| Ambitionz az a Ridah | |
| Type: | song |
| Artist: | 2Pac |
| Album: | All Eyez on Me |
| Released: | February 13, 1996 |
| Recorded: | October 13, 1995 |
| Genre: | |
| Length: | 4:38 |
| Label: |
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| Producer: | Dat Nigga Daz |
"Ambitionz az a Ridah" is a song by American rapper 2Pac from his fourth studio album All Eyez on Me (1996). Produced by Dat Nigga Daz, the song samples "Pee-Wee's Dance" by Joeski Love.
2Pac wrote the lyrics to the song while in prison for sexual abuse charges in 1995.[1] After being released from prison, he recorded the song at Can-Am Studios in Tarzana, Los Angeles on October 13, 1995.[2] [3] In a 2015 interview with XXL, Kurupt stated that 2Pac recorded the first verse in 45 minutes.[4] Daz Dillinger also spoke about producing the song in the same interview: "The idea came from the me sampling Pee-wee Herman. So if you listen to Pee-wee Herman, I just put the gangsta twist on it. I gave it to 'Pac. Came back to the studio, and it was done."
The lyrics revolve around 2Pac's readiness to face challenges and obstacles in his life,[5] and seeking revenge on the people who wronged him. He mentions boxer Mike Tyson, and also addresses his shooting in 1994 and sexual abuse conviction. The song also contains a sample of ring announcer Michael Buffer saying his catchphrase "Let's get ready to rumble!"[6]
Roger Morton of NME cited "Ambitionz az a Ridah" as one of the songs from All Eyez on Me which he described as "superbly unsettling, unprecedented renderings of the fear-soaked, hardcore-G mentality."[7]