Still I Rise

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Lore & Background

The album's formation was marked by a significant shift in group dynamics, as it excluded Hussein Fatal from the original Outlawz lineup due to his incarceration during production and his earlier departure from the group for other reasons. Despite this internal change, the project moved forward as a collaboration between 2Pac and the remaining members of the collective. The material itself serves as a repository of Shakur's work from his time on Death Row Records, offering fans previously unreleased songs that have been remixed for the final release. The production relies heavily on the trusted team of Tony Pizarro, Johnny "J", and QDIII, ensuring the sonic identity remained consistent with 2Pac's established style during that era.

In Their Own Story

Released on December 21, 1999, Still I Rise made an immediate impact upon hitting the market. It debuted at number seven on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling 408,000 copies in its first week alone. The commercial momentum continued as the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certified the album platinum on February 2, 2000, recognizing sales of over one million copies in America. By September 2011, Nielsen Soundscan reported total United States sales had reached 1,692,316 copies. The album's reach extended beyond the US; it was certified gold by Music Canada on February 10, 2000, for over 50,000 units sold in Canada, and later achieved gold status from the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) on March 14, 2014, for 100,000 units sold in the United Kingdom.

Reader's Guide

The album features a single track titled "Baby Don't Cry (Keep Ya' Head Up II)," which includes vocals from the female group H.E.A.T. While this was the only official single released from the project, another song, "Letter to the President," found its way into popular culture by being featured in the 2001 film Training Day. The production credits are strictly limited to Tony Pizarro, Johnny "J", and QDIII, who worked alongside vocal appearances by Big Syke and Nate Dogg. Listeners can also find a specific set of leftover tracks associated with this era, including "Runnin On E," "Last Ones Left," "All Out," "Worldwide MOB Figgaz," "Death Before Dishonor," and "Catchin' Feelings." The album samples a diverse range of sources, such as Bobby Glenn's "Sounds Like a Love Song," Walter Beasley's "Tenderness," L.T.D.'s "Love Ballad," Brenda Russell's "Piano in the Dark," and Tom Tom Club's "Genius of Love."

Did You Know?

• Hussein Fatal was excluded from the album because he was incarcerated at the time of production and had previously left the group due to other reasons.
• "Baby Don't Cry (Keep Ya' Head Up II)" featuring H.E.A.T. was the only single released from the album.
• The track "Letter to the President" was featured in the 2001 film Training Day.
• The album sold approximately 483,000 copies in its first week, debuting at number two on the Billboard 200.
• As of September 2011, the album had sold a total of 1,692,316 copies in the United States according to Nielsen Soundscan.