"Keep Ya Head Up" is a song by American rapper 2Pac from his second studio album, Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z... (1993). It was released on October 28, 1993 by Interscope Records as the album's third single, peaking at numbers 12 and 13 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and Cash Box Top 100.
Background The song features R&B singer Dave Hollister and is dedicated to Shakur's godson Elijah, and Corin, daughter of Salt from Salt-N-Pepa — the two had met through Treach of Naughty by Nature. The song focuses on black womanhood. Additionally, it makes reference to Latasha Harlins, who was shot by a Korean shopkeeper in 1991, increasing tensions between the Black and Korean communities of Los Angeles before the 1992 Los Angeles riots; The music video for the song opens up with the words "Dedicated to the memory of Latasha Harlins, it's still on."
Production and release The beat is sampled from Zapp's "Be Alright" and the chorus is taken from The Five Stairsteps' "O-o-h Child". It was first released in Shakur's 1993 album Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z. later appearing after his death in 1998 in his Greatest Hits compilation. A "sequel" to the song, "Baby Don't Cry (Keep Ya Head Up II)" was released on 2Pac's posthumous album Still I Rise in 1999. The song was featured in the Tupac biopic All Eyez on Me.
Music video The music video for "Keep Ya Head Up" has a basic format with Shakur rapping in the middle of a circle surrounded by a crowd of people and in some scenes he is seen holding a young child. His mother Afeni Shakur and close friend Jada Pinkett Smith made cameo appearances in the video.
Critical reception Publication Country Accolade Year RankBruce PollockUnited StatesThe 7,500 Most Important Songs of 1944–20002005*Rock and Roll Hall of FameThe Songs That Shaped Rock2011*
Alyssa Rosenberg of Brisbane Times felt the song "weaved together a critique of negligent fathers, an argument for abortion rights and a sharp analysis of misogyny."
Track listing CDS – maxi single "Keep Ya Head Up" (LP version) "Keep Ya Head Up" (Vibe Tribe remix) "Keep Ya Head Up" (Madukey remix) "Rebel of the Underground" "I Wonda If Heaven's Got a Ghetto"
7" vinyl "Keep Ya Head Up" "Keep Ya Head Up" (instrumental)
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (1993–1994)PeakpositionUS Maxi-Singles Sales (Billboard)2US Cash Box Top 10013
Year-end charts Chart (1994)PositionUS Billboard Hot 10061US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)53
Certifications
Credits Engineer – Bob Tucker (tracks: A2, B2), Norman "Slam" Whitfield, Jr.* (tracks: A2, B2) Engineer [Remix] – Eric Flickinger (tracks: B1), Franklin Purrell (tracks: B1) Mixed By – D. Nettlesbey* (tracks: A2), Norman "Slam" Whitfield, Jr.* (tracks: A2) Producer – D-Flow Production Squad, The* (tracks: B2), D.J. Daryl* (tracks: A1, B1) Remix [Additional] – Norman "Slam" Whitfield, Jr.* (tracks: B2) Remix, Producer [Additional Production] – Bryant "Moe Doe" Johnson* (tracks: B1), Battlecat* (tracks: B2), Howard Johnson (2) (tracks: B2), Kris Kellow* (tracks: B2), Lea Reis (tracks: B1), Paul Arnold (tracks: B2), Vibe Tribe (10) (tracks: A2) Vocals – Black Angel, The (tracks: A1, B1), Money B (2) (tracks: B2), Shockalock (tracks: B2)
References
External links "Keep Ya Head Up" music video