For those that may be unaware of Tupac’s lasting influence, take a listen to the song “Mortal Man” by Kendrick Lamar where rare interview footage surfaces from 1994 between Tupac and Mats Nileskar (host of Swedish show, ‘P3 Soul’).
September 13 marks the twentieth anniversary of Tupac Shakur’s death. Speculation remains regarding the details of Tupac’s final moments. Such speculation has led to the formation of conspiracy theories for fans that cling on to the lasting legacy of this West Coast legend. Rather than focusing on Tupac’s death and the conspiracies that claim he’s still alive, we’re here to explore the twenty-five resilient and brilliant years celebrated by Tupac.
As a strong and opinionated African-American man, Tupac’s unapologetic lyrical resonance placed him in a caste of his own. To this day, Tupac has sold over 75 million albums. As a talented artist, Tupac distributed his abilities in various ways. His personality proved that he could be a charismatic actor and he stole the hearts of many on the big screen. Roles such as Bishop in ‘Juice’ and Lucky in ‘Poetic Justice’ showcased the outstanding versatility of Tupac as a cinematic star. His intelligence stretched far beyond his age and this became apparent in his poems, songs, and interviews. As an outspoken advocate for the poor and uneducated, Tupac’s commentary opened the eyes of many through the various channels by which he made his voice heard loud and clear.
Tupac’s prosperous career can be directly attributed to his vigorous work ethic. Tupac’s dedication to his craft resulted in some of the most timeless and philosophical pieces of music that have ever hit the wavelengths of sound. Not to mention, Tupac’s writing revealed many facets of a prophetic individual who could write about the future within the present.
“Did you hear about the rose that grew
from a crack in the concrete?
Proving nature’s law is wrong it
learned to walk without having feet.
Funny it seems, but by keeping its dreams,
it learned to breathe fresh air.
Long live the rose that grew from concrete
when no one else ever cared.”
Tupac’s many achievements and accomplishments are becoming twenty-year milestones. Twenty year anniversaries often elicit grand celebrations. Some of these celebrations for Tupac include a pop-up cafe in Fresno called ‘Powamekka’, apparel collections, Powerade commercials, a Grammy museum exhibit and a biopic. This double decade celebration may also create the opportunity for posthumous music demos, remixes and/or poems to be released.
All in all, Tupac Shakur served as a visionary for generations to come. His ability to predict relevant events and trends in society was uncanny. When he was fatally wounded on September 7, he fought for his life for seven days despite three-fifths of a citizen’s treatment in the Las Vegas University Hospital, whose administration was neglectful to Tupac’s well-being. Tupac is a prime example of a supernova, whose presence radiated greatness and whose legacy will always remain untainted.
FreshNewsNow 