Toss It Up
1996 single by Makaveli
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"Toss It Up" is a song by rapper Tupac Shakur from his fifth studio album, The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory (1996). Released under the stage name Makaveli, the song served as the lead single to the posthumous album. It was first released in the United States just under two weeks after his death, peaking at number thirty-three on the R&B singles chart. The song is known for including a diss toward Dr. Dre and instrumentally being very similar to the production on the song "No Diggity". It features vocals and singing from Aaron Hall, Danny Boy, and K-Ci & JoJo.
October 12, 1996 (UK)
| "Toss It Up" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Single by Makaveli featuring Danny Boy, K-Ci & JoJo, and Aaron Hall | ||||
| from the album The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory | ||||
| Released | September 26, 1996 October 12, 1996 (UK) | |||
| Recorded | June 7, 1996 | |||
| Studio | Ameraycan (North Hollywood) | |||
| Genre | Dirty rap, R&B | |||
| Length | 5:06 | |||
| Label |
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| Songwriters | Tupac Shakur, Aaron Hall, Danny Steward, Reggie "Devell" Moore, Cedric "K-Ci" Hailey, Joel "JoJo" Hailey, Teddy Riley | |||
| Producers |
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| Makaveli singles chronology | ||||
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| Danny Boy singles chronology | ||||
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| K-Ci and JoJo singles chronology | ||||
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| Aaron Hall singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Toss It Up" on YouTube | ||||
The single release altered slightly to the version found on the album. The album version was later included on Shakur's 1998 compilation Greatest Hits with a new mix and alternative lyrics.
Controversy
The original version of the song shared close similarities to Blackstreet's "No Diggity". Due to that, Jimmy Iovine sent a cease and desist order which forced them to reproduce the song. A new verse, dissing Dr. Dre, was also recorded for the new version.[1]
Music video
The official music video for "Toss It Up" was directed by Lionel C. Martin.[2] The video, set inside a garage, features Shakur wearing safety goggles and using a blow torch and baseball bat. It was reportedly shot on the evening of September 6, 1996.[3] Aaron Hall does not appear in the video.[4]
Versions
- Album version:
The only version to feature the "album vibe" introduction.
- Single version:
With "needle drop" introduction by 2Pac, entirely different mix, and less, "Boom!", backing vocals throughout.
- Radio Edit:
2Pac’s outro disses are removed, instead the backing vocals are the focus.
- Video Version
Features additional outro vocals by KC instead of the outro disses by 2Pac.
- Greatest Hits version:
An entirely new mix of the album version, minus the "album vibe" intro, and features some altered lyrics.
- Original early mix produced by Dr. Dre.
Officially unreleased, though leaked, this version doesn't include the final, Dre diss verse.
- Nu-Mixx version:
A remix by the Tha Row Hitters found on the 2003 compilation album, Nu-Mixx Klazzics.
Charts
Weekly charts
| Chart (1996–1997) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[5] | 39 |
| New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[6] | 7 |
| UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)[7] | 4 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[8] | 15 |
| US R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay (Billboard)[9] | 34 |
Year-end charts
| Chart (1997) | Position |
|---|---|
| New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[10] | 42 |
Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand (RMNZ)[11] | Gold | 5,000* |
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* Sales figures based on certification alone. | ||