Better Dayz is the eighth studio album and fourth posthumous album by the American rapper 2Pac. It is his last double album. It was released on November 26, 2002, debuting at number five on the US Billboard 200. The album is the second of two albums (the first being Until the End of Time) that consists of a collection of previously unreleased material by way of remixed songs from Tupac's "Makaveli" period while signed to Death Row Records, and was produced by Johnny "J", Jazze Pha, Frank Nitty, and E.D.I. Mean of Outlawz.

It includes "Military Minds" which features Boot Camp Clik members Buckshot and Smif-n-Wessun (credited as Cocoa Brovaz) which was supposed to be part of a collaborative album between Shakur and BCC titled One Nation but was never officially released due to Shakur's death. Better Dayz has no censored references to Death Row Records unlike the previous album, Until the End of Time. The only track on the album pre-Death Row era is "My Block (Remix)", which was recorded in 1994–1995 during Shakur's time with Interscope Records, and which the original version was released prior on the 1995 soundtrack album The Show. The songs ‘’Late Night’’ and "Who Do You Believe In" were also released previously on Death Row's 1999 compilation Chronic 2000. The song ‘’Late Night’’ is missing from all digital and streaming releases, as well as newer CD releases.

The album features appearances by Outlawz, Ron Isley, Nas, Mýa, Jazze Pha and Tyrese, among others. The hit single, "Thugz Mansion," has two versions: an acoustic version featuring Nas and J. Phoenix, which the music video is based on, and a hip hop version featuring Anthony Hamilton.

Recording The album features unreleased recordings from the 1994–1996 period, the majority of which are remixed tracks from Thug Life Volume 1, All Eyez On Me & The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory. The album's other tracks retain their original form or are complete finished mixes, such as "Fuck 'Em All", "Late Night", "Ghetto Star", "Better Dayz", "Who Do U Believe In?" and "They Don't Give a Fuck About Us".

Critical reception

John Bush from AllMusic wrote: "Better Dayz shouldn't be overlooked [...] A lengthy two-disc set, it benefits from a raft of still-compelling material by one of the two or three best rappers in history, as well as excellent compiling by executive producers Suge Knight and Afeni Shakur, 2Pac's mother. Organizing the set roughly into one disc of hardcore rap and one of R&B jams makes for an easier listen, and the R&B disc especially has some strong tracks, opening with a remix of 1995's 'My Block' and including quintessentially 2Pac material—reflective, conflicted, occasionally anguished—like 'Never Call U Bitch Again,' 'Better Dayz,' 'Fame,' and 'This Life I Lead.' [...] It's 2Pac's best album since his death." Kludge magazine included it on their list of best albums of 2002. The track "Ghetto Star" has appeared on the soundtrack to the video game 25 to Life.

Commercial performance Better Dayz debuted at number five on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling 366,000 copies in its first week. This became 2Pac's eighth US top-ten album. In its second week, the album dropped to number eight on the chart, selling an additional 163,000 copies. As of September 2011, the album has sold 1,765,597 copies in the United States. On July 23, 2014, the album was certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for sales of over three million copies.

In May 2003, the album was also certified triple platinum in Canada for sales of over 300,000 copies in Canada.

Track listing

Samples "Better Dayz" "Let's Fall in Love (Parts 1 & 2)" by The Isley Brothers "Catchin' Feelins" "Peter Piper" by Run-DMC "Late Night" "Have Your Ass Home by 11:00" by Richard Pryor "Wind Parade" by Donald Byrd "Last Night Changed It All (I Really Had a Ball)" by Esther Williams "This Life I Lead" "Naturally Mine" by Al B. Sure! "Who Do U Believe In" "Manifest Destiny" from The Return of the Space Cowboy by Jamiroquai

Personnel

2Pac – vocals Johnta Austin – featured artist Rob "Fonksta" Bacon – guest artist, guitar Bill Bennett – assistant engineer Big Syke – featured artist Ian Blanch – assistant engineer, engineer Warren Bletcher – assistant engineer Ian Boxill – engineer, mixing Leslie Brathwaite – engineer, mixing Briss – instrumentation, producer Buckshot – featured artist Coco Brothers – featured artist Courtney Copeland – background vocals Kevin Crouse – engineer Claudio Cueni – digital editing, engineer, mixing, producer Chris DeLaPena – assistant engineer DJ Quik – engineer, producer E.D.I. – featured artist, mixing, music supervisor, remixing Steve Fisher – assistant engineer Nanci Fletcher – featured artist G Mack – guitar Brian "Big Bass" Gardner – mastering A. Gobi – photography Anthony Hamilton – featured artist Darryl Harper – producer Kimmy Hill – featured artist Ronald Isley – guest artist Jazze Pha – featured artist, producer Johnny J – arranger, mixing, producer Troy Johnson – instrumentation, producer Kadafi – featured artist Kastro – performer Ronnie King – keyboards Suge Knight – executive producer Mr. Biggs – featured artist Chicu Modu – photography Molly Monjauze – project director Mussamill – featured artist James Musshorn – assistant engineer Mya – featured artist Napoleon – featured artist Nas – featured artist Duane Nettlesbey – composer Nutso – featured artist Outlawz – featured artist J. Phoenix – featured artist Frank Nitty Pimentel – drum programming, keyboards, producer Will Pyon – digital editing Chuck Reed – digital editing R.J. – bass, guitar 7 Aurelius – instrumentation, producer Afeni Shakur – executive producer Shorty B. – bass, guitar Dexter Simmons – mixing Alex Stiff – bass, guitar T.I. – featured artist Ellis Taylor – background vocals Trick Daddy – featured artist Tyrese – featured artist Mark Vinten – assistant engineer Corey Williams – assistant engineer Dwight DeLemond Williams – featured artist Jasmine Wilson – background vocals Keston Wright – engineer Young Noble – featured artist

Charts

Weekly charts +Weekly chart performance for Better Dayz Chart (2002–2003) Peakposition Australian Albums (ARIA) 51Canadian R&B Albums (Nielsen SoundScan)3

Year-end charts +Year-end chart performance for Better DayzChart (2002)PositionCanadian Albums (Nielsen SoundScan) 91Canadian R&B Albums (Nielsen SoundScan)17Canadian Rap Albums (Nielsen SoundScan)8 Chart (2003) Position US Billboard 200 41 US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard) 3

Certifications

See also List of number-one R&B albums of 2002 (U.S.)

References