Pour Out a Little Liquor

A sip of alcohol poured on the ground for fallen friends: this custom gave the most famous song by Thug Life its name. In August 1994, Pour Out a Little Liquor was released as the group's first single.

A Lament in G-Funk Clothing

In the song, Tupac remembers friends who vanished from his life through violence or prison, and asks how much longer he himself can hold out. This lament is wrapped in a calm, melancholy G-funk beat.

Johnny "J" built the instrumental from samples of The O'Jays, The Honey Drippers, Spice 1, and Soul II Soul. It was one of his first works for Tupac, which grew into a long partnership.

Kadafi and Stretch in the Video, Confusion Over Death Row

Two companions appear in the music video: Yaki Kadafi and the rapper Stretch. Kadafi later became known as a member of the Outlawz.

Because the song first appeared on the Death Row soundtrack Above the Rim, it is sometimes attributed to Death Row. The actual single, however, was released by Interscope and Tupac's label Out da Gutta. In 2021, the track was part of a cassette reissue of the Above the Rim soundtrack celebrating Death Row's 30th anniversary.

Five Tracks on the US Single

Shown here is the US CD single 95901-2 (also on cassette and promo 12").