Better Dayz [PA] by 2Pac

What else can be said about Tupac Shakur? You know he started out as a background dancer of the Digital Underground back in the early 90's, released his debut 2Paclyspe Now(which I'm going to review) back in '91 with a big way.(Brenda's Baby, If My Homies Call, I Don't Give A F*ck). Released multiple albums, did time in jail, signed to Death Row, unfortunately got killed, fortunately he knew it was coming and record MASSES of songs to release about 8 more albums after his death. One of those albums was Better Dayz, yet another double cd. Let's get into the disappointing disc 1.

Tracklisting (Disc 1)
1)Intro
2)Still Ballin' ft. Trick Daddy-$$$
3)When We Ride On Our Enemies-$$$1/2
4)Changed Man ft. T.I. & Jazze Pha-$$$1/2
5)F*ck 'Em All ft. Outlawz-$$
6)Never B Peace ft. E.D.I. & Kastro-$$
7)Mama's Just A Little Girl ft. Kimmy Hill-$$$$$
8)Street Fame-$$$1/2
9)Whatcha Gonna Do ft. Kastro & Young Noble-$
10)Fair Xchange ft. Jazze Pha-$$$$
11)Late Night ft. DJ Quik & Outlawz-$$$1/2
12)Ghetto Star ft. Nutso-$$$
13)Thugz Mansion ft. Nas(Acoustic version)-$$$$$


The album kicks off with a reporter hyping up the album and 2 Pac's "return" by constantly asking where are all these songs coming from and even doing a New Year's Countdown for the album release in the Intro. "Still Ballin' one of the singles from the album features an undeserving Trick Daddy with an average appearance. Pac doesn't wow me here as his lyrics aren't exactly top notched and the beat doesn't hold my attention either. Of course they would have tracks where Pac released venom against Biggie and others. "When We Ride On Our Enemies" and "F*** 'Em All". The instrumental is bouncy and head nodding in the first track as Pac hits a low blow by mentioned Prodigy's sickle cell disease. The Outlawz come in for a pitiful appearance in the 2nd track. The background vocals when the hook comes is very annoying. The 1st track is definitely better than the 2nd one.

Jazze Pha comes in for his first appearance(but definitely not his last) on "Changed Man" where in my opinion the radio friendly beat doesn't match Pac's angry flow and lyrics. T.I.'s guest verse is terrible as he is yet another artist undeserving for a guest spot in a Pac song. PERIOD. "Never B Peace" has an unfitting production with Pac's lyrics and it's a shame because he gets introspective with some good lyrics and good hook. Two of the Outlaw's members join the track and no they didn't do a good job, no they wasn't good when Pac was alive and no they didn't help the rating of this track be positive.

Just when you think a great track to emerge from this cd would not be possible, "Mama's Just A Little Girl" comes next in this rotation. It's like another "Brenda's Baby" except not quite as dramatic or good in my opinion. The production has a latino taste in it thanks to the use with an acoustic guitar. This is how Pac got his recognition of his talent by creating images in your mind with thought provoking lyrics. Kimmy Hill sings beautifully on the chorus. I remember Pac's last radio interview he talked about a concrete rose(which Ashanti named her 3rd fallout album), and he talked about it at the end of the song:

They ask us why we mutilate each other like we do
And wonder why we hold such little worth for human life
Facing all this drama
But to ask us why we to turn from bad to worse
Is to ignore from which we came
You see you wouldn't ask why the rose that grew from the concrete had damaged petals
On the contrary
We would all celebrate its tenacity
We would all love its will to reach the sun
Well
We are the roses (echo)
This is the concrete (echo)
And these are my damaged petals (echo)
Don't ask me why (echo)
Thank god n*gga(echo)
Ask me how (echo)
(hahaha)

You see, mama's just a little girl

Deep.....

In "Street Fame", Pac once again use battle rhymes, excuse me, killing rhymes on this pretty good produced song with consistent piano playing along some occasional organ playing to create an atmospheric production. His lyrics aren't mindblowing, but it's okay.

The mediocre "Whatcha Gonna Do" features the weak cliche Outlawz with a very uncreative hook, lyrics, and beat. That's the formula for a whack track isn't it?

Jazze is back and I am glad because his production no matter how radio friendly brings life to a somewhat dieing cd. The problem is the subject matter. I'm talking about "Fair Xchange". Picture a more graphic "I Get Around" and that's what this is. Except not nearly as catchy. Jazze Pha has a catchy chorus admittingly.

"Late Night" has a very mellow, smooth instrumental that was laid down by DJ Quik. In my opinion the most talented of the Outlawz, Fatal makes an appearance which is decent. I like this track, the whole vibe of it is cool.

"Ghetto Star" features yet another track where Pac trade shots at his adversary ,Notorious B.I.G. Nutso tries too hard to be intimidating and sound like Pac. Pac does throw in some good rhymes, nothing memorable.

The first disc actually ends in a CLASSIC note(well at least in my opinion). Another single from the album, Pac contemplates on a place in heaven for thugs called "Thugz Mansion". His first verse is flawless and so is Nas by paying homage to Pac's mom and other things like if he dies he know her life is set. Pac speaks to his mother from Thugz Mansion as he imagines kicking it with past celeberties such as Mile Davis and Billy Holiday. The acoustic guitar driven beat is tight as it sets the mood perfectly. The chorus is beautiful as J.Phoenix does his thing. This track was one of my hip hop dream collaborations as Nas and Pac are both poeticly good.

Best Track(s):Thugz Mansion, Mama's Just A Little Girl
Worst Track(s):Whatcha Gonna Do, F*ck 'Em All, Never B Peace
Best Guest:Tie b/w Kimmy Hill & Nas
Worst Guest:Outlawz

Problem with disc 2 is that many of the unfinished Pac material, so to fill up that void, it's only fair that Pac's crew(Outlawz)clutter the cd up with their dreadfull appearances. Some of the production just didn't match Pac's lyrics and what happen to some trademark Westside production?

Tracklisting(Disc 2)
1)My Block-$$$$$
2)Thugz Mansion ft. Anthony Hamilton(7 Remix)-$$$$$
3)Never Call U A B*tch Again ft. Tyrese-$$$$$
4)Better Dayz ft. Mr. Biggs-$$$$$
5)U Can Call ft. Jazze Pha-$$$1/2
6)Military Minds ft. Buckshot & CoCo Brothers-$$
7)Fame ft. Outlawz-$$$$1/2
8)Fair Xchange ft. Mya-$$$$1/2
9)Catchin' Feelings ft. Outlawz-$$$$
10)There U Go ft. Outlawz-$$$$
11)This Life I Lead ft. Outlawz-$$$1/2
12)Who Do U Believe In ft. Kadafi-$$$$
13)They Dont Give A F*ck ft. Outlawz-$$$$


Disc 2 kicks off with "My Block" where he talks the hard times in the hood he grew up from. Pac is at his best with introspective poetic lyrics backed up by a beautiful instrumental with some simple bass thumps and guitar flicks. You can hear the passion in Pac's voice, and the chorus is great with the little children singing right along with the beat. The song is put so well together that it earns a perfect score. Pac continued with "Thugz Mansion" the 7 Aurelis remix that features Anthony Hamilton who does a great job with the chorus as his soulful southern vocals fit in perfectly with the less heavenly, but still credible production. Pac's lyrics aren't spectactular, but he earn points with the subject matter.

The great quality of tracks continue with "Never Call You B*tch Again" where Pac apologizes to his girl that he has had hard times with, but she stuck by him and that's why he will never degrade her again. Tyrese brings the authenticy of the track with a passionate chorus over another strikingly fitting soulful R&B-ish type production. Pac surprises me at times with the heart that he really has, but that gets overshadowed by the thug image he so proudly flaunted in the ignorant public eye. But he proves that he is a genuine loving person as his concerns for better days for his people continues on album titled "Better Dayz" where he inspire the listeners not to give up as he hope for better days. Pac is talking mostly to the ghetto civilians, the people that need the most motivation.Mr. Biggs, AKA, Ronald Isley croon soulfully in the background of a brilliant production that once again blend the well use of instruments.

Can we say it all falls down with thug love anthems such as "U Can Call" produced to the at times(most times)annoying Jazze Pha where is like another "I Get Around" pimp song where Pac is nothing but average here over a cliche but admittingly well sung hook by Jazze. The beat breathes commercial that you can find in todays radio. "Fair Xchange" is much better improvement than the original, same lyrics but different production and the sexyMyasings the addictive chorus.

I hold my breath in and exhale pretty harshly where Pac falls back in that thug threaten mentality with "Military Minds". Pac is joined by some other unknown rappers who spits some average stuff except the the person who did the 3rd verse which was a lil' above. I don't care much about the song as the beat doesn't hold my attention long and nothing raises my eyebrow. Pac yet again releases venom on Biggie with Catchin' Feelings along with his Outlaw colleages. It still doesn't have the big impact like "Hit 'Em Up" but Pac still uses his angry voice to enhance the track with a real catchy hook. Outlawz really need to stay out of these tracks. They clutter up another track with "This Life I Lead" with a beat that has tight background effects, but the main beat is pretty mediocre.

"Fame" brings back credibilty in the album where he speaks about how fame changes people. The beat is tight that go along with Pac's tight sung hook. It would be a higher score if the guests didn't bring it down to average level. And the mellow sounding "There U Go" where Pac flips the script and tells of his girl that is hoeing around while he is out on tour. I'm not going to hate Jazze Pha keeps the track going with a very smooth and catchy chorus. The Outlawz appear for an average performance at best. Pac may didn't have the lyrical skill of Nas or the vocabulary, but he still puts life in a track."Who Do U Believe In" is a personal track where he questions his thug life.Kadafi appears(which he likes to do)and gives u a very forgettable short verse. It was better off left alone by Pac.

"They Don't Give A F*** About Us" is where Pac downgrade the government, politics, media, the usual. It ends the album songwise in an average note. The Hidden Track is haunting with 2 Pac telling everybody get ready because like Jesus he's coming back.....

Best Track(s):Better Dayz,My Block, Never Call U B*tch Again
Worst Track(s):Military Minds
Best Guest:Mr. Biggs
Worst Guest:Outlawz

The 2nd disc came out strong, remained fairly strong but lower ratings fall in along with the Outlaw crew. Maybe some talented guests would have kept the credibilty up.

Well there you have it. Better Dayz overall has some good tracks, but fell to average thanks from the double disc "curse" which we all know creates filler. I'm disappointed by the overexposure of the Outlawz some unfitting production, and we all knew Pac loved his westcoast and there's no trademark west coast production to be found. Even though Dre and Pac wasn't friends in the end, Dre should have atleast produced a handful of these tracks. Buy the cd? Uh....If your a 2 Pac fan......