Multi-Grammy nominated singer and songwriter, Anthony Hamilton appeared on VLADTV where he described his recording session for Tupac’s ‘Thugz Mansion’ as “eerie.”
In 2002, Tupac’s posthumous release ‘Better Dayz,’ featured the hit single ‘Thugz Mansion.’ Two versions of the single were released. One featuring Nas and J. Phoenix on the hook, which was released as a single. Nas would also feature the song on his sixth studio album ‘God’s Son’. It would feature two verses from the Queens artist and one from Tupac Shakur. J. Phoenix provided the hook.
The second version as a Tupac solo featured Anthony Hamilton. Speaking with VLADTV back in 2020, Hamilton recalls the studio session and describes the experience as “eerie.”
“When it came to me it just had an eerie feeling about the whole thing. The whole session. I believe it was done in Marvin Gaye’s studio, I think it was,” Hamilton explains on VLADTV. “Claudio, who was the engineer and producer, gave me the opportunity and I went in and wrote the song. But, it was just an eerie moment. Eerie feeling time, that song.”
Four years later, Hamilton had the honor of working again on a Tupac song. This time around the talented singer was featured on a remix for Tupac’s classic ‘Dear Mama.’ “Man, I’m honored to be a part of that song. Just to take the original and take it and make it feel just as good and just as important and timely as the original,” said Hamilton.
Contributing to any posthumous music as it relates to Tupac is never an easy task. With many of the originals leaked over the years, fans are quickly to criticized if it is not done to their liking. Unfortunately many of the songs are not able to be released in their original form. Sample clearance and other issues come into play.
Also view: Unreleased Tupac Music Coming In 2023 Confirmed By E-Love
Feeling the pressure, Anthony Hamilton dug deep and delivered the best he came at the time. “You feel that pressure,” Hamilton said. “You feel like this is a moment where I want to represent him in the best way possible. Delivering a rendition of the song it needed to be special. Bring my A game or shut the hell up. I went in and sung it with my young hungry voice, and I was pleased with it.”