To Live & Die in L.A.

Born in New York, raised in Baltimore and the Bay Area: Tupac's song of praise was nonetheless for Los Angeles, the city of the final years of his life. After Toss It Up, To Live & Die in L.A. was the second single from The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory.

Sunshine, Danger, and a Jab at Dr. Dre

The song paints a picture of L.A. set between sunshine, cars, danger, and community. Tupac shouts out the city's neighborhoods and people and stands by it, even though it is dangerous. The chorus is sung by Val Young, who had already been heard on Death Row records. Producer QDIII, son of Quincy Jones, gave the track a warm, relaxed sound.

The album version contains a jab at Dr. Dre, who had left Death Row shortly before. In the US, To Live & Die in L.A. was not released as a regular single.

Three Tracks for Europe and Australia

Discogs lists the three-track CD as IND 95529 for Europe and Australia (1997).

The date sometimes given (March 31, 1997) could not be confirmed; Wikipedia gives November 16, 1996 for the single. The B-side Just Like Daddy also comes from the Makaveli album and was recorded with the Outlawz.