Beginnings: The Lost Tapes 1988–1991
| Beginnings: The Lost Tapes 1988–1991 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Compilation album by | ||||
| Released | June 12, 2007 (US)[1][2][3] | |||
| Recorded | 1988–1991 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Label | Koch | |||
| Producer | Chopmaster J, Shock-G, Strictly Dope | |||
| 2Pac chronology | ||||
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Beginnings: The Lost Tapes 1988–1991 is a compilation album featuring previously unreleased recordings by American rapper 2Pac. It was originally released on April 18, 2000, by the independent label Herb 'N Soul Records under the title The Lost Tapes: Circa 1989. However, the release was quickly recalled due to the label lacking authorization from Afeni Shakur, the head of 2Pac’s estate. The track "Panther Power" was later included on the Tupac: Resurrection soundtrack, and the album was officially reissued in 2007 through Koch and Amaru Entertainment, with Afeni Shakur's approval, under an altered title and with new artwork.
Background
[edit]Beginnings is a compilation of 2Pac’s earliest recordings, created prior to his work on his debut studio album, 2Pacalypse Now, in collaboration with his original group, Strictly Dope. The tracks were produced by Digital Underground and Strictly Dope member Chopmaster J, who, in early 2000, rediscovered the recordings in his mother’s basement—believing them to have been lost in 1991. He subsequently compiled the material into an album release.[4]
Critical reception
[edit]| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |    link |
CD Universe noted that Shakur's "flow and lyrical content are more reminiscent of late-1980s/early-1990s icons like Big Daddy Kane and Rakim" than of the later songs of 2Pac himself.[2] Jason Birchmeier of Allmusic agreed that the rapper sounds "inspired here, no doubt, but nonetheless a bit clumsy and imitative". Birchmeier also commented that "there's little more here than skeletal drum machine beats for production".[4] It also seems much of the political content of the songs has been overlooked.[citation needed]
Track listing
[edit]| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Panther Power" | 4:36 |
| 2. | "Misplaced Mic" | 2:34 |
| 3. | "Let Knowledge Drop" | 3:37 |
| 4. | "Never Be Beat" | 5:33 |
| 5. | "Day in a Life" | 4:55 |
| 6. | "My Burnin' Heart" | 6:25 |
| 7. | "Minnie the Moucher" | 4:19 |
| 8. | "Misplaced Mic, Pt. 2" | 2:40 |
| 9. | "Static Mix, Pt. 1" | 4:19 |
| 10. | "Static Mix, Pt. 2" | 3:59 |
References
[edit]- ^ "Tupac Shakur Beginnings : The Lost Tapes 1988–1991 – Hip Hop Galaxy". Archived from the original on June 17, 2007. Retrieved June 20, 2007.
- ^ a b Tupac Shakur Beginnings: Lost Tapes 1988–1991 CD
- ^ Amazon.com: Beginnings The Lost Tapes 1988–1991: Music: Tupac Shakur
- ^ a b Birchmeier, Jason. "The Lost Tapes – 2Pac". AllMusic. Retrieved September 25, 2013.
External links
[edit]- 2Pac Legacy (Official website)
- Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation for the Arts