Thug Life - Thug Life: Vol. 1
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Artist: Thug LifeEdition: Music CD
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language)
Format: Explicit Lyrics
Published: 1998-03-10
CD Release Date: 1998-03-10
Music Label: Interscope Records
Soundtracks:
- Bury Me A G
- Don't Get It Twisted
- Shit Don't Stop
- Pour Out A Little Liquor
- Stay True
- How Long Will They Mourn Me?
- Under Pressure
- Street Fame
- Cradle To The Grave
- Str8 Ballin'
Free Music Notes for Thug Life: Vol. 1
Free Music Review: The most overlooked chapter of the 2Pac saga
Hit: 5 Stars
In 1994, 2Pac had established himself as a west coast power, and while he was not yet at the level of superstardom that affiliation with Death Row Records would bring, he was established from his first two albums, 2Pacalypse Now and Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z.. Thug Life was a group of 2Pac's friends including Mopreme, Macadoshis, Rated R, and Big Syke. Many tracks were recorded for this album, and a lot were cut, and this album was not nearly as violent a work as it could have been (for instance, a song with the verse from the song "Runnin'" from "2Pac Resurrection" was cut). "Volume 1" is a ten-track release that clocks in at just over forty minutes, and it's got more of a relaxed, laidback vibe than Pac's later music. It's really, really good. Pac's strength is obvious, but his boys are also very capable MCs. On "Volume 1," the songs range from upbeat party songs to more laidback street cuts, as well as a handful of the deep, philosophical cuts that 2Pac so perfected. The party jams are good, but they're at their best on songs deep songs like "Pour Out a Little Liquor." The deep lyrics over laidback beats is a cool product. Two of these, "Bury Me a G" and of course the legendary "How Long Will They Mourn Me?" are among the best of 2Pac's discography. Like Pac himself, Thug Life are better artists than rappers. When I say that, I mean that their entire product is greater than the sum of their parts. For instance, none of them are great vocabularists, they might use the word "motherf...in'" eight times in a verse to take up syllables. But like 2Pac, they are so emotional and convey so much emotion in their raps that it's really effective and dramatic. They are gangstas first, and even with so much deep philosophizing, you won't lose sight that they're from the streets. The production is excellent. 1994 produced a lot of beautiful sounding hip hop from the west coast, and the production on "Volume 1" is just great. It's the kind of sound that evokes pure California imagery, yet it's not g-funk at all. It's laidback and soulful, but not the kind of rolling, synth-heavy g-funk that would soon take over. There are multiple classic jams here, you'd be hard pressed to find another single album with as many true classics as this, even if every song isn't. There's so much to be said for this album, but overall, "Volume 1" is a truly fine work of lyrically and musically appealing music, and I highly recommend it to all fans of 2Pac and west coast hip hop.
The first song is a true hip hop classic, "Bury Me a G." This song utilizes a gorgeous Isley Brothers soul sample, later artists like Nas, UGK, and Master P would use the same sample trying to recapture the glory. This song's a true anthem of ghetto lifestyle, from the chorus, ("I ain't got time for b...s, gotta keep my mind on my motherf...in' switches...") to the verses talking about the dangers and trials of slangin' and bangin'. This shows a slightly philosophical style that 2Pac embraced, yet the laidback production is settling, creating a unique feel. All the verses are great. "Don't Get It Twisted" is fairly standard gangsta fare, but the upbeat production is good. "S... Don't Stop" is more of a party jam, fast and funky. I love the slow, winding beat on "Pour Out a Little Liquor," a toast to lost homies. 2Pac made a lot of songs like this during his career, and this is among the best. "Stay True" is an upbeat summertime anthem, and it's awesome. The next song is truly one of my favorites of all time, the epic "How Long Will They Mourn Me?" This song has all the elements you could need for a classic: a legendary Warren G beat, Nate Dogg on the hook, and all the members of the group. The raps are among the most emotional they ever did, and the chemistry and execution are perfect. By the second and third verse, it seems like every other word is "motherf...in'," but you won't even notice because you'll be yelling along with Syke and Rated R. "Under Pressure" is an appealing, dark, streets track. "Street Fame" is solid but not amazing. "Cradle to the Grave" is a definite classic, though, with great production, an awesome chorus, and some of Pac's most noteworthy styles. The album closes with one more awesome song, the ultra-catchy "Str8 Ballin'."
I feel like "Volume 1" gets overlooked in comparison to a lot of Pac's other classics, and while it certainly isn't on the level of Me Against the World or All Eyez on Me, it contains multiple classic singles and is a great album from start to finish. It seems like even Outlawz got more press than Thug Life. I highly recommend "Volume 1," it has all the characteristics of Pac's great solos, and the chemistry and production is awesome. This is a classic, those who have yet to hear it might consider it a must-have!
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