Tupac Shakur: The Rapper, The Poet, The Actor, The Rebel

June 16, 1971. . .I wasn't even born, wasn't even thought of. But Tupac (Lesane Parish Crooks) was born. He's my favorite rapper of all time (My gosh Pookie, how could he not be in your Top 5? Is he in the Top 10 at least? Top 7?). When I think of his work, on wax, paper, or screen, words like passionate, appealing, genuine, and honest come to mind. Aside from the fact the he was beautiful to look at, he was such a talented person with more promise and potential than we'll ever know he possessed. His life and death are like a tragic Greek play; he lived a valiant life with many ups and downs, had a warrior woman for a mother, became wildly successful, and died like so many expected he would. His legend lives on and his music still touches the world. Fuck Killuminati or 7 day theories, I'm the biggest fan out there, and if I say he's dead. . .he's dead. He ain't in Cuba. Sorry folks, but he is not the black people's Elvis. Today, he would have turned 34. I had to honor him with a post.

The Rapper

I remember hearing Pac with Digital Underground. He stood out even then. He wasn't one of those rappers who was all about weed, sex, and killing. His rhymes had substance, and he talked about a wide range of topics, teen pregnancy, overcoming adversity, loving your mother, sex, mourning loss, etc. He's one of the few rappers that could get away with crazy contradictions. He could be raw, and then sensitive. A thug one minute, and loving son the next. He was just a deep person. My favorite Tupac songs display this range:
Brenda's Got a Baby
Dear Mama
Life Goes On
Keep Ya Head Up
Temptations
Me Against the World
Fuck the World
So Many Tears
St8 Ballin'

The Actor

Above the Rim, Juice, Poetic Justice, Grid'lockd, and the list goes on. There was so much emotional appeal in his performance it was almost surreal. He was a rare find, a rapper who could act almost as good as he could rap. Remember when he was Piccolo on Different World?

The Rebel
"I woke up screaming fuck the world"

Damn, girls love bad boys. Through his court trials, and all other indiscretions, I still seen this strong, proud man who struggled to be himself. He was one of a kind, which is why there are so many, bandanna 'round the head, bald-headed, gravelly voiced wannabes out there still tryna copy his image after all these years.

The Poet

His poetry is intense. In my opinion, it's more personal than his raps. He comes across as vulnerable and serious. When reading The Rose That Grew From Concrete, you get a sense of a man who's more than a rebel, a rapper, and a thinker; you see the true reveal of an artist, a lover and a thinker. If you haven't read this collection, it's a must.

A loyal son, and a devoted artists. Multi-faceted and complex at best. There will never be another with his depth. Rest in peace. . .

Haiku for 2Pac

Image on t-shirts

Afeni and his words live

So his star still shines