Background · Baby Don't Cry (Keep Ya Head Up II)
Six years after Keep Ya Head Up, the sequel was released. Baby Don't Cry (Keep Ya Head Up II) once again speaks to young women in difficult circumstances and remained the only single from Still I Rise, the collaborative album by 2Pac and the Outlawz.
Encouragement Against Violence and Disappointment
Like the 1993 original, the song offers encouragement to young women who have experienced violence and disappointment and were let down by men. Tupac's verse dates from his Death Row era, with the Outlawz adding parts of their own.
The beat was built by Soulshock & Karlin, who had previously produced the title track of Me Against the World and Do for Love. The group H.E.A.T. sings the chorus.
The Album's Only Video: Tupac Only in Old Footage
The video was filmed in early September 1999 and is the only one for a song from Still I Rise. It shows the Outlawz performing and cuts in scenes from the video for Keep Ya Head Up. Tupac himself is thus seen only in old footage.
Four Versions on the European Maxi-CD
This edition is a maxi-single with four versions. Discogs lists the same tracklist as European CD 497 257-2 from 2000, there in a different order.
The date of March 28, 2000 fits the European release in spring 2000, but could not be confirmed down to the exact day.