yeah that makes sense. It's tough for me though cuz I kind of hate bootlegs. But for sure, in this case the bootlegs are closer to the intended material. Though I do find the resulting uh "legit" releases interesting as counterpoint to the source material.

I agree about bootlegs. I like true bootlegs (i.e. live concert recordings, preferably soundboard) but in regards to leaked copies, I usually wait for the better original mix to come out. However, sometimes leaks are better. For example, I still only listen to the leaked version of deftones White Pony, I think it is better than the final mix. I haven't heard it, but all the radiohead fans tell me the leaked Kid-A is WAY better than the later released version.

With the Makaveli bootlegs, bootlegs isn't the best name. They are more like the unreleased rough mixes that Eddie Kramer and Jeanne Hendrix later released, however in this instance, not quite legitimately. Again, I just can't even listen to those reissues, even though I want to respect Afeni on this one, artistically, I have to disagree regardless of the politics.

sometimes though I prefer the worse sounding "official" version cuz it's official. Like in the case of Deftones or Radiohead.

But in the case of 2pac it becomes a true dilemma for me. :\

I bought the legit White Pony. I just didn't like the mix. Further I almost cherish the leaked version for the sheer nostalgia of it. I was in high school and picked that up a month early like it was some kind of James Bond secret yo.

I say with the Tupac situation, that since you seem to already own the legit versions there should be no dilemma. You did your part. You contributed. The Amaru Foundation appreciates your donations. Now the fan of Tupac's art in you can also enjoy the "bootlegs" which to many and my own opinion, better reflect what the original artist would have wanted because again, at least half of the bootleg material are unreleased rough mixes that more than likely were directly as-is Tupac approved, whereas in my humble opinion having heard both, the legit reissued remixes sound like shit. They sound like mid-2000s rap, not mid 1990s-rap. It'd be like if Courtney Love had The Black Keys remix the Nirvana Box Set material ;)

hahaha.

In fairness a lot of that Pac stuff gets overly dissed. I mean, Pac's Life and Loyal to the Game are pretty bad. But Better Dayz, Until The End of Time and R U Still Down are all pretty damn good collections -- so that's 6 discs of pretty quality material.

Maybe someday we'll see an overground release of the original bootlegs in a box or something.

I do have Better Dayz, R U Still Down, and of course Still I Rise but Until the End of Time is part of those mixes I don't like. To mid-2000s bumpin in the da club shit, not what Outlawz Immortal were doing from 94-96 which is what the rough mixes better reflect. Check out EVERY track from Until the End of Time but on the Makaveli Bootlegs versions and it is the perfect example of what is wrong with the remixed reissues than the leaked originals. Rough mix or not, the originals are so much better its like night and day. I can't honestly imagine Tupac approving of half the beats of the remixes than what was on the originals, as again the originals sound like that almost gothic, spooky, dark rap which was Outlawz Immortal (also think E-40 Element of Surprise era, Kool Keith as Dr Dooom, GraveDiggaz, Bone Thugz N Harmony, The Luniz, Scarface etc etc)..

Maybe Afeni just couldn't accept Tupac for who he really was, a straight gangster. N.W.A and Eazy E were fucking straight gangster, which is why Dre and Cube had to leave, cuz those two ninjas weren't gangsters, they were just rappers. Ruthless Records was about drug dealing and gang-banging, not just making records. DeathRow Records was about drug dealing and gang banging. Tupac joined M.O.B. Pirus. In fact Tupac as Makaveli the Don was part of the new generation of M.O.B., which changed the original meaning of MOB to Money Over Bitches and took over a few new blocks in Eastside Compton. Post-Makaveli MOB is entirely different set than the original MOB from the 1980s, and MOB youngsters still have Pac as their patron saint of sorts. The reality is that while Makaveli was a certified community activist and organizer and was involved directly in the 93 Peace Treaty and the Truce Picnic as well as other mediations, he was also sincerely gang affiliated which was of course his demise. Tupac fell into gang-banging for the same reasons a lot of original Panthers fell into gangs, as a form of penultimate political protest. In some circumstances, folks who are pushed too far by the situation retaliate and get into drug dealing and gang-banging as an alternative life-style. A literal "Fuck your world" and sabotage to the establishment in a truly devastating nihilism. Tupac fell int this surreality. Dead Prez straddle that line. Me, I dig the gangster Tupac mixes, because that is who Tupac was, and it doesn't negate his political or social commentary, if anything it accentuates it with authenticity. I don't think Afeni Shakur could accept that in her idealized remixes which :/

i just gave it another listen and it's not that bad tbh. songs with Franky (Analog 2, White and Oldie) are obviously the standouts though. also Tyler and Earl are far better than the other "rappers" in that group.

Usher.. i love Confessions.

I'm excited about WOLF, but I wasn't feeling OF Tape 2.

ATLiens is amazing.

I do want to hear OF (or specifically Tyler, Hodgie & Earl) do something really serious. I think they could blow some minds. Though I still think EARL and BASTARD are super solid records for real.

I can't hate on Miley cuz "Party In The USA" is still catchy as fudge.

Do you mean the tracks part I and II from Aquemini or that fly as Rick the Ruler just up outta jail album?

ATLniens has some sick 1990s beats and is a much better evolution from Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik. Aquemini is the last good Outkast album before Dre lost his mind and went too Janelle Mon'ae on us ;)

don't be hatin on Miley, she is like a Disney Michael Phelps. I keep tabs on all the mainstream, successful, pot-smokers, and the Cyrus family is definitely high on that list.

plus she dissed Jay-Z and likes Gucci Mane. i suppose she isn't that awful after all, for a manufactured popstar. :p

Dude. If if it weren't for Ray Lewis getting in his head, Phelps probably wouldn't have even been motivated enough to go to the 2012 Olympics. Guy clearly is a toker, all the contrary apologies were to keep his 7 and 8 figure sponsors happy ;)

speaking of Disney babes, i can't wait to watch Harmony Korine's new film "Spring Breakers".

have you guys already heard "Mirrors"? easily my favorite song of the year so far.

yeah Springbreakers looks awesome haha.

new Ghost single is dope as fuck!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtHb0ALkFzo

I heard about it but didin't bother watching.

NEW Ghost? Awesome.

Is that Kathy Griffin?

By the way, so far I only really love one song from Long Live A$AP so far. None of it is bad, but only LVL is giving me the good old "this is the joint" tingles

what, really? Man I love that album so hard. I've listened to it so much since it came out. Jeez, listened to it in its entirety even the last two days. So so good.

wow. 12 Reasons is gonna be dope. Wow.

I never got the Childish Gambino album, but I've probably watched the vid for "Bonfire" like 50 times in the past year. Just saying.

just me or is Mike G the unsung hero of "Oldie"?

his verse, Frank Ocean, and Earl kill it. And Tyler's last verse.

I'm still amazed how dope "Chum" is. When's the new Earl album gonna hit?

just me in here t'night eh?

well. I've listened to "Oldie" like 3 times in a row. One of the best OF tracks ever. Why did it take me this long to realize?

hell yeah. that single is crazy. and he said he might drop Supreme Clientele 2 and DOOMSTARKS this year as well. wow. if they will all come out, 2013 will be Ghost's year, hands down.

would be so great to get the album around April-May along with Wolf.

never paid attention to Mike G's verse before. he lowkey killed it. great song.

yeah dood Mike G kills it. Frank Ocean's verse is awesome too. I love hearing him rap like that. And of course Earl is incredible.

I work at VICE magazine and our next issue is going to have much information about the film, I'm curious to see what Korine does with the party boner-inducing genre. I really want to see Disney Channel-approved Selena Gomez get fucked, is that wrong? I also want to fuck her, but that is probably more far-fetched.

So .... Anybody excited about WOLF coming out in like a minute?

I am now that I've heard "Domo 23" -- or rather the last minute or so of "Domo 23."

Wait, you fucking work at Vice magazine? Dude. YOU HAVE TO GET ME A JOB, EVEN JUST TEMPORARY FOR FREE, WRITING FOR THE VICE DO AND DON'T SECTION!! SERIOUSLY! I MEAN IT!

I haven't listened to Pink FLame yet. But I'll probably agree cuz oddly we agreed on H2O and God's Father haha.

OK OK HOLD ON I"M STILL A GRAD STUDENT INTERNING ON THE EDITORIAL STAFF, so prbably can't help

here are a few of my clips though

http://www.vice.com/read/we-intervie...ut-other-music

http://www.vice.com/read/vice-premie...eed-you-part-i

http://www.vice.com/read/we-saw-this-swans

I am 25 so I don't think 20 is really much of a stretch

Bowie is gonna come through with that comeback album.

Wayne's verse on Demolition Freestyle Pt. 1 still amazes me.

Nice Swans review, bro. How did you go about setting yourself up with such a sweet writing gig? For a grad student, that's pretty impressive.

just heard this dude Chance the Rapper on a new Joey Bada$$ track. i thought his verse was dope so i checked out his new single "Acid Rain". lovin' it. gonna get his mixtape from last year. end of the story.