2-Pac ft. Ashanti & TI - 'Pac's Life'
When I was a younger person than I am now, there was always a way you could guarantee a laugh from your mates. All you needed to do was take a stroll down the street, past any record shop which had a display in the window containing the latest in the 'Now' series of pop compilation albums. Then you'd just roll your eyes theatrically, tut a bit, and go "Cuh! Another one? When are they gonna stop, like NOW 65!?" and then your mates would chuckle a bit and go "pshuh! Yeah! Or, y'know...NOW 71!"
Course, the Now people had the last laugh there, really, didn't they?
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(PSSST! We've got 5 copies of this single to win. Interested? Read on...)
I only mention this because it's a bit like this fella. You all know he's no longer with us, right? And yet there's a steady stream of new product, apparently taken from discarded tapes, or remixed out of other songs (with guest appearances from newer rap megastars, or possibly gleaned using some kind of psychic rapper who can channel the flow of the dead. The temptation to do the eye-roll and sneer is almost overwhelming...
...except he's alright at this rapping lark, is Mr Shakur. And in the same month that his mic rival Nas declares the entire genre of hip hop to be dead, it's probably no bad thing to be reminded what it's like to hear from one of the true giants of the form. Hell, just to hear that deep croak again is good news. And that TI's not bad either.
Which is just as well, cos everything else about this song, while well-intentioned, and meant as a tribute to a mighty talent, is perhaps a bit too...what's the word...mawkish? Sentimental? No..CHEESY! That's it. Especially the chorus, which is a sweet melody sung prettily (nice work, Ashanti), but c'mon..."Pac's life, everybody talk about Pac's life. What do you know about Pac's life?"?
Tell you what, lady, why don't you let the man talk about his life, and we'll all just shut up and listen? It's not like he didn't mention it while he was alive, is it? There's CDs, and everything...
Anyway, cuh! What are they gonna do next, like, remix his voicemail messages!?
Released: February 5th
(Fraser McAlpine)
PS: To win a copy of the song, just answer the following question:
Which rap mega-producer worked with 2-Pac on the ever-brilliant 'California Love'?
Send your answer, your name and your address to chartblog@bbc.co.uk
[Competition closes on February 21st 2007]
Comments
Why can't they let the dead rest? It's not like you see people bringing out a song talking about Elvis every bleedin' two minutes.
bril song lovin it x/.Hannah.\x