Music from the Motion Picture Poetic Justice is the soundtrack to John Singleton's 1993 film Poetic Justice. It was released on June 29, 1993, through Epic Soundtrax, and consisted of a blend of hip hop and R&B music. The album peaked at number 23 on the Billboard 200 chart in the United States and was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America on August 25, 1993.
Poetic Justice: Music from the Motion Picture | |
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Soundtrack album by Various artists | |
Released | June 29, 1993 |
Genre |
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Length | 45:51 |
Label | Epic Soundtrax |
Producer |
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Singles from Poetic Justice: Music from the Motion Picture | |
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Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Three charting singles were released from the album: "Indo Smoke" by Mista Grimm, "Get It Up" by TLC, and "Call Me a Mack" by Usher Raymond, the latter of which was Usher's first official appearance on a song at the age of 14.
The soundtrack also has the Stevie Wonder song "Never Dreamed You'd Leave in Summer", a track that was originally on his 1970 Motown Records album Where I'm Coming From. The song "Definition of a Thug Nigga", recorded by Tupac Shakur for the film, later appeared on his 1997 posthumous album R U Still Down? (Remember Me).
Due to the film's casting of two major music stars, much hype surrounded its release. Many were excited to see how the dynamic between Janet Jackson and Tupac Shakur would manifest itself in the film both visually and musically. On the soundtrack, each artist was given a single song. Tupac's "Definition of a Thug Nigga" is an example of braggadocios, violent rap music. The song conflates lyrics of degrading women with aggressive threats and discussions of firearms.
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
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1. | "Get It Up" (performed by TLC) |
| 4:25 | |
2. | "Indo Smoke" (performed by Mista Grimm, Warren G and Nate Dogg) |
| Warren G | 5:24 |
3. | "Well Alright" (performed by Babyface) | Kenneth Edmonds |
| 4:00 |
4. | "Call Me a Mack" (performed by Usher) |
| Tim & Ted | 4:06 |
5. | "Waiting for You" (performed by Tony! Toni! Toné!) | Derek "DOA" Allen |
| 5:14 |
6. | "One in a Million" (performed by Pete Rock & CL Smooth) |
| Pete Rock | 4:05 |
7. | "Nite & Day" (performed by Cultural Revolution) |
| Swann | 5:04 |
8. | "Poor Man's Poetry" (performed by Naughty by Nature) |
| Naughty by Nature | 2:59 |
9. | "I've Been Waiting" (performed by Terri & Monica) |
| Deane | 4:20 |
10. | "Niggas Don't Give a Fuck" (performed by Tha Dogg Pound and The Lady of Rage) |
| Dr. Dre | 4:41 |
11. | "Definition of a Thug Nigga" (performed by 2Pac) |
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| 4:10 |
12. | "I Wanna Be Your Man" (performed by Chaka Demus & Pliers) |
| Sly & Robbie | 3:54 |
13. | "Cash in My Hands" (performed by Nice & Smooth) |
| Nice & Smooth | 3:52 |
14. | "Never Dreamed You'd Leave in Summer" (performed by Stevie Wonder) | Henry Cosby | 2:54 | |
15. | "Justice's Groove" (performed by Stanley Clarke) | Stanley Clarke | Clarke | 4:34 |
Total length: | 45:51 |
There are fourteen songs that appeared in the film but were not released on the soundtrack album:[2]
Chart (1993) | Peak position |
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US Billboard 200[3] | 23 |
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums[4] | 19 |
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
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United States (RIAA)[5] | Gold | 500,000^ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
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