Tupac Amaru Shakur (a.k.a. 2Pac) was a force to be reckoned with during his 11 months with Death Row Records. He completed two albums, recorded over a dozen music videos, acted in three feature films, and still had enough material for six posthumous albums.
Tupac’s daily routine was a testament to his relentless drive and passion for his craft. This intense work schedule resulted in a body of work that continues to inspire and captivate audiences today.
Inside a day in the life of 2Pac's
Key takeaways
- Tupac was in a constant state of productivity, recording an astonishing amount of music in a short amount of time.
- He had a fast-paced work ethic in the studio.
- His thoughts on mortality were evident in his music.
Life’s a wheel of fortune, and it’s my chance to spin it. ~Tupac
Mornings
Tupac’s days started early, with a 6 a.m. call time for movie sets. After wrapping up on set, he would head straight to the studio, where he and his crew would spend the next several hours recording.
Afternoons
Tupac’s afternoons were spent in the studio, working nonstop to complete as many songs as possible. According to his former labelmate Snoop Dogg, Tupac was known for moving quickly, recording three songs in just an hour without even listening to them. As soon as Tupac had laid down one track, without even listening to his work, he’d be onto the next one saying, “Put that shit over there, pull the next beat up.” No sooner would the rapper finish with that song when he’d say, “Ima do one by myself.” That was the routine, and it worked.
Evenings
Young Noble from Outlawz, a hip-hop group founded by Tupac, recalls that Tupac’s evenings were also spent in the studio. In an interview with XXL, he described, “We’d get to the studio at five or six, and not leave that bitch ’til three, four in the morning,” This intense work schedule was a testament to Tupac’s drive and determination to leave a lasting legacy.
