2Pac: Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z

With West Coast heads still boppin’ to 2Pacalypse Now, Pac’s 1993 album Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z hit the streets with his socially conscious views of the world. The album acts as a tool to juxtapose Tupac’s passion for life and the socio-political turmoil that radiated the surrounding L.A. communities.

Opening hard with an anthem of resistance, “Holla If Ya Hear Me,” which samples Public Enemy’s “Rebel Without a Pause,” essentially states the nature of the album at first ear shot. Exposing Pac’s angst indicative of the system, “Holla If…” emits a lyrical strength that speaks to the problems faced within the black community. Paying homage to politically-charged artists before him, “Last Words,” which features Ice Cube and Ice-T, as well as “The Streets R Deathrow,” which also features Ice Cube, exemplifies the elements of West Coast gangsta rap. The power between the three West Coast rappers on “Last Words” is irrefutable, however, as Pac and Ice-T spit effortlessly over the chaotic beat, it’s Cube who takes the track by storm.

Strictly 4… also contrasts Tupac’s hard exterior with the passionate man within. “Keep Ya Head Up” and “Papa’z Song” are equally compelling narratives entrenched with thoughtfulness and emotional depth. The latter, which features Wycked (Pac’s older stepbrother), reveals the hardships of life without the presence of a father over a piano-laced melody, whereas “Keep Ya Head Up,” which uses the chorus sample of “O-o-h Child” by the Five Stairsteps, praises women. The touching nature of “Keep Ya Head Up” acts as a contrasting prelude to “Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z,” a dark and eerie track which backdrop outwardly breaks the monotony of the other beats on album. The party track “I Get Around,” which features Shock G and Money-B from Digital Underground, is no more than misogynistic boasting about sexual conquests which evidently contrasts the socio-political content throughout the album; however it features of string of cranked baselines and production value that intensifies the energy of the album.

Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z embodies the essence of West Coast rap, straight from the raw resilient beats to the intricate lyrical content Tupac throws down. However, after the release of Dre’s Chronic and the success of the G-funk sound, the production is seemingly jumbled and dated. The chaotic feel to the beats does frame Pac’s incontestable energy, especially on tracks like “Last Words” and “Holla If…,” but consequently overshadows his lyrical content. Despite repetitive themes throughout the album, and filler songs like “Peep Game” and “Guess Who’s Back,” Strictly 4 still illustrates psyches of a street soldier and thug poet.

75/100

Standout Tracks:

“Holla If Ya Hear Me”

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“Keep Ya Head Up”

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“Last Words”

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