Compare And Contrast Tracy Chapman And Tupac

Bondage

Some, not all, African Americans truly believe that they are enslaved of their freedom and are still in bondage by their past, present and future. Even though there are accurate facts about what happened to their ancestors who were slaves; this matter should not be personalized. If it wasn’t for the slave survivors, civil rights activists and leaders, politicians who knew their facts and did their research, and the African American literature; a lot of information would not be known today. However, what really broadens a wider perspective of expressions, opinions and experiences that outreached the masses is brought about in music. In the African American

Both artists felt deeply about what they perceive that how African Americans are viewed. In Material World, Tracy Chapman sings with her deep sultry voice with such passion and sincerity. In Words of Wisdom, Tupac Shakur boasts with assurance, confidence, and power willingly to be heard. Both artists felt passionate about how blacks are discriminated against and how blacks discriminate themselves and each other. Both songs have a positive and negative impact on society. Both artists discussed controversial topics that the public may or may not agree with. Hip hop artist are already being criticized for their vulgar lyrical content that are banned in homes and public areas. Tupac and Tracy songs are distinctively different. Tracy focuses more on slavery and Tupac raps about several topics. Tracy Chapman song is more acceptable because her song is alluring and not raw and explicit. However, Tupac Shakur goes into detail how he felt betrayed by the government system and the founding fathers of a supposedly free nation. He also felt that blacks betray themselves in ways that is embarrassing. As described in Words of Wisdom, Tupac talks about how drugs, violence, poverty, issues with the law enforcement causing problems in the black community and the blacks are making these issues worse by accepting and allowing these things to happen. Instead of standing up for what’s right and making a difference

(Shakur, 2nd verse, line 2-5). Shakur emphasizes about self-perseverance and preservation. He wants the minority to prove the world wrong and continue to succeed and strive to be courageous. Tracy Chapman’s Material World is more of an awareness to inform; she expresses how there is more information that need to be known about the struggles from the past. Tupac Shakur’s Words of Wisdom speaks of empowerment. The messages that are portrayed in both pieces are similar but the lyrical context and the expression is different. Even though Shakur is a rapper and his other pieces of works are raw and explicit; Words of Wisdom stands out. Shakur took a political approach discussing issues that bothered him. His attitude and demeanor in the song shows how important and serious these problems were. He preached and raved; displaying a leadership role representing the minorities. He focused on the history of enslavement from the past and questioning about the civil rights activist leaders Malcom X and Martin Luther King Jr. Shakur stated that one shouldn’t receive more praise than the