Death Row Greatest Hits

To counter cannibalising sales of other 1996 Death Row releases, no songs from 2Pac's All Eyez on Me, The 7 Day Theory and Snoop Dogg's Tha Doggfather are included on the compilation.[5] From the seven tracks on the compilation that features 2Pac, only two were recorded during his time spent at Death Row Records; "Hit 'Em Up" and "Smile For Me Now", which are both non-album tracks.[6] Four of the other five tracks were songs previously released under Interscope Records before his signing with Death Row. And one track, "Pour Out a Little Liquor", was recorded before 2Pac's time at Death Row, however, was originally released on the 1994 Death Row soundtrack, Above the Rim.[7][8] The four tracks not affiliated with Death Row were able to be included as Interscope, at that time, was the parent company of Death Row and distributor. In 2003, tracks from the 1996 Death Row albums were featured on the compilation's follow-up, Death Row Greatest Hits, Volume 2.[9]

"Dear Mama"—found on disc one of the compilation—although not listed as a remix, is a completely different mix than what is found on the single or original album release.[10][11]

Disc two of the compilation is mostly made up of remixes and new tracks, notable inclusions being:

• "Let Me Ride (RMX)", a remix produced and featuring a new verse by Daz Dillinger.[12]
• "Daydreaming", a new song by Michel'le and cover of the 1972 Aretha Franklin song, "Day Dreaming".[13]
• "I Get Around (RMX)", a remix featuring a chilled jazz beat and an extra verse by 2Pac.[14] This version could previously be found on the B-side of the original song's single release.[15]
• "Hit 'Em Up", a non-album 2Pac track that could previously only be found on the B-side of "How Do U Want It".[16]
• "Who Been There, Who Done That?", a new song by J-Flexx and parody of the Dr. Dre song "Been There, Done That".
• "Me in Your World", a new song by Tha Dogg Pound. This song was later remixed and included on the 2012 Dogg Pound compilation, Doggy Bag.[17]
• "Smile For Me Now", a new song by 2Pac and Scarface which was released as a single in remix form three months later, retitled, "Smile".[18][19]

Following suit with 2Pac's The 7 Day Theory,[20] Death Row continues to show animosity towards former signee and co-founder, Dr. Dre, by including a diss track directed towards the rapper/producer on each disc of the release. The diss tracks included were:

• "No Vaseline" by Ice Cube; a 1991 diss track aimed at Dr. Dre and fellow N.W.A group members. Although the song had no association with Death Row Records before the release of the compilation, the song was able to be included as Priority Records, the song distributor, and Interscope Records, the album's distributor, are both divisions of Universal Music Group.[21][22][23]
• "Who Been There, Who Done That?", written and performed by one of Dr. Dre's former ghostwriters, J-Flexx, is an album exclusive and parody of Dr. Dre's post-Death Row single, "Been There, Done That"—which was also written by J-Flexx.[24] The diss track, which takes shots at Dr. Dre for allegedly stealing songwriting and production credits as well as taking the royalties,[25] was released as a single in promotion for the album.[26][27] In the song's music video, Dr. Dre, clearly depicted as a closeted homosexual, grasp with the reality that the truth has been uncovered—the truth being that he has been receiving undeserved credit for the writing of several hit songs. As the music video progresses, the fictionalised Dr. Dre has to deal with bailiffs entering his home and taking away his possessions.[28]

Although it's heavily rumoured, one can also presume Suge Knight is responsible for casting the inklings of disdain, as he, CEO of Death Row Records and known instigator, served as executive producer on the album.

Death Row Greatest Hits insert art by Ronald "Riskie" Brent.

The album's front cover centres on the Death Row Records logo—a death row inmate sat in an electric chair—which was created by Henry "Hen Dog" Smith.[29] However, this version of the Death Row symbol—not by Smith—does away with the bag over the inmates head and displays an electric current running through the inmate's body. The album's cover and insert artwork was designed by California based artist, Ronald "Riskie" Brent. Brent, a recurrent Death Row collaborator, was commissioned to create numerous covers and inserts for albums such as All Eyez on Me, The 7 Day Theory, Tha Doggfather, Christmas on Death Row and Retaliation, Revenge and Get Back.[30]