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Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z.
Studio album by 2Pac
Released	February 16, 1993
Recorded	1992-1993
Genre	West Coast hip hop, political rap
Length	64:25
Label	Atlantic/Interscope Records (First pressing); Amaru/BMG/Jive Records (Second pressing)
Producer	Atron Gregory (exec.), Akshun, D'Flow Production Squad, DJ Daryl, Bobby Ervin, Laylaw, Special K, 2Pac, Underground Railroad
Professional reviews
	Allmusic link; Robert Christgau link; Rolling Stone 2004;
2Pac chronology
Singles from Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z.
	"Holler If Ya Hear Me"; Released: February 4, 1993; "I Get Around"; Released: June 10, 1993; "Keep Ya Head Up"; Released: October 28, 1993; "Papa'z Song"; Released: March 10, 1994;

Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z. is the second album released by West Coast rapper 2Pac. Similar to his debut, 2Pacalypse Now, the album contains many tracks emphasizing 2Pac's political and social views. The album was going to be named "Troublesome 21", the 21 referring to Shakur's age at the time. "N.I.G.G.A.Z." stands for "Never Ignorant Getting Goals Accomplished."

Debuting at #24 on the Billboard 200, this album saw more commercial success than its predecessor, and there are many noticeable differences in production. It spawned the hits "Keep Ya Head Up" and "I Get Around" and reached platinum status. Although the album was originally released on Interscope, the rights now belong to Amaru Entertainment, the label owned by Afeni Shakur, the rapper's mother.

On vinyl, Side A (tracks 1-8) was labeled the "Black Side" and Side B (tracks 9-16) the "Dark Side".

[edit] Reception

The Source (4/93, pp. 69–70) - 3.5 Stars - Good Plus - "...a combination of '60s black political thought and '90s urban reality, 2Pac is not afraid to speak his mind.... Balances the gangsta tendencies of street life with insightful revelations...."

Melody Maker (5/1/93, p. 34) - "...[on Strictly] 2Pac drops rhymes that drip with the sweat of hardcore funk.... This is an adventure into life on the streets of America...."

[edit] Track listing

#	Title	Producer	Featured Guest(s)	Time
1	"Holler If Ya Hear Me"	Stretch		4:38
2	"Pac's Theme (Interlude)"	The Underground Railroad		1:56
3	"Point the Finga"	Big D The Impossible		4:25
4	"Something 2 Die 4 (Interlude)"	2Pac; Big D The Impossible"		2:43
5	"Last Wordz"	Bobby "Bobcat" Ervin	Ice Cube, Ice-T	3:36
6	"Souljah's Revenge"	Bobby "Bobcat" Ervin		3:16
7	"Peep Game"	Bobby "Bobcat" Ervin	Deadly Threat	4:28
8	"Strugglin'"	Live Squad	Live Squad	3:33
9	"Guess Who's Back"	Special Ed		3:06
10	"Representin' 93"	Truman Jefferson		3:34
11	"Keep Ya Head Up"	DJ Daryl	Dave Hollister	4:22
12	"Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z..."	Blinky Billz		5:55
13	"The Streetz R Deathrow"	Sniper Tipper		3:26
14	"I Get Around"	Chocolate Clown	Digital Underground	4:18
15	"Papa'z Song"	Big D The Impossible	Wycked, Poppi	5:26
16	"5 Deadly Venomz"	Stretch	Treach, Apache & Live Squad	5:13

[edit] Album singles

Single information
"Holler If Ya Hear Me" Released: February 4, 1993 B-side:
"I Get Around" Released: June 10, 1993 B-side:
"Keep Ya Head Up" Released: October 28, 1993 B-side: "Rebel of the Underground", "I Wonda If Heaven's Got a Ghetto"
"Papa'z Song" Released: March 10, 1994 B-side: "Peep Game", "Cradle to the Grave"

The A-Side of "I Get Around" features the song "Nothing But Love".

[edit] Album chart positions

Year	Album	Chart positions
		Billboard 200	Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums
1993	Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z.	#24	#4

[edit] Singles chart positions

Year	Song	Chart positions
Year	Song	The Billboard Hot 100	Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks	Hot Rap Singles	Rhythmic Top 40	Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales
1993	"I Get Around"	#11	#5	#8	#7	#2
1993	"Keep Ya Head Up"	#12	#7	#2	#3	#2
1994	"Papa'z Song"	#87	#82	#24	-	-

[edit] See also