Mixtape "2Pac: Rap Phenomenon II" with New Verses from Jadakiss to Alicia Keys

In September 2003, a mixtape hit the streets that brought Tupac’s voice together with contemporary rappers. As AllHipHop reported on September 18, DJs Vlad, Dirty Harry, and Green Lantern had remixed a series of Tupac songs for 2Pac: Rap Phenomenon II and then invited guests to sing and rap their own verses and choruses over them.

Guests Without Pay

Among those involved were Jadakiss, Wyclef, Busta Rhymes, Xzibit, Alicia Keys, and Bun B of UGK. According to the DJs, everyone participated free of charge, out of respect for Tupac. Vlad said that many had recorded new material specifically for it. The finishing touches alone cost the trio more than 52 hours in the studio.

Green Lantern spoke of a serious tribute without politics. Jadakiss had told him that Tupac was the only artist he revered with whom he had never recorded, and that he could no longer say that now. Green Lantern was aware that other tribute projects already existed. However, he had not listened to them and considered their own version unique.