California Love
| Title | California Love |
|---|---|
| Artist | 2Pac |
| Album | Greatest Hits |
| Release Date | 1995-12-03 |
| Description | 2Pac and Dr. Dre rap about the many facets that accompany living the California lifestyle. Arguably his most famous song, it was the first track he released after his stint in prison and decision to join Death Row. It was originally intended to be the first single for Dr. Dre’s 1996 Aftermath compilation and contained three verses from him. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wBTdfAkqGU Set in 2095 in a post-apocalyptic Oakland, the music video was heavily inspired by the 1985 film Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome. It was directed by Hype Williams and the cast includes Chris Tucker and Tony Cox. The song was remixed and released on 2Pac’s classic double album All Eyez On Me a couple months later. A more laid back, west coast style music video was made for this version. |
| Lyrics | [Intro: Roger Troutman] California love [Chorus: Roger Troutman] California knows how to party California knows how to party In the city of L.A In the city of good ol' Watts In the city, the city of Compton We keep it rockin', we keep it rockin' [Verse 1: Dr. Dre] Now let me welcome everybody to the Wild Wild West A state that's untouchable like Eliot Ness The track hits your eardrum like a slug to your chest Pack a vest for your Jimmy in the city of sex We in that sunshine state where the bomb-ass hemp be The state where you never find a dance floor empty And pimps be on a mission for them greens Lean mean money-making-machines servin' fiends I been in the game for ten years makin' rap tunes Ever since honeys was wearin' Sassoon Now it's '95 and they clock me and watch me Diamonds shinin', lookin' like I robbed Liberace It's all good, from Diego to the Bay Your city is the bomb if your city makin' pay Throw up a finger if you feel the same way Dre puttin' it down for Californ-i-a [Chorus: Roger Troutman] California knows how to party California knows how to party (Yes, they do) In the city of L.A In the city of good ol' Watts In the city, the city of Compton We keep it rockin', we keep it rockin' You might also like[Bridge: Roger Troutman] Shake, shake it, baby Shake, shake it, mama Shake it, Cali Shake it, shake it, baby Shake it, shake it, shake it, shake it [Verse 2: 2Pac & Dr. Dre] Out on bail, fresh out of jail, California dreamin' Soon as I step on the scene, I'm hearin' hoochies screamin' Fiendin' for money and alcohol, the life of a Westside player Where cowards die and the strong ball Only in Cali where we riot, not rally, to live and die In L.A. we wearin' Chucks, not Ballys (Yeah, that's right) Dressed in Locs and Khaki suits, and ride is what we do Flossin' but have caution: we collide with other crews Famous because we throw grams Worldwide, let them recognize from Long Beach to Rosecrans Bumpin' and grindin' like a slow jam It's Westside, so you know the Row won't bow down to no man Say what you say, but give me that bomb beat from Dre Let me serenade the streets of L.A From Oakland to Sac-town, the Bay Area and back down Cali is where they put their mack down; give me love! [Chorus: Roger Troutman] California knows how to party California knows how to party (Yes, they do) In the city of L.A In the city of good ol' Watts In the city, the city of Compton We keep it rockin', we keep it rockin' [Ad-Libs: Dr. Dre & 2Pac] South Central Uh, that's right Now make it shake [Bridge: Roger Troutman] Shake, shake it, baby Shake, shake it, mama Shake it, Cali Shake it, shake it, baby Shake it, shake it, shake it, shake it [Ad-Libs: Dr. Dre] Shake it, Cali Uh, uh, West Coast Uh, yeah, uh, uh, Long Beach in the house Uh, yeah, Oaktown Oakland definitely in the house Frisco, Frisco [Outro: 2Pac & Dr. Dre] And you know L.A. up in here Pasadena, where you at? Yeah, Inglewood Inglewood always up to no good Even Hollywood tryin' to get a piece, baby Sacramento, Sacramento where you at? Throw it up, y'all! Throw it up, throw it up! I can't see ya Let's show these fools how we do it over on this Westside 'Cause you and I know it's the best side Yeah, that's right West Coast, West Coast |