2Pac - Music Inspired By Tupacs Poetry 2 (15 tracks) +Album Reviews

2Pac - Poetry and Music, Vol 2

Constant | Vancouver, BC Canada | 09/20/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"A week after the 9th anniversary of Tupac Shakur's death we see the release of "Poetry and Music Vol. 2" (2005) a collection of songs made by artists who were inspired by Tupac's life and poetry. Bone Thugs and Harmony start things off with the strong "Power of the Smile", while Celina and Talib Kweli make their own contributions. The first real standout for me has Ludacris reciting an original Tupac Poem "In the Depths of Solitude" and giving his own interpretation of Pac's words. Talented singer Lyfe Jennings then delivers the deep "Movin On". Memphis Bleek appears on the one track, which features Pac vocals (a chorus) called "Life Through My Eyes". Pac's brethren the Outlawz provide "When Ur heart Turns Cold'. Another standout that I am feeling is Boot Camp Clik's "Where there is a Will" a positive track that vibes real well. Those who followed Pac's early days know he entered the rap game with the Digital Underground, the groups leader Shock G provides the heartfelt "And 2tommorow". My favourite track on this release is Dead Prez diamond "If I fail", love and relate to the lyrics of this track like "If I fail then I rise like a phoenix before your eyes out the ashes and from the dirt..." an exceptional joint. "Poetry and Music Vol. 2"is an enjoyable release worth picking up, a group of artists ranging from members of Tupac Amaru Shakur Center for the Arts to some of Rap's elite provide heartfelt and substantial music."

Good collection, improvement upon Vol. 1

SteppingRZA | USA | 09/24/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Vol. 1 of Tupac's poetry set to music was more a straight performance -- something you'd hear in a jazz cafe or coffeehouse, and it wasn't bad, but it was more for the hardcore fan who can't get enough of Tupac's book of poems, "Rose that Grew from the Concrete."

But somewhere between the book's pages and the recording of artists reciting Tupac's, much power was lost. On paper, the words seemed more powerful as one is able to hear Tupac saying them, in our minds, and we saw the words written by his hands.

But Vol. 2 mostly sidesteps the problems that weighted down Vol. 1 as it really turns his poetry into songs, much in the same way Tupac did himself with his lyrical poetry. There are some truly memorable moments -- performances are solid all around, and "If I Fail" with dead prez is one of the more head-nodding, undeniable moments. There are some slightly too slick/commercial moments that lean more on R&B hooks, but even 2Pac himself delivered such songs.

Arguably the biggest misstep is Yo Yo's club-style track, "Only 4 the Righteous." The song's sound is in conflict with the title. As another reviewer said, perhaps someone should have more clearly explained the project to Yo Yo. She should have played it straight, instead, it sounds like some fun, throwaway track.

Don't be misled by the packaging, which is weak at best. Couldn't they have chosen better cover art and better overall packaging? It seems like a group of students put together the CD's art.

But those quibbles aside, this is worthy of purchase by 2Pac fans, if only to remember the man who died far too young, and who wrote these words straight from the heart that stopped beating when he was only 25."

-gr8 album-

++B5fan+++ | japan | 09/25/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"this album is pretty good. POWER OF A SMILE is a hot track..you all should check it outttt."

"Bone Thugs" sealed the album

Jack Sparrow | 10/08/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Hearing the first song off the cd "Power of a smile" by Bone Thugs, was enought for me to buy the album. This is a well put together song. With there trademark speedy flow, along with their capability to harmonize like a group of RnB singers. But yet they still mantain that tough hardcore rap image. The Bone Thug camp haven't really put out real Quality music in a couple years, but judging this song, I think its say to safe that their back to capture their throme once again. Ludacris and Boot camp Click did an okay job."

Miles above Volume 1

Anton Babchuk | 09/21/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Five years ago, "The Rose That Grew From Concrete Volume 1" was released and met with little fanfare and lackluster sales. The major problem behind the album was it that was simply rappers and other celebrities reciting Tupac's poetry over music or simply as spoken word--apparently the people behind the project thought that the public would embrace such a niche item simply because the man behind the poetry was Tupac Shakur. Not so. There's a reason why an item like this is classified as "niche: The public does not care about poetry. The public especially does not care to hear Danny Glover read poetry. And they sure as hell are not going to pay money for it.

Obviously the producers of Volume 2 have chosen to avoid making the same mistake they made with Volume 1. Instead of simply recruiting celebrities to read poetry, they have brought together a group of rappers and singers together to create songs loosely based on Tupac's poetry. Among those showing up for this volume are artists who worked with Tupac during his lifetime, such as The Outlawz, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Shock G (of Digital Underground) and the Boot Camp Clik, as well as a number of today's 'stars' such as Ludacris, Lyfe Jennings, Talib Kweli and Memphis Bleek.

The main highlight of the disc is the lead-in track, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony's "Power of a Smile", which opens the album up with a bang, as they effortesly mix their patented quick-tongue rapping with a sing-song flow over an epic beat by producers Kush and Kato.

Other strong tracks include Tupac-proteges The Outlawz' "When Your Heart Turns Cold", "Where There Is A Will" by the Boot Camp Clik (who recorded the still-unreleased "One Nation" album with Tupac) and the heartfelt "If I Fall" by Dead Prez.

This album is not without fault, though. Ludacris' contribution is the uninentionally hilarious "The Depths Of Solitude" and Yo-Yo seems particularly out of place with the club-like (?) "Only 4 The Righteous".

Another problem I have with the album is not with the content of the album, but the misleading cover art and marketing. Sure, I knew what this album was when I purchased it, but many will not. The front and back cover have pictures of Tupac and the album is listed under as an album by "2Pac" everywhere (including this site), yet he only appears on the chorus of one song. Also, the one thing that describes what this album actually is ("Music Inspired By Tupac's Poetry") is cleverly tilted sideways so as it is hard to read. I seriously doubt any of this was a coincidence.

Putting that aside, if you know what you are purchasing I'd advise that you check this album out--just don't expect a new album by 2Pac."

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