Toss It Up

"Toss It Up" is a song by rapper Tupac Shakur from his fifth studio album, The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory (1996). Released under the stage name Makaveli, the song served as the lead single to the posthumous album. It was first released in the United States just under two weeks after his death, peaking at number thirty-three on the R&B singles chart. The song is known for including a diss toward Dr. Dre and instrumentally being very similar to Dre's production on the song "No Diggity". It features vocals and singing from Aaron Hall, Danny Boy, and K-Ci & JoJo. The single release altered slightly to the version found on the album. The album version was later included on Shakur's 1998 compilation Greatest Hits with a new mix and alternative lyrics.

"Toss It Up"
Single by Makaveli featuring Danny Boy, K-Ci & JoJo, and Aaron Hall
from the album The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory
ReleasedSeptember 26, 1996 (1996-09-26), October 12, 1996 (UK)
RecordedAugust 1996
StudioAmeraycan (North Hollywood)
GenreDirty rap, R&B
Length5:06
LabelDeath Row, Interscope
Songwriter(s)Tupac Shakur, Aaron Hall, Danny Steward, Reggie "Devell" Moore, Cedric "K-Ci" Hailey, Joel "JoJo" Hailey, Teddy Riley
Producer(s)
  • Reggie "Devell" Moore
  • Demetrius Ship
Makaveli singles chronology
"I Ain't Mad at Cha"
(1996)		 "Toss It Up"
(1996)		 "To Live & Die in L.A."
(1996)
Music video
"Toss It Up" on YouTube

Controversy

The song was originally produced by Death Row Records co-founder and fellow West Coast artist, Dr. Dre. After parting ways with the label, Dr. Dre took his production on the song and continued it to create the song "No Diggity" with R&B group, Blackstreet. Death Row, under a cease and desist order, was forced to reproduce the song, removing all of Dr. Dre's production. Though different, the finished production still shared close similarities to Blackstreet's "No Diggity". A new verse, dissing Dr. Dre, was also recorded for the new version.[1] On the outro of the song, 2Pac also disses Puff Daddy and Lil Kim, responding to what Puff Daddy said about him in an interview.

Music video

Two videos were recorded for the song. One, the main version, is set in a garage and features 2Pac wearing safety goggles and using a blow torch and baseball bat. was shot on the evening of September 6, 1996 .[2] The videos were shot alongside featured artists Danny Boy, Aaron Hall, K-Ci and JoJo[3] and were directed by Lionel C. Martin.[4]

Versions
  • Album version: The only version to feature the "album vibe" introduction.
  • Single version: With "needle drop" introduction by 2Pac, entirely different mix, and less, "Boom!", backing vocals throughout.
  • Greatest Hits version: An entirely new mix of the album version, minus the "album vibe" intro, and features some altered lyrics.
  • Original early mix produced by Dr. Dre: Officially unreleased, though leaked, this version doesn't include the final, Dre diss verse.
  • Nu-Mixx version: A remix found on the 2003 compilation album, Nu-Mixx Klazzics.

Charts

Weekly charts
Chart (1996–1997) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[5] 24
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[6] 3
UK R&B (OCC)[7] 4
UK Singles (OCC)[8] 15
US R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay (Billboard)[9] 34

Year-end charts
Chart (1997) Position
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[10] 42

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
New Zealand (RMNZ)[11] Gold 5,000*

* Sales figures based on certification alone.

References
  1. Arnold, Paul W. (May 27, 2010). "Danny Boy Tells All About Death Row Years, Part Two". HipHopDX. Cheri Media Group. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
  2. "2PAC – TOSS IT UP (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO) 1996". 2PacLegacy. January 17, 2016. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
  3. https://2paclegacy.net/1996-09-06-the-last-day-in-the-studio/. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  4. "Lionel C Martin on Twitter: "2Pac-"Toss It Up" – Feat. Danny Boy, KC & JoJo – directed by @vidjunkie #stilldope http://t.co/f5aihBkq0b via @youtube"". Twitter. January 21, 2015. Retrieved January 13, 2016. {{cite web}}: External link in |title= (help)
  5. "2Pac – Toss It Up". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved April 9, 2014.
  6. "2Pac – {{{song}}}". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved April 9, 2014.
  7. "Official R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 9, 2014.
  8. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 9, 2014.
  9. "2Pac Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
  10. "End of Year Charts 1997". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved December 4, 2017.
  11. "New Zealand single certifications – MAKAVELI – Toss It Up". Recorded Music NZ.
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