Well……what can I say to let you all know what Tupac means to me? He was a poet, rapper, actor, activist, and I believe he was lost. He was a son, a brother, a friend and he loved his black people. Go get your tea and a blanket, sit back, and let me tell you a lil story.
June 16, 1971, the world was introduced to a son that was apparently named Lesane Crooks at birth but was later named Tupac Amaru Shakur. His mother was a part of the Black Panther Party and was released from jail shortly before she gave birth. Tupac's natural father isn't publicly known but his stepfather is, political prisoner, Mutulu Shakur. Mutulu went to prison in '86 which left Tupac fatherless once again. Life wasn't to kind to his mother and eventually she ended up with an addiction problem. But that didn't stop Tupac from loving her. She taught him the good and the bad. And made the best life she could for her and her two kids. They moved from N.Y. to Baltimore, which didn't make sense to Pac. Why would they move to a place with a high crime rate, high teen pregnancy AND it was drug infested? He was puzzled but he wanted to make a difference. Baltimore turned out not to be so bad after all. He was able to go to a performing arts school where he met Jada. Jada Pinkett Smith, that is. Jada was his heart. He even wrote a couple of poems about her which are displayed in his book of poetry, The Rose That Grew From Concrete. I'm jealous.
As a teenager Tupac was full of fire! He was bit with the acting bug and auditioned for his first staring role as Bishop, at age 17, in the movie Juice. He recorded his first album, 2Pacalypse Now and surprised us with his first single, "Brenda's Got A Baby". After watching that video we knew from then on that Pac had a heart regardless of how hard he appeared most of the time. He was clearly paying attention to what was going on in his community. He was a self-proclaimed bigmouth, but it wasn't his fault. He was raised to speak his mind and stand up for what he believed was right (we should all be taking notes).
He defiantly had his issues with the law. A woman claiming to be raped by him, fights, and shootings but Tupac kept his head up. He spoke at a number of events encouraging his people, letting them know that he understands their struggles and he will do what he can to make America a better place for them. He released four hardcore, emotional albums before his death and a number of albums, containing previously recorded material, have been released since. He starred in six films, Poetic Justice being my favorite, as the character Lucky along side the beautiful Ms. Janet Jackson.
.He knew his life would end before long. It was very apparent in his music. He constantly talked about his death and dreams he would have of being in a Hurst. I believe he felt tremendous pressure. Pressure from record companies and Black America. But he kept going forward until the clock ran out on him. But trust me he still lives on in many many ways. Our generation, and probably our kids as well, will never be Tupacless. They held a class at the University of California at Berkeley on his poetry for God's sake. And his mother started the TASCA (TupacAmaruShakurCenter for the Arts) in Stone Mt., GA.
Tupac is the bomb to me! Musically he can't be touched. He put so much heart into his albums. He made you want to dance one minute and cry the next. He was sexy, outspoken, funny, and he took care of his mom. What more could you want a man to be?! And yes, he did things he shouldn't have but he was a great person. I love him as much as you can love someone you have never met. Eight years ago I put a replica of the cross he had on his back on my leg with his middle name running through it. What I would have given just to get one hug from him……man. And to the rappers that are trying to pick up where he left off.....thanks….. but no thanks.
I'm out.
*R&B Chick*
"....Cuz I think we can make it , in fact I'm sure. And if you fall stand tall and come back for more..." -2Pac