"Changes" is built around an iconic sample of 1986 hit " The Way It Is ". While the original 1992 version featured different samples, the 1998 remix by Trackmasters added the R&B vocals of the group Talent , creating the polished "gospel" feel that helped it cross over to mainstream audiences. The Painful Meaning Behind the Song "Changes" by Tupac -

: The song illustrates how economic desperation can lead to crime, such as snatching a purse because "my stomach hurts".

: Tupac critiques government priorities, noting a "war on drugs" that often targets the marginalized rather than a "war on poverty".

: Despite the heavy subject matter, the track urges self-responsibility and brotherhood, suggesting that real progress requires a collective change in how people treat one another. Production and Musical Legacy

: Tupac highlights the adversarial relationship between law enforcement and Black communities, famously rapping about the lack of empathy for "a negro".