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.

"Toss It Up"
Single by Makaveli featuring Danny Boy, K-Ci & JoJo, and Aaron Hall
from the album The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory
Released	September 26, 1996 (1996-09-26) October 12, 1996 (UK)
Recorded	June 7, 1996
Studio	Ameraycan (North Hollywood)
Genre	Dirty rap, R&B
Length	5:06
Label	Death Row Makaveli Interscope
Songwriter(s)	Tupac Shakur, Aaron Hall, Danny Steward, Reggie "Devell" Moore, Cedric "K-Ci" Hailey, Joel "JoJo" Hailey, Teddy Riley
Producer(s)	Reggie "Devell" Moore Demetrius Ship
Makaveli singles chronology
"I Ain't Mad at Cha" (1996) "Toss It Up" (1996) "To Live & Die in L.A." (1996)
Danny Boy singles chronology
"I Ain't Mad at Cha" (1996) "Toss It Up" (1996) "It’s Over Now" (1997)
K-Ci and JoJo singles chronology
"How Could You" (1996) "Toss It Up" (1996) "You Bring Me Up" (1997)
Aaron Hall singles chronology
"Scent of Attraction" (1996) "Toss It Up" (1996) "All the Places (I Will Kiss You)" (1998)
Music video
"Toss It Up" on YouTube

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.^[1]

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 .^[2] The videos were shot alongside featured artists Danny Boy, K-Ci and JoJo. Aaron Hall does not appear in either video.^[3]

Both videos were directed by Lionel C. Martin.^[4]

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

Weekly chart performance for "Toss It Up"

Chart (1996–1997)	Peak position
Australia (ARIA)[5]	39
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[6]	7
UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)[7]	4
UK Singles (OCC)[8]	15
US R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay (Billboard)[9]	34

Year-end charts

Year-end chart performance for "Toss It Up"

Chart (1997)	Position
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[10]	42

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
New Zealand (RMNZ)[11]	Gold	5,000*
* Sales figures based on certification alone.