It is hard to believe that it has been 10 years since the Friday the 13th death (or assassination as some allege) of Tupac Shakur a/k/a 2Pac in Las Vegas, NV. While 2Pac had his detractors, no one can deny his effect on the hip-hop and rap industries. I believe that 2Pac would have been a great political activist had he not been killed. I do not condone the crimes and negativity that 2Pac was associated with during his life, but he had a good message that resonated with the youth. He also was able to excite young people of all ages, races, and economic status to buy millions of his records both in life and in death. R.I.P 2Pac. The hip-hop world misses you.
Here is a good tribute to Pac from Black Ice at SOHH.com that cites some of Pac's social and political beliefs: 2Pac TRIBUTE
Here is a good video tribute to Pac (courtesy of Youtube.com):
7 comments:
I only have one problem with your otherwise excellent tribute to a truly seminal artist.
2Pac would have been a great political activist had he not been killed.
2Pac was a great political activist while he was still alive. He wouldn't be worth mentioning on this blog if he wasn't. I haven't stopped listening just because he "died," that's for damn sure.
You are right. 2Pac was a great political activist. I should have stated it better. I think 2Pac would have gotten more involved in the official political process had he lived. I believe that he eventually would have run for some type of political office.
Tupac Shukar died before his time, but he left an everlasting mark with his poetry and songs. (not the hard gansta songs...speaking of the songs with a message)
If you had not read his book of poetry "The Rose That Grew From Concrete". I strongly recommend it. I purchased it when it was first released for my daughter daughter as a Christmas present, but after reading it I wished I had purchased it to keep in my own library. His was insightful and deep at at very young age.
The following is a review of "The Rose That Grew From Concrete": by Amazon books
His talent was unbounded, a raw force that commanded attention and respect.
His death was tragic -- a violent homage to the power of his voice.
His legacy is indomitable -- remaining vibrant and alive.
Here now, newly discovered, are Tupac's most honest and intimate thoughts conveyed through the pure art of poetry -- a mirror into his enigmatic life and its many contradictions.
Written in his own hand at the age of nineteen, they embrace his spirit, his energy...and his ultimate message of hope
Well, I thought I had something to say about Tupac but you all pretty much said it.
He was an incredibly gifted and tragic young artist. It really is sad and ironic that the life he lamented in his songs took him so young.
What mother could not be moved by this:
I finally understand for a woman
it ain't easy--trying ta raise a man
ya always wuz commited, a poor single mother on welfare,
tell me how ya did it
there's no way I can pay ya back
but tha plan is ta show ya that I understand.
you are appreciated......
cause through tha drama, I can always depend on my mama
and when it seems that i'm hopeless
you say tha words that can get me back in focus
when I wuz sick as a little kid
ta keep me happy theres no limit to tha things ya did
and all my childhood memories
are full of all tha sweet things ya did for me
and even though I act craaaazy
I got ta thank tha Lord that ya maaaade me
There are no words that can express how I feel
Ya never kept a secret, always stayed real
and I appreciate how ya raised me
and all tha extra love that ya gave me
I wish I could take tha pain away
If you can make it through tha night, there's a brighter day
everything'll be alright if ya hold on
it's a strugle
everyday gotta roll on
and there's no way I can pay ya back
but my plan is ta show ya that I understand
you are appreciated.......
Truly beautiful - post and comments. Thank you. I've long admired him as a genuine activist.
PS. Sounds amazing --- must see if I can get my hands on a copy of: "The Rose That Grew From Concrete"
What can i say about 2pac u said most of it, the true star and artist ever seen 10 years he still the best rapper and he will be forever r.i.p
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