Cradle to the Grave

As early as January 1994, the track had surfaced as the B-side of Papa'z Song. In November 1994, the group Thug Life followed up Pour Out a Little Liquor with a second single: Cradle to the Grave comes from the album Thug Life: Volume 1.

Barely a Way Out from the Cradle to the Grave

The title says it all: the track describes a life of poverty and violence that offers barely any way out from birth to death. Like many tracks on the album, it feels more somber than combative. It already anticipates the themes that Tupac would explore in greater depth a few months later on Me Against the World. The members of Thug Life share the verses.

Released Shortly Before the Shooting in New York

The single was released shortly before Tupac was shot in New York in late November 1994 and subsequently convicted. Consequently, there was no major promotion, and no chart placements could be verified. What stands out is the variety of versions: Moe Z.M.D., who also worked on Me Against the World, contributed a mix of his own, as did Madukey.

According to Discogs, the B-side Don't Get It Twisted contains a dialogue snippet from comedian Richard Pryor.

Seven Tracks on Cassette and Vinyl

This edition is the US maxi-single with seven tracks. On Discogs, the release is documented as cassette 95791-4 and as 12" 0-95791.