Nearly 30 years after its release, 2Pac’s “Dear Mama” returns to a Billboard chart and breaks into the top 10 for the first time. CHICAGO – MARCH 1994: Rapper Tupac Shakur performs at the Regal Theater in Chicago, Illinois in March 1994. (Photo By Raymond Boyd/Getty Images)
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This September will mark 30 years since Tupac Shakur, who released music under the mononym 2Pac, was shot and killed in Las Vegas. His murder remains a pivotal moment in the history of rap music, and he is still regarded as one of the most important names in the genre.
2Pac appears on Billboard charts with some regularity, as his music continues to be played by millions of people all around the world, and many of hip-hop’s biggest stars of today cite him as a major influence. One of 2Pac’s most popular singles returns to a ranking in the United States this week, and as it reappears, the tune establishes an important new peak position.
2Pac’s “Dear Mama” Returns to a Sales Chart
2Pac’s “Dear Mama” is back on the Rap Digital Song Sales chart this week, and it reenters the tally at No. 9. The roster reports the 10 bestselling rap cuts on platforms like iTunes, and the list once ran longer than it does today, so artists like 2Pac have seen cuts peak lower than No. 10.
“Dear Mama” Hits a New All-Time High
No. 9 is now the new high point for “Dear Mama” when it comes to the Rap Digital Song Sales chart. 2Pac scores his fifth career top 10 win as the single appears on the rundown for just the third time.
2Pac’s “Dear Mama” Passes His Own “Changes”
“Dear Mama” now ranks as 2Pac’s fourth-highest-rising hit on the Rap Digital Song Sales chart out of five top 10s and six total placements, including one under the name Makaveli. “California Love,” which also credits Dr. Dre and Roger Troutman, “Hit ‘Em Up” with the Outlawz, and “How Do U Want It,” which also names K-Ci and JoJo as featured artists, have peaked at Nos. 5, 6 and 7, respectively. The latter two tracks reached those highs just last year.
As “Dear Mama” reenters the rap-only tally in ninth place, it beats 2Pac’s “Changes,” which topped out at No. 10 in the summer of 2020.
2Pac Joins Macklemore and Kesha
“Dear Mama” is one of two returning favorites on the Rap Digital Song Sales ranking, and the only one to climb higher than ever before. Sitting one space lower than the legend’s hit, in last place, comes “Good Old Days” by Grammy winner Macklemore and pop star Kesha. In the 44 weeks that track has appeared on the list, it’s lifted all the way to No. 4.
Another two singles debut on the Rap Digital Song Sales chart this time around. The loftiest of the pair comes from MGK, formerly known as Machine Gun Kelly, who continues to produce hip-hop music even after hitting it big with pop-punk. “Girl Next Door,” a collaboration with Wiz Khalifa, opens at No. 4. “Queen” by Fat Nwigwe and Tobe Nwigwe also launches at No. 7.
2Pac Released “Dear Mama” Three Decades Ago
2Pac released “Dear Mama” in February 1995, and the song helped introduce his then-upcoming third album, Me Against the World, which arrived about a month later. “Dear Mama” would become his first top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100, where it peaked at No. 9. It was followed by another two smashes from the same project that reached the ranking, “So Many Tears” and “Temptations.” A little more than a year later, “How Do U Want It”/”California Love” soared to No. 1, and sadly, just months after that win, 2Pac was killed.