“California Love” by 2Pac featuring Dr. Dre and Roger Troutman is one of the most iconic West Coast hip-hop songs of the 1990s. Released on December 3, 1995, it marked 2Pac’s comeback single after his release from prison and his first single as the newest artist on Death Row Records. The song was issued by Death Row and Interscope Records, produced by Dr. Dre, and later appeared on the UK edition of 2Pac’s album All Eyez on Me.

Musically, “California Love” blends West Coast hip-hop, gangsta rap, and G-funk. Its sound is built around a heavy dance groove, deep bass, funky keyboards, synth textures, drums, and Roger Troutman’s instantly recognizable talk box vocals. The song also uses several musical references and samples: its hook connects to EPMD’s “Knick Knack Patty Wack,” which itself samples Joe Cocker’s “Woman to Woman,” while the famous “California knows how to party” chorus comes from Ronnie Hudson & The Street People’s “West Coast Poplock.”

The lyrics celebrate California nightlife, West Coast pride, Los Angeles street culture, and the party energy of the mid-1990s hip-hop scene. 2Pac and Dr. Dre trade confident verses over a futuristic funk production, while Roger Troutman’s talk box chorus gives the track its signature sound.

“California Love” became one of 2Pac’s biggest hits. It reached No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 for two weeks as a double A-side single with “How Do U Want It,” and also topped the charts in Italy, New Zealand, and Sweden. The song was later nominated for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group at the 1997 Grammy Awards.

One major curiosity is that the earliest version of “California Love” was reportedly created by Dr. Dre with three verses of his own. According to the article, Suge Knight later pushed for 2Pac to become the main rapper on the track, turning it into Tupac’s comeback hit for Death Row. Another striking detail is that 2Pac allegedly wrote his verse in just 15 minutes after arriving at the studio.

The music video is another key part of the song’s legacy. Based on a concept by Jada Pinkett Smith, directed by Hype Williams, and inspired by Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome, the first video takes place in a desert vision of the year 2095. It features appearances by Chris Tucker, Clifton Powell, Tony Cox, and Roger Troutman, while a second remix video continues the story with a house-party concept and cameos from several West Coast artists.

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California love, we-ooh

California knows how to party
California knows how to party
In the city of LA
In the city of good ol' Watts
In the city, city of Compton
We keep it rockin', we keep it rockin' (ooh)

Now, let me welcome everybody to the Wild, Wild West
A state that's untouchable like Eliot Ness
The track hits your eardrum like a slug to your chest
Pack a vest for your Jimmy in the city of sex
We in that sunshine state where the bomb-ass hemp be
The state where you never find a dance floor empty
And pimps be on a mission for them greens
Lean mean money-makin'-machines servin' fiends
I've been in the game for ten years makin' rap tunes
Ever since honeys was wearin' Sassoon
Now it's '95 and they clock me and watch me
Diamonds shinin', lookin' like I robbed Liberace
It's all good, from Diego to the Bay
Your city is the bomb if your city makin' pay (uh)
Throw up a finger if you feel the same way
Dre puttin' it down for Californ-i-a

California (California) knows how to party (knows how to party)
California (west Coast) knows how to party (yes, they do, that's right)
In the city of LA (city of LA, Los Angeles)
(Yeah) in the city of good ol' Watts (good ol' Watts)
In the city, city of Compton (city of Compton)
Keep it rockin' (keep it rockin'), keep it rockin' (come on, come on, come on)
Yeah, now make it shake, c'mon

Shake it, shake it, baby (come on, come on, come on)
Shake, shake it (shake it, baby)
Shake, shake it, mama (come on, come on, come on)
Shake it, Cali (come on, come on, shake it, Cali)
Shake it (we don't care), shake it, baby (baby, right, that's right, uh)
Shake it, shake it (shake, shake, shake, shake)
Shake it, shake it, mama (shake, shake it, shake, shake)
Shake it, Cali (shake it now)

Out on bail, fresh out of jail, California dreamin'
Soon as I step on the scene, I'm hearin' hoochies screamin'
Fiendin' for money and alcohol, the life of a Westside player
Where cowards die and the strong ball
Only in Cali, where we riot, not rally, to live and die
In LA, we wearin' Chucks, not Ballys (yeah, that's right, uh)
Dressed in Locs and Khaki suits and ride is what we do
Flossin' but have caution, we collide with other crews
Famous because we throw grams
Worldwide, let 'em recognize from Long Beach to Rosecrans
Bumpin' and grindin' like a slow jam
It's Westside, so you know the Row won't bow down to no man
Say what you say, but give me that bomb beat from Dre
Let me serenade the streets of LA
From Oakland to Sac-town, the Bay Area and back down
Cali is where they put they mack down, give me love

California (California) knows how to party (ain't no stoppin')
California (do-do-do-do-do) knows how to party (come on, baby)
In the city (south Central) of LA (LA)
In the city of good ol' Watts (that's right)
In the city, city of Compton (yup, yup)
We keep it rockin' (keep it rockin'), we keep it rockin' (yeah, yeah)
Now make it shake, uh

Shake, shake it, baby (uh, shake)
Shake, shake it (uh, yeah, shake it, Cali)
Shake it, shake it, mama (yeah)
Shake it, Cali (shake it, Cali)
Shake it, shake it, baby (shake it, Cali)
Shake it, shake it (uh, uh)
Shake it, shake it, mama (west Coast)
Shake it, Cali (uh)

Yeah, uh
Uh, Long Beach in the house, uh, yeah
Oaktown
Oakland definitely in the house (ha, ha-ha-ha-ha)
Frisco, Frisco (yeah)
Hey, you know LA up in this
Pasadena, where you at?
Yeah, Inglewood
Inglewood always up to no good
Even Hollywood are tryna get a piece, baby
Sacramento, Sacramento, where you at? Uh, yeah
Throw it up, y'all, throw it up, throw it up
I can't see ya
California love
Let's show these fools how we do it on this Westside
'Cause you and I know it's the best side

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