The 2Pac legacy continues
with the two-CD set Better Dayz (Amaru/Tha Row/Interscope
Records), released November 26, 2002. Better Dayz is the
second of two double albums featuring 20 previously unreleased
tracks recorded during Tupac’s "Makaveli" period,
songs written and performed by the phenomenally prolific rapper
during the last year of his life, from late 1995 until his murder
on September 13, 1996, at age 25. The first of the two double
albums from this period, 2001’s Until The End Of Time,
has been certified triple platinum.
The initial track to radio
from Better Dayz, "Thugz Mansion," featuring
vocals by Anthony Hamilton, ships Monday, November 4. The album,
with guest appearances by Nas, Trick Daddy, Mya, Tyrese, Ronald
"Mr. Biggs" Isley, and The Outlawz, also features
production work from Jazze Pha and Frank Nitty on several tracks. Better
Dayz was executive produced by Suge Knight and Afeni Shakur.
In memory of her son, Afeni
Shakur has established the Tupac Shakur foundation. A portion of
the profits from the release will help fund the foundation which
was established to provide training and support to artists who
aspire to enhance their creative talents by providing an
environment that encourages freedom of expression, serves as a
resource for the arts, and empowers via education. The foundation
is also planning the opening of the Tupac Amaru Shakur Center for
the Arts (TASCA) in 2003. The TASCA will feature a museum of 2PAC’s
work & artifacts, art gallery, education wing, screening room,
theater, peace garden & artist’s village.
2Pac’s significance and
almost mythic stature as the voice of a generation grows each day
and everywhere. Just recently...both Toni Braxton and Jay-Z have
sampled "Me & My Girlfriend"...
German pop star Sarah O’Connor
samples "California Love" for her "He’s
Unbelievable" single...in a Rolling Stone article, rapper Eve
names Tupac as one of her favorite rappers...rapper Royce the 5’9"
samples his "Pain"..."How Do U Want It" is set
to be heard in the next "Friday the 13th"
film, Friday After Next...and in Australia his 1998 Greatest
Hits album returns to the Top 20.
2Pac debuted as a solo
artist on 1991’s gold 2Pacalypse Now followed by 1993’s
platinum Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.AZ. The latter spun off the
gold singles "I Get Around" and "Keep Ya Head
Up." After the gold Thug Life: Volume I with the group
Thug Life in 1994, the double platinum Me Against The World
in 1995 debuted at #1 and spawned the platinum single "Dear
Mama." In 1996, the first original double album in hip-hop
history, All Eyez On Me, debuted at #1 and went eight times
platinum. "How Do U Want It/California Love" became a
double platinum single.
Under the moniker Makaveli,
2Pac recorded Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory just prior
to his death and the late 1996 release went quadruple platinum.
Posthumously, the double album vault compilation R U Still
Down? (Remember Me) in 1997 went quadruple platinum, with the
single "Do For Love" gold. The 2Pac Greatest Hits
album is nine times platinum. In 1999, Still I Rise from
2Pac & The Outlawz was certified platinum. In late 2000, Amaru/Interscope
released The Rose That Grew From Concrete, Volume I, an
interpretation of 2Pac’s poetry. 2Pac has sold over 50 million
albums worldwide.
NEW
2PAC DOUBLE ALBUM BETTER DAYZ FEATURES 20 PREVIOUSLY
UNRELEASED TRACKS RECORDED DURING THE LAST YEAR IN THE LIFE OF THE
LEGENDARY RAPPER.