I Ai n't Mad at Cha - wikipedia I Ai n't Mad at Cha `` I Ai n't Mad at Cha '' Single by 2Pac featuring Danny Boy from the album All Eyez on Me Released September 15, 1996 Format 12 '' single, CD single Recorded October 1995 ; Can - Am Studios ( Los Angeles ) Genre Hip hop, R&B Length 4 : 53 Label Death Row, Interscope Songwriter ( s ) T. Shakur D. Steward D. Arnaud E. Jordan Producer ( s ) Daz Dillinger 2Pac singles chronology `` Life Goes On '' ( 1996 ) Life Goes On1996 `` I Ai n't Mad at Cha '' ( 1996 ) I Ai n't Mad at Cha1996 `` Toss It Up '' ( 1996 ) Music video `` I Aint Mad At Cha ( Clean Version ) '' on YouTube Toss It Up 1996 `` I Ai n't Mad at Cha '' is a song by rapper 2Pac released shortly after his death as the sixth single from his album All Eyez on Me. It was also his last single using the stage name 2Pac. The song features contemporary soul singer Danny Boy who provided the vocals for the song 's hook. The song did well in the United Kingdom, reaching the number 13 on the UK Singles Chart and on the UK R&B Charts peaking at number 3. It was not released as a single in the United States, thus making it ineligible to chart on the Billboard singles charts ( due to chart rules at the time ), but reached numbers 18 and 58 in the R&B and Pop Airplay charts, respectively. It also reached number two on the New Zealand Singles Chart. Contents 1 Background 2 Lyrics and Message 3 Composition and recording 4 Music video 4.1 Personnel 5 Track listing 5.1 CD single 5.2 12 '' maxi single 5.3 Cassette single 6 Song credits 7 Charts 7.1 Certification 8 In popular culture 9 References 10 External links Background The track was produced by Dat Nigga Daz ( who now goes by Daz Dillinger ) and samples the song `` A Dream '' by DeBarge. The song was recorded the same day 2Pac was released from prison, and was the second song he recorded when he came out ( `` Ambitionz Az a Ridah '' being the first ). The single was released two days after 2Pac 's death. As so, by the time this single was released, 2Pac had already finished recording his next album, The Don Killuminati : The 7 Day Theory. It has been labeled by many one of the best songs on `` All Eyez on Me '' and one of the greatest in 2Pac 's career. The song also appeared on 2Pac 's Greatest Hits album. Another song on the CD single proved to be popular among fans. `` Heartz of Men '' appeared on 4 of 2Pac 's albums, compared to 3 for `` I Ai n't Mad at Cha ''. These include : All Eyez on Me, 2Pac Live, 2Pac 's Greatest Hits, and a remixed version on Nu - Mixx Klazzics. A remix was made of Rihanna 's `` We Ride '' to include elements of `` I Ai n't Mad at Cha ''. R&B group BLACKstreet also used the identical keyboard tune in `` Do n't Leave Me '' off of their Another Level album. The track sampled Children of the Corn 's `` American Dream ''. On the clean version there is a new third verse that replaces the one on the album. Lyrics and message The song is a reminiscence of how time has changed from when he was younger to when he became famous. He speaks of losing touch with people and how many people turned on him after his success. Yet he still maintains that he 's got `` nothing but love '' for his old friends, with the hook repeating the line `` I ai n't mad at cha ''. The first verse speaks about how he lost touch with his friend, who converted to Islam, and the difference in lifestyles they chose to live. The second verse speaks about 2Pac being sentenced to prison. He mentions his old girlfriend and tries to comfort his mother. In the third verse ( album version ), 2Pac raps about how his life has changed from being in the ghetto to being a celebrity. He talks about his connection to the hood and how his old associates think negatively of him now. In the censored version, the third verse of the song is completely replaced with new lyrics which talk about the struggles of living, a message to God, and life after death. Composition and recording `` I Ai n't Mad at Cha '' was the first song to interpolate the core melody of the song `` A Dream '' an album track by DeBarge, written and performed by Bunny, and taken from their 1983 album In a Special Way. This makes the instrumentals very identical. This is most apparent in the piano usage which is almost identical to the original song. The main difference is `` A Dream '' uses a keyboard for its notes, while `` I Ai n't Mad at Cha '' uses more of a classical piano. Daz 's main job as producer of the song was changing this piano instrument, as most other aspects of the song were the same. The tempo of the original song was also sped up, which matches with 2Pac 's pace of rapping. Another minor difference is the accompanying beat uses different sounds to project the same repetition ( sped up as previously noted ). The day 2Pac was released from prison, he went to the studio and recorded `` I Ai n't Mad at Cha '' and `` Ambitionz Az a Ridah ''. When 2Pac entered the studio the beat was already complete, and 2Pac wrote the lyrics and recorded the song all in a few hours. Shortly thereafter, BLACKstreet released `` Do n't Leave Me '' to radio, which also interpolates the melody of `` A Dream ''. According to Dave Aron, 2Pac had a lot of energy going into the studio. Kurupt was in the studio at the time of recording and said when 2Pac heard the beat he `` flipped out '' from excitement. He wanted to finish the song quickly and was cursing at the engineers for moving too slow. Technical info MIDI format : 1 Ticks per quarter note : 384 Tempo : Andante ( Quarter Note = 84 ) Key : C minor / Eb Major Time signature : 4 / 4 Music video Music video screenshots For the video the whole song was re-recorded with a live band. Featuring horns and strings Kevyn Lewis commissioned a band featuring Cornelius Mims, Warryn Campbell, Priest, Ricky Rouse, and Darryl Crooks to replay the track. The new track was recorded at Can - am Studio by Conley Abrams, it was mixed at Larrabee North by Abrams. It was shot weeks before 2Pac 's death. The music video begins with 2Pac and a friend of his ( Bokeem Woodbine ) leaving a hotel party at night. While waiting for someone to arrive a hooded man comes up, pulls out a handgun, and starts shooting in their direction. As 2Pac pushes them out of the way, he gets hit by at least one bullet. In the ambulance his body gives in and he passes away. Upon entering Heaven, 2pac is told that they have been waiting for him to come for a long time, yet he still has to earn his way in. As a spirit, he then returns to Earth to watch over and guide his friend as he struggles through the next few days. While this is going on 2Pac is shown rapping to his friend, ( who ca n't see or hear him ) trying to offer guidance. Finally, the video concludes with 2pac 's friend gaining the courage to give condolences personally to 2pac 's widow and daughter. Look - alikes of many deceased entertainers are revealed to be playing the beat in the party, featuring ( among others ), Redd Foxx, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Marley, Nat King Cole, Miles Davis, Sachmo, Marvin Gaye, Billie Holiday, Florence Ballard, Sammy Davis Jr., and Louis Armstrong. Danny Boy is also present in Heaven as an angel. In the censored version, the third verse of the song is completely replaced with new lyrics which talk about the struggles of living, God, and life after death. The video ends with the words `` Dedicated to Mutulu Shakur and Geronimo Pratt '' appearing on the screen. These individuals are 2Pac 's stepfather and godfather, respectively. The music video was voted # 33 on the `` MTV Top 100 of 1996 '' ranking music videos. The concept of the video ( showing 2Pac 's death and him being on Earth as an angel ) was used as evidence by many who believed in the 7 Day Theory that Tupac is still alive. The music video is available on the edition of Tupac : Live at the House of Blues Personnel Filming crew First aired : September 18, 1996 Filmed : May 1996 Production company : Been There Director ( s ) : Tupac Shakur & Kevin Swain Producer ( s ) : Taj Lewis Photography : Patrick Loungeway ( cinematographer ) Additional crew 1st assistant director : Joe Oz Track listing CD single DRWCD5 / 854 843 - 2 `` I Ai n't Mad at Cha '' - Edit `` I Ai n't Mad at Cha '' - LP Version `` Skandalouz '' `` Heartz of Men '' 12 '' maxi single 12 DRW5 / 854 843 - 1 `` I Ai n't Mad at Cha '' - Edit `` I Ai n't Mad at Cha '' - LP Version `` Skandalouz '' `` Heartz of Men '' Cassette single DRWMC5 / 854 842 - 4 `` I Ai n't Mad At Cha '' ( Edit ) `` Skandalouz '' Song credits 13. I Ai n't Mad At Cha ( feat. Danny Boy ) Written by : T. Shakur, D. Arnaud, E. Jordan, Danny Boy Steward Produced by : Dat Nigga Daz Mixed by : DJ Quik & Carlos Warlick Engineered by : Dave Aron Engineered by : Rick Clifford Assistant Engineer : Alvin McGill Remix recorded by Conley Abrams Remix mixed by Conley Abrams Charts Charts ( 1996 - 97 ) Peak position Australia ( ARIA ) 47 Germany ( Media Control AG ) 26 Netherlands ( Single Top 100 ) 15 New Zealand ( Recorded Music NZ ) Sweden ( Sverigetopplistan ) 35 UK R&B ( Official Charts Company ) UK Singles ( The Official Charts Company ) 13 US Billboard Hot 100 Airplay 58 US Hot R&B / Hip - Hop Airplay ( Billboard ) 18 Certification Region Certification Certified units / Sales New Zealand ( RMNZ ) Gold 5,000 sales figures based on certification alone shipments figures based on certification alone In popular culture Rich Juzwiak of Gawker in an article expressed his disappointment in a 2014 musical about Shakur 's life, the article titled, `` We 're Kind of Mad at Cha : The 2Pac Musical Holler If Ya Hear Me ''. U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder referenced the song in December 2014, when protestors interrupted him while he was giving a speech in Atlanta, Georgia at Ebenezer Baptist Church. In response, Holder stated to the protestors, `` I 'm not mad at cha ''. References ^ Jump up to : `` News Archives, HitEmUp.com - September 2004 ''. Hitemup.com. 2007 - 10 - 13. Archived from the original on 2007 - 10 - 13. Retrieved September 27, 2006. Jump up ^ Huey, Steve ( 1996 - 02 - 13 ). `` All Eyez on Me review ''. Allmusic.com. Retrieved 2012 - 08 - 07. Jump up ^ `` 2Pac - I Ai n't Mad At Cha ' MIDI - MP3 - Karaoke - Sheet Music - Video HamieNET.com ''. Hamienet.com. Retrieved September 27, 2006. Jump up ^ `` MTV Top 100 of 1996 -- Reviews # 40 - 31 ''. Emptyv.multimedia.cx. Retrieved September 27, 2006. Jump up ^ `` Mvdbase.com - 2 Pac - `` I ai n't mad at cha '' ``. Mvdbase.com. 1996 - 02 - 13. Retrieved September 27, 2006. Jump up ^ `` Australian-charts.com -- 2 Pac feat. Danny Boy -- I Ai n't Mad at Cha ''. ARIA Top 50 Singles. Jump up ^ `` Die ganze Musik im Internet : Charts, News, Neuerscheinungen, Tickets, Genres, Genresuche, Genrelexikon, Künstler - Suche, Musik - Suche, Track - Suche, Ticket - Suche ''. musicline.de. Retrieved 2012 - 02 - 23. Jump up ^ `` Dutchcharts.nl -- 2 Pac feat. Danny Boy -- I Ai n't Mad at Cha '' ( in Dutch ). Single Top 100. Jump up ^ `` Charts.org.nz -- 2 Pac feat. Danny Boy -- I Ai n't Mad at Cha ''. Top 40 Singles. Jump up ^ `` Swedishcharts.com -- 2 Pac feat. Danny Boy -- I Ai n't Mad at Cha ''. Singles Top 100. Jump up ^ http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/r-and-b-singles-chart/19961124/114/ Jump up ^ `` 2Pac Album & Song Chart History ``. Billboard Hot 100 Airplay. Prometheus Global Media. Jump up ^ `` 2Pac Album & Song Chart History ``. Billboard Hot R&B / Hip - Hop Airplay. Prometheus Global Media. Jump up ^ THE FIELD id ( chart number ) MUST BE PROVIDED for NEW ZEALAND CERTIFICATION. Jump up ^ http://nztop40.co.nz/chart/singles?chart=3767 Jump up ^ Juzwiak, Rich ( June 25, 2014 ). `` We 're Kind of Mad at Cha : The 2Pac Musical Holler If Ya Hear Me ''. Gawker. Archived from the original on July 8, 2015. Jump up ^ `` Holder Spits Tupac At Protester, ' I Ai n't Mad At Cha ' ( VIDEO ) ''. News One. December 2, 2014. External links Music video at MTV.com Tupac Shakur Studio albums 2Pacalypse Now Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z.... Thug Life : Volume 1 Me Against the World All Eyez on Me The Don Killuminati : The 7 Day Theory Posthumous albums RU Still Down ? ( Remember Me ) Still I Rise Until the End of Time Better Dayz Loyal to the Game Pac 's Life Live albums 2Pac Live Live at the House of Blues Compilation albums Greatest Hits The Rose That Grew from Concrete The Prophet : The Best of the Works Nu - Mixx Klazzics Tupac : Resurrection The Rose, Vol. 2 The Prophet Returns Beginnings : The Lost Tapes 1988 -- 1991 Nu - Mixx Klazzics Vol. 2 Best of 2Pac Related albums Nothing but Trouble ( soundtrack ) Sons of the P Juice ( soundtrack ) Poetic Justice ( soundtrack ) Above the Rim ( soundtrack ) Gridlock 'd ( soundtrack ) Gang Related ( soundtrack ) A 2Pac Tribute : Dare 2 Struggle Extended plays Makaveli & Dillinger Do n't Go 2 Sleep Singles `` Brenda 's Got a Baby '' `` If My Homie Calls '' `` Trapped '' `` Holler If Ya Hear Me '' `` I Get Around '' `` Keep Ya Head Up '' `` Papa'z Song '' `` Cradle to the Grave '' `` Dear Mama '' `` So Many Tears '' `` Temptations '' `` California Love '' `` 2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted '' `` How Do U Want It '' `` All Bout U '' `` I Ai n't Mad at Cha '' `` Life Goes On '' `` Toss It Up '' `` To Live & Die in LA '' `` Hail Mary '' `` Wanted Dead or Alive '' `` Made Niggaz '' Posthumous singles `` I Wonder If Heaven Got a Ghetto '' `` Do for Love '' `` Changes '' `` Unconditional Love '' `` Baby Do n't Cry ( Keep Ya Head Up II ) '' `` Who Do U Believe In '' `` Until the End of Time '' `` Letter 2 My Unborn '' `` Thugz Mansion '' `` Still Ballin ' '' `` Runnin ' ( Dying to Live ) '' `` One Day at a Time ( Em 's Version ) '' `` Thugs Get Lonely Too '' `` Ghetto Gospel '' `` Untouchable '' `` Pac 's Life '' `` Playa Cardz Right '' Other songs `` I Do n't Give a Fuck '' `` Runnin ' ( From tha Police ) '' `` Hit ' Em Up '' `` Are U Still Down '' `` Panther Power '' Featured singles `` Smile '' `` Playa Cardz Right '' Books The Rose That Grew from Concrete Stage Holler If Ya Hear Me Filmography Nothing but Trouble Juice Poetic Justice Above the Rim Bullet Gridlock 'd Gang Related Documentaries Biggie & Tupac Tupac : Resurrection Tupac : Assassination Outlawz Yaki Kadafi Kastro Napoleon E.D.I. Mean Hussein Fatal Mussolini Komani Young Noble Related articles Discography List of songs Outlawz Digital Underground Afeni Shakur Assata Shakur Mopreme Shakur Mutulu Shakur East Coast - West Coast hip hop rivalry Makaveli Branded Clothing Niccolò Machiavelli Orlando Anderson Tupac Amaru Shakur Center for the Arts Billy Garland Kadafi List of awards and nominations received by Tupac Shakur Murder of Tupac Shakur All Eyez on Me Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=I_Ain%27t_Mad_at_Cha&oldid=800750551 '' Categories : 1996 singles Tupac Shakur songs Songs released posthumously Rhythm and blues ballads 1996 songs Songs written by Tupac Shakur Songs written by Daz Dillinger Death Row Records singles Interscope Records singles Hidden categories : Cite certification used with missing parameters Music infoboxes with malformed table placement Music infoboxes with deprecated parameters Articles with hAudio microformats Singlechart usages for Australia Singlechart usages for Dutch100 Singlechart usages for New Zealand Singlechart usages for Sweden Certification Table Entry usages for New Zealand Talk Contents About Wikipedia Español Italiano עברית ქართული Kiswahili Polski Português Русский Українська Edit links This page was last edited on 15 September 2017, at 12 : 51. 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Question: who sings on i ain't mad at cha
Answer: Danny Boy