2Pac recorded Me Against the World from prison, serving time at Rikers Island while awaiting sentencing on an assault conviction. It became the first album by a living artist to debut at number one while its creator was incarcerated. The album is his most emotionally direct: Dear Mama is one of the most tender tributes in rap history, So Many Tears one of the most haunted. Death Around the Corner, recorded in a single session, proved prophetic. It was released in March 1995 and went platinum within a month. 2Pac was released from prison six months later. He would be killed eighteen months after that.
CD — Amaru / Jive Records, 1998 reissue
- Intro
- If I Die 2Nite
- Me Against the World
- So Many Tears
- Temptations
- Young Niggaz
- Heavy in the Game (ft. Richie Rich)
- Lord Knows
- Dear Mama
- It Ain't Easy
- Can U Get Away
- Old School
- F*** the World
- Death Around the Corner
- Outlaw (ft. Dramacydal)
Amaru / Jive Records | Original Release: March 14, 1995 | CD | UPC: 012414163622