Changes (Tupac Shakur song)

Changes
Company type	Single
Industry	Music
Founded	1992
Founder	2Pac
Products	Song

Changes is a track by American rapper 2Pac, initially recorded in 1992 and later remixed for its single release on October 13, 1998, as part of his Greatest Hits collection. The song features the Kansas City-based R&B group Talent, active from 1998 to 2005. Its lyrics delve into social challenges such as racial tensions and class disparities, juxtaposing these with broader international conflicts and hardships experienced within the ghetto.

The composition samples the 1986 hit "The Way It Is" by Bruce Hornsby and the Range, with Talent delivering a reinterpreted version of the chorus. "Changes" received a nomination for Best Rap Solo Performance at the 2000 Grammy Awards, representing the sole posthumous nomination in this category. The track is widely recognized as one of Tupac’s defining pieces and a milestone in hip-hop history. In 2017, Consequence ranked it as the second greatest song in Tupac’s catalog.

Production and recording

Initially produced by Big D The Impossible (Deon Evans) during Tupac’s tenure at Interscope Records in 1992, "Changes" underwent a remix in 1998 by Poke from Trackmasters. The song incorporates lyrics from "I Wonder If Heaven Got a Ghetto", also recorded in 1992, while sampling Bruce Hornsby’s "The Way It Is". Talent performs a slightly modified rendition of the original chorus.

The 1998 remix introduces refreshed percussion elements along with subtle musical modifications. The original cut features a vocal sample from Run DMC's "It's Like That" within its intro and chorus sections. Additional layers in the remix include a line from Ice Cube’s "Us" and a B-boy chant near the conclusion, enhancing its energetic feel. Numerous unreleased Tupac recordings containing comparable components have been officially issued posthumously.

Samples

This track reinterprets Bruce Hornsby and the Range’s 1986 hit "The Way It Is" and incorporates the drum loop from Strafe’s 1984 song "Set It Off." Bay Area rapper E-40 previously alluded to this sample in "Things'll Never Change" from his album Tha Hall of Game. Tupac’s instrumental for "Changes" was later utilized by Insane Clown Posse in "Mom Song," sampled by Nas for "Black President," and interpolated by Polo G in his 2020 release "Wishing for a Hero."

Overview

"Changes" topped charts in Norway and the Netherlands while securing top ten positions across multiple countries, including peaking at number three in the United Kingdom, thereby broadening Tupac’s international reach.

Issued posthumously on his Greatest Hits compilation, the song confronts pivotal societal issues prevalent during Tupac’s lifetime—racism, police brutality, drug abuse, and gang violence. The mention of "Huey" refers to Huey P. Newton, co-founder of the Black Panther Party. Additionally, it contemplates the possibility of an African American U.S. president with the line "we ain't ready." The closing verse portrays Tupac being shot, underscoring the track's powerful narrative.

Directed by Chris Hafner, the accompanying music video combines footage from previous Tupac videos alongside personal home videos and unreleased clips, resembling the approach taken in The Notorious B.I.G.’s 1999 video for "Dead Wrong."

Critical reception

Chuck Taylor, a music critic for Billboard, lauded the posthumous track as an undeniable hit, drawing attention to its incorporation of Bruce Hornsby's iconic sample and Tupac’s compelling portrayal of urban struggles coupled with appeals for societal reform. He noted the song's heightened significance in the aftermath of Tupac’s untimely passing.

In 2009, the Vatican featured "Changes" on their MySpace music playlist, highlighting the song's widespread cultural resonance.

Recognized as one of Tupac’s most outstanding works, Consequence positioned it as the second-best among his top 20 songs in a 2017 ranking.

Accolades

At the 2000 Grammy Awards, "Changes" earned a nomination for Best Rap Solo Performance, distinguishing itself as the sole posthumous entry in that category. Additionally, the track was nominated at the 1999 MTV Video Music Awards for Best Editing in a Video and Best Rap Video.

Weekly charts

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Chart (1998–1999)	Peak position
Canada (Nielsen SoundScan)	14
European Hot 100 Singles (Music & Media)	6
Finland (Official Finnish Charts)	13
Poland (Music & Media)	5

Year-end charts

Chart (1999)	Position
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)	26
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)	45
Germany (Media Control)	20
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)	22
Netherlands (Single Top 100)	11
New Zealand (RIANZ)	32
Romania (Romanian Top 100)	81
Sweden (Hitlistan)	18
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)	12
UK Singles (OCC)	64
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks (Billboard)	95

External links

Official music video on MTV.com