2Pac: Greatest Hits (4LP) [INTERSCOPE]

Why you'll love it

This 4LP gatefold set spreads 25 tracks across eight sides. It's certified Diamond in the US, one of nine hip hop albums to reach that mark, and remains the best-selling rap greatest hits album of all time.

This edition

• 4LP set
• Gatefold jacket

About the album

Two years after his death, Tupac Shakur's greatest hits did something greatest hits rarely do: it brought new music. Four tracks were previously unheard, "God Bless the Dead," "Unconditional Love," "Troublesome 96" and "Changes," and the running order skips chronology in favour of flow, from the Death Row bangers to the early Interscope years.

"Changes" earned 2Pac his one posthumous Grammy nomination. The original mix of "California Love" with Dr. Dre made its first proper album appearance here, next to "Dear Mama," "Keep Ya Head Up," "Brenda's Got a Baby," "I Get Around," "Hail Mary" and "How Do U Want It." Some tracks appear in alternate mixes, and "Hit 'Em Up" and "To Live & Die in L.A." show both the fury and the West Coast warmth of his final years.

It debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard 200, peaked at No. 3 and has spent 433 weeks on that chart. That's a little over eight years, or roughly how long it takes to play all eight sides if you keep stopping to say "oh, this one."

Also at Kops: more 2Pac on vinyl · browse Hip Hop / R&B

Tracklist

Listen

On Amaru / Death Row / Interscope (cat# B0029039-01), a reissue of the 1998 compilation.