Toss It Up
{{short description|1996 single by Makaveli}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Toss It Up
| cover = Toss it up.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Makaveli featuring Danny Boy, K-Ci & JoJo, and Aaron Hall
| album = The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory
| released = {{start date|1996|9|26}}
October 12, 1996 (UK)
| format =
| recorded = June 7, 1996
| studio = Ameraycan (North Hollywood)
| length = 5:06
| label = {{hlist|Death Row|Makaveli|Interscope}}
| writer = Tupac Shakur, Aaron Hall, Danny Steward, Reggie "Devell" Moore, Cedric "K-Ci" Hailey, Joel "JoJo" Hailey, Teddy Riley
| producer = * Reggie "Devell" Moore
- Demetrius Ship
| chronology = Makaveli
| prev_title = I Ain't Mad at Cha
| prev_year = 1996
| next_title = To Live & Die in L.A.
| next_year = 1996
| misc = {{Extra chronology
| artist = Danny Boy
| type = singles
| prev_title = I Ain't Mad at Cha
| prev_year = 1996
| title = Toss It Up
| year = 1996
| next_title = It’s Over Now
| next_year = 1997
}}
{{Extra chronology
| artist = K-Ci and JoJo
| type = singles
| prev_title = How Could You
| prev_year = 1996
| title = Toss It Up
| year = 1996
| next_title = You Bring Me Up
| next_year = 1997
}}
{{Extra chronology
| artist = Aaron Hall
| type = singles
| prev_title = Scent of Attraction
| prev_year = 1996
| title = Toss It Up
| year = 1996
| next_title = All the Places (I Will Kiss You)
| next_year = 1998
}}
{{External music video|{{YouTube|AUf5kXTA8MM|"Toss It Up"}}}}
}}
"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.
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.{{cite web | url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.11343/title.danny-boy-tells-all-about-death-row-years-part-two | title=Danny Boy Tells All About Death Row Years, Part Two | publisher=Cheri Media Group | work=HipHopDX | date=May 27, 2010 | access-date=April 11, 2013 | author=Arnold, Paul W.}}
Music video
Two videos were recorded for the song. One, the main version, is set in a garage and features 2Pac wearing safety goggles and using a blow torch and baseball bat. was shot on the evening of September 6, 1996 .{{cite web|url=https://2paclegacy.net/2pac-toss-it-up-official-music-video-1996/|title=2PAC – TOSS IT UP (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO) 1996|publisher=2PacLegacy|date=January 17, 2016|accessdate=December 22, 2021}} The videos were shot alongside featured artists Danny Boy, K-Ci and JoJo. Aaron Hall does not appear in either video.{{cite web|url=https://2paclegacy.net/1996-09-06-the-last-day-in-the-studio/|title=1996-09-06 / The Last Day in the Studio |date=26 October 2016 }}
Both videos were directed by Lionel C. Martin.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/vidjunkie/status/558090524608200709|title=Lionel C Martin on Twitter|work=Twitter|date=January 21, 2015|access-date=January 13, 2016}}
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=
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|+Weekly chart performance for "Toss It Up" !Chart (1996–1997) !Peak |
| {{Single chart|Australia|39|artist=Makaveli|song=Toss It Up|access-date=March 2, 2025|rowheader=true}} |
| {{Single chart|New Zealand|7|artist=Makaveli|song=Toss It Up|access-date=March 2, 2025|rowheader=true}} |
| {{Single chart|UKrandb|4|date=19970803|access-date=April 9, 2014|rowheader=true}} |
| {{Single chart|UK|15|date=19970908|access-date=April 9, 2014|rowheader=true}} |
| {{Single chart|Billboardrandbhiphopairplay|34|artist=2Pac|access-date=December 12, 2021|rowheader=true}} |
=Year-end charts=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+Year-end chart performance for "Toss It Up" !Chart (1997) !Position |
| scope="row"|New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ){{cite web|url=https://nztop40.co.nz/index.php/chart/?chart=3886|title=End of Year Charts 1997|publisher=Recorded Music NZ|access-date=December 4, 2017}}
|align="center"|42 |
|---|
Certifications
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|relyear=1996|certyear=1996|title=Toss It Up|artist=MAKAVELI|type=single|id=1997-05-09|source=newchart|access-date=2024-11-20|award=Gold}}
{{Certification Table Bottom | noshipments=true}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Tupac Shakur}}
{{K-Ci & JoJo}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Interscope Records singles
Category:Music videos directed by Lionel C. Martin
Category:Songs written by Aaron Hall (singer)
Category:Songs written by Danny Boy (singer)
Category:Songs written by K-Ci