Keep Ya Head Up

Background

The song features R&B singer Dave Hollister and is dedicated to Shakur's godson Elijah, and Corin, daughter of Salt from Salt-N-Pepa — the two had met through Treach of Naughty by Nature. The song focuses on black womanhood. Additionally, it makes reference to Latasha Harlins, who was shot by a Korean shopkeeper in 1991, increasing tensions between the Black and Korean communities of Los Angeles before the 1992 Los Angeles riots. The music video for the song opens up with the words "Dedicated to the memory of Latasha Harlins, it's still on."

Production and release

The beat is sampled from Zapp's "Be Alright" and the chorus is taken from The Five Stairsteps' "O-o-h Child". It was first released in Shakur's 1993 album Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z. later appearing after his death in 1998 in his Greatest Hits compilation. A "sequel" to the song, "Baby Don't Cry (Keep Ya Head Up II)" was released on 2Pac's posthumous album Still I Rise in 1999. The song was featured in the Tupac biopic All Eyez on Me.

Music video

The music video for "Keep Ya Head Up" has a basic format with Shakur rapping in the middle of a circle surrounded by a crowd of people and in some scenes he is seen holding a young child. His mother Afeni Shakur and close friend Jada Pinkett Smith made cameo appearances in the video.

Critical reception

Alyssa Rosenberg of Brisbane Times felt the song "weaved together a critique of negligent fathers, an argument for abortion rights and a sharp analysis of misogyny."

Track listing

• CDS – maxi single

1. "Keep Ya Head Up" (LP version)
2. "Keep Ya Head Up" (Vibe Tribe remix)
3. "Keep Ya Head Up" (Madukey remix)
4. "Rebel of the Underground"
5. "I Wonda If Heaven's Got a Ghetto"

• 7" vinyl

1. "Keep Ya Head Up"
2. "Keep Ya Head Up" (instrumental)

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications

Credits

• Engineer – Bob Tucker (tracks: A2, B2), Norman "Slam" Whitfield, Jr.* (tracks: A2, B2)
• Engineer [Remix] – Eric Flickinger (tracks: B1), Franklin Purrell (tracks: B1)
• Mixed By – D. Nettlesbey* (tracks: A2), Norman "Slam" Whitfield, Jr.* (tracks: A2)
• Producer – D-Flow Production Squad, The* (tracks: B2), D.J. Daryl* (tracks: A1, B1)
• Remix [Additional] – Norman "Slam" Whitfield, Jr.* (tracks: B2) Remix,
• Producer [Additional Production] – Bryant "Moe Doe" Johnson* (tracks: B1), Battlecat* (tracks: B2), Howard Johnson (2) (tracks: B2), Kris Kellow* (tracks: B2), Lea Reis (tracks: B1), Paul Arnold (tracks: B2), Vibe Tribe (10) (tracks: A2)
• Vocals – Black Angel, The (tracks: A1, B1), Money B (2) (tracks: B2), Shockalock (tracks: B2)

References

References

1. Sal Manna. "Official Biography".
2. (2022-01-24). "The story behind Tupac Shakur's 'Keep Ya Head Up'".
3. (2021-06-04). "2Pac, Salt's Daughter And The Story of ''Keep Ya Head Up''".
4. Pough, Gwendolyn D.. (2015-12-01). "Check It While I Wreck It: Black Womanhood, Hip-Hop Culture, and the Public Sphere". Northeastern University Press.
5. (April 9, 2015). "5 songs politicians should listen to before they're allowed to talk about hip-hop". Brisbane Times.
6. "2Pac - 2Pac - Keep Ya Head up 7" Vinyl".
7. (December 11, 1993). "Hot Dance Music: Maxi-Singles Sales".
8. (December 4, 1993). "Top 100 Pop Singles".
9. "Billboard Top 100 – 1994".
10. "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 1994".