Changes

The harmony of 'Changes' derives its power from simplicity and repetition. Built entirely on a looped sample from Bruce Hornsby's 'The Way It Is,' the descending bass line (C–B–A–G–F) creates a cyclical, almost fatalistic quality that mirrors the lyrics about persistent social problems. The slash chords (G/B, Am/G) provide smooth chromatic voice leading in the bass — the most sophisticated harmonic element — but the overall vocabulary stays firmly diatonic. The deliberate harmonic stasis across the entire track is itself a compositional statement: the music, like the social conditions described, refuses to change.

2Pac wrote 'Changes' as a meditation on the systemic issues plaguing Black communities in America. The lyrics address police brutality, the war on drugs, poverty, and racial inequality with a mix of frustration and cautious hope. The song was originally recorded in 1992 with a different production, but the version known worldwide was re-produced by Big D The Impossible using the iconic piano sample from Bruce Hornsby's 'The Way It Is.'

Released in 1998 on 2Pac's Greatest Hits, 'Changes' samples Bruce Hornsby's 'The Way It Is' to deliver one of hip-hop's most powerful social commentaries. The track confronts systemic racism, police brutality, and poverty with unflinching honesty, becoming an enduring anthem for social justice that transcends the genre.