2pacalypse Now [PA] by 2Pac

For such a huge gangsta rap fan like me that puts it higher up in priority above everything else as a listener, I'm doing my best to turn my review catalog into a source for those who want the best of gangsta rap together and where would it go without a piece of the legend, 2Pac? So, it was about time I would get to him and post a review for one of his albums, preferably starting chronologically with his 1991 debut, 2Pacalypse Now. 2Pac is one of the biggest names in rap music and to many he's the first name that comes to mind when talking about hip-hop music and although I don't think he's the greatest rapper at all, — which is just what his hardcore, wannabe "thug life" fans blindly think — he's damn close. It's interesting to look at his early beginnings, born in New York but later moved to Oakland and there getting his start as a roadie for the group, Digital Underground. Soon after, he got his own start with the debut album, 2Pacalypse Now.

For this album, it's obvious 2Pac has been studying some of hip-hop's more hardcore acts, including Public Enemy, Paris, N.W.A, Geto Boys and KRS-One — all of which are given their tribute or homage in some way. Lyrically, 2Pac is pretty militant on 2Pacalypse Now and is all about politics. The society in America is messed up the way he sees it and feels that it keeps the black man down purposely. His pro-black image is visible specially on "Words of Wisdom" which calls out "AmeriKKKa" and tells the black race to unite and put up against the shit they've been forced to take all this while. "Trapped" is more commentary on 2Pac being trapped in the world he lives in by crooked cops and corrupt government so that he feels like he's inside a jail-cell. "Young Black Male" — despite it's interesting title — only sets off the album with 2Pac's braggadocios newbie rhymes and more of the kind follows on "Rebel of the Underground". 2Pac feels bad about the state black people are in and as a young and gifted dude speaks his mind on "I Don't Give a Fuck" which is yet another attack against the government, cops and the "devils" that keep the black people down. "If My Homie Calls" is another strong moment which is 2Pac dedicating a song to his homie who he separated ways with and chose to sell crack — while 2Pac went to do better things in the rap business — and who, 2Pac waits for to hear calling him again.

The best moments appear, however, when 2Pac focuses on storytelling. Despite being kinda amateurish and still having room for improvements, 2Pac does pretty well as a storyteller on 2Pacalypse Now. A perfect example is "Brenda's Got a Baby", which is sad social commentary on young ladies in the ghettos that have their lives fucked up by various reasons such as not caring parents. The story is centered around the 12 years old Brenda, who gets pregnant by her cousin and dreams of the two being together only for her guy to dump her and forcing her to find a way to get rid of the baby — which she does by dumping the baby in a trashcan — and finding other ways to make money. That includes selling cracking only to end up getting robbed and in turn going for prostitution and facing death at a young age. The message is clear and very reminiscent of the original hip-hop track with social commentary, Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five's "The Message". A very sad but powerful message does "Brenda's Got a Baby" deliver and the thought of a baby being dumped in a ditch fucks me up to no end. "Violent" is more gangsta rap than political and is a tale of 2Pac and his homie being pulled over by the police only to result in a bloodbath and tons of fire exchange by 2Pac and the police department. "Soulja's Story" is another good song which features a "soulja" (soldier) — personified by an altered voice from 2Pac — who's living the lifestyle of the poor selling crack and dealing with cops only for him to be forced to kill a cop and go to jail which leads to his brother — played by the regular 2Pac — come to his rescue in the police station leading to an interesting ending.

As good as the amateurish 2Pac is in his performance on 2Pacalypse Now, it's the production that really lets down the album from being a potential classic. It's produced entirely by 2Pac's close friends and I can't say I'm familiar with most of them. There are definitely some bright moments there such as "Rebel of the Underground" which features a more speedy sample from The Honey Drippers' infamous "Impeach the President" and "Violent" which features a sample from Home T's "Pirates Theme". But there's nothing really special, the beats are pretty dated and dull. For 1991, they sound way too dated and at times they are messy and cluttered. I like the piano notes of "If My Homie Calls", for instance, but moments like these are very few in the production department and that's where 2Pacalypse Now fails. I mean, let's take N.W.A's Niggaz4Life and compare it to this in terms of production. The former is light years ahead of this album but again, I can't blame it on 2Pac. He was just a newbie and pretty much a nobody, plus who possessed the talents of Dr. Dre or had his support behind the board for such awesome beats? Only a select few did. But then, it does help things a little that the beats are pretty dull — it makes 2Pac's lyrics shine much more and that alone makes the production not as bad as it would have sounded, had they been used by a less talented rapper, like say, Too Short.

2Pacalypse Now is a young and hungry 2Pac at the start of his career before all the thug posturing, all the legal troubles and the big fame hit him. Unlike the Notorious B.I.G., Wu-Tang Clan, Nas, Jay-Z or N.W.A, 2Pac didn't start off the same way, his fame and position in the rap game wasn't directly earned through his debut. It's another rapper that progressed by each release and 2Pacalypse Now is worth picking up just for seeing 2Pac's progress as a rapper as time went on, not to forget hearing his intelligent points as a militant black nationalist that wanted to keep his people's heads up. Most 2Pac fans aren't really that hyped about 2Pacalypse Now and it's never really mentioned as his best album, for obvious reasons too. It is also a gold-certified album and one of his lesser selling products.

Track Listing:
1. Young Black Male
2. Trapped
3. Soulja's Story
4. I Don't Give a Fuck
5. Violent
6. Words of Wisdom
7. Something Wicked
8. Crooked Ass Nigga
9. If My Homie Calls
10. Brenda's Got a Baby
11. Tha Lunatic
12. Rebel of the Underground
13. Part Time Mutha

3.5 stars

THE 2PAC SERIES:
2Pacalypse Now (1991)
Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z. (1993)
Me Against the World (1995)
All Eyez on Me (1996)
The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory (1996)
Greatest Hits (1998)