They're Tryin' to Kill Me

In July 2000, a maxi-single was released in Australia that did not originate from the Tupac estate. They're Tryin' to Kill Me belongs to a gray area of the discography: behind the release was AIM Records, the same small label that also put out Static. Discogs explicitly lists both the single and its parent album The Here After as unofficial releases.

Dubious Origins, Unknown Guests

The album The Here After compiled tracks such as Be the Realist, Stop the Gun Fight, and Slippin' Into Darkness. On the cover, the compilation was marketed as “Tupac feat. The Notorious B.I.G.,” yet most tracks credited guest appearances by little-known groups such as D.A.N. Hustlers or Funky Aztecs.

Where the recording for They're Tryin' to Kill Me originates and how much Tupac actually contributed cannot be verified from the release. Singer Emma Jean and Michael Price are credited as guests.

2000 Instead of 1997: The Maxi-Single Tracks

The tracklist matches the AIM maxi-single.

The single is often dated to 1997. That could not be confirmed: the parent album was released in 1999, and the single, according to Discogs, in 2000.

For fans, the single remains primarily an example of how many dubious records went into circulation after Tupac's death. Anyone looking for official recordings will find them in the discography overview.