"R U Still Down?" Is Released and Debuts at No. 2

On November 25, 1997, R U Still Down? (Remember Me) was released, the first album from Afeni Shakur’s new label Amaru. The two CDs compile 26 tracks from the period before Death Row, recorded between 1991 and 1994. On the Billboard chart dated December 13, the album debuted at No. 2, behind Sevens by Garth Brooks.

Mixed Reviews

The critic for the Los Angeles Times was far from enthusiastic. The material came from Tupac’s artistically weakest phase, too much of it was filler, and highlights were rare. He smugly quoted the first song Tupac was ever heard on, a record with Digital Underground: “It’s the same old song.” Things only become interesting with Hellrazor; he praised Thug Style as a lesson in flow.

The single I Wonder If Heaven Got a Ghetto stood at No. 67 on the Hot 100 on December 20. Afeni Shakur herself spoke with MTV about the album: Music for ten years.