The consensus i usually hear is 1996 was pacs year. He was in his prime and on top. Realeasing all eyez on me and makavelli. But how about 1995? Even tho he was in jail, he releases one of the greatest albums of all time me against the world, he signs to death row, big media news, comes out of jail then collaborates with dre to make arguably the top music record in all music that year not just hip hop in california love. On biggies side, hes coming off of an all time album probably the biggest in hip hop history at that time. Is on all kinds of award shows winning countless awards etc.. So whose year was that