7 Day Theory
Although ‘All Eyez on Me’ was a solid and memorable album, it was easily ‘Pac’s most commercially laced piece of work. On the posthumous ‘7 Day Theory – Don Killuminati’ we see a return to the artistry and genius that was exhibited on ‘Me Against the World’. In a word, Makaveli’s first offering is simply excellent – it is a cold, eerie and angry album with tight production, powerful lyrics and laced with enough double entendres to keep conspiracy theorists happy for years to come.
‘Bomb first (My Second Reply)’ captures the mood of ‘7Day Theory’, it is a chilling track that begins with the echo of church bells and someone ('Pac or one of the Outlawz?) saying ‘Suge Shot Me’ (any questions on this, listen closely to what is said 2-3 seconds into the album also, refer to Darryl’s breakdown on conspiracy theories elsewhere on this site). ‘Bomb’ also sets the record straight on the so-called East – West ‘war’. ‘Pac’s beef was ‘not about East or West’, it was about loyalty and the laws that govern ‘niggas and bitches, power and money, rydahs and punks’.
This album shows that ‘Pac was peaking as an artist and, given a few more years he would have been the complete artist. His flow was controlled, his verses exhibited justified confidence and, we saw Makaveli dabbling with metaphors and sounding good on the excellent ‘Me and My Girlfriend’. Although ‘Hit ‘em Up’ had been released some 6 months prior to the ‘Don Killuminati’, we still obtain our fair share of dissess towards a number of artistes. One of the best F’ U tracks of all time has to be ‘Against All Odds’ - this 2Pac going all out and dropping names over one of the most simple but coldest beats that you’ll ever hear.
The movement of the ‘7 Day theory’ is smooth and extremely fluid. Although only a few people know exactly what was going through 2Pac’s mind when he wrote the album, we the listener are given the impression that this was the work of a man who knew his time on earth was extra limited. On ‘Hail Mary’ and ‘Blasphemy’ we hear the repentance in ‘Pac the philosopher’s verses whereas on Krazy (which introduced as to a hungry Bad Azz) and ‘White Manz World’ pulled the ho card on social oppressors/ those stuck on preserving the tried but sorry ass status quo . The message on these two songs? Things have to change i.e. it’s seriously time that we treated one another with respect and do not behave in a primitive way in a so-called advanced and developed world. Have things changed or will they? Only time will reveal.
The main thing that separates the ‘7 day theory’ from the rest of 2pac’s work is the soberness and maturity on this album – he admits that he is a complex individual with some serious issues–‘’forgive us Lord for we have definitely sinned’. In short, this album was needed by hip hop, it was an intelligent piece of work period. Furthermore, it played it’s part in changing popular culture and unless you were a) narrow minded b) ignanat beyond ignorant c) held double standards as to what was ‘acceptable’ musically – you had to admit that Makaveli’s first release was a well-thought out piece of art that was full of good poetry, emotion and feeling. Marks out of 10? The Don gets nothing less than a 12. If you don't agree, please look beyond the hate.