Hello fellow music lovers and welcome to Way Back Wednesday, where I shed some light on some artists and jams from way back in the day.

"I Get Around" marked my introduction to 2Pac in 1993, and more than two decades later, it still stands the test of time — and remains one of my favorites by the late rapper. During the early-to-mid-'90s I was mostly digging on the more jazz-influenced sounds of East Coast hip-hop, but that didn't stop me from becoming a huge fan of 2Pac. Though his style was often associated with the West Coast, it all started in New York for 2Pac.

Background: Born Tupac Amaru Shakur in 1971, eventually shortened to his punchier 2Pac handle, Shakur was born in East Harlem, and attended a string of performing arts schools before he was forced to move to California at 17. He quickly picked up where he left off, joining the drama program and appearing in several productions. Shakur was introduced to Atron Gregory in 1990, and got his first break working as a back-up dancer for Digital Underground. Tupac had his rap debut when Digital Underground tapped him for a track called "Same Song" off This Is an EP Release that same year. He portrays an African king in the video. He also added backing vocals and between-verse ad-libs to the EP's "The Way We Swing" (Remix)."

Notable Albums: Shakur's first album, 2Pacalypse Now, dropped in fall of 1991 and featured production that was rather rough around the edges, especially in light of later material, while the sound had a definite East Coast feel, its lyrical themes focused on racism, teenage pregnancy, poverty and police brutality with singles like "Brenda's Got a Baby," "Trapped" and "If My Homie Calls." Though a mild success at the time, 2Pacalypse Now earned deep criticism from then-Vice President Dan Quayle. He alleged that it promoted violence against police officers, and suggested that Interscope Records "withdraw" the record because "It has no place in our society."

By 1993, Shakur was ready to make a statement record. Strictly For My N.I.G.G.A.Z. did just that. The production followed the same vein as its predecessor but had more polish and mainstream appeal. His subject matter remained fixed on social and political issues, which became the norm for him. "Keep Ya Head Up" and "I Get Around" marked his first hit singles, and are still favored tracks from his legendary catalog. Later that year, Shakur formed a side project, Thug Life, with a few of his friends, most notably Big Syke and stepbrother Mopreme Shakur. Thug Life: Volume 1 was released in 1994 and eventually reached gold status. Its single, "Pour Out a Little Liquor," featured production from Johnny "J", who also produced a chunk of All Eyez On Me. This was also the year he met and befriended Brooklyn emcee The Notorious B.I.G.

Trouble always seemed to follow Tupac around. His legal battles often made the news, and it seemed once one was resolved, another one reared its ugly head. He was linked to several shootings and assault cases, and he caught his own rain of gunfire, most memorably during the 1994 Quad Recording Studios incident in Manhattan that fueled the vicious feud between Biggie, Tupac, and the West and East Coast rap scenes. Shakur was robbed and shot five times, and he laid the blame on Biggie and Puffy.

He appeared to become calmer and more laid back after his near fatal shooting, despite all the legal battles that made him damn near broke in 1995. It was a significant time for him to drop Me Against The World, his third studio album. This time around, his lyrics were more confessional, introspective and earnest against stripped-back production that put his storytelling on full display, and was hailed by critics and fans as one of his best to date. "So Many Tears," "Temptations" and "Dear Mama" proved to be chart topping hits, the latter a personal favorite and possibly the most personal song he ever recorded. Shakur was jailed during the release of this record, and stands as the first artist to have a No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 while serving time. And the album remained at the top for four consecutive weeks, eventually hitting multi-platinum status.

By October of 1995, Shakur had dropped his most successful album to date, but was still wasting away in prison. That is, until Death Row Records CEO Suge Knight posted his $1.4 million bail, setting the rapper free so he could sign him to the infamous label. 2Pac was back, and livelier than ever. A double album, All Eyez On Me, came in February of 1996, and it was an instant success. He teamed up with Dr. Dre and several other producers to bring that G-Funk West Coast appeal to tracks that found Shakur returning to his gangster roots and "thug lifestyle" stories. The double album had many hits and five singles, with "California Love" and "How Do U Want It" becoming No. 1 charters on the Billboard Hot 100. All Eyez On Me was certified Diamond by the RIAA in 2014, and it's often hailed as one of the greatest hip hop/rap albums of all time. It's certainly my own favorite outing from Shakur because of its outstanding production; "No More Pain" was and still is my go-to track, with Jodeci mastermind Devante Swing on beats.

On the evening of September 7, 1996, Tupac attended a Mike Tyson fight with Suge Knight. Afterwards, Tupac left with Suge to celebrate at one of Suge's clubs, but became the victims of gun violence before making it there. Shakur was shot several times; Suge suffered a grazed bullet wound. Shakur was rushed to the hospital, where he spent the next six days heavily sedated, eventually slipping into a coma. He died on September 13, 1996 of complications from his gunshot wounds. The Notorious B.I.G. was instantly targeted as a possible suspect. According to rumors, Biggie bought the gun that killed Shakur. The mystery of his death, as well as Biggie's, remains to this day.

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"Brenda's Got A Baby"