All Eyez on Me

, CEO of Death Row Records and executive producer of All Eyez on Me In October 1995, Suge Knight and Jimmy Iovine paid the $1.4 million bail necessary to get Shakur released from Clinton Correctional Facility, on charges of sexual abuse. At the time, Shakur was broke and thus unable to make bail himself. All Eyez on Me was released following an agreement between Knight and Shakur which stated Shakur would make three albums under Death Row Records in return for them paying his bail. Fulfilling part of Shakur's brand new contract, this double-album served as the first two albums of his three-album contract. Euthanasia was the initial title of the album until it was changed to All Eyez on Me during the recording process. Shakur explained to MTV's Bill Bellamy in December 1995 saying: All Eyez on Me was originally intended for a Christmas 1995 release but was pushed back as Shakur continued to record music and shoot music videos for the album. ==Recording and production==

The album features guest spots from 2Pac's regulars, such as former-Thug Life members and The Outlawz, as well as Dr. Dre, Snoop Doggy Dogg, Tha Dogg Pound, Nate Dogg, George Clinton, Rappin' 4-Tay, The Click, Method Man & Redman among others. The song "Heartz of Men" samples a portion of Richard Pryor's comedy album ''That Nigger's Crazy''. Most of the album was produced by Johnny "J" and Daz Dillinger, with help from Dr. Dre on the songs "California Love", which he himself appeared in also as an album guest spot, and "Can't C Me", which was Clinton's appearance. DJ Quik also produced, mixed and made an appearance on the album, but had to use his real name on the credits because his contract with Profile Records prevented him from using his stage name. Lyrical themes The songs on All Eyez on Me are, in general, unapologetic celebrations of living the "Thug Lifestyle". Though there is the occasional reminiscence about past and present friends, it is a definite move away from the social and political consciousness of 2Pacalypse Now and Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z.... The songs on the album along with the name of the album itself, allude to the feeling of being watched. With songs like "Can't C Me" and "All Eyez on Me", 2Pac makes it known that he feels the presence of surveillance, most notably by the police and those wishing to do him harm. The album also references the fact that 2Pac is under the attention of many fans, being his fourth studio album and his first after spending almost a year in jail. ==Singles==

The first single, "California Love" featuring Dr. Dre and Roger Troutman was released, December 3, 1995. This is perhaps 2Pac's best-known song and his most successful, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for eight weeks (as a double A-side single with "How Do U Want It") and 12 weeks at number one in New Zealand. The song was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group (with Dr. Dre and Roger Troutman) in 1997. A remix version also produced by Dr. Dre appeared on the album. The song has since been certified 2× platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. made an appearance on the album's second single "2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted" "2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted" featuring rapper Snoop Doggy Dogg, was released as a promotional single on, May 7, 1996. The video was directed by one of 2Pac's production partners, Gobi M. Rahimi and was filmed four months prior to the September 1996 shooting of 2Pac. The prelude for the song shows a parody of Biggie Smalls ("Piggie") and Puff Daddy ("Buff Daddy") in discussion with Shakur about the November 1994 shooting. The beginning of the scene where Tupac is speaking to Biggie is in reference to the scene in the film Scarface in which Tony Montana speaks to his alleged killer before shooting him. The song peaked at number 46 on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart. The second single, "How Do U Want It" featuring R&B duo K-Ci & JoJo, was released, June 4, 1996. It was paired with "California Love" as a double A-side single, with 2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted and the non-album track, Hit 'Em Up serving as the B-sides. The song reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100. There were three videos filmed for the song: two in the same set for the single in April 1996. The video was directed by Ron Hightower and produced by Tracy D. Robinson. These two are distinguished by MPAA rating (one is certified adult material). The video portrays a wild sex party with Jacuzzi, mechanical bull riding, cage dancing and pole stripping. All actors and actresses are dressed in Renaissance-era costumes, though all clothes are removed for the nude clip. The adult-material video also features numerous porn stars, including Nina Hartley, Heather Hunter, and Angel Kelly. The limousine segment seen in the clean version is the same except no nudity. The third one is the concert version, mostly them performing on stage. There are cameo appearances by K-Ci & JoJo, and fellow group member of Digital Underground Shock G both in the concert and studio segments. "I Ain't Mad at Cha" featuring singer Danny Boy, was released in Europe and parts of Oceania shortly after Shakur's death as the final single from the album, on September 15, 1996. For the video the song was re-recorded with a live band. The new track was recorded at Can-Am Studios by Conley Abrams. The video was filmed on May 15, 1996. ==Critical reception and legacy==

All Eyez on Me received widespread critical acclaim. Spin magazine gave it 7 out of 10 and said: "As long as you don't expect philanthropy from Tupac, you'll find honesty and some pleasurably twisted scenarios." AllMusic stated, "Maybe it was his time in prison, or maybe it was simply his signing with Suge Knight's Death Row label. Whatever the case, 2Pac re-emerged hardened and hungry with All Eyez on Me, the first double-disc album of original material in hip-hop history. With all the controversy surrounding him, 2Pac seemingly wanted to throw down a monumental epic whose sheer scope would make it an achievement of itself. But more than that, it's also an unabashed embrace of the gangsta lifestyle, backing off the sober self-recognition of Me Against the World. Sure, there are a few reflective numbers and dead-homiez tributes, but they're much more romanticized this time around. Despite some undeniable filler, it is easily the best production 2Pac's ever had on record". The Guardian gave the album two stars out of five, declaring it "one of these angry recriminatory discs would have been more than enough, thanks." finding that "too much of the two hours is consumed by self-justifying rants like Only God Can Judge Me and Skandalouz." The review concluded that "There is some delicious g-funk here [...] but 2Pac's attitude sours the whole thing." Nonetheless, the album was included in the magazine's essential recordings of the 1990s. Accolades • Asterisk (*) signifies unordered lists. ==Commercial performance==

All Eyez on Me debuted at number-one on both the US Billboard 200 and the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts, selling 566,000 copies in its first week, becoming 2Pac's second number one album on the chart. The album was eventually certified diamond by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). As of September 2011, All Eyez on Me has sold 5,887,630 in the United States, making it 2Pac's highest-selling album. It has charted on the Billboard 200 for 105 weeks in total. In the United Kingdom, the British Phonographic Industry certified the album silver on January 1, 1997, followed by gold on July 22, 2013, and platinum on November 14, 2014, for sales of over 300,000 copies in the United Kingdom. It was re-released in 2001 as enhanced CDs containing the "California Love" music video. Both discs contained the same data track. It was also re-released as a Dual-Disc in 2005. ==Lawsuit==

In July 1997, anti-rap activist C. Delores Tucker sued 2Pac's estate in federal court, claiming that lyrics naming her in "How Do U Want It" and "Wonda Why They Call U Bytch" inflicted emotional distress, were slanderous, and invaded her privacy. The case was dismissed in 2001. ==Track listing==

• Track listing adapted from the album booklet • Shakur • Johnny Jackson • Calvin Broadus • Larry Blackmon • Yafeu Fula • Bruce Washington • Thomas Jenkins • Nathaniel Hale }} • Johnny "J" • 2Pac}} • Shakur • Arnaud}} • Shakur • Arnaud • Ricardo Brown • Reginald Noble • Clifford Smith }} • Shakur • Jackson • Bruce Fisher • Quincy Jones • Leon Ware • Stanley Richardson }} • Shakur • Broadus • Arnaud}} • Shakur • Smith • Donald DeGrate • Robert Diggs }} • Shakur • David Blake • Prince Nelson • George Clinton • Bernie Worrell • William Collins • Clarence Haskins }} • Shakur • Jackson • Charles Simmons • Joseph Jefferson }} • Shakur • Doug Rasheed • Anthony Forté • Harold Fretty }} • Doug Rasheed • Harold Scrap Freddie}} • Shakur • Mike Mosley • James Brown • Ricardo Thomas • Mutah Beale • Malcolm Greenidge • Katari Cox • Betty Newsome • Shawn Thomas }} • Mike Mosley • Rick Rock}} • Shakur • Andre Young • James Anderson • Roger Troutman • Larry Troutman • Norman Durham • Woody Cunningham • Ronnie Hudson • Mikel Hooks • Chris Stainton • Joe Cocker }} • Dr. Dre}} • Shakur • Arnaud • Danny Stewart • Bunny Debarge }} • Shakur • Jackson}} • Johnny "J" • 2Pac}} }} • Shakur • Jackson • Young • Douglas Edwards • Thomas Richardson }} • Shakur • Bobby Ervin}} • Shakur • Jackson • }} • Johnny "J" • 2Pac}} • Shakur • Washington • Fula • Mark Jordan • Tyruss Himes}} • Shakur • Jackson • L. Troutman • R. Troutman • Greenidge • Beale • Cox • Shirley Murdock • Jewell Caples • Donna Harkness }} • Johnny "J" • 2Pac}} • Shakur • Jackson • Himes • Vince Edwards • Alton Taylor • Claydes Smith • David Saïd • Dennis Thomas • George Brown • Otha Nash • Richard Westfield • Robert Bell • Robert Mickens • Ronald Bell • Terence N’guyen }} • Shakur • Jackson • Himes • Brown}} • Johnny "J" • 2Pac}} • Shakur • Rasheed • Clinton • Collins • Gary Cooper}} • Shakur • Jackson • Himes • James Pennington • Jürgen Koppers • Thor Baldursson }} • Shakur • Jackson • Beale}} • Johnny "J" • 2Pac}} • Shakur • Mosley • R. Thomas • S. Thomas • Earl Stevens • Brandt Jones • Danell Stevens }} • Mike Mosley • Rick Rock}} • Shakur • Quincy Jones III}} }} }} Notes • "All About U" features uncredited verses from Hussein Fatal and Yaki Kadafi • "Life Goes On" features vocals from Stacey Smallie and Nanci Fletcher. • "California Love (Remix)" features background vocals from Barbara Wilson, Nanci Fletcher, and Danette Williams. The full original version can only be found on promo vinyl versions. • "Can't C Me" features additional vocals from Nanci Fletcher • "Got My Mind Made Up" originally was a Dogg Pound song featuring Wu-Tang Clan member Inspectah Deck, The Lady of Rage, and RBX, but their vocals were removed when Daz gave 2Pac the song for his album. • "Wonder Why They Call U Bytch" originally featured former Bad Boy Records singer Faith Evans, but her vocals were replaced by Jewell. • "Check Out Time" features background vocals from Natasha Walker. • "Ratha Be Ya Nigga" features background vocals from Stacey Smallie. ==Leftover and extra tracks==

Most of the songs on the list were remixed on posthumous 2Pac albums Still I Rise, Until the End of Time, Better Dayz and ''Pac's Life''. • "All About U (Solo Video Version)" featuring Nate Dogg • "Ambitionz Az A Fighta (Mike Tyson Mix)" • "Better Dayz" (Remixed on the album of the same name) • Ballad of a Dead Soulja (Original Version) (Remixed on Until the End of Time) • "Come With Me (Interlude)" feat. Danny Boy • "Da Struggle Continuez" feat. Hussein Fatal, O.F.T.B. & Big Syke • "Don't Fall Asleep (Original Version)" feat. Daz Dillinger, E.D.I. Mean, Hussein Fatal & Kastro (Remixed on ''Pac's Life'') • "Don't Stop The Music (Original Version)" feat. E.D.I. Mean, Hussein Fatal & Nanci Fletcher (Remixed on ''Pac's Life'') • "You Can't (Fade Me)" feat. Jewell, Kastro & Napoleon (Leaked Online) • "Fair Xchange (Original Version)" feat. Tyrone Wrice & Cappucine Jackson (Remixed on Better Dayz) • "Fuck 'Em All (Original Version)" feat. E.D.I. Mean, Kastro & Napoleon (Remixed on Better Dayz) • "Give Me Love" feat. 6 Feet Deep • "Komradz" feat. E.D.I. Mean, Kastro, Mussolini, Napoleon & Storm (Leaked Online) • "Late Night" feat. DJ Quik & AMG (Appeared on Suge Knight Represents: The Chronic 2000 - Still Smokin' and Better Dayz before being taken off of new CD releases and all digital versions) • "Letter 2 My Unborn (Original Version)" feat. Natasha Walker (Remixed on Until the End of Time) • "Ma Babiez Mama" featuring Outlawz • "M.O.B. (Money Over Bitchez) (Original Version)" feat. Big Syke, Hussein Fatal, Mopreme Shakur & Yaki Kadafi (Remixed on Until the End of Time) • "Penitentiary Bound" feat. Dramacydal & Mopreme Shakur • "R U Still Smiling For Me?" • "Secretz Of War (Original Version)" feat. Hussein Fatal, Kurupt & Yaki Kadafi • "Soon As I Get Home" feat. Yaki Kadafi (Appeared in original form on ''Pac's Life)'' • "Still Ballin (Original Version)" feat. Kurupt (Remixed on Better Dayz) • "Still I Rise (Original Version)" feat. Big Syke, Hussein Fatal & Yaki Kadafi (Remixed on the album of the same name) • "There U Go (Original Version)" feat. Big Syke, Kastro & Yaki Kadafi (Remixed on (Remixed on Better Dayz) • "The: Thugz" • Thug N U Thug N Me (Original Version) (Original Version later leaked online) (Remixed on Until the End of Time) • "U Can Call (Original Version)" (Remixed on Better Dayz) • "What'z Next (Original Version)" feat. Mopreme Shakur, Big Syke, Prince Ital Joe & Natasha Walker (Remixed on (Remixed on ''Pac's Life'') • "When I Get Free III (Original Version)" (Remixed on Until the End of Time) • "Where U Been" feat. Danny Boy, Hussein Fatal, Napoleon & Big Syke ==Sample credits==

;Ambitionz az a Ridah • "Pee-Wee's Dance" performed by Joeski Love ;All About U • "Candy" performed by Cameo ;Got My Mind Made Up • "I Got My Mind Made Up (You Can Get It Girl)" performed by Instant Funk • "Sucker M.C.'s" performed by Run–D.M.C. • "Eric B. is President" performed by Eric B. & Rakim ;How Do U Want It • "Body Heat" performed by Quincy Jones ;2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted • "The Message" performed by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five • Radio Activity Rapp (Let's Jam)" performed by MC Frosty and Lovin' C • "The Posse (Shoot 'Em Up)" performed by Intelligent Hoodlum ;No More Pain • "Bring the Pain" performed by Method Man ;Heartz of Men • "Darling Nikki" performed by Prince and The Revolution • "Mudbone - Intro" performed by Richard Pryor • "Up for the Down Stroke" performed by Parliament • "You're Gettin' a Little Too Smart" performed by The Detroit Emeralds • "The Back Down" performed by Richard Pryor • "Nigger With a Seizure" performed by Richard Pryor • "Jim Brown" performed by Richard Pryor ;Life Goes On • "Brandy" performed by The O'Jays ;Only God Can Judge Me • "Top Billin' performed by Audio Two ;Tradin' War Stories • "Too Little in Common" performed by Randy Brown ;California Love (Remix) • "So Ruff, So Tuff" performed by Roger Troutman • "Intimate Connection" performed by Kleeer • "Woman to Woman" by Joe Cocker • "West Coast Poplock" performed by Ronnie Hudson and The Street People • "Dance Floor" performed by Zapp ;I Ain't Mad at Cha • "A Dream" performed by DeBarge ;What'z Ya Phone # • "777-9311" performed by The Time ;Can't C Me • "(Not Just) Knee Deep" performed by Funkadelic • "I'm Only Out for One Thang" performed by Ice Cube • "Get Off My Dick and Tell Yo Bitch to Come Here" performed by Ice Cube • "What's My Name" performed by Snoop Dogg • "Shake, Rattle and Roll" performed by Big Joe Turner ;Shorty Wanna Be a Thug • "Wildflower" performed by Hank Crawford ;When We Ride • "What Would You Do" performed by Tha Dogg Pound ;Thug Passion • "Computer Love" performed by Zapp & Roger ;Picture Me Rollin' • "Winter Sadness" performed by Kool & the Gang • "Better Off" performed by Johnny "J" ;Check Out Time • "Candy Rain" performed by Soul for Real • "Just Don't Bite It" performed by N.W.A ;Ratha Be Ya Nigga • "I'd Rather Be with You" performed by Bootsy Collins ;All Eyez on Me • "Never Gonna Stop" performed by Linda Clifford ;Run tha Streetz • "Piece of My Love" performed by Guy ;Wonda Why They Call U Bytch • "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover" by Paul Simon ;Heaven Ain't Hard 2 Find • "What You Won't Do for Love" performed by Bobby Caldwell ==Personnel==

Credits for All Eyez on Me adapted from AllMusic and CD booklet. • 2Pac – associate producer, composer, producer, vocals • Suge Knight – executive producer • Norris Anderson – production manager • Delmar "Daz" Arnaud – composer • Dave Aron – engineer, mixing • Big Syke – vocals • Larry Blackmon – composer • David Blake – composer, mixing, producer, talk box • B-Legit – vocals • Bobcat – composer • Calvin Broadus – composer • R. Brown – composer • C-BO – vocals • Larry Chatman – associate producer • Rick Clifford – engineer • G. Clinton Jr. – composer • George Clinton – composer, vocals • Nanci Fletcher – vocals • Dorothy Coleman – background vocals • W. Collins – composer • Kenn Cox – composer • CPO – vocals • Woody Cunningham – composer • Tommy D. Daugherty – engineer • Danny Boy – vocals • Dat Nigga Daz – producer, vocals • Robert Diggs – composer • DJ Pooh – composer, mixing, producer • Dr. Dre – composer, mixing, producer, vocals • Tha Dogg Pound – vocals • Nate Dogg – vocals • Dramacydal – vocals • Dru Down – vocals • Norman Durham – composer • E-40 – vocals • Ebony – background vocals • Bobby Ervin – composer, producer • Fatal – vocals • Brian Gardner – mastering • Michael Geiser – associate engineer • Yaki Kadafi – vocals • Nathaniel Hale – composer • C. Haskins – composer • Johnny Jackson – composer • Jewell – vocals • Johnny "J" – mixing, producer • Puff Johnson – background vocals • Jojo the Elf – vocals • E. Jordan – composer • Kurupt – vocals • Alvin McGill – associate engineer, engineer • Method Man – vocals • Michel'le – vocals • Mike Mosley – assistant engineer, composer, mixing, producer • Nanci Fletcher – vocals • Shirley Murdock – composer • Ken Nahoum – photography • Outlawz – vocals • J.P. Pennington – composer • Prince – composer • George Pryce – art direction, design • QD3 – composer • Rappin' 4-Tay – vocals • Doug Rasheed – composer, producer • Danny Ray – background vocals • Redman – vocals • Richie Rich – vocals • Rick Rock – producer • Patrick Shevelin – associate engineer • Carl "Butch" Small – percussion • Stacey Smallie – background vocals • C. Smith – composer • Henry "Hendogg" Smith – illustrations • Snoop Doggy Dogg – vocals • Troy Staton – engineer • D. Stevens – composer • E. Stevens – composer • D. Stewart – composer • The Storm – vocals • DeVanté Swing – composer, mixing, producer • Roy Tesfay – production co-ordination • Rahiem Prince Thomas – composer • S. Thomas – composer • Sean "Barney" Thomas – keyboards • Larry Troutman – composer • Roger Troutman – composer, vocals, talk box • Natasha Walker – background vocals • Carlos Warlick – engineer, mixing • Barbara Warren – stylist, unknown contributor role • Bruce Washington – composer • Danette Williams – background vocals • Barbara Wilson – background vocals • Nanci Fletcher – background vocals • Keston Wright – engineer ==Charts==

Weekly charts Year-end charts Decade-end charts ==Certifications==