thug Life to lose the momentum which is created from this funky backing.
**Four Stars**
4. "Pour Out A Little Liquor"
The mood changes as the recently deceased Johnny "J" Jackson takes over with the beasts and come with something a lot more reserved as 'Pac dedicates his rhymes to all the "fallen soldiers" who are no longer able to be with 'Pac or Thug Life. I've heard more emotive pieces of this sort, but this certianly isn't a poor attempt from him.
Here you have 2Pac, with Stretch and Mopreme Shakur on a lively beat. Here they are given a chance to simply relax and appreciate what they have as the chill out on thee West Coast. It is a nice feel-good tune which can be excused for a lack of depth in the lyrics as its just about having a good time.
**Three Stars**
6. "How Long Will They Mourn Me?"
On this one you get 'Pac collaborating with some of the top names out on the West Coast as Warren G and Nate Dogg join him and the rest of Thug Life by dedicating a track to Kato, who would have been a part of the group, had he not died prior to the recording of the piece. It is a thought-provoking one and is very relevant to those out there living the G lifestyle.
**Four Stars**
7. "Under Pressure"
Thug Music get another chance to take control over the album as they are given another opportunity to do the beats and they come with something big, and well-suited to 2Pac and what he is known for as it gives him a chance to rap as he usually does without having to force the production to fit with his delivery and approach.
**Three Stars**
8. "Street Fame"
The beats in this one really annoyed me as I was constanly waiting for a big break in it, however it never came and you are left in anticipation for one throughout the tune. As a result, you are made to be in another place, other than on the lyrics, whihc is a sahme as the whoel crew come together in this one.
**Two Stars**
9. "Cradle to the Grave"
Once again you have the whole of Thug Life on one track together in unity, and I think that this is the best example of when it works for them on this record. It is an interesting one as it follows the life of 'Pac at the start, and then switches as you change to different members and how their lives were afflicted since birth.
**Four Stars**
10. "Str8 Ballin'"
This track is one which has been re-done on a multitude of occasions, once in a simple remix with Trick Daddy, then later re-worked as "Still Ballin'" and then "I'm Getting Money" later on in his career. I found the latter of them to be the best, however I still enjoyed this one as you get to see where he came with the raps and how he developed them over a couple of years. Here he just gets a chance to have fun and talk about the money he makes.
**Four Stars**
This album marks a change in the artist as he moves away from the conscious Hip Hop style which he had used from his debut in 1992 with politically-charged rhymes. Here he goes on with his Gangsta Rap side and has fun, but balances it with tales of how it can effect you when the negaives of this lifestyle come about. Although it is an album by this collective group, it still sounds to be 'Pac who is in control of the whole thing, and I can't say that it was a strong one for him. The rest of the group had little to offer, and I can't say I can remember hearing of them since. This album isn't anything special, and is simply another Gangsta Rap album from the mid-nineties.
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