Thug Life: Volume 1

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Thug Life: Volume 1
Thug Life.gif
Studio album by
Thug Life
ReleasedSeptember 26, 1994
RecordedMarch 1993 – May 1994[1]
Studio
Genre
Length42:28
Label
Producer
2Pac chronology
Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z...
(1993) 		Thug Life: Volume 1
(1994) 		Me Against the World
(1995)
Singles from Volume 1
  1. "Pour Out a Little Liquor"
    Released: August 23, 1994
  2. "Cradle to the Grave"
    Released: November 4, 1994
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[3]
Entertainment WeeklyA−[4]
Q[5]
Select[6]

Thug Life: Volume 1 is the only studio album by American hip hop group Thug Life, started by rapper Tupac Shakur. It was released on September 26, 1994 by Interscope Records. The group featured Big Syke, Macadoshis, Mopreme, The Rated R and Tupac Shakur.

Overview[]

Due to heavy criticism on gangsta rap at the time, the original version of the album was scrapped and re-recorded with many of the original songs being cut. The album only contains ten tracks because Interscope Records felt many of the other recorded songs were too controversial to release. It has been said that 2Pac created two other versions of this album, with many of the songs still remaining unreleased.[7] Several of these unreleased recordings include a 4 verse solo version of Bury Me A G with two new 2Pac verses, a radio version of Bury Me A G with another new unreleased verse by 2Pac and two alternate recordings of Str8 Balllin', which include never before released adlibs by the rapper.

Although the original version of the album never came to fruition as the album went through a number of changes, Tupac performed the planned first single from the album, "Out on Bail" at the 1994 Source Awards.[8] Although the album was originally released on Interscope Records, Amaru Entertainment, the label owned by Tupac's mother, Afeni Shakur, gained the rights to it. Thug Life: Volume 1 was certified Gold. The track "How Long Will They Mourn Me?" appeared later in 1998 from 2Pac's Greatest Hits album.[9]

It sold 500,000 copies in the United States in 1994.[10]

In commemoration of its twenty-fifth anniversary, it was released on vinyl on November 22, 2019. In 2019, Universal Music Group posted the video version to the song "How Long Will They Mourn Me?" to their YouTube channel. This version features an alternate verse by 2Pac with different lyrics that was not issued on the album.[11]

Critical reception[]

The album has been met with critical acclaim retrospectively as a classic underground rap album. Full of machismo and do or die stances," wrote Jake Barnes in Q, "the lyrics' hardcore posturing is perversely undercut by sweet and delicate backings from artists like Curtis Mayfield, George Clinton and The Isley Brothers."[5]

"A shockingly considered, thoughtful rap record," opined Select's Matt Hall. "And a very chilling one."[6]

Track listing[]

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Bury Me a G" (featuring Natasha Walker)
  • D. Rivers
  • Rated R
  • M. Harding
  • T. Shakur
  • T. Himes
Thug Music4:58
2."Don't Get It Twisted"
  • M Harding
  • W. Burns
  • T. Himes
3:19
3."Shit Don't Stop" (featuring Y.N.V.) Thug Music3:46
4."Pour Out a Little Liquor"T. ShakurJohnny "J"3:29
5."Stay True"
  • M. Harding
  • R. Walker
  • T. Shakur
Thug Music3:09
6."How Long Will They Mourn Me?" (featuring Nate Dogg) 
3:52
7."Under Pressure"
  • R. Walker
  • T. Shakur
Thug Music4:32
8."Street Fame"
  • M. Harding
  • W. Burns
  • T. Himes
Stretch4:00
9."Cradle to the Grave" 
6:13
10."Str8 Ballin'"T. ShakurEasy Mo Bee5:04
Total length:42:28

Charts[]

Certifications[]

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[15] Gold 500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References[]

  1. ^ "THUG LIFE: VOLUME 1 [OFFICIAL ALBUM], OCTOBER 11, 1994". 2PacLegacy. November 28, 2015. Retrieved February 4, 2022.
  2. ^ a b "Thug Life, Vol. 1 – Thug Life – Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved February 16, 2018.
  3. ^ "Thug Life, Vol. 1 - Thug Life | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
  4. ^ "Album Review: 'Volume One'". EW.com.
  5. ^ a b Q, February 1995
  6. ^ a b Select, January 1995
  7. ^ DJ Vlad (April 25, 2016). "Thug Life Details Meeting 2Pac, Gang Affiliation, Pac's Thug Life Tattoo". Archived from the original on 2021-12-13. Retrieved November 26, 2016 – via YouTube.
  8. ^ "2Pac - Out On Bail (live 1994)". YouTube. January 8, 2007. Archived from the original on 2021-12-13. Retrieved March 12, 2012.
  9. ^ "Recording Industry Association of America". RIAA. Retrieved February 23, 2012.
  10. ^ "Tupac Month: 2Pac's Discography". Retrieved May 27, 2013.
  11. ^ Shakur, Tupac. "Thug Life - How Long Will They Mourn Me? ft. Nate Dogg". YouTube. Universal Music Group. Archived from the original on 2021-12-13. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  12. ^ "Thug Life Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
  13. ^ "Thug Life Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
  14. ^ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 1995". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 3, 2015. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
  15. ^ "American album certifications – Thug Life – Volume I". Recording Industry Association of America.
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