2Pac – How Do U Want It

Released in June 1996, the How Do U Want It single represented 2Pac at the commercial and creative peak of his Death Row Records era, capturing the contradictions that defined his artistry during the final months of his life. The title track, which would reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100, showcased Tupac Shakur’s ability to balance sensuality with introspection, layering themes of intimate relationships and fleeting pleasure against the backdrop of his increasingly volatile existence. Produced by Johnny J, the song sampled Quincy Jones’s Body Heat, creating a smooth, funk-inflected foundation that stood in stark contrast to the harder-edged G-funk that dominated much of the All Eyez on Me album from which it was drawn.

The single’s tracklist functioned as a snapshot of 2Pac’s multifaceted artistic identity in 1996, moving from the radio-friendly sensuality of the title track to the West Coast anthem California Love, then pivoting dramatically to the confrontational postures of 2 Of Amerikaz Most Wanted and Hit ‘Em Up. This sequencing reflected the duality that made Shakur such a compelling and complex figure: capable of crafting accessible, commercially viable material while simultaneously engaging in the increasingly bitter East Coast-West Coast rivalry that would help define mid-nineties hip-hop culture. The inclusion of California Love in its long radio edit provided a commercial anchor, as Dr. Dre’s production and Roger Troutman’s talk box vocals had already made it one of the year’s most ubiquitous hip-hop singles.

2 Of Amerikaz Most Wanted, featuring Snoop Doggy Dogg, demonstrated the chemistry between Death Row’s two most prominent artists, with production that exemplified the label’s signature sound during its commercial zenith. The track addressed themes of persecution, criminalization, and defiance that were central to 2Pac’s artistic persona, particularly following his recent incarceration and the legal troubles that shadowed both performers. The production, handled by Dat Nigga Daz, embodied the cinematic quality that characterized Death Row’s output, with layered synthesizers and heavy bass creating an atmospheric backdrop for the artists’ back-and-forth delivery.

Hit ‘Em Up stands as one of the most infamous diss tracks in hip-hop history, representing the apex of the East Coast-West Coast conflict and specifically targeting The Notorious B.I.G., Junior M.A.F.I.A., and Bad Boy Records. The track’s aggressive posture and explicit verbal attacks went beyond the competitive boasting typical of rap battles, incorporating personal allegations and threats that shocked even seasoned hip-hop listeners. Produced by Johnny J, the track’s stark, aggressive production provided minimal distraction from 2Pac’s confrontational delivery, backed by the Outlawz collective that would become increasingly prominent in his final recordings. The inclusion of this track on a commercial single release demonstrated either remarkable boldness or troubling recklessness, blurring the lines between artistic expression and genuine antagonism in ways that would be heavily scrutinized following Shakur’s death just three months after the single’s release.

The How Do U Want It single ultimately serves as a time capsule of a pivotal moment in hip-hop history, capturing 2Pac during a period of immense creativity, commercial success, and escalating conflict. The commercial performance of the title track, which spent two weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100, proved that Shakur could compete in the mainstream pop landscape while maintaining street credibility. The single’s success contributed to the multi-platinum status of All Eyez on Me, cementing 2Pac’s position as one of hip-hop’s most commercially viable artists. However, the inclusion of Hit ‘Em Up on this release also documents the destructive trajectory of the coastal rivalry, providing historical evidence of how personal and vitriolic the conflict had become by mid-1996, just months before both 2Pac and Biggie would be murdered in still-unsolved shootings that effectively ended hip-hop’s most celebrated era.

TRACK BY TRACK

1. How Do U Want It (LP Version)

The single’s title track samples Quincy Jones’s Body Heat and features K-Ci and JoJo on the hook, blending sensual themes with 2Pac’s reflections on mortality and living in the moment. The song reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in July 1996.

2. California Love (Long Radio Edit)

This extended radio version of the Dr. Dre-produced anthem featuring Roger Troutman’s talk box vocals had already become a massive crossover hit earlier in 1996. The track samples Joe Cocker’s Woman to Woman and Ronnie Hudson’s West Coast Poplock.

3. 2 Of Amerikaz Most Wanted

Featuring Snoop Doggy Dogg and produced by Dat Nigga Daz, this track exemplified Death Row’s G-funk aesthetic while addressing themes of criminalization and defiance. The chemistry between 2Pac and Snoop represented the label’s collaborative peak.

4. Hit ‘Em Up

One of hip-hop’s most notorious diss records, this track targeted The Notorious B.I.G. and Bad Boy Records with unprecedented aggression, featuring the Outlawz and escalating the East Coast-West Coast rivalry to dangerous levels. The track’s inclusion on a commercial single remains controversial given the violence that would follow.

VAULT CURIOSITIES

• The music video for How Do U Want It was directed by Gobi and featured extensive footage shot at a mansion party, but faced immediate controversy due to its explicit content. The video was heavily edited for MTV rotation, with the uncensored version becoming one of the most requested videos on BET’s late-night programming during summer 1996.
• Hit ‘Em Up was recorded in a single session at Can-Am Studios, reportedly fueled by 2Pac’s anger over perceived slights and ongoing tensions. The track’s aggressive tone shocked even Death Row insiders, with some label personnel reportedly expressing concern about releasing such an overtly confrontational record on a commercial single.
• The single’s B-side configuration varied by format, with some cassette and vinyl editions featuring different track arrangements. The CD single format, which included all four tracks, became highly collectible following 2Pac’s death in September 1996, with sealed copies commanding premium prices among collectors within months of the tragedy.
• How Do U Want It was originally intended to feature different guest vocalists, but Johnny J suggested K-Ci and JoJo after hearing their work with other artists. Their involvement helped the track achieve crossover success, appealing to R&B audiences while maintaining hip-hop authenticity, contributing to its chart-topping performance and radio ubiquity throughout summer 1996.