Hip-hop legend Scarface recently sat down with Shannon Sharpe on Club Shay Shay, reflecting on his time working with 2Pac and sharing rare behind-the-scenes stories from the studio.
Scarface revealed that the track "Smile" could very well have been one of 2Pac’s last studio recordings before his untimely death in September of that year. “Man, that could very well be the last song that he recorded,” Scarface said. “I remember leaving L.A., going to Chicago, and hearing that he was shot. But knowing Pac like I know Pac, he was going to get up and be talking [stuff] again.”
He also painted a vivid picture of 2Pac’s legendary work ethic. “Pac was a workaholic. He probably laid down 15, 20 songs a day,” Scarface explained, noting that the recording sessions coincided with major boxing events of the time, including the Tyson and Holyfield fights.
But 2Pac wasn’t just relentless in the studio—he could be unpredictable. Scarface recounted that Pac once confronted an engineer in the studio, making him realize the intensity 2Pac brought to every aspect of his craft. “He might have been the first artist to beat up an engineer,” Scarface admitted, laughing at the memory.
Scarface also discussed their creative process on "Smile," crediting producers Tone Capone and Mike Dean for helping craft the track’s final version. He recalled the guidance 2Pac would give while writing: “He would always tell me, ‘You’ve got to find a way to get across to them without offending them.’”
Beyond the studio, Scarface shared personal memories of 2Pac’s larger-than-life personality. He described a visit to his hotel room where Pac, full of energy, left abruptly after spotting Suge Knight outside. “Pac was wild. He was always on 100,” Scarface said. “I never saw him down. He was always on fire.”
Scarface also reflected on 2Pac’s enduring influence on hip-hop and his own admiration for the late rapper. “I talked to 2Pac before All Eyes on Me. Me against the world, that was our bond. That’s the Pac I know,” Scarface said.
Finally, Scarface paid homage to hip-hop pioneers, highlighting the impact of artists like LL Cool J and Run-DMC on the culture. “LL Cool J single-handedly put this [stuff] on the map,” Scarface said. “He gave us a platform to stand on today.”
For fans, Scarface’s insights offer a rare glimpse into 2Pac’s creative genius, his intensity in the studio, and the larger-than-life personality that continues to inspire generations.
Source: Club Shay Shay
