Troublesome '96 -

: Beyond the Nas-related sample, the track interpolates Whodini's "Friends" and Pac’s own "Bomb First (My Second Reply)" and "Outlaw," creating a self-referential tapestry of his West Coast/Death Row identity. Cultural Legacy

: Lyrics like "murder murder my mind state" (which later influenced Eminem's "Murder Murder") showcase a man at war with his environment and his enemies. Troublesome '96

The song serves as a haunting snapshot of 2Pac's mindset just months before his death. : Beyond the Nas-related sample, the track interpolates

: An earlier version of the track, titled "Criminal Tymes," exists with a partial leaked verse and handwritten lyric sheet. : An earlier version of the track, titled

Critics and fans alike often cite it as a top-five 2Pac song, describing it as the "go-to track" for intense workouts or expressing frustration. Its enduring relevance is seen in modern hip-hop, where artists like and Yasin have sampled or interpolated it in their own works.

: Pac intentionally sampled the same beat/sample used in Nas's "If I Ruled the World" (specifically interpolating Samuel Cohen's "Hatikvah"). This was part of a broader "sample jacking" strategy during their beef, triggered by perceived subliminal shots from Nas on tracks like "The Message" and the release of "Street Dreams".