How Do U Want It — Tupac Shakur single (1996)

Recording and production

Recorded during the period after Tupac's release from prison and while he was associated with Death Row Records, the song reflects frequent collaborations between hip hop artists and R&B singers at the time. K-Ci & JoJo contributed the melodic chorus that contrasts with Tupac's rhythmic delivery. The production centers on a looped sample, percussion, bass elements and layered vocals; such sampling and reworking of older soul and funk recordings was a common practice in hip hop production.

Composition and themes

Musically, the track pairs assertive rap verses with an accessible R&B hook. Lyrically it navigates sensual and party-oriented subject matter alongside elements of braggadocio and direct address to listeners and partners, a combination that made the song suitable for both urban radio and club play. The interplay between Tupac's voice and the sung refrain helped bridge audiences across genre lines.

Versions, remixes and videos

The single was issued in several edits and remixes to accommodate radio, video and club formats, including censored and explicit edits. Multiple music videos accompanied the release; different versions were produced for broadcast and for uncensored formats. Visual presentations and alternate cuts were part of the record's promotional strategy and helped extend its reach across different media outlets.

Reception and legacy

Upon release the song was a commercial success and received wide airplay. It reinforced Tupac's mainstream profile during the All Eyez on Me era and is often cited as an example of successful rap–R&B crossover in the 1990s. The use of a Quincy Jones sample demonstrates the era's practice of drawing on earlier soul and funk sources; more on Quincy Jones's work can be found here. For broader context on the period's genre conventions see a discussion here, and for background on the artist consult this resource.

Notable facts

• Producer: Johnny "J" Jackson, a frequent collaborator in Tupac's recordings.
• Featured singers: K-Ci & JoJo of Jodeci provided the melodic hook.
• Sample source: Quincy Jones — "Body Heat" (1974), forming the song's core groove (sample reference).
• Album context: Released as a single from All Eyez on Me, during Tupac's Death Row period.
• Genre: A blend of rap and contemporary R&B that typified several mainstream crossover hits of the mid-1990s (genre overview).

Today the song remains notable for its catchy hook and as an illustration of the commercial and artistic intersections between rap and R&B in the mid-1990s. For further reading on Tupac Shakur's life and career consult the linked resource here.