Three decades on, Tupac's fourth album remains a bona fide double-disc classic. Its influence on hip-hop is undeniable, but so are the arguments about the album's misogynistic content and the industry politics behind it all…

We're exploring rap's storytelling roots through the lens of hip-hop greats.

Twenty-five years removed from its release—we look back on one of the most beloved New York rap CDs of yesteryear.