HHH Essential Album of the Week #117: 2Pac/Makaveli - The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory - HipHop | HipHop Channel

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HHH Essential Album of the Week #117: 2Pac/Makaveli - The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory - HipHop

HHH Essential Album of the Week #117: 2Pac/Makaveli - The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory - HipHop

HHH Essential Album of the Week #117: 2Pac/Makaveli - The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory

Posted: 20 May 2020 04:22 AM PDT

Every Wednesday we discuss an album from our Essential Album List

Last week: Mos Def - Black on Both Sides

All previous posts: Here

Stream/Purchase

Spotify

Background/Description

There are few albums in hip hop's lore which carry the same magnitude as 2Pac's last album. To understand the depths of The 7 Day Theory is to recognize the controversy that led up to and followed its release. Retreading the Death Row Records/Bad Boy Records beef is beyond gratuitous. However, it's important to note how shaken up the rap world was when 2Pac died after being gunned down in Las Vegas in September 1996.

If the beef was as dramatically Shakespearean as it seems and the music was its soundtrack, The Notorious B.I.G.'s "Who Shot Ya," and 2Pac's "Hit Em Up," were the catalysts of the story, 'Pac's All Eyez On Me was the rising action and The 7 Day Theory was the climax (with Biggie's Life After Death as the falling action, and Black Star's call for peace on "Definition" as the musical resolution.)

Just two months after 'Pac had been killed, the album was released under the alias "Makaveli." The album was littered with conspiracy-theory fodder. 2Pac had read The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli while incarcerated and knew the author advocated faking one's death to deceive his enemies. The new moniker made fans question whether or not 'Pac was somewhere on a beach in Cuba living the life. The album's first moments also raised eyebrows, as 'Pac is heard saying "Shoulda shot me," which sounds eerily similar to "Suge shot me," a would-be reference to Death Row Records owner Marion "Suge" Knight. As if that weren't enough, the album's cover featured 'Pac being crucified. While he included the disclaimer "This portrait is in no way an expression of disrespect for Jesus Christ," fans and even critics pondered if the artwork was signifying a potential return.

These elements have had conspiracy theorists running wild for 22 years, and no album has inspired such fervent debate over its contextual meaning like The 7 Day Theory. Suge Knight recently tried to convince the public that 2Pac was still alive, and while his attempts clearly were a hoax, the fact that his claims made headlines two-plus decades after 'Pac's death is owed in part to The 7 Day Theory's ambiguity. The album's staying power as a conversation piece is a testament to its greatness.

The music itself stands up to Hip Hop's finest, not only for the strength of its lyricism, memorability of its production, or conviction of its content but for the intriguing duality of Tupac Amaru Shakur.

Each of his preceding solo albums can be heard on The 7 Day Theory, though the album retains a unique juxtaposition of otherworldly intensity and humble sentimentality. "Hold Ya Head," with Hurt-M-Badd's mounting guitar licks and melancholic piano keys, as well as Tyrone Wice's tortured wailing, sounds like 'Pac is coming full circle in speaking to his people à la 2Pacalypse Now's "Brenda's Got a Baby." The Malcolm X samples on "White Man'z World" would have been at home with 'Pac's Ice Cube-inspired militance on Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z., while the soft-hearted "To Live and Die In L.A." holds the feel of Me Against the World's "Old School" for the west side. And, of course, the outrageous excess of "Toss It Up" and playfulness of "Just Like Daddy" come straight outta All Eyez On Me.

The songs, as varied as they come, are tied together by 2Pac's laser-focus approach to recording. A handful of producers – notably Hurt-M-Badd, Darryl "Big D" Harper, QDIII and Makaveli himself – combine down-home guitar licks with ghostly bells and creeping basslines to match the album's alternation between quiet and explosive intensity. Whether 'Pac is taunting Puff Daddy and Dr. Dre on the bombastic "Toss It Up" or imploring listeners to push past mainstream criticism of his music on "Krazy," there's a sense of urgency that provides cohesion to The 7 Day Theory. That urgency provides for ceaseless engagement, which ensures nary a moment is wasted. While some '90s heads won't ever forgive 'Pac for his vitriol at The Notorious B.I.G. and Bad Boy Records, and as such can't listen to this album, the art itself remains enthralling from start to finish.

'Pac has always been underrated on the mic, partly because the oft-compared Biggie had it all over him in the flow department. Yet, no one can question Makaveli's pen game as he endeavored two of the greatest allegorical rap songs in existence. The Nas-inspired "Me And My Girlfriend" features metaphors to fill an MC's wet dream: "Picked you up when you was nine, started out my life of crime/Wit' you, bought you some shells when you turned 22." "Blasphemy" forays into T.H.U.G. Life of catastrophic proportions as Makaveli makes comparisons between Bible stories and the street life. Those who screamed sacrilege were missing the point – and the disclaimer on the album cover – that 'Pac was, amongst many things, a true MC. That's part of the reason 50 Cent and J. Cole listed The 7 Day Theory amongst their favorite albums. That's no small praise and proves the lasting impact of The 7 Day Theory, as both Fif' and Jermaine have been tastemakers for their respective eras

As memorable as "Blasphemy" is, and as well-known for its ethereal vibes as "Hail Mary" is, "Life of an Outlaw" is the overwhelming, magnetic centerpiece. Never has 'Pac sounded more desperate than when he's asking Outlawz-comrade Napoleon if he'd kill for him. Chillingly, Napoleon responds, "On my grandmother," and the drums take center stage as Nap's raps about vultures, parasites and snakes position the Outlawz as weathering a plague in ancient Egypt. These mythical embellishments make The 7 Day Theory a legendary affair but also remain stuck in the minds of rap fans who sometimes forget the tenderness of the album's latter half.

The 12 songs are brilliantly paced, with five of the first six cuts serving as unbridled acts of violence and four of the second half-dozen lighting up a joint in an introspective calm. The finest example of that reflection is "White Man'z World." The track finds Afeni's son stepping to the pulpit and motivating people of color to forge on: "Remember that, in this white man's world, they can't stop us. We've been here all this time, they ain't took us out." Tupac's words are proof that the same dude who was waging war against Puff and Big was still handing out $100 bills to homeless people. His floetry is evidence of The 7 Day Theory's relevance in today's turbulent social landscape.

Nowhere is 'Pac's duality, a major ingredient to 7 Day Theory's greatness, more prevalent than on the album's final two tracks. It's not the first time this has been said, but it bears repeating that the compassionate fortitude of "Hold Ya Head" giving way to the murderous free-for-all that is "Against All Odds" is an allegory for the last week of Tupac's life. "These felonies be like prophecies, begging me to stop," he raps on the former with total self-awareness. However, his cognizance fails to stop him from begging for bloodshed on the latter cut. The album dies in frightening hails of gunfire, and when it's over the listener is left to steady themselves and wonder how it all came to this.

'Pac's pain created phenomenal art. Whether he was lucid with love or blurry with bluster, Tupac poured his soul into The 7 Day Theory.

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Daily Discussion Thread 05/20/2020

Posted: 20 May 2020 09:09 AM PDT

Welcome to the /r/hiphopheads daily discussion thread!

This thread is for:

  • objective questions with right/wrong answers (e.g. "Does anyone know what is happening with MIXTAPE?", "What is the sample in SONG?")
  • general hip-hop discussion
  • meta posts...e.g. ideas for the sub

Thread Guidelines

  • Do not create a separate self post for these types of discussions outside of this thread - if you do, your post will be removed, as stated in the guidelines.

  • Please be helpful and friendly.

  • If a question has been asked many times before, provide a link to a thread that contains the answer.

Weekly/Monthly Threads

Other ways to interact

There are a number of other ways to interact with other members of HHH:

New to /r/hiphopheads or hip-hop in general?

Check out these:

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[FRESH] The Weeknd - In Your Eyes (Remix) ft. Doja Cat

Posted: 20 May 2020 08:47 PM PDT

For those that don't know, Questlove has been hosting 3 hour DJ sets every day except Sunday and Wednesday for the past 2 months. Themes include: Q-Tip, Jungle Brothers, Prince, Janet Jackson, and much more. Great stuff!

Posted: 20 May 2020 04:22 PM PDT

Gunna announces tracklist for upcoming album Wunna (5/22)

Posted: 20 May 2020 09:09 AM PDT

​

Tracklist

Album cover

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CAamoUlpZ0-/

  1. ⁠Argentina
  2. ⁠Gimmick
  3. ⁠MOTW
  4. ⁠Feigning
  5. ⁠Dollaz On My Head (feat. Young Thug)
  6. ⁠Addys (feat. Nechie)
  7. ⁠Skybox
  8. ⁠Wunna
  9. ⁠Blindfold (feat. Lil' Baby)
  10. ⁠Rockstar and Bikerchains
  11. ⁠Met Gala
  12. ⁠Nasty Girl/On Camera
  13. ⁠Cooler Than A Bitch (feat. Roddy Ricch)
  14. ⁠I'm On Some
  15. ⁠Top Floor (feat. Travis Scott)
  16. ⁠Don't Play Around
  17. ⁠Do Better
  18. ⁠Far (feat. Young Thug)

Edit: Thanks u/okaythenbet !

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[FRESH] Fetty Wap - Pretty Thang

Posted: 20 May 2020 07:07 PM PDT

[Fresh Video] Lil Uzi Vert - Wassup (ft. Future)

Posted: 20 May 2020 12:40 PM PDT

[FRESH] deadmau5 & The Neptunes (Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo) - Pomegranate

Posted: 20 May 2020 09:12 AM PDT

D0mane - Black Cube (Official Music Video)

Posted: 20 May 2020 10:09 PM PDT

[FRESH] Blu & Exile - Miles Davis

Posted: 20 May 2020 08:50 AM PDT

[FRESH VIDEO] Dreamville - Dont Hit Me Right Now ft. Bas, Cozz, Yung Baby Tate Buddy & Guapdad4000

Posted: 20 May 2020 12:08 PM PDT

Yung Lean - Starz ALBUM REVIEW

Posted: 20 May 2020 07:06 PM PDT

The Weeknd has officially postponed his ‘After Hours’ tour to 2021 amid COVID-19 pandemic.

Posted: 20 May 2020 11:49 AM PDT

[FRESH VIDEO] REASON (ft. ScHoolboy Q) - Pop Shit

Posted: 20 May 2020 09:02 AM PDT

MIKE announces new project 'Weight of the World' coming 6/21/20

Posted: 20 May 2020 10:10 PM PDT

In the description of his new video MIKE announces his upcoming project coming in one month, on 06/21/2020

You'll notice that's exactly one year after 'Tears of Joy', exactly 2 years after 'Renaisance Man', exactly 3 years after 'May God Bless your Hustle', and 4 years after 'Longest Day, Shortest Night'.

This date must be special to him.

https://youtu.be/m3-qBVQTmoE

submitted by /u/jeremicci
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Blu & Exile’s new album, ‘Miles: From An Interlude Called Life’ out July 17

Posted: 20 May 2020 08:48 AM PDT

[FRESH VIDEO] MIKE - nothin2say (Never Forget)

Posted: 20 May 2020 09:30 PM PDT

[FRESH VIDEO] Polo G - Wishing For A Hero (feat. BJ The Chicago Kid)

Posted: 20 May 2020 11:05 AM PDT

Styles P of The LOX advocates for jobs and affordable housing

Posted: 20 May 2020 03:57 PM PDT

Hudson Mohawke - Rap Monument (ft.Pusha T, Retch, Nipsey Hussle, Problem, Danny Brown, Raekwon, Vado, ​Kilo Kish, Flatbush Zombies, Killer Mike, YG, CyHi da Prince, Young Thug, Prodigy, Action Bronson, Heems, Mike G, Da$H and more) (42:10)

Posted: 20 May 2020 10:16 AM PDT

[FRESH EP] ALLBLACK - On a Sick One

Posted: 20 May 2020 09:25 PM PDT

Mr. Muthafuckin eXquire ft. Despot, Das Racist, Danny Brown, EL-P - The Last Huzzah (Remix)

Posted: 20 May 2020 11:05 PM PDT

The story of Matty Owens, a once-homeless teenager that was gifted a laptop by WWE superstar Austin Creed (Xavier Woods) to make hip-hop beats on. After finding /r/hiphopheads and the Hip-Hop Discord, Matty's in a better place now. He freestyled for Pusha T at 3AM in the snow; the rest is history.

Posted: 20 May 2020 11:17 AM PDT

Eminem - Go to Sleep Ft DMX, Obie trice

Posted: 20 May 2020 10:13 AM PDT

Logic - 5AM (2013)

Posted: 20 May 2020 12:16 PM PDT

[FRESH] SpaceGhostPurrp - Dade County Freestyle 2

Posted: 20 May 2020 07:06 PM PDT
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