Customer Reviews

Me Against the World

5 star:		(226)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

(I've already written a review on this CD, but I felt obligated to write another one due to change of mind)

Most hail All Eyez On Me to be Pac's best album, but I disagree. Production-wise, it's the tops. But Me Against The World has some of the best and most intelligent rap lyrics you'll ever hear. Pac just seems so much more focused on this CD than on any of his other ones.

Before I knew what Tupac was all about, I liked All Eyez On Me the best (like millions of others). But compare the lyrics. Me Against The World is filled with so much emotion and depth. This is the album which basically sums up the life of Tupac. All Eyez On Me has some excellent songs backed with amazing beats, but as far as song-writing goes, this one beats it hands down. I read somewhere that Tupac said his songs were meant to be listened to. They're spiritual. You're supposed to take them in. He said it's cool if you rock out with them, but it's not the point of his albums. I concur.

It'd be redundant to make a list of the album's best songs, because they're all great. But the standout is "Dear Mama," which is my favorite Tupac song ever. This is the deepest and most personal song he's ever written. Most other rappers would think twice before writing a sweet ballad about their mother for fear of what it could do to their reputation. But Tupac had always rapped about what was on his mind. He kept it real, which is why so many people loved his music. Including me.

Tupac Shakur's 4th album "Me against the World" released in 1995, is arguably the illest rap album ever. When Hiphops most loved, most controversial legendary MC dropped this album, he showcased to the world more than ever his intellectual and poetic ability. The media liked to portray him as a violent thug, but in truth it was never like that, first and foremost Tupac was a musician with a message for the world, who never held back from displaying emotion whether it be anger, love, sadness etc, even if it meant he was going to be hated for it. Every track on this album is nice, some of my favourites (among many) include "Me against the World", "So Many Tears" and "Dear Mama" one of the realest tracks Pac ever wrote. Pac seemed to know that death was in his cards, and he gives indication of this on some of the tracks, throughout this album. Music on this album covers many different topics and many different emotions, as one person wrote "If there's a facet of the human experience that's left uncovered on this release, I can't think of it". It wasnt just Pacs lyrics, beats, versatility or production that made him the best, it was that real raw emotion, he put into his works that made him Hiphops most loved. "Me against the World" is one of the best albums of the 90s, essential for anyone who loves good music.

I just bought this CD and it's incredible. When I saw the cover it showed such class that no other rap cd has. it's not this gold, glittery garbage on the cover, it's the life story of a young man taken before his prime, Tupac Shakur. This album comes from the heart. Don't worry that Tupac Shakur has been imprinted with the visage of a gangster rapper... that is the biggest gang of nonsense I've ever heard! When I think of gangster rap I think of these rap cds that consist of killing a million people in their lyrics. On this CD, that's not even an issue. The death that's constantly discussed is Tupac's fear of his own untimely demise (which incidentally came in 1996.) Some of the songs I liked contained the themes of death(Death Around the Corner, If I Die 2Nite), the future of the black generation (Young Niggaz), domestic abuse (Can U get away), motherly love (Dear Mama), love for hip hop's old school (Old Schol) of which I'm a fellow fan of just like Tupac was, and Tupac's etho which was tatooed across his stomach, the so-called Thug Life. It's his outlook on life and this man was more than the controversial superstar you see on CNN. Buy this album and get into the lyrics. it will be your favorite CD.

"More exaltation for a dead guy who not only created his own problems, but blamed society for most of them. And now his mental problems are marketed to teens who essentially believe all his miserable bullcrud and end up ruining their lives themselves." -a music fan (amazon review)

As tempted as I am to retort and turn this review section into a battle of wits, I'll forgive and harbor no ill feelings against a man who'll neither remove his anonymity for the sake of feedback nor explain his reasons for such a harsh review that had nothing whatsoever to do with the actual content of the CD. Regardless, the response above is not uncommon. 2Pac has always sparked much controversy and public interest being that much of the last chaotic years of his life was overwhelmingly covered by the media during a time when gang violence ran rampant through the streets of L.A. to the East Coast. Gaining fame and stardom following his first Death Row Record, "All Eyes On Me", 2Pac quickly earned the reputation as a ruthless hardcore thug who answered to no authority; a trait many angry young kids like him related to. But flowing underbeath his concrete exterior was the soul of a softspoken poet who hoped for redemption and understanding in a society that often left his talent and true intentions unrecognized. "Me Against The World", possibly the most underrated of his life's work, was in many ways, a memoir chronicling the sequence of events leading to up to his incarceration in prison. Contrary to what title and "music fan" suggests, his title song, "Me Against the World" is actually a positive and uplifting message, concerning his stand on death, economic hardships and a corrupt bureacracy, directed to his fans and listeners who had no outlet through which to vent their feelings of oppression in a world that didn't care for them.

/The message I stress/ to make it stop study your lessons/ don't settle for less/ even the genius asks questions/ Be grateful for blessings/ Don't ever change/ keep your essence/ The power is in the people and politics we address/ Always do your best/ don't let the pressure make you panic/ And when you get stranded/ And things don't go the way you planned it/ Dreamin of riches, in a position of makin a difference/ Politicians and hypocrites, they don't wanna listen/

"Dear Mama" is arguably the highlight of this album as it exposes the man who also sought to shed a positive light on the women in his life as he did many times before and later on. This track also is a revelation regarding the reasons for his entry into gangs and drugs at a young age.

I hung around with the thugs/ And even though they sold drugs/ They showed a young brother love/

2Pac honestly expressed his reasons for his choices with no attempt at excusing them but also his hopes and wishes for a positive change in both his life and society in general, which tragically could not be realized post "All Eyez on Me's" release. This album both reveals the complex emotions of a man who lived in constant danger but tried desperately to see through better times and the constant paranoia and infatuation with death that affected him and his thoughts after being mortally wounded by gunfire. And even if this album wasn't the most successful financially, it was indeed truly the most meaningful.

Finally in one last response to "a music fan" or those who feel you can sum up a man in five sentences, I'll leave you with the words of 2Pac.

"Only God can Judge Me"

Look,I try my best to not comment on other people's reviews, but guys like this loser below me just make it way too hard for me not to. I understand that everyone has their own opinion and their own taste in music.Not everyone is going to like or appreciate or be a fan of Tupac, I get that, I except that, I even respect that, But I am now convinced that this "mtv supporter" is one of or all of three things; a very sad and lonely person who desperately seeks attention, a complete joker,or, in the words of Stephen A. Smith, quite frankly,the biggest freaken MORON on the face of this earth.I dont give a good two sh*ts weather you like tupac or not,but when you start saying that hes garbage or saying he has no talent, you pretty much eliminate yourself from knowing what your talking about.And This is also coming from a guy who apparently thinks 50 cent and J.Lo are musical geniuses,yes,that 50 cent and J.Lo.,yet He has dissed Ray Charles,not to mention Pac, and oh yeah, thinks that Jimi Hendrix might be the worst gutarist of all time.Telling people who might read your review,if you dare call it that, to just simply consider the source, would really be a severe understatement.seriously dude, you deserve to get your a** thoroghly kicked for some of stuff you say.No one likes you,and you average about 1 or 2 helpful votes in all your reviews,so clearly little to no one respects or "supports" what you have to say either. You probably also think Michael Jordan is the worst Basketball player of all time.Or that Muhammad Ali is the worst boxer of all time.Or that Tom Hanks is the worst acter you've ever seen in your life. What is it you have against 2Pac anyway? What has he ever done to you? And if you hate him so much, why are you even wasting your time writing about him?Instead shouldn't you be whatching TRL or a rerun of Made or Pimp My Ride or something .Come on "Supporter"! and by the way,you doubley deserve to get your a** kicked for being an mtv "supporter".In fact admitting as much really makes you even more pathetic.

Now that I got that bull s**t out the way,heres what I thought about this album. This, along with 7 day theory, is by far 2Pacs deepest,most intellegent,most personal, and most significant album hes ever made.I just wish people would stop saying that this was his "best" album though. This album was great,no question about it, but A.E.O.Me was clerly his "best" album. Either way, my favarite Tracks on this CD were of course "Dear Mama", "So Many Tears",the title track(Persnal favarite),"Old School",and "Death Around The Corner". The beats are a little outdated but if your a real 2Pac or Hip Hop fan, then it won't really matter.

Despite what my good friend below me thinks, to me, Tupac represents everything thats RIGHT with not only Hip Hop, but music in general.He made music staight from the heart&soul, Not afraid to speak his mind, not afraid to speak out on injustices,not afraid of calling out powers that be,not afraid of having a voice and using it.Tupac may not be the "best" rapper of all time(their is no "best" rapper of all time by the way),but damned if that man isn't the most influential and greatest songwriting M.C. of all time.

This was definetely one of Tupac's best albums. It shows the trials, tribulations, hopes, joys and fears of this often misunderstood man. Tracks like "If I Die 2 Nite" and "Outlawz" come with some hardcore, but not like that you hear from DMX or Master P. It still has a reflective touch. "F**K The World" does show his anger at the stuff that has happened, which, considering what was going on, {he had just been shot and was headed for jail} is understandable. But for sure, tracks like "Lord Knows", "So many Tears", "Me Against The World", "It ain't easy", and the haunting "Death Around the Corner", which forsaw what would be Tupac's tragic ending, make this album so great. These tracks reflect on the difficulties of ghetto life and especially Pac's life. "Dear Mama" is one of the most touching songs ever made, and the cautionary tale "Young Niggaz" is great. Beats are not as good as what you hear on albums he did on Death Row, like All Eyez On Me, but he still comes through beatwise on tracks like "Dear Mama", "Young Niggaz", and "Lord Knows." If you only buy one rap album, buy this one! RIP Pac

this is my second favorite album by the one and only, the never replacable and realest rapper ever to live,without a doubt...2Pac. this is so well done. all eyez on me is only one that is better than this by far from him. the way he is so str8 up, this is who i am on this album makes it better. every song comes from his heart he had nothing to hide. seems a lil' normal for the only album to ever go #1 on the charts while it's creator of it was in jail. this shows just how real he was. one great example of it is the song that tells all, f*** the world. it is him in the prime thugged out. my favorite songs on here are the title song (probably my 2nd favorite 2Pac song!) and temptations (which had a hella good video). i'm highly recomending this album cause it shows 2pac before most learned to know him and before the death row dayz. RIP to the king of the thugs who will never be forgotten. show your love & buy this, it's really worth it!!!!!!!!

There's nothing you can't say about this album. It's simply 2Pac at his best. He hits you with 15 deep, lyrically amazing tracks and in the end you just feel his pain. The world was against him when he made this album, and this album is the first to really be themed on Pac anticipating his own death. He says himself "If I did die young, who'd care?"The Intro is scary, then Pac's sad voice on "if I Die 2Nite" is even scarier. He turns positive with "Me Against the World", which is one of the greatest rap songs of all time. If you listen tight, Pac lets you know the message he stresses is "Don't settle for less/Even a genius asks questions/Be grateful for blessings/Don't ever change keep your essence." On "Young Niggaz" he preaches to young black males, telling them they could be lawyers or accountants instead of being out in the streets selling drugs. He praises Black queens with "Dear Mama", which tells his story behind a snappy but sad beat. A great album all the way through. After a while you just realize that 2Pac really didn't care. He knew his days were limited. Just listen to "so Many Tears". It's just sad as Pac repeats over and over that he's going to hell, that he's going to die. "Me Against the World" is 2Pac's lyrical confession, the classic, and simply his best album.

In Five Short Years Tupac went from a part of Digital Undergroud's Crew to the most influential outlaw in the world of Hip Hop and one of his albums that helped aid that transformation was his Third album "Me Against The World". Released shortly after Tupac's tragic New York studio shooting Tupac had many things on his mind, and all of which were vented into his most personal album in the Tupac Catalog. And for good reason Tupac's most personal albums were usually regarded as his best...:
1.Intro-A+-Usually I don't rate intros but this case is special. This Intro is a collection of News soundclips about his New York Studio shooting. A Classic Intro All Around.
2.If I Die 2 Nite-A-One of the most personal songs on the album about Pac's fears of death in the life that he is living.
3.Me Against The World-A+-One of the most moving songs in hip hop history, just a really good look on the inside of Pac's fear of death and his fury at the world.
4.So Many Tears-A-About Pac's Life and the things he has seen in the streets that effected him.
5.Temptations-A-The beat for this track is what makes it work as well as it does.
6.Young N!&&@z-A+-Classic about being a Young Thug and about life as a thug.
7.Heavy In The Game-A+-Classic, some of the best flows of the album are on this track alone.
8.Lord Knows-A-Dark and depressing of a track as it is...it also carries some melancholy sweetness not felt by any other hip hop tracks at the time.
9.Dear Mama-A+-Really serious track about life in the ghetto and a letter of apology to his Mama.
10.It Ain't Easy-A-Tragic song about how hard it is to be a black man in society.
11.Can U Get Away-B-Only Okay song on the album, just not feeling it.
12.Old School-A+-Classic about when hip hop was just starting about. Mentions every Mc from Queen Latifah to Krs-One. Plus features a sample from a B.I.G. song.
13.F^<k The World-A-One of the best hooks on the album just a classic all around.
14.Death Around The Corner-A+-About the fear of death in the ghettos,in my opinion one of Pac's best songs.
15.Outlaw-B+-Pretty Good song but has some weak points.

Final Conclusion: Tupac's Masterpiece, timeless and a hip hop classic. If you don't have this album then you are NOT a real hip hop fan...enough said.

aside from the hits this is the only essential album by 2pac to have.the songs are the most honest and thought provoking material that he ever released.and they were consistent.which for me has been one of his major problems.but if you only buy one 2pac disc this is the one.he put his heart into this disc.songs like dear mama&so many tears are solid songs.