Maino’s always said 2Pac was one of his favorite artists. And before Death Row he came out of DU’s camp and was signed to Interscope both West Coast based not NY.
he’s a fan 
He did come out of DU but Juice, Above the Rim and Bullet were shot here and MATW was recorded out here. He dressed like a NY nikka and was out on the town with Henchman, Jack and Madonna. He was pretty much here from 1992-1994 and locked up here in 1995. Plus dedicated Old School to NY at that time
He was everywhere from 92-94. LA, Oakland, NY, ATL. MATW was recorded in both LA and NY. And Old School is just one song unless you count My Block. He had multiple songs shouting out Oakland before DR.
This is valid. I was just being born when Pac died and my knowledge comes from studying everything when I got older. It always looked like his brand before DR was NY to me but it is true he lived everywhere even as an adult
I would say his brand before DR was like a combination of the Bay and NY. But after he got out of jail he started leaning wayyyy more to LA but you could still see NY and the Bay in him.
