Me Against the World

This article is about the 2Pac album. For chapter 7 of The Emo Diaries, see Me Against the World (compilation album).
Not to be confused with Us Against the World.

Me Against the World
Studio album by
2Pac
ReleasedMarch 14, 1995[1]
RecordedSeptember 1993 – November 1994
StudioEnterprise Studios, Unique Studios, Soundcastle, Pure Studios, Mobboss Studios, Echo Sound, Encore Studios, 12 Trak Studios, Westlake Audio, Quad Studios
Genre
Length66:00
Label
Producer
2Pac chronology
Thug Life, Volume I
(1994) 		Me Against the World
(1995) 		All Eyez on Me
(1996)
Singles from Me Against the World
  1. "Dear Mama"
    Released: February 21, 1995
  2. "So Many Tears"
    Released: June 13, 1995
  3. "Temptations"
    Released: August 29, 1995

Me Against the World is the third studio album by American rapper 2Pac. It was released on March 14, 1995, by Interscope Records and Out da Gutta Records and distributed by Atlantic Records. 2Pac draws lyrical inspiration from his impending prison sentence, troubles with the police, and poverty.

According to 2Pac, Me Against the World was made to show the hip-hop audience his respect for the art form. Lyrically, he intentionally tried to make the album more personal and reflective than his previous efforts. Considered by several music critics to be the best of any of his albums up to that point in his career, the album's musical production was handled by his mentor Shock G, Easy Mo Bee, Tony Pizarro, Johnny "J" and the Danish hip-hop duo Soulshock and Karlin, among others. Me Against the World features guest appearances from rap group Dramacydal and rapper Richie Rich.

Released while Tupac was imprisoned, Me Against the World made an immediate impact on the charts, debuting at number one on the Billboard 200, holding the top spot for four consecutive weeks, and also topping the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. "Dear Mama" was released as the album's first single in February 1995 and would be the album's most successful single, topping the Hot Rap Singles chart, and peaking at number nine on the Billboard Hot 100. While he was in prison, the album overtook Bruce Springsteen's Greatest Hits as the best-selling album of the year in the United States at the time.

Me Against the World was eventually certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). At the 38th Grammy Awards, the album was nominated for Best Rap Album and "Dear Mama" was nominated for Best Rap Solo Performance. The album received acclaimed reviews by critics, being ranked among the best albums of the 1990s. It has been ranked by many critics as one of the greatest hip hop albums, as well as one of the greatest albums of all time. In 2008, the National Association of Recording Merchandisers (NARM), in conjunction with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, included Me Against the World in its list of the Definitive 200 Albums of All Time. The album was also included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.

  1. ^ "Discography". Archived from the original on 2021-02-10. Retrieved 2019-11-04.
  2. ^ "2Pac Taught Us: 20 Lessons For Me Against The World's 20th Anniversary - MTV". MTV. Archived from the original on 2021-03-08. Retrieved 2020-09-01.
  3. ^ "The Quietus | Features | Anniversary | 25 Years On: Me Against The World By 2Pac Revisited". The Quietus. Retrieved 2021-06-02.