"Toss It Up" is a song by rapper Tupac Shakur from his fifth studio album, The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory (1996). Released under the stage name Makaveli, the song served as the lead single to the posthumous album. It was first released in the United States just under two weeks after his death, peaking at number thirty-three on the R&B singles chart. The song is known for including a diss toward Dr. Dre and instrumentally being very similar to the production on the song "No Diggity". It features vocals and singing from Aaron Hall, Danny Boy, and K-Ci & JoJo.
| "Toss It Up" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Makaveli featuring Danny Boy, K-Ci & JoJo, and Aaron Hall | ||||
| from the album The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory | ||||
| Released | September 26, 1996 October 12, 1996 (UK) | |||
| Recorded | June 7, 1996 | |||
| Studio | Ameraycan (North Hollywood) | |||
| Genre | Dirty rap, R&B | |||
| Length | 5:06 | |||
| Label |
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| Songwriter(s) | Tupac Shakur, Aaron Hall, Danny Steward, Reggie "Devell" Moore, Cedric "K-Ci" Hailey, Joel "JoJo" Hailey, Teddy Riley | |||
| Producer(s) |
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| Makaveli singles chronology | ||||
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| Danny Boy singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Toss It Up" on YouTube | ||||
The single release altered slightly to the version found on the album. The album version was later included on Shakur's 1998 compilation Greatest Hits with a new mix and alternative lyrics.
Controversy
editThe original version of the song shared close similarities to Blackstreet's "No Diggity". Due to that, Jimmy Iovine sent a cease and desist order which forced them to reproduce the song. A new verse, dissing Dr. Dre, was also recorded for the new version.[1]
Music video
editTwo videos were recorded for the song. One, the main version, is set in a garage and features 2Pac wearing safety goggles and using a blow torch and baseball bat. was shot on the evening of September 6, 1996 .[2] The videos were shot alongside featured artists Danny Boy, K-Ci and JoJo. Aaron Hall does not appear in either video.[3]
Both videos were directed by Lionel C. Martin.[4]
Versions
edit- Album version:
The only version to feature the "album vibe" introduction.
- Single version:
With "needle drop" introduction by 2Pac, entirely different mix, and less, "Boom!", backing vocals throughout.
- Radio Edit:
2Pac’s outro disses are removed, instead the backing vocals are the focus.
- Video Version:
Features additional outro vocals by KC instead of the outro disses by 2Pac.
- Greatest Hits version:
An entirely new mix of the album version, minus the "album vibe" intro, and features some altered lyrics.
- Original early mix produced by Dr. Dre:
Officially unreleased, though leaked, this version doesn't include the final, Dre diss verse.
- Nu-Mixx version:
A remix by the Tha Row Hitters found on the 2003 compilation album, Nu-Mixx Klazzics.
Charts
editWeekly charts
edit| Chart (1996–1997) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[5] | 24 |
| New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[6] | 3 |
| UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)[7] | 4 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[8] | 15 |
| US R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay (Billboard)[9] | 34 |
Year-end charts
edit| Chart (1997) | Position |
|---|---|
| New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[10] | 42 |
Certifications
edit| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand (RMNZ)[11] | Gold | 5,000* |
|
* Sales figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
edit- ^ Arnold, Paul W. (May 27, 2010). "Danny Boy Tells All About Death Row Years, Part Two". HipHopDX. Cheri Media Group. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
- ^ "2PAC – TOSS IT UP (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO) 1996". 2PacLegacy. January 17, 2016. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
- ^ "1996-09-06 / The Last Day in the Studio". 26 October 2016.
- ^ "Lionel C Martin on Twitter: "2Pac-"Toss It Up" – Feat. Danny Boy, KC & JoJo – directed by @vidjunkie #stilldope http://t.co/f5aihBkq0b via @youtube"". Twitter. January 21, 2015. Retrieved January 13, 2016.
{{cite web}}: External link in|title= - ^ "2Pac – Toss It Up". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved April 9, 2014.
- ^ "2Pac – {{{song}}}". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved April 9, 2014.
- ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 9, 2014.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 9, 2014.
- ^ "2Pac Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
- ^ "End of Year Charts 1997". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved December 4, 2017.
- ^ "New Zealand single certifications – MAKAVELI – Toss It Up". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 2024-11-20.