Thug Life: Volume 1

Thug Life: Volume 1
Studio album by Thug Life
Released October 11, 1994
Recorded March 1993 – July 1994
Genre Hip hop
Length 42:28
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 Thug Life: 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 link
Entertainment WeeklyA− link
Q [1]
Select [2]
Sputnikmusic link

Thug Life: Volume 1 is the only studio album by American hip hop group Thug Life, started by rapper Tupac Shakur, and was released on October 11, 1994. The group featured Big Syke, Macadoshis, Mopreme, The Rated R and Tupac Shakur. Among the notable tracks on the album are "Bury Me a G," "Cradle to the Grave," "Pour Out a Little Liquor" (which also appears on the soundtrack to the 1994 film Above the Rim), "How Long Will They Mourn Me?" and "Str8 Ballin'." The album was originally released by Shakur's label Out Da Gutta Records. 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.[3]

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.[4] Although the album was originally released on Shakur's label Out Da Gutta, Amaru Entertainment, the label owned by Tupac's mother, Afeni Shakur, has since 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.[5]

It sold 500,000 copies in the United States in 1994.[6]

Critical reception

"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."[1]

"A shockingly considered, thoughtful rap record," opined Select's Matt Hall. "And a very chilling one."[2]

Track listing

No.TitleProducer(s)Length
1."Bury Me a G" (2Pac, Mopreme, Rated R, Big Syke, Macadoshis featuring Natasha Walker of Y.N.V.)Thug Music4:58
2."Don't Get It Twisted" (Mopreme Shakur, Rated R, Macadoshis)
3:19
3."Shit Don't Stop" (2Pac, Mopreme, Rated R, Big Syke, Macadoshis featuring Y.N.V.)Thug Music3:46
4."Pour Out A Little Liquor" (2Pac)Johnny "J"3:29
5."Stay True" (2Pac, Mopreme & Stretch)Thug Music3:09
6."How Long Will They Mourn Me?" (2Pac, Rated R, Big Syke & Macadoshis featuring Nate Dogg)
3:52
7."Under Pressure" (2Pac & Stretch)Thug Music4:32
8."Street Fame" (Mopreme, Rated R & Big Syke)
4:00
9."Cradle to the Grave" (2Pac, Mopreme, Rated R, Big Syke & Macadoshis)
6:13
10."Str8 Ballin" (2Pac)Easy Mo Bee5:04
Total length:42:28

Samples

Bury Me a G[7]

Don't Get It Twisted[8]

Shit Don't Stop[9]

Pour Out a Little Liquor[10]

Stay True[11]

How Long Will They Mourn Me?[12]

Str8 Ballin'[13]

Album chart positions

Year Album Chart positions
Billboard 200 Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums
1994 Thug Life Vol. 1 42 6

Singles chart positions

Year Song Chart positions
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks Hot Rap Singles
1995 "Cradle to the Grave" 91 25

References

  1. 1 2 Q, February 1995
  2. 1 2 Select, January 1995
  3. ↑ DJ Vlad (April 25, 2016). "Thug Life Details Meeting 2Pac, Gang Affiliation, Pac's Thug Life Tattoo". YouTube. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  4. ↑ "2Pac - Out On Bail (live 1994)". YouTube. 2007-01-08. Retrieved 2012-03-12.
  5. ↑ "Recording Industry Association of America". RIAA. Retrieved 2012-02-23.
  6. ↑ "Tupac Month: 2Pac's Discography". Retrieved May 27, 2013.
  7. ↑ "Bury Me a G by Thug Life feat. Natasha Walker". WhoSampled. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  8. ↑ "Don't Get It Twisted by Thug Life". WhoSampled. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  9. ↑ "Shit Don't Stop by Thug Life feat. Y?N-Vee". WhoSampled. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  10. ↑ "Pour Out a Little Liquor by Thug Life". WhoSampled. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  11. ↑ "Stay True by Thug Life". WhoSampled. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
  12. ↑ "How Long Will They Mourn Me? by Thug Life feat. Nate Dogg". WhoSampled. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  13. ↑ "Str8 Ballin' by Thug Life". WhoSampled. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
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