So Bieber's been about that Thug Life, but it was still a bold move of him to lay down a cover of the 2Pac classic, "Thugz Mansion." Despite its release six years after Pac's killing, included on the posthumous album Better Dayz, "Thugz Mansion" is one of the most well-known Pac songs. Though one must come from the struggle to really understand Pac's pain, his desire for eternal respite is easily relatable, and the song is immediately rousing, especially with those acoustic guitars. Bieber sounds nice on the hook, though above all, his cover has been an impetus to spend some more time with the original, which still feels just as deep today.
Here's the most popular version of "Thugz Mansion," featuring J. Phoenix on the hook and a guest verse from Nas, who gives Pac a proper blessing in the name of hip-hop. If only these two could've made more magic together while Pac was still here.
Quotable Lyrics
I cried tears of joy, I know she smiles on her boy
I dream of you more, my love goes to Afeni Shakur
Cause like Ann Jones, she raised a ghetto king in a war
And just for that alone she shouldn't feel no pain no more
- Nas