“Changes” Named 2Pac’s Greatest Song in XXLMag.com Tournament

Floyd Mayweather versus Victor Ortiz and Fabolous versus Ray J weren’t the only matchups this weekend. 2Pac’s Greatest Song Tournament on XXLMag.com finally came to a close with the deceased rap legend’s posthumous hit, “Changes,” upsetting his classic anthem, “Dear Mama” in a split decision.

Kicking off five-weeks ago on August 15 at the beginning of XXL’s Tupac Month, the bracket was broken up into four categories: the Interscope years, the Death Row years, Posthumous releases and featured verses "Changes" ended up winning the title with 55% of the votes.

“Changes” appeared on ’Pac’s 1998 Greatest Hits album and peaked at No. 32 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart that year. In the tournament, it got the best of “Last Muthafucka Breathin,” “I Wonder If Heaven Got a Ghetto,” “Letter to My Unborn” and “Thugz Mansion” in the Posthumous Bracket and “Hit ‘Em Up” in the semifinals.

“Dear Mama” was originally featured on Shakur’s 1995 LP, Me Against the World. To boot, “Dear Mama” peaked at No. 9 on pop charts, but that didn’t change voters opinions when given a chance to weigh in on their favorite song. —Christopher Minaya