7 Most popular Tupac's songs of all time

Tupac Amaru Shakur, aka 2Pac or Makaveli, was ranked as the fourth Greatest rapper of all time by Billboard and Vibe magazine in 2023. Although the late rapper was murdered in 1996 at the young age of 25, he left a legacy that has impacted different generations of rappers and has been the subject of academic studies.

Tupac is credited as a major influence in hip-hop and gangsta rap. The late rapper has earned recognition for his discography and prolific contribution to music.

Shakur was inducted into the Hip-Hop Hall of Fame in 2002 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in April 2017. He is one of the best-selling artists in the world with over 75 million records sold worldwide.

Disclaimer: This article is ranked according to Spotify streams at the time of writing.

California Love, Ambitionz az a Rida, and 5 other popular Tupac songs to listen to in 2024

1) California Love (807,411,194 Spotify streams)

California Love was released as Tupac's first comeback single after his release from prison in 1995. It was also his first single from Death Row Records.

The song features American rapper and producer Dr. Dre. It's widely reported that Tupac wrote his verse on the song in just fifteen minutes. Arguably 2Pac's most popular song, California Love, was released on December 3, 1995, and topped the Billboard Hot 100 for two weeks.

The lyrics celebrate Tupac's new-found freedom and the vibrant California lifestyle. A part of the first verse reads:

"Now let me welcome everybody to the Wild Wild West/ A state that's untouchable like Eliot Ness/ The track hits your eardrum like a slug to your chest/ Pack a vest for your Jimmy in the city of s*x."

2) Ambitionz az a Rider (777,853,765 Spotify streams)

Ambitionz az a Rider (Image via Spotify)

Ambitionz az a Rider was penned by Tupac during his time in prison for s*xual assault in 1995. The writers credited for the song include the American rapper himself and Delmar Arnaud.

Ambitionz az a Rider samples Joeski Love's Pee-wee's Dance. Ambitionz az a Rider was released on February 13, 1996, as a song from 2Pac's fourth studio album, All Eyez on Me.

The West Coast hip-hop gangster rap song follows 2Pac's embrace of the gangster and thug life and his readiness to face every challenge and obstacle that comes his way. A part of the third verse is a reflection of this:

"My murderous lyrics, equipped with spirits of the thugs before me/ Stay off the block, evade the cops 'cause I know they comin' for me/ I been hesitant to reappear, been away for years (I'm back, baby)."

3) Hit 'Em Up (674,237,755 Spotify streams)

Hit 'Em Up was released on June 4, 1996, as the B-side to the How Do U Want It single. The song features the Outlawz and is referred to as the most memorable diss track released during the East Coast-West Coast rivalry.

Hit 'Em Up was written by 2Pac, Bruce Washington, Malcolm Greenidge, Yafeu Fula, Franne Golde, Duane Hitchings, and Dennis Lambert. The song was released as a response to Biggie's Who Shot Ya. The release of Hit 'Em Up exacerbated the East Coast - West Coast rivalry even further. The chorus of the song reads:

"See, grab your Glocks when you see 2Pac/ Call the cops when you see 2Pac, uh/ Who shot me? But you punks didn't finish/ Now you 'bout to feel the wrath of a menace/ Ni**a, I hit 'em up! (Yeah)."

4) All Eyez On Me ft. Big Skye (636,048,946 Spotify streams)

All Eyez On Me explores Tupac's essence, the fame, and the dangers that come with success. The lyrics of the song also show the rapper's willingness to embrace the life of a "thug ni**a" and live the life of a "boss player."

A section of the chorus reads:

"Live the life of a thug ni**a until the day I die/ Live the life of a boss player (All eyes on me) 'cause even gettin' high/ All eyes on me/ Live the life of a thug ni**a until the day I die."

All Eyez On Me was released on February 3, 1996, as a track from Pac's fourth studio album, All Eyez On Me. The song features American rapper Big Skye and was written by Tupac Shakur, Johnny Jackson, and James Pennington. The track has been certified gold in the UK, Denmark and Italy.

5) Changes (564,880,568 Spotify streams)

Changes was released on October 13, 1998, as a single from Tupac's Greatest Hits compilation. The song was written by Shakur, Bruce Hornsby, and Deon Evans.

Changes features the R&B Trio group Talent and is the only posthumous song to be nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance. It samples Bruce Hornsby and the Range's 1986 hit song, The Way It Is.

The political hip-hop R&B song centers on the themes of racism, gang violence, police brutality, class, politics, and drugs. A part of the first verse encapsulates this:

"I see no changes, wake up in the morning and I ask myself/ Is life worth livin'? Should I blast myself?/ I'm tired of bein' poor and, even worse, I'm black/ My stomach hurts so I'm lookin' for a purse to snatch/ Cops give a damn about a N**ro."

6) Hail Mary (353,301,482 Spotify streams)

In Hail Mary, Tupac tunes out the negativity and violence around him as he tries to talk with God while making biblical references. The song reveals a different side of Shakur as he uses the lyrics to express his fears.

A section of the first verse captures the essence of the song:

"Bow down, pray to God, hopin' that he's listenin'/ Seein' ni**as comin' for me through my diamonds when they glistenin'/ Now pay attention: bless me please, Father, I'm a ghost/ In these killing fields, Hail Mary, catch me if I go."

Hail Mary was released posthumously and features the Outlawz and vocals from reggae guru Prince Ital Joe. It was written by Tupac Shakur, G Syier Hawkins Brown, Rufus Cooper, and Katari Cox.

Hail Mary peaked at number twelve on the US Billboard R&B/Hip Hop Airplay chart.

7) Do For Love (349,337,732 Spotify streams)

Do for Love, originally titled Sucka 4 Luv, is the second and final posthumous single of 2Pac from his posthumous album, R U Still Down? Remember Me.

The cross-genre song was released on February 24, 1998, and written by Alfons Kettner, Bobby Caldwell, Carsten Schack, Kenneth Karlin, Tupac, Do for Love samples Bobby Caldwell's What You Won't Do for Love.

It peaked at number 21 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 10 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs. Do For Love is a song about unappreciated sacrifices for love and loving someone despite their shortcomings. A part of the chorus reads:

"Just when I thought I broke away and I'm feelin' happy, you tried to trap me/ Said you're pregnant and guess who the daddy? Don't wanna fall for it/ But in this case what could I do? So now I'm back/ To makin' promises to you, tryna keep it true."

Other popular Tupac songs include Dear Mama, Keep Ya Head Up, and Ghetto Gospel.

Edited by Ivanna Lalsangzuali