Better Dayz [EXPLICIT LYRICS]

2Pac

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 26, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Explicit Lyrics
• Label: Interscope Records
• ASIN: B000075BFK
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (316 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #10,425 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
2Pac's been dead for more than six years, and in that time his estate has released a dizzying array of questionable posthumous material--with much more to come in 2003, by the way (the liner notes list documentary soundtracks, another unreleased double album, DVDs, etc.). On the first disc's "Intro," an unnamed street reporter wonders, "Where are these songs coming from?" After repeated listens, your best guess would be from his unfinished studio outtakes. Nevertheless, these tracks were apparently recorded during his prolific, vexed Makaveli stage. "When We Ride on Our Enemies" demonstrates much vitriol, as Pac's verses are littered with fightin' words for rappers like Mobb Deep and Da Brat. Likewise, "F*** 'Em All" hurls threats at the late Notorious B.I.G., reminding fans of the time when media-induced East Coast-West Coast feuds were way out of control. The ghetto Elvis's tales of slum grandeur reach their zenith when he serves up his explicit boasts to women on "Fair Xchange." Gripping.

It's too bad the first disc's last track, an acoustic version of "Thugz Mansion," undermines much of the credibility of this project. When Pac's alleged enemy Nas's vocals are mixed in to appear like he's sitting next to Pac by a fireplace all warm and toasty, sharing rhymes, you immediately smell the influence of executive producer Suge Knight. The second disc is just as dodgy, but might resonate more with new fans simply wanting to hear good beats and rhymes. "Never Call U B**** Again" is a tidy love song that R&B crooner Tyrese complements well, while the title track featuring Ronald "Mr. Biggs" Isley provides a necessary escape from much of Pac's brooding imagery. In the end, the quandary of this double disc has nothing to with Pac but with producer Johnny "J"'s middling G-funk-lite beats and Suge Knight's involvement. This one's for collectors and curious onlookers. --Dalton Higgins

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars 2PAC Lives, but Better Dayz Needs Better Production, December 11, 2002

By	Brasky (Chicago) - See all my reviews

If you were to count the actual number of CDs that have come out since Tupac Shakur's murder in September 1996, Better Dayz would actually be the 7th & 8th (Makaveli - 1; R U Still Down - 2 & 3; Still I Rise - 4; Until the End of Time - 5 & 6). One might expect the quality of recordings to go down with each passing release; however, they have remained remarkably consistent.
Like previous efforts, this album definitely contains some gold nuggets. Disc One includes "Still Ballin", "When We Ride on Our Enemies", "Street Fame", and "Ghetto Star", which are excellent songs that capture the very essence of Makaveli. Disc Two boasts the superb numbers "My Block", "Thugz Mansion", "U Can Call", and "Fame".
Two songs stand out, easily rising into the category of among 2Pac's best work ever. "Mama's Just a Little Girl" is not only heartbreaking and hopeful, but is incredibly innovative in the delivery of its lyrics and beats. And "Better Dayz" is one of those songs we've been waiting for - it almost seems like they should have saved it for his final CD.
As good as these tracks are, however, they can not disguise the fact that Shakur's estate is repeatedly falling into the same trap every year.
The problem is that for every brilliant song that is released, there are at least two "filler" songs that suffer from poor sound quality or overproduction by artists that really have no business being involved with 2Pac's legacy. Understandably, Afeni Shakur and Suge Knight have sought to update (sometimes completely change) many of the unreleased tracks in an effort to keep the sound current while expanding his fan base beyond the standard cult following. It just seems like sometimes they pick the worst possible people to accomplish this task.
Bringing in Nas to work on the project shocked me at first, but to be truthful I was pleasantly surprised to hear him apologize to Afeni Shakur as well as bow to 2Pac, calling him "The Ghetto King of the War". It was hard for me to stay mad at him when he fully admitted that 2Pac is superior and in effect asked "How can I be down?" I guess time will tell if he is sincere or not.
This album is not as thorough as "Until the End of Time", due to a smaller number of new tracks and a larger number of guest performers. It does reflect a growing sense of inevitability that we're approaching the day when his unreleased music runs out. But with so many releases slated for next year (the big 7th anniversary) and the promise of a few more projects after that (think "Thug Life Volume 2"), there is still much to look forward to.
If you are any kind of 2Pac fan, this album is definitely worth your time and money. Just don't get your hopes up that the production problems of the past few years have been corrected.
Rest in Peace, 2Pac. You are the greatest rapper to ever touch the game.

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Its amazin, December 3, 2002

By	wrestling bwoy (London, England) - See all my reviews

Well when I found out Tupac was releasing another album with more unreleased material I was thinking it was going to ruin his legacy in that the material he would release now wouldnt be as good as past stuff.

Anyway I went out and bought the album and all i gotta say is WOW!!!

This album is totally off the hook!! This proves that Tupac was the best rapper ever. The thing is there are some rappers that cant release a decent album when they are alive but this guys been dead 6 years and he comes up wid dis. All I gotta say that is totally amazin and it blew me away.

It may not quite be up there with "all eyes on me" but hey then again no album will ever be.
There isnt a bad song on this album they are either good or amazing.

1. intro - news reporter reporting on where these tupac songs are coming from then a countdown till release of album
2. still ballin (10/10)
3. When we ride on our enemies (8.5/10)
4. Changed man (10/10)
5. F*** Em All (8/10)
6. Never B Peace (10/10)
7. Mama's Just A Little Girl (9.5/10)
8. Street Fame (9/10)
9. Whatcha Gonna Do (8/10)
10. Fair Xchange (10/10)
11. Late Night (8/10)
12. Ghetto Star (8/10)
13. Thugz Mansion - acoustic (10/10)

CD2
1. My Block remix (10/10)
2. Thugz Mansion (10/10)
3. Never Call U B**** Again (8/10)
4. Better Dayz (10/10)
5. U Can Call (9/10)
6. Military Minds (8.5/10)
7. Fame (8/10)
8. Fair Xchange Remix (10/10)
9. Catchin feelings (8.5/10)
10. There U Go (9/10)
11. This life I lead (9/10)
12. Who Do U believe in (10/10)
13. They Dont Give A F*** About us (9.5/10)

If you aint got this album and you like any of Tupacs stuff shame on you. Just get it now cos its great.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Thugz Mansion, February 24, 2003

By	Enlightened "Both Eyes Closed" (In Da A) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

2Pac is a rare phenomenon in music. Being shot down in 1996, he has released more albums dead than alive. He has an amazingly loyal fanbase who stick by him; almost to cult like behavior. Such an amazing and controversial character, his lyrics make you care; his music is undeniable and his charm and personality is likable. A troubled man people struggled to understand; sometimes very angry and at other times sincere, busting nines and riding on enemies while paying respects to his moms and educating the youth. This guy was real. Just like any person , he contradicts himself...changes moods and feelings on certain subjects. Able to speak through his lyrics and touch every single fan without changing his style.
This 2Pac recording is, on a whole, better than Until The End Of Time; even though all off the songs aren't unreleased. For example, "Late Night" and WHo Do YOu Believe In come straight off the Chronic 2000 album. "My Block" was featured on the The Show Soundtrack, and "Thugz Mansion" and Fair Xchange appear twice on the album. So Out of 26 tracks, 23 are new and two of those are remixes. Leaving 21 for the listener to digest. BUT if you know the underground, you have undoubtedly already heard When We Ride On Our Enemie and Life I Lead. NOt to mention 'Military Minds" appeared on the ONe Nation album. So that actually leaves 18 new tracks, minus the intro, which would make it 17 tracks. This tells me that the well is running low. This also tells me it should be the last 2Pac album.

I won't go through each song because 2Pac is/was a visionary and I could spend forever talking about the songs. There's a couple things you should know. The beats are good beats but some of them don't particularly compliment 2Pac's style, particularly the Jazze Pha beats; his beats are too smooth for Pac, he needs rugged street beats. Second, obviously, the material is dated which may be a turnoff for some. Third there are many guest appearances whether it's the Outlawz or Ronald Isley. MOre modern names make it to the album such as T.I., Trick Daddy, Mya, and Tyrese, and some may question if he would have worked with these artists. Most of the songs are remixes, and the loyal fans may be angered that the originals were altered. If you can get past these minor 'problems', the album is riding. I'm feeling it. If you like Pac you will like the album...it's more of that Pac style...great lyrics, tight beats, and incredible choruses.

I would definitely recommend this cd, despite its flaws. Every rapper in the game respects Pac and his music and it seems as if every major rapper out today has been influenced (Eminem, Nas, 50, Jay-Z, Ja Rule, DMX, Freeway, etc etc.). Tupac is a legend and this is just a piece of his legacy.