A Digital Underground protégé, Tupac released a string of hit singles from 1992 - 1995, including “Brenda’s Got A Baby,” “Keep Ya Head Up” “I Get Around,” “So Many Tears,” and “Dear Mama.” At the same time, Tupac had also earned rave reviews for his memorable roles in Juice, Poetic Justice, and Above The Rim, among others.

The beleaguered rapper was incarcerated after coming off a remarkable run and mounds of controversy. In addition to combining this sublime source material into a revved up, festive ode to the Golden State, “California Love” served as Tupac’s reintroduction to the world after serving time on a sexual assault charge. How (it became iconic): “California Love” is built off of samples of Joe Cocker’s “Woman to “Woman” (the percolating piano EPMD also used on 1989’s “Knick Knack Patty Wack”) Zapp’s “Dance Floor” (that “Shake, shake it, baby”) and Ronnie Hudson & The Street People’s “West Coast Poplock,” (the now-famous “California knows how to party” line, among others). Dre obliged, resulting in one of the most revered and celebrated rap songs of all time. Dre was crafting what would become “California Love.” Tupac asked to get on the track. The two titans crossed paths in the studio, where Dr.

Dre had been working on the follow-up to his landmark, genre-shifting debut album, 1992’s The Chronic. Why (did the song happen): After being released from Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora, New York, Tupac Shakur flew to Los Angeles to unite with his new recording home, Death Row Records. Where (was it featured): 2Pac’s All Eyez on Me album

Zapp amp roger greatest hits