All Eyez on Me (Tupac Shakur song)
"All Eyez on Me" is a song by American rapper 2Pac from his fourth studio album of the same name (1996). It features American rapper Big Syke. Produced by Johnny "J", the song contains a sample of "Never Gonna Stop" by Linda Clifford.
| "All Eyez on Me" | |
|---|---|
| Song by 2Pac featuring Big Syke | |
| from the album All Eyez on Me | |
| Released | February 13, 1996 |
| Recorded | October 30, 1995[1] |
| Genre | |
| Length | 5:07 |
| Label | |
| Songwriter(s) | |
| Producer(s) | Johnny "J" |
Background edit
In a sample of an earlier interview, later published after his death by XXL in 2015, Johnny "J" talked about connecting with 2Pac on the track:
That was the very first track I laid when we got together at Death Row. When he just got out of jail, just got released, two days later he's like, "'J', get to the studio, I'm with Death Row now." I assumed it was a joke, somebody perpetrating Tupac. I'm like "Hell no – 'Pac is locked up!" He's like "J, I'm out" I walk in, 15 minutes into the session, the first beat I put in the drum machine is "All Eyez On Me." I wasn't going to show him the track, honestly. I was like, "This track? Nah, it's not finished. It's incomplete." My wife says, "Hey, it's a dope beat!" So I just pop it in, titles just come right off his fuckin' head.[2]
Content edit
In the song, 2Pac raps about his paranoia and feeling he is under surveillance by the police and rival gangsters,[3] as well as being willing to live the life as a "thug nigga" and "boss player".[4]
Critical reception edit
Roger Morton of NME cited "All Eyez on Me" as one of the songs from All Eyez on Me which he described as "superbly unsettling, unprecedented renderings of the fear-soaked, hardcore-G mentality."[5]
Charts edit
Certifications edit
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[7] | Gold | 45,000‡ |
| Italy (FIMI)[8] | Gold | 50,000‡ |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[9] | Gold | 400,000‡ |
| ‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
References edit
- ^ "RECORDING DATE OF TUPAC'S SONGS [LIST]". 2PacLegacy. April 26, 2016. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
- ^ "The Making of 2Pac's 'All Eyez on Me' (XXL)". 2PacLegacy. December 15, 2015. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
- ^ Nielson, Erik. ""Can't C Me": Surveillance and Rap Music." Journal of Black Studies 40.6 (2010): 1254-274. Web.
- ^ Brown, Preezy (February 13, 2021). "11 classic lyrics from Tupac's 'All Eyez On Me' album decoded". Revolt. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
- ^ Morton, Roger (March 2, 1996). . NME. London. Archived from the original on August 17, 2000. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
- ^ "Russia Airplay Chart for 2023-11-17." TopHit. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
- ^ "Danish single certifications – 2Pac – All Eyez on Me". IFPI Danmark.
- ^ "Italian single certifications – 2Pac feat. Dr. Dre – California Love" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved March 12, 2024. Select "2023" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Select "California Love" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli" under "Sezione".
- ^ "British single certifications – 2Pac – All Eyez on Me". British Phonographic Industry.