Could you please list any songs or albums from rap artists that have piano or strings with their beats and rap. I am oddly addicted to "Changes" from Tupac. If you know any songs like this, do tell...thanks.

If yer looking for strings... Kanye West is all over those. Jesus Walks and Two Words would represent some of his more symphonic string use. Thugz Mansion (Acoustic) - 2Pac feat. Nas is an acoustic guitar, not piano/strings but it gives me vibes similar to Changes (although maybe that's more in the message... meh).

One of my favourite songs is Common feat. Macy Gray - Ghetto Heavin (Remix). It's harp, piano, strings, all that good ish. Make sure it's the remix you get. Perhaps you'd like Blackstar - Thieves in the Night; it's a piano but it's real jazzy and mellow... not very symphonic. I also love Mos Def, Pharaohe Monche, Rah Digga, Talib Kweli, and A-Butta - Talkin' to you. Then there's The Roots - Concerto of the Desperato; strings all up in that.

HTH

EDIT: On listening to Two Words again, I'm realizing there aren't strings in the whole thing, but it's very grand with the choir and the bits of orchestra so maybe give it a try...

Piano: "Just a Friend" (Biz Markie)

First one I thought of. Probably because its so in your face.

I'm not sure of the name but a song on the Menace to Socity sound track, I think it is called a ***** gots no Heart. Wait let me ask my friend google. ahhh here it is, I was right it is by Spice 1 - ***** Gots No Heart

a song i couldn't get out of my head when i first heard it a number of years ago was Paparazzi by Xzibit, from his first album (before he got hooked up with Dr. Dre and Eminem and found fame). i believe he's backed up by a full string section. very cool.

Excellent Choice.

Piano: I Can by Nas (samples Fur Elise)