2pac: greatest rapper Alive

The day "Dancing with the Devil" was released, it didn't just enter the music scene—it shook it to its very core. The single, raw and unapologetically real, sold an astonishing 50,000 copies in Los Angeles alone within the first 24 hours. Without any publicity or advertising, the track became an underground sensation, quickly spreading like wildfire. By the next day, nearly every record store in America was stocking it. The reaction was explosive, and the controversy surrounding the song only fueled its rapid rise to prominence.

L.A. News

Across Los Angeles, the streets buzzed with rumors and conversations about the song. People couldn't stop talking about it, whether they loved it or hated it. The word was out, and it wasn't just local—it was everywhere. Major media outlets like Source Magazine, Rolling Stone, and other prominent publications began covering the song, but not in the way Tupac might've hoped.

The song was divisive, to say the least. Critics from every corner of the industry were quick to decry Tupac's choice to release such a hard-hitting track. Some labeled it irresponsible, calling it a glorification of violence. Others criticized the storytelling for its blunt depiction of the consequences of gang life, believing it would encourage more young people to walk down that path. Many in the mainstream media struggled to understand the raw truth Tupac was revealing, and their focus remained on the explicit nature of the song rather than its message.

Tupac's song was all over the news, not because it was a breakthrough in hip-hop, but because of the way it challenged the status quo. Some outlets went as far as calling it "dangerous." They feared that the youth, especially in urban areas, might take the message too literally. Local politicians jumped on the bandwagon, condemning the song, as it was seen as promoting a culture they wished to eradicate.

Rolling Stone

In the pages of Rolling Stone, the criticism was harsh:

"Tupac Shakur's latest release, 'Dancing with the Devil,' might have shocked even his staunchest supporters. While the track undeniably showcases his lyrical talent, its graphic portrayal of gang violence and the dark side of urban life raises more questions than answers. Should artists be pushing such a dangerous message to the masses? Is this just a raw display of reality, or a glorification of a lifestyle that has already claimed too many lives?"

These words and others like it echoed through media channels, painting Tupac as someone whose music was too raw, too real, and perhaps too dangerous for the public to consume. But while critics in the mainstream were quick to voice their concerns, a different narrative was unfolding in other circles.

MTV and Music TV

The powerful presence of MTV and local music television stations, who typically played the most popular music videos, was absent from the buzz. They refused to play the video, citing concerns about the explicit content and its potential impact on younger viewers. As the song continued to sell out at record stores across the country, the media attention intensified. However, the refusal of the mainstream outlets to acknowledge the song played directly into Tupac's hands.

Tupac, ever the master of his own narrative, was determined to keep his control intact. He refused to allow any local radio stations to air his song or play the video on TV. When asked about his decision, he was blunt:

"I'm not going to have my music used to sell products or spread messages I don't believe in. The music's too real. Kids shouldn't be hearing this unless they understand what it's really about. Let me keep it underground and raw. This isn't a game. This is reality."

His refusal to bow to industry expectations and mainstream channels only made his fans love him more. They understood the message: Tupac wasn't about selling records for the sake of money; he was about creating music that spoke the truth—no matter how uncomfortable or controversial it might be.

The Radio Praise

While mainstream TV turned a blind eye to the song, local radio stations in Los Angeles and surrounding cities began praise it nonstop. Were they can play the song because Tupac not giving thim copyright to play the song when anyone ask another The song they will immediately recommend there listener.

The song had reached the people in a way that no other track had before. DJs and hip-hop stations praised Tupac for pushing the boundaries of what rap could be. They were quick to acknowledge how much it resonated with their listeners, who often felt neglected by the industry. These stations became hubs for discussions on the deeper meaning of the track.

The conversation wasn't about promoting violence; it was about what violence truly meant. It wasn't glamorized in the way that typical gangster rap often was. Tupac wasn't glorifying the choices people made. He was showing the brutal consequences, the aftermath—the darkness that came with those decisions.

"It's real. It's something you can't ignore," one local DJ said on air. "Tupac's out here making people feel something, even if it hurts. This is the kind of art that changes things."

The media coverage, good and bad, had an undeniable impact. Despite the mainstream's reluctance to give Tupac credit, his single soared in sales. Within the first week, "Dancing with the Devil" sold an 500 thousand unprecedented copies across the United States. The song became certified gold almost overnight. Tupac's storytelling had touched something deep in the culture, and it was clear that the demand for his music was stronger than ever.

The surge in sales was particularly notable in cities where Tupac's influence was strongest. Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, and Houston became epicenters of Tupac's rise. At one point, it was impossible to walk into a record store without hearing people ask for the song by name. Even when stores ran out of copies, fans demanded it. The song became a hot commodity, and some stores even raised prices on the single due to the overwhelming demand.

By the end of the first month, "Dancing with the Devil" topped the Billboard charts, staying there for weeks. Tupac first solo single top chart. In the face of the criticism, the song showed no signs of slowing down. It was now a cultural touchstone, referenced in everything from political debates to personal conversations. People couldn't ignore it, no matter how hard they tried.

The song's reach was expanding beyond the music scene. News outlets continued to cover it, debating its impact on society. Some viewed Tupac as a dangerous provocateur, while others saw him as a fearless artist unafraid to use his platform to speak truths others wouldn't dare. But what no one could deny was the power of the song itself. The way it made people think. The way it made them feel. It was a watershed moment in music history.

As the weeks passed, Tupac's "Dancing with the Devil" continued to sell out, pushing the boundaries of hip-hop and music as a whole. No longer just a rapper, Tupac had become a voice for the voiceless—a revolutionary figure whose music was making people listen in ways they never had before. Whether they agreed with his message or not, they couldn't ignore it.

The song was a classic—unlike any other—and it marked the beginning of a new era for Tupac Shakur.

By the first week the song copies has sold over 500,000 copies were average price of song is $10 × them with 400,000 it comes around $ 15 million × 60% royalty they it 3 million dollars.

I earned this much for one track.