November 21, 2006 @ 11:50 am

Pac’s Life

Felicia Pride

While “Untouchable” comes closest to capturing Pac’s energy and vocal prowess, that feeling doesn’t last. It’s a setup to get your adrenalin flowing, only to drop you quick and dirty like a bad high. 'Cause next up on the track-list is the severely watered-down (like someone slipped ice cubes in your Patrón), “Pac’s Life.” The single that sounds so dated, it should have come out when Ashanti was actually hot. Would Tupac have rhymed over a track that is more suited for twelve-year-old girls to blast in their iPods? Keyshia Cole should have been on the hook to bring a little grit (who's actually on another track called “Playa Cardz Right”). Talking 'bout "Playa Cardz Right," between the mellow R&B-induced beat, which is designed for loving but is more effective in putting you to sleep, and Keyshia’s dominance on the song, you forget you’re listening to a Tupac album. Note: This will happen often throughout your listening experience. Whose album is this really? But remember, dead artists are big money (think Elvis Presley and Bob Marley). This is Pac’s eleventh posthumous album in ten years. You do the math and it’s then that you realize that there’s a method to the madness. And it ain’t all good. The plan starts by gathering a T.I., Chamillionaire, Snoop Doggy Dogg or other “hot” collaborator for guest appearances. The more the better. It’s not necessary to consider chemistry. The goal isn’t cohesiveness. You’ve got verses from a deceased artist that you have to stretch for the length of an album. Remember, true fans will buy into it. Secondly, get at least one well-known producer for name-dropping purposes. But don’t worry about production. Many of the beats can be sub-par, whack even. Throwaway tracks are also welcome. If you get desperate for songs, toss in a couple of remixes. Thirdly, include friends and family in the creation of the album. This will validate and justify it for fans. Most importantly, don’t stress about the overall quality of the album. Play on fans emotional connection with the artist. The hip hop nation is going through one of those periods when we desperately need some Tupac in our lives. We’re craving his authentic rawness (“I Don’t Give a Fuck”), acute world observations (“Me Against the World”), and what-you-see-is-what-you get attitude (“Ambitionz Az a Ridah”). But Pac’s Life is a placebo. Point blank: The heart of the album is absent. The assumption that fans will buy a Tupac album to hear Ludacris, is well, ludicrous. Tupac wasn’t one of those dependent rappers that needed others to justify his talent. Alas, the focus has shifted away from him and the result is an album by Tupac, but not really. And if there’s one thing we know about Pac, it was that he was a real N.I.G.G.A. with mad heart. So yeah you may nod your head to “Dumpin’” which features Carl Thomas (but sounds like Akon on it) and Papoose. It’s one of the smarter collaborations and you’ll wish Pac was still here to spit verse for verse. If you’re an Outlawz fan, you’ll bump, “Don’t Stop.” You may think “Don’t Sleep” with its southern influences brings Pac into the current hip hop fold. And “Whatz Next” could be a song that he might actually release. The eerie track complements his flow and Jay Rock is a welcomed appearance. The entire time, however, you’d much rather listen to the real Pac and so you’ll reach for All Eyez on Me. “Am I wrong cause I wanna get it on till I die?” Pac asks. And we know he did. Consequently, the hip hop nation isn’t wrong to want to hear him rock past his death. But on Pac’s Life he sounds tired (naturally the result of ten years of manipulation), like he wants to rest. And we should let him. He deserves it. Read more vibe.com reviews. left

Article tags: 2Pac, Pac's Life, Tupac 

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