Thug Life, Volume I
Thug Life, Volume I is the only studio album by American hip hop group Thug Life, released on September 26, 1994, by Interscope Records and Out da Gutta Records and distributed by Atlantic Records. The group was started by American rapper 2Pac and also comprising Big Syke, The Rated R, Macadoshis and Mopreme Shakur, Tupac's stepbrother. The album features guest appearances by Y.N.V. and Nate Dogg and production by Warren G, Easy Mo Bee, Big Syke and Stretch.
| Thug Life, Volume I | ||||
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| Released | September 26, 1994 | |||
| Recorded | March 1993 – May 1994[1] | |||
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| Length | 42:28 | |||
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| 2Pac chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Thug Life, Volume I | ||||
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The album received critical acclaim and has been regarded as one of Shakur's most underrated records.
Background
Due to heavy criticism of 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] Several of these unreleased recordings include a 4 verse solo version of Bury Me A G with two new 2Pac verses, a radio version of Bury Me A G with another new unreleased verse by 2Pac and two alternate recordings of Str8 Ballin', which include never before released adlibs by the rapper.
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 Interscope Records, Amaru Entertainment, the label owned by Tupac's mother, Afeni Shakur, gained the rights to it. Thug Life, Volume I was certified Gold. The track "How Long Will They Mourn Me?" appeared later in 1998 from 2Pac's Greatest Hits album.[5]
In commemoration of its twenty-fifth anniversary, it was released on vinyl on November 22, 2019. In 2019, Universal Music Group posted the video version to the song "How Long Will They Mourn Me?" to their YouTube channel. This version features an alternate verse by 2Pac with different lyrics that was not issued on the album.[6]
Singles
The first single, "Pour Out a Little Liquor" was released August 23, 1994 as a promotional single. It was originally released on the Above the Rim soundtrack. It was then included in the Thug Life, Volume I studio album.
The second and final single, "Cradle to the Grave" was released November 4, 1994.
Critical reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [7] |
| Entertainment Weekly | A−[8] |
| Q | [9] |
| Select | 4/5[10] |
The album has been met with critical acclaim retrospectively as a classic underground rap album. 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."[9]
"A shockingly considered, thoughtful rap record," opined Select's Matt Hall. "And a very chilling one."[10]
Commercial performance
The album was certified gold on January 24, 1996, selling over 500,000 copies.[11]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Bury Me a G" (featuring Natasha Walker from Y.N.V.) |
| Thug Music | 4:58 |
| 2. | "Don't Get It Twisted" |
|
| 3:19 |
| 3. | "Shit Don't Stop" (featuring Y.N.V.) |
| Thug Music | 3:46 |
| 4. | "Pour Out a Little Liquor" | T. Shakur | Johnny "J" | 3:29 |
| 5. | "Stay True" |
| Thug Music | 3:09 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6. | "How Long Will They Mourn Me?" (featuring Nate Dogg) |
|
| 3:52 |
| 7. | "Under Pressure" |
| Thug Music | 4:32 |
| 8. | "Street Fame" |
| Stretch | 4:00 |
| 9. | "Cradle to the Grave" |
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| 0:46 |
| 10. | "Str8 Ballin'" | T. Shakur | Easy Mo Bee | 5:04 |
| Total length: | 42:28 | |||
Charts
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
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Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States (RIAA)[15] | Gold | 500,000^ |
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^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
- "THUG LIFE: VOLUME 1 [OFFICIAL ALBUM], OCTOBER 11, 1994". 2PacLegacy. November 28, 2015. Retrieved February 4, 2022.
- "Thug Life, Vol. 1 – Thug Life – Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved February 16, 2018.
- DJ Vlad (April 25, 2016). "Thug Life Details Meeting 2Pac, Gang Affiliation, Pac's Thug Life Tattoo". Archived from the original on 2021-12-13. Retrieved November 26, 2016 – via YouTube.
- "2Pac - Out On Bail (live 1994)". YouTube. January 8, 2007. Archived from the original on 2021-12-13. Retrieved March 12, 2012.
- "Recording Industry Association of America". RIAA. Retrieved February 23, 2012.
- Shakur, Tupac. "Thug Life - How Long Will They Mourn Me? ft. Nate Dogg". YouTube. Universal Music Group. Archived from the original on 2021-12-13. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
- "Thug Life, Vol. 1 - Thug Life | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
- "Album Review: 'Volume One'". EW.com.
- Q, February 1995
- Select, January 1995
- "Tupac Month: 2Pac's Discography". Retrieved May 27, 2013.
- "Thug Life Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
- "Thug Life Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
- "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 1995". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 3, 2015. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
- "American album certifications – Thug Life – Volume I". Recording Industry Association of America.