Troublesome '21
Overview
Troublesome '21 is the original unreleased version of 2Pac's second studio album. Recording began during the early months of 1992 under the working title Black Starry Night, before 2Pac later renamed the project Troublesome '21.
According to collector research, the album was abandoned following growing controversy surrounding 2Pac's lyrics and public criticism directed towards Time Warner during 1992. The project was subsequently reworked into Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z., released in 1993.
The album documents the earliest known collaborations between 2Pac and Live Squad, including the original version of Holler If Ya Hear Me featuring Stretch and Majesty, together with the original recording of Crooked Nigga Too featuring Stretch.
Release Information
| Title | Troublesome '21 |
| Artist | 2Pac |
| Format | Unreleased Studio Album |
| Label | Interscope Records / Time Warner (planned) |
| Country | United States |
| Recorded | 1992 |
| Tracks | 16 |
| Status | Unreleased |
Recording History
Work on the album began shortly after the release of 2Pacalypse Now. The project was originally titled Black Starry Night before being renamed Troublesome '21.
Production was handled by Stretch, Big D The Impossible, Truman Jefferson, Laylaw, D-Flow Production Squad, Shock G and 50 Niggaz Productionz.
Although the original album was never commercially released, many songs later appeared on Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z., soundtrack releases, singles and posthumous albums. Others remain unreleased.
Track Listing
| # | Title | Member(s) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Intro (Troublesome '21) | Unreleased | |
| 2 | Strictly Fo' My Niggaz (Original) | Original Version | |
| 3 | The Streetz R Deathrow | Produced by Stretch | Released |
| 4 | I Get Around (Ft. Digital Underground) | Released | |
| 5 | Holler If Ya Hear Me (Demo) (Ft. Live Squad) | Stretch and Majesty | Original Version |
| 6 | Don't Call Me Bitch | Unreleased | |
| 7 | Papa'z Song (Ft. Mopreme Shakur & Poppi) | Released | |
| 8 | Representin' | Released | |
| 9 | Crooked Nigga Too (Original Version) (Ft. Stretch) | Stretch | Original Version |
| 10 | What Goes On (Ft. Mopreme Shakur & Mouse Man) | Unreleased | |
| 11 | Still Don't Give A Fuck | Unreleased | |
| 12 | I Wonda If Heaven Got A Ghetto (Original Version) | Original Version | |
| 13 | Nothin' But Love (Ft. Dave Hollister) | Released | |
| 14 | Troublesome | Unreleased | |
| 15 | Keep Ya Head Up | Released | |
| 16 | Brothas In The Pen (Ft. Mopreme Shakur & Mouse Man) | Unreleased |
Release History
| Year | Release | Format | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Troublesome '21 | Unreleased Album | Original planned version of 2Pac's second album. |
| 1993 | Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z. | CD / Cassette / LP | Commercial release derived from the original project. |