Hold On Be Strong

Overview

Hold On Be Strong was released on R U Still Down? (Remember Me), Tupac's second posthumous studio album. The song is a substantially reworked version of the unreleased recording U Got 2 B Strong, featuring completely new production by Choo while retaining Tupac's original vocal performance.

The song delivers one of Tupac's most uplifting messages, encouraging listeners to remain strong through hardship, poverty and personal struggle. Rather than focusing on violence or revenge, the lyrics offer hope, determination and the belief that better days lie ahead, making it one of the most positive songs in his catalogue.

Stretch contributes background vocals to the recording, preserving a small part of the original session despite the extensive posthumous reconstruction. For the Live Squad archive, the original recording is documented separately as U Got 2 B Strong (Original Version).

Recording History

The original recording was made during Tupac's Interscope years between 1992 and 1994 under the title U Got 2 B Strong. Following Tupac's death, the song was selected for inclusion on R U Still Down? (Remember Me) and completely rebuilt using a new instrumental produced by Choo.

Unlike the original version, the 1997 release incorporates a prominent sample of Earth, Wind and Fire's Be Ever Wonderful, giving the song a warmer, more soulful sound while retaining Tupac's inspirational lyrics. Stretch's background vocals remain on the finished recording, providing one of the few connections between the original session and the commercial release.

Release History

Samples

Samples Used

• Earth, Wind and Fire - Be Ever Wonderful

Lyrics