Today, March 14th, marks the 25th anniversary of Tupac Shakur’s classic album entitled Me Against The World. Many fans and critics proclaim that this work is the best that Tupac ever released (honorable mention must go to Makaveli 7 Day Theory). There is no denying that the album had many influential songs that have passed the test of time. The estate in celebration of this milestone album has released a special 180-gram 2LP vinyl reissue, available today from Interscope and Amaru Entertainment.
Me Against The World does a great job in illustrating the mindset of the young 23 year old rapper who seemed to be wise beyond his years with his background being a son of a “Black Panther”. His lyrics and storytelling on poverty, violence, and police oppression gained him notoriety as a poet and militant in the 90’s for the rising hip hop nation.
It was his stellar work on providing a tribute to his mother that stands out on a great album as it helped to earn him chart topping success debuting at number one on the billboard charts for Billboard 200 and the R & B Charts. The album received two Grammy nominations for best Rap album and for best Rap solo performance for the aforementioned “Dear Mama”.
In 2009, the song was added to the National Recording Registry in the Library of Congress, which recognises audio recordings that are “Culturally, historically, or aesthetically important”. It was the third hip-hop track to be added to the registry. On this #OldSchoolSaturday, we pay homage to one of the greatest rap albums in history and the critics agree as in 2008, the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame, in collaboration with NARM (the National Association of Recording Merchandisers), included the album on their “Definitive 200” list, which recognizes “history’s most influential and popular albums”.
Me Against The World is out now and can be bought here.
Above is DJ Vinrican delivering a mix of all the samples used on the classic album that helped to define one of the most popular figures the hip hop genre has ever seen.
