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	Vol.7, No 61, January 24, 2000
	2pac puts in worthy performance By Wes Woods II Daily Forty-Niner 2pac is back, yet again. His latest posthumous effort with the Outlawz, "Still I Rise," is an above average collection of tracks that show the good and bad of the collaboration. The Outlawz consist of Young Noble, E.D.I., Kastro, Napoleon and deceased rapper Killa Kadafi. The group makes a strong effort, usually undermined by underwhelming instrumentals. Most of the beats feature sounds reminiscent of 2pac's "Makaveli" disc. And while that was a good album, it's outdated by four years. And usually, the music sounds like one long, continuous song. While 2pac is easily the album's star, the Outlawz do a nice job of filling in the album's blanks. Their vocal deliveries are easily recognized and, unlike some of 2pac's old crew, Thug Life, they have something to say. Songs such as "Homeboyz," "Baby Don't Cry (Keep Ya Head Up II) and "Hell 4 A Hustler" show the group's potential. Good lyrics are matched with even better instrumentals. The single "Baby Don't Cry" is a touching track about women who need to make it through the rough times despite life's seemingly endless tragedies. "Homeboyz" features an angry Pac telling off fake individuals who need their friends to cause trouble. The enticing, rumbling beat was produced by Daz Dillinger. "Hell 4 A Hustler" is a haunting track that has good vocal deliveries from 2pac and the Outlawz. "Still I Rise" is also a nice effort that shows 2pac will "be a thug ëtil they kill me." Other songs, however, miss the mark. The opening song, "Letter To The President," would get thrown in the trash based on its sound. The track is a poor opener to a decent disc and sounds like a throwaway. So are the songs "Tattoo Tears" and "Y'all Don't Know Us." Overall, "Still I Rise," despite its faults, is a good album because of the vocals. Despite the shakiness of some tracks, the lyrics are generally insightful and memorable.		CSULB spring enrollment rises   2 busted for car burglary   Student to be honored   Carpooling program eases congestion   Fraternities, sororities at CSULB offer support   Doors to show business opened Boy must go back  to Cuba   More masturbation healthy L.B. band magnificent   2pac puts in worthy performance 49ers still running after O'Neal walks   Player quits due to ëpersonal reasons'   Men's volleyball steps on slugs; women's b-ball beats Nevada Spring 2000 ISSUES DAILY 49ER HOMEPAGE
Forty-Niner Publications, Department of Journalism, California State University, Long Beach © 2000 All rights reserved.