Me Against the World cover art

  Studio Album · No. 3

Me Against the World Songwriting Credits by Tupac Shakur

1995 Interscope 15 tracks 66 min

Produced by Tony Pizarro, Easy Mo Bee, Soulshock and Karlin, Shock G, Big Stretch, Moe Z.M.D., Mike Mosley, Sam Bostic, Brian G, Johnny "J", Soulshock  ·  Engineered by Paul Arnold, Kevin "KD" Davis, Jeff Griffin, Tim Nitz, Bob Morris

Interscope West Coast Hip-HopG-FunkConscious Hip-Hop
100%
Authorship
Complete Artist

Holds writing credit on 15 of 15 tracks

Authorship Breakdown 15 / 15 documented

Who wrote the songs?

Scored across the 15 tracks with documented writers, by whether Tupac Shakur carries a lyricist or composer credit.

100%
15 trackswritten by Tupac Shakur 0 tracksoutside writers
Tupac Shakur's roles on this album

Share of the 15 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.

Lyricist100%
Composer0%
Producer0%
Performer100%

By the Numbers

15
Tracks
3
Lyricists
15
Producers
3.5 million
US Copies Sold
1995
Released

Awards & Recognition 1

Soul Train Music Award for Best Rap Album (1996)
Data Insight

Me Against the World is Tupac's most personal record, and its credits underline how fully the words are his: he wrote every verse, joined in the lyricist column only by his Dramacydal proteges on a couple of tracks, while the composer column belongs to his producers and the deep bed of soul samples behind songs like 'Dear Mama,' which leans on the Spinners and Joe Sample.

Me Against the World is the third studio album by Tupac Shakur, released in March 1995 while he was serving a prison sentence, making him the first artist to top the Billboard 200 while incarcerated. Widely regarded as his masterpiece, it is his most introspective and emotionally vulnerable record, anchored by 'Dear Mama,' a tribute to his mother that became one of the most beloved rap songs ever written. Tupac wrote all of his own lyrics, while the production drew on soul and G-funk textures from Easy Mo Bee, Tony Pizarro, Soulshock and Karlin, and Shock G. The album was certified three-times platinum and is consistently ranked among the greatest hip-hop records of all time. 'Dear Mama' was later added to the National Recording Registry.

Track Listing & Credits 15 tracks

Written by the artist Written by outside writers
#TitleLyricist(s)Composer(s)Producer(s)Performers
1
Intro
2Pac - Tony PizarroJill Rose 2Pac (Lead Vocals)
2
If I Die 2Nite
2Pac Betty WrightWillie ClarkeNorman DurhamOsten Harvey Easy Mo Bee 2Pac (Lead Vocals)
3
Me Against the World
2PacE.D.I. MeanYaki Kadafi Minnie RipertonRichard RudolphLeon WareBurt BacharachHal DavidKenneth KarlinCarsten Schack Soulshock and Karlin 2Pac (Lead Vocals)Dramacydal (Featured Vocals)
4
So Many Tears #44
2Pac Gregory JacobsEric BakerStevie Wonder Shock GBig Stretch 2Pac (Lead Vocals)
5
Temptations #68
2Pac Osten HarveyRoger TroutmanLarry TroutmanShirley Murdock Easy Mo Bee 2Pac (Lead Vocals)
6
Young Niggaz
2Pac Nathan LeftenantCharles SingletonThomas JenkinsLarry BlackmonLoren StewartLe-Morrious Tyler Moe Z.M.D.Le-Morrious Tyler 2Pac (Lead Vocals)
7
Heavy in the Game
2Pac Mike MosleySam Bostic Mike MosleySam Bostic 2Pac (Lead Vocals)Richie Rich (Featured Vocals)
8
Lord Knows
2Pac - Brian GMoe Z.M.D.Tony Pizarro 2Pac (Lead Vocals)
9
Dear Mama #9
2Pac Joe SampleTony Pizarro Tony Pizarro 2Pac (Lead Vocals)
10
It Ain't Easy
2Pac Tony Pizarro Tony Pizarro 2Pac (Lead Vocals)
11
Can U Get Away
2Pac Mike MosleyFrankie Beverly Mike Mosley 2Pac (Lead Vocals)
12
Old School
2Pac John BuchananDonald Tilery SoulshockJay-BEzi Cut 2Pac (Lead Vocals)
13
Fuck the World
2Pac Gregory Jacobs Shock G 2Pac (Lead Vocals)
14
Death Around the Corner
2Pac Johnny "J" Johnny "J" 2Pac (Lead Vocals)
15
Outlaw
2Pac Moe Z. Moe Z.M.D. 2Pac (Lead Vocals)Dramacydal (Featured Vocals)

Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 47 contributors

More from Tupac Shakur

Frequently Asked Questions Me Against the World

Did Tupac write Me Against the World?
Yes. Tupac wrote all of his own lyrics. Production came from Easy Mo Bee, Tony Pizarro, Soulshock and Karlin, Shock G, and others.
What is Dear Mama about?
'Dear Mama' is Tupac's tribute to his mother Afeni Shakur, a heartfelt reflection on her struggles and sacrifices that became one of the most celebrated rap songs ever recorded.
Why is Me Against the World historically significant?
Tupac became the first artist to have a number-one album on the Billboard 200 while serving a prison sentence, with the record released during his incarceration.
Who produced Dear Mama?
Tony Pizarro produced 'Dear Mama,' building it on samples including the Spinners and a Joe Sample composition, while Tupac wrote the lyrics.
How well did Me Against the World sell?
It debuted at number one and is certified three-times platinum, and it is widely considered Tupac's finest album.
Was Dear Mama added to the National Recording Registry?
Yes. 'Dear Mama' was selected for the Library of Congress National Recording Registry for its cultural significance.

Sources