Black Americans have never had it easy. The fight against drug abuse, gang violence, racism, and police brutality. Tupac embodied and understood that. Tupac was well known for living the life of a thug and for his heroic struggles. "Changes," a song written by Tupac, portrays the harsh reality of living in America while black. Tupac's main point in the song "Changes" is that, sometimes you have to sacrifice your morals and pride when you're out of options. Tupac Shakur experienced a turbulent upbringing filled with both artistic inspiration and hardship. On June 16, 1971, he was born in East Harlem, New York City, to Black Panther Party member Afeni Shakur and Billy Garland. Tupac's early years were influenced by his parents' political activities …show more content…
Tupac expresses his dissatisfaction with the difficulties African Americans encounter in the song and calls for constructive social change. It also highlights how important community empowerment and cohesion are. His songs offer a potent commentary on the hardships faced by the underprivileged and their aspirations for a better future. At the song's conclusion, Tupac opens to us about his thoughts and the things he sees every day. He stresses the importance of resisting "them" beating you. He is warning us to be strong and stand our ground. Then, he expresses incredible awareness of his predicament by saying,"Always gotta worry about the payback, Some buck that I roughed up way back, coming back after all these years, (shakur,3)". Black people are being challenged by Tupac to evolve as well. He realized that although the system is unfair, black people are aware of their role in their suffering. Tupac had a high level of wisdom and intelligence at his age. Black-on-Black crime, according to Tupac, "the only time we chill is when we kill each other." Subsequently, he states, "I see a portion of the truth and I'm being honest; let's build each other up." It takes skill to be real and time to
In the short story “Tupac and My Non-Thug Life” by Jenee Desmond-Harris she talks about the death of Tupac Shakur and the impact it had on her and her friend Thea. I think its interesting that although Harris and Tupac are polar opposites she uses the connection of their race and applys it to this “coming of age” journey. Harris expresses that Tupacs music made her feel apart of something and that she valued the racial equality being voiced through his music. I can relate to this on multiple levels. For example when I’m feeling down and listen to sad music that i can relate to. Listening to music and lyrics that you can relate to brings you a sense of belonging like you arent the only one that has ever felt this way.
Tupac Shakur was born in Brooklyn, New York in June of 1971 to Afeni Shakur, his father abandoned him before he was born. In Tupac's "Word to his father" he wanted to "hit it"1. Big Syke discovered Tupac in 1987 in Baltimore, Maryland. Tupac Shakur was studying theater with famous actress, Jada Pinkett Smith. Big Syke discovered Tupac's freestyling2 ability in Baltimore. Big Syke then introduced Tupac to other rappers, Tone Loc and Humpty Dump...
Tupac Shakur was an actor and a rapper. He was born in Harlem, New York on June 16, 1971, as Lesane Parish Crooks. Both his mother and father were members of the Black Panthers, which later in his career influenced his political views in his songs .At the age of 13, he began his acting career in the production, “Raisin in the Sun” at the Apollo Theater. Tupac’s mother was single mother of two and struggled with money, forcing them to move around a lot and often stay in shelters.Tupac went to Baltimore School of Arts before dropping out and moving to Marin County in California at the age of 17.
The theme of lines 1-5 in, ¨Untitled 1¨ by Tupac Shakur is that African Americans have been oppressed, over many generations. He describes the world, ¨as a ghetto, that they cannot leave,¨ referring to ghettos such as
Tupac Shakur was one of the most influential music artist of the 20th Century. “Murda, Murda, Murda, and Kill, Kill, Kill…” these are they lyrics to one of the songs written by Tupac Shakur. Amidst all the controversy surrounding his personal life, this artist has managed to overcome all obstacles and spread his hope/hate message to a surprisingly receptive audience. Tupac’s music is borrowed from the styles of early rap and hip-hop yet its appeal rested in Tupac himself. His persona of “Thug Poet” opened up a portal into the new genre of “Gangsta Rap.” This new style of music revolutionized the music industry and allowed several new artists to break through in Tupac’s creation, Gangsta Rap, such as; G-unit, Eminem, and many others.
Tupac Shakur - His Impact on American Culture Tupac Shakur was a very influential person in the 20th century. He was born on June 16, 1971 in Brooklyn New York, and died on September 13, 1996 in Las Vegas Nevada (unknown author, no title, no page, letter code C). But his family moved around a lot while he was a kid (Bastin, J.D.). He eventually ended up in the Bay Area California alone and spent his first two years there homeless (unknown author, no title, n.p., letter code D). He grew up with only his mom and loved her very much.
Such as, how Tupac used his song “Changes” to refer to the institutionalized racism in America in regards to law enforcement and so forth. On example from his lyrics states, “Cops give a damn about a negro/ Pull the trigger, kill a nigga, he's a hero.” Another commonly known song that makes ties with Hill’s is Kanye’s song “When It All Falls Down.” Kanye wanted the ties of her lyrics incorporated into his song so much that after his failed attempted to get Lauryn Hills sample cleared he got a replacement singer to perform it on his song alternatively. However, his concept for this song was different as its purpose was more of a self-contemplation of his individualized battle with consumerism. Today society is affected by artists like Lauryn Hill and her lyrics and often quote lyrics like that of hers as references for equality and moral rights in modern society. Today more than ever the incarceration rates are raising extremely. Not to mention, in the past year we have seen some of the biggest out cries for our African American communities with people using the power of social media to come together on a common ground in regards to law enforcement unjustly killing African Americans and other minorities while in the attempt of arresting them. With that being said as Lauryn Hills lyrics state “Ya'll can't handle the truth in a courtroom of lies. Representing security/Holding the word of God
Kid cudi trying to argue about how difficult things are growing up with being Oppressed and growing up being black. Songs are one way of expressing feelings and emotion, many artist do this constantly in their music. To some it is why they make music. There are endless signs and verses that hint at many things such as problems, politics, living in racist era’s also places. I chose to focus on one main rapper and his music only.
“A warrior poet had been born and bred, and now he needed to walk the earth. He would be in danger for the rest of his life. But he would also bring art to his world and ours” (Clifford 26). Born in New York on June 16, 1971 as Lesane Parish Crooks but known to the public as Tupac Shakur was an iconic Hip-Hop artist, actor, poet, dancer and writer. Being raised by his mother Alice Faye Williams also known as Afeni Shakur, a former Black Panther leader, and other members of the Black Panther Party may have been the reason Tupac Shakur fought for justice for African Americans. From the time he about two years old, he was encouraged by his mother to write his thoughts and emotions as a form of discipline. Biographer and family friend of the Shakur
Tupac Amaru Shakur born in East Harlem section of Manhattan in New York City. His birth name was Lesane Parish Crooks, June 16 1971. His both parents were members of the Black Panther Party. Tupac Shakur was a vocal participant during the East Coast and West Coast hip hop rivalry. He went to High School in California and Maryland. His career brought him back to New York City. Forget about his education and family background, thinking about how he put himself into his career so successfully. To succeed and accomplishment that made him in legacy…..
Tupac was born on June 16, 1971 to Afeni Shakur in New York City. His real name is Lesane Parish Crooks. Tupac was mainly raised by his mom, because his dad really didn’t have much to do with him when he was born. Tupac spent his earlier years in Harlem in 1984. His family soon moved to Baltimore, Maryland where he became good friends with Jada Pinkett Smith. ( Tupac’s brief Biography)
How much does the world really know about Tupac Shakur? Tupac Shakur was a renowned hip hop artist whose rap music brought up many controversial topics. Tupac’s lifestyle played a large role in his contribution to music. Without his continual perseverance through his struggles in his early life, he wouldn’t have accomplished what he has done so later on in his career. His impact on the music industry has also greatly influenced the way society depicts the African American community. Shakur’s music has given white, middle-class Americans an insight on what it’s like to live in an inner city. (Josh Nisker). Tupac’s short life was a stem in the way rap is portrayed and interpreted in modern day hip hop.
June 16th, 1971 in Brooklyn, New York. Lesane Parish Crooks was born. Left by his father, Alice Williams, Tupac's mother changed his name from Lesage to Tupac Amaru Shakur. Tupac has moved from Oakland to New York and back again. When he was fifteen he was into writing rap lyrics and gang related subjects. By the time Tupac was eighteen he had been arrested eight times, even serving eight months in prison after being convicted of sexual abuse. Tupac studied the teachings of a war strategist known as Machiavelli in prison.
Although this original face of rap music was murdered at the young age of 25, Tupac’s expressions of dreams for black social justice, along with his declaration of “thuglife,” have contributed to his beloved legacy by hip culture, even 19 years after his death. He was considered a figure of empowerment for urbanized communities because of his support in black nationalism that aims to “define, defend, and develop of Blacks as a people,” especially because he grew up in the impoverished intercity (Stanford, 2011, pg. 4). In “Violent” he raps,
“Some say the blacker the berry, the sweeter the juice. I say the darker the flesh then the deeper the roots”. This is the opening lyrics of one of the best songs ever written in the rap industry “Keep Ya Head Up”. It was written by who many people consider the best rapper in history, Tupac Amaru Shakur. Tupac is still considered one of the greatest and is still being played today by true Hip-Hop fans. People that do not know much of Tupac view him as a criminal. A criminal that got tatted “Thug Life” across his stomach and was the center of violence between the East Coast vs. West Coast rappers in the early 90’s. But the true Hip-Hop fans know the real Tupac Amaru Shakur. He didn’t promote violence like the rappers that are around now. Chief Keef, Fredo Santana, Lil Reese all promote Chicago’s war on drug trafficking, guns and murder. Tupac was different. He tried sending positive messages and did a phenomenal job with this song. In this song Tupac focuses on women’s rights which something unheard of in the rap industry. That is quite sad because up to this day, most rappers do not rap about women’s rights or try sending a positive message. That is why Tupac was different and he wanted the ideal women standing up for herself with this song.