Me Against the World

Tupac Shakur recorded the majority of this third studio album while incarcerated at the Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora, New York. The project arrived on March 14, 1995, just months before his release and subsequent death. Interscope Records and Out da Gutta Records issued the collection during a period where the rapper faced a potential prison sentence for sexual assault charges. The lyrics reflect his anxiety regarding the legal system, poverty, and police harassment rather than the aggressive posturing found in earlier works.

Production duties fell to Johnny J, Soulshock & Karlin, Easy Mo Bee, Tony Pizarro, and Shock G. These collaborators helped craft a moody atmosphere using soulful samples and melancholic piano loops. The resulting sound shifted toward conscious rap and introspective storytelling. Features from Dramacydal and Richie Rich appear throughout the fourteen-track runtime which totals approximately 67 minutes.

The album debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart. It held the top position for four consecutive weeks and outsold Bruce Springsteen's Greatest Hits in the United States during 1995. The Recording Industry Association of America certified it Double Platinum for shipments exceeding two million copies. Three singles emerged from the sessions including "Dear Mama" which reached number nine on the Hot 100. [edit]