2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted

"2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted" is a song by American rapper 2Pac from his fourth studio album, All Eyez on Me (1996). The song features fellow West Coast rapper Snoop Doggy Dogg and was produced by Dat Nigga Daz. The song was released as a promotional single for the album on May 7, 1996 and later as the B-side to the album's second major and third overall single, How Do U Want It. The song peaked at number 46 on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart.[1] The song contains interpolations of Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five's song "The Message" and "Radio Activity Rap (Let's Jam)" by MC Frosty and Lovin' C.

"2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted"
Promotional single by 2Pac featuring Snoop Doggy Dogg
from the album All Eyez on Me
ReleasedMay 7, 1996 (1996-05-07)
StudioCan-Am Studios (Tarzana, Los Angeles)
Genre
Length
  • 4:05 (album version)
  • 5:31 (music video)
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Dat Nigga Daz
2Pac chronology
"California Love"
(1995)		 "2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted"
(1996)		 "How Do U Want It"
(1996)
Snoop Doggy Dogg chronology
New York, New York
(1995)		 2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted
(1996)		 Snoop's Upside Ya Head
(1996)
Music video
"2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted" on YouTube

Although the song was limited to a promo release, a music video was filmed for it. The version of the song used for the music video differs from the version on the album, with clean alternative lyrics, delay on the word "Party" within the chorus, and an arpeggio added to the beat.

Music video

The music video was directed by one of Shakur's production partners, Gobi M. Rahimi. The music video was released on April 28, 1996. The prelude for the song shows a parody of Biggie Smalls ("Piggy") and Puff 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 movie Scarface, where Tony Montana speaks to his alleged killer before shooting him. It features cameos by Tha Dogg Pound and Nate Dogg.

Live performances

The song was the last one performed in their House of Blues concert on July 4, 1996, Shakur's last recorded performance. The performance was featured on the 2005 Live at the House of Blues live album.

This song was performed by Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg as a tribute to Shakur during the 2000 Up In Smoke Tour. The performance included a sample of Shakur's verse.

On April 15, 2012, the song was performed at the Coachella Festival with Snoop Dogg rapping with a hologram of Shakur.

Appearances

The song was included on numerous 2Pac compilations, including his Greatest Hits and Best of: Thug album.

The song was featured in the first episode of the TV series Gang Related.

The song was played on Shakur's biopic, All Eyez On Me (2017) with 2Pac and Snoop in the studio recording the song.

Personnel
  • Engineer: Dave Aron
  • Engineer: Rick Clifford
  • Assistant engineer: Alvin McGill
  • Mixing: David Blake
  • Featuring (Rap): Snoop Doggy Dogg

Charts
Chart (1996) Peak
Position
US R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay (Billboard)[2] 46

Certifications
Certifications for "2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted"
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[3] Silver 200,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References
  1. "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay – Issue Date: 1996-06-08" (requires registration). Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved June 3, 2012.
  2. "2Pac Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved March 20, 2015.
  3. "British single certifications – 2Pac – 2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
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