Tupac Shakur - Me Against the World

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Tupac Shakur - Me Against the World

I was 13 years old. Anticipation thrilled my mind and body as the sea air wafted through the window. My best friend and I were nearing the beach and the mini-van we had inhabited for six hours felt as though it was closing in on us. Thoughts of the beach, the simplicity, and the freedom had controlled my mind for weeks, even months prior to our trip to the beach. Harnessing my recent hormone attack was still a challenge and images of tan girls plagued my mind. Then it happened. A song came on the radio that became my motto for the week; however even though that week ended, the artist never left my life. The voice I heard was that of Tupac Shakur and the song was "I Get Around." The lyrics of the song were boastful and egotistical. I loved it. With Tupac’s display of masculinity as my inspiration, my chances of picking up some of those tan girls were great. Unfortunately, I didn’t and my determined mission was in vein; however to this day Tupac’s music, spirit and camaraderie still gives me inspiration. At the end of that wonderful week we were forced to pack up and leave the freedom and the warmth of the beach. With me I took many memories, and a new tee shirt with the slogan "I Get Around" boldly written on the back.

Years have passed. My best friend is still my best friend, but we rarely talk. Now, nearly nothing is quite the same. Friendships have passed; I've changed mentally and physically. Through all of the changes, Tupac has always been at my side. He elevates the highs in my life and illustrates the lows. Tupac Shaker is still influencing me, and I still own that tee shirt.

I never lost touch with Tupac. I bought the album with "I Get Around," and I bought his preceding albu...

... middle of paper ...

...ac. I'd lay on the warm sand, whip out my jackknife (headphones) and proceed to examine Tupac's music and life, down to its soul. I could rediscover his essence and get past the thuggish symbolic complex that is so often associated with Tupac.

Although the shining serpent has departed this earth I am thankful that he brightens my world and eases my pain everyday. I think when my professor gave this assignment; he intended his class to contemplate for weeks about which CD we would listen to while wasting away on a desert island. What my professor didn’t understand was that I’ve been wasting away for years, and I need this CD to survive, stranded or not.

Bibliography:

Anson, Robert. "To Die Like a Gangsta." Vanity Fair: Mar, 1997: 244-252.

Percy, Walker. "The Loss of the Creature." The Message in the Bottle. New York: Farrar, Srauss, Giroux, 1975: 46-63.

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