Words by Claudio E. Cabrera Rating: 3.5 out of 5.0
Y'all remember Pac? How can we ever forget the man who touched lives not only here, but across the world? Those are the words Mr. Shakur wails on the opening cut of the album (produced by Swizz Beatz, featuring Bone Thugs-N-Harmony). The spine tingling, heart racing beat personifies the passion Pac brought to his music.
A decade after his death and we can't escape him, but do we really want to in this watered down rap market? "Resurrection" the movie, ended with the line: "I made songs one after another 'cause I knew my time was almost up and I wanted my music to live on forever." Ten years since Pac's death and Pac's Life turns out to be his 10th posthumous LP.
The album's second track and first single, "Pac's Life," featuring Ashanti and T.I. (produced by LT Hutton), is a lame attempt at commercial success. One of the main areas where Pac's constituents have failed him throughout the years, is by trying to blend Pac's rough vocals over syrupy, bouncy cuts that are pervading today's airwaves. L.T. Hutton's failures continue on the video game sounding "International," which features cats named Nipsey Hussle and Young Dre The Truth. In all reality, do you think Pac would've ever gotten on a track with these two? I think not. "Whatz Next" featuring A3 and Jay Rock made me ask the same question, What'z Next?
The tide turned for the better, as mother realized that Pac sounds best over beats that evoke his compassion and fire. Both versions (Male/Female) of "Playa Cardz Right" were royal flushes. Keyshia Cole's voice is intoxicating over the soothing keyboard complimenting Pac's poetic nature on the Female version. He was searching for a Queen to plant seeds and have babies. Unfortunately, death took him before that could occur. The Sha Money XL-produced Male version of the song, which features Ludacris and Keon Bryce, is a melodic wave of easy bass and tender drums. The song went out to all the females who have to beat up cats to get them off them, said Shakur. Ludacris delivers with a play on words: "I think we make a perfect pair / cause you my one of a kind / I say we make a full house live out the family dreams/ no jokers, no jacks, just kings and queens."
One tells us to "Sleep," the other warns us "Don't Sleep." One things for sure, both cuts are bangers. Sha Money XL, who's the most consistent contributor to Pac's Life, delivers another gem on the Chamillionaire and Young Buck assisted "Sleep." The rapid guitars and evil keyboards are attacked by Buck and Chamillionaire, who hold their own in the presence of a legend. Buck spits: "But look at us / We ain't got sh-- to lose / Feel like we ballin' if we got a new pair of tennis shoes / In the ghetto or better yet home sweet home / This is the land of the free." Houston's premier lyricist spares us a few lines, with "They say that the mo they hate ya the mo that it motivate ya / My mind set on grind my mental set on the paper / 62 hours and countin' and I'm still awake/ And they slippin' me sleepin' pills wit' the will I break." EDIDON produces a Johnny J sounding "Don't Sleep," which features Lil Scrappy, Nutso, Yaki Kadafi, and Stormy. Producing something that sounds like Johnny J is definitely a plus. The groovy electric guitar gives you the feeling of a sunny afternoon on Crenshaw.
The return of Carl Thomas' (CT) buttery vocals open the revolutionary, Sha Money XL piano and drum infused "Dumpin'," featuring Hussein Fatal and Papoose, who both shine, but not like CT. Thomas' mature, polished voice screeches over the chorus: "Who you are / One nation under a thug and bullet scar / Young nation no revolution and no cause / One nation young black and dangerous by far / Young nation just trying to get this!" The cut is one of the best posthumous Pac cuts period!
Afeni Shakur should continue dropping Pac albums as long as they don't try to fit in with today's theme, and instead, feature tracks that Pac would've done like "Dumpin'," "Playa Cardz Right," and "Sleep."
The shame of hip-hop is that it still needs a Pac album. It's sort of like the game lost its way almost like some of us have lost our way since Martin and Malcolm died. Let's hope the game finds itself, cause there isn't much Pac material left, at least, according to Afeni.
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