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Thug Life: Volume 1 is the only studio album by American hip hop group Thug Life started by American rapper Tupac Shakur (2Pac) and also comprising Big Syke, The Rated R, Macadoshis and Mopreme Shakur, Tupac's stepbrother. It was released on September 26, 1994 through Interscope and Atlantic Records. 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 1
Studio album by Thug Life
Released	September 26, 1994
Recorded	March 1993 – May 1994[1]
Studio	Blue Palm (North Hollywood) Echo Sound (Los Angeles)
Genre	Hardcore hip hop[2] G-funk[2]
Length	42:28
Label	Interscope Jive Out da Gutta
Producer	Big Syke Easy Mo Bee Professor Jay Johnny "J" Nate Dogg Mopreme Stretch Thug Music Warren G
2Pac chronology
Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z... (1993) Thug Life: Volume 1 (1994) Me Against the World (1995)
Singles from Volume 1
"Pour Out a Little Liquor" Released: August 23, 1994 "Cradle to the Grave" Released: November 4, 1994

The album received critical acclaim and has been regarded as one of Shakur's most underrated records.

Overview

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 Balllin', 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 1 was certified Gold. The track "How Long Will They Mourn Me?" appeared later in 1998 from 2Pac's Greatest Hits album.[5]

It sold 500,000 copies in the United States in 1994.[6]

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.[7]

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[8]
Entertainment Weekly	A−[9]
Q	[10]
Select	4/5[11]

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."[10]

"A shockingly considered, thoughtful rap record," opined Select's Matt Hall. "And a very chilling one."[11]

Track listing

Charts

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[15]	Gold	500,000^
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

На других языках

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[de] Thug Life: Volume 1

Thug Life: Volume 1 ist ein Studioalbum der US-amerikanischen Hip-Hop-Gruppe Thug Life, bestehend aus den Rappern Tupac Shakur, Big Syke, Mopreme Shakur, Stretch, Macadoshis und The Rated R. Es wurde am 11. Oktober 1994 über das Label Interscope Records veröffentlicht.

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- [en] Thug Life: Volume 1

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[es] Thug Life: Volume 1

Thug Life: Volume 1 es el primer y único álbum del grupo Thug Life, liderado por el rapero 2Pac. Fue lanzado el 26 de septiembre de 1994.

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[ru] Thug Life: Volume 1

Thug Life (с англ. — «Жизнь головореза») — Единственный альбом одноимённой группы, созданной Тупаком Амару Шакуром, выпущен 26 сентября 1994 года.

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