An Analysis of “Changes” by Tupac Tupac is known across the world as one of the most inspirational rappers in history. His songs highlight a range of social, political, and economic issues in our country. One song in particular, the 2008 version of “Changes”, is one of Tupac’s most famous. The purpose of this song is to ask people to make a change because we cannot keep living life in the same way we always have. In addition to inspiring change, Tupac hopes to inspire peace and equality as well. In this song, Tupac highlights some very important issues and conflicts that many Americans face on a daily basis. He then takes a stand against these issues and calls for us to make some changes in our way of living. Through his thoughtful …show more content…
They have the ability to capture the listener’s attention, convey a message, and deliver the deeper meanings within a song. To this day, Tupac is known as one of the greatest lyricists of all time. Through Tupac’s use of lyrics, he examines the many conflicts within his culture. In the very first line of the song Changes, Tupac raps, “I see no changes, wake up in the morning and I ask myself, is life worth living should I blast myself?” In this opening verse, Tupac immediately highlights important issues such as contemplating suicide and living in a world where nothing is changing or improving. He strategically uses these lyrics in the opening line to hook the listeners, grab their attention, and set the pace for the rest of the song. In the next line, Tupac raps, “I'm tired of bein' poor and even worse I'm black. My stomach hurts so I'm lookin' for a purse to snatch.” He then says, “Cops give a damn about a negro. Pull the trigger kill a ni**a he's a hero. Give the crack to the kids who the hell cares. One less hungry mouth on the welfare.” Tupac uses these lines to highlight the important issues of poverty, racism, crimes committed out of desperation, police racism and brutality against blacks, and the corrupt systems in …show more content…
Tupac uses many literary and poetic devices in his songs. In this particular song, Tupac strategically uses rhymes, allusion, anaphora, onomatopoeia, and metaphors, among others. His use of rhymes can be seen throughout his song in lines such as, “And I ain't never did a crime I ain't have to do. But now I'm back with the blacks givin' it back to you,” and, “I see no changes all I see is racist faces. Misplaced hate makes disgrace to races.” He also uses allusion, which is defined as a brief reference to a person, place, thing or idea of historical, cultural, literary or political significance. In this case, Tupac alludes to Huey P. Newton, co-founder of the Black Panther Party with the lines, “It's time to fight back that's what Huey said. Two shots in the dark now Huey's dead.” We can also hear the use of anaphora, or the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of lines, in the song. Tupac cleverly uses the same phrase in the first line of each of his three verses. In the opening line of his first verse he says, “I see no changes wake up in the morning and I ask myself.” In the first line of his second verse, he says, “I see no changes all I see is racist faces.” Finally, in the first line of the third verse, Tupac says, “And still I see no changes can't a brother get a little peace.” This repetition in each verse is extremely useful to tie
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
For example, Tupac commences his rap song by referring to poverty in the first few verses in his song as he states, “I see no changes wake up in the morning and I ask myself/ Is life worth living should I blast myself? / I’m tired of being poor and even worse I’m black/ My stomach hurts so I’m looking for a purse to snatch,” (Shukar l. 2-4). In these verses Tupac indicates that many African Americans live in poverty and they are not given many opportunities to do well for themselves. Changes to better their situation seem unobtainable and he portrays the voice of impoverished groups as he questions his purpose in life. He contemplates whether or not he should continue living. This verse also indicates that people with very little opportunity must deviate from the norms which society has placed on them, meaning that because they have no opportunity they must resort to stealing in order to avoid
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 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.
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.
Violence being extremely prevalent is not only a way of life but also the key to success in the hood. In an interview Tupac Shakur looked back on his life growing up in which,
The underlying message was shown using these methods as well as by expressing it through the language in the lyrics. Examples include Doug E. Fresh saying, “This is all about, no doubt, to stop violence.” (Self Destruction) which very clearly states the important message that was being portrayed. Another example is when Ms. Melodie says, “The violence in rap must cease and seckle.” (Self Destruction) This lyric points out the violent culture that exists in the rap community and how it can be detrimental to society. Many modern hip-hop and rap songs with messages get dismissed either due to the harsh language or because many people do not want to hear the harsh realities of the African American struggle. Another unique aspect of this song that appeals to the audience is the point of focus. “Self Destruction” focuses on an internal view of the issues and relies on self-examination in order to solve these issues. This aspect makes the song unique because it does not lay blame on others. Instead of pleading for help from others, the songwriters decide to take the approach of rebuilding their own communities from the inside. This aspect really makes the song stand out amongst many other similar songs. This song truly is able to appeal to the reader in a fresh and interesting way by using logical, ethical, and emotional
Rap is about giving voice to a black community otherwise underrepresented, if not silent, in the mass media. It has always been and remains … directly connected to the streets from which it came. (144)
In “Changes” he raps about how his community needs change and he is the one to address the problem. Tupac’s lyrics go as follows, “We gotta make a change… / It 's time for us as a people to start makin ' some changes. / Let 's change the way we eat, let 's change the way we live / and let 's change the way we treat each other” (Shakur). In these lines he sets out what needs to happen in Harlem to make it a better place to live. Older rappers and rap groups like as N.W.A, Tupac, and Biggie are leaders that started change for their cities. Biggie Smalls was an iconic figure of this era as well. The song, “Sky’s the Limit” shows that he is trying to send the message that even though he came from a family of poverty, he did not let that bring his life down. “Take a better stand/Put money in my moms hand/Get my daughter this college plan, so she don 't need no man/Stay far from timid/Only make moves when ya heart 's in it/And live the phrase Sky 's The Limit” (Notorious B.I.G.). “Sky’s the Limit” gives the audience the hope that if you are born at the bottom, you do not necessarily have to end up in the same place. The biggest thing the Biggie Smalls is trying to say is that you can always have what you want, but it only matters if you be what you want. Biggie Smalls is drawing attention to
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
Aside from “The Message,” Notorious B.I.G.’s song “Things Done Changed” also highlights Black issues.
Tupac Shakur is one of the most influential artists of all time, regardless of genre. Tupac only lived for 25 years, as he was killed in a drive by shooting outside of a Las Vegas casino, which was allegedly the result of a feud between two rap groups. Tupac’s music has always cast a long shadow across the hip hop music industry, because his lyrics discussed deep and meaningful issues that his community was dealing with during his life time. The songs that I have selected to break down, in the ways they relate to and portray women during this time, are “Brenda’s got a baby,” “Dear Mama,” and “keep ya head up.” The lyrics, and stories that are discussed in these songs are extremely relatable and are example of why Tupac was able to rise to prominence,
Tupac’s childhood and upbringing were heavily influenced by his parents and their ideals regarding the Black Panthers, and criminal activity. Many members of his immediate family were either convicted or charged with crimes and all spoke heavy Ebonic influence in their speech. Also growing up in the East Harlem his childhood was based on the street education. He was an avid reader however and enjoyed many styles of classical literature and this is what led him to join and perform in the 127th Street Repertory Ensemble where he learned how to act and also where he began his rap career. He not only succeeded at his new school but also was the starring role in plays like the Nutcracker and A Raisin in the Sun. These influences helped h...
“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.
Eminem, as well as many other rappers, frequently incorporate poetry into their music in order to create a unique form of rap. Not only do Eminem and these other rappers aim to entertain their fans, but their unique style of blending rap music and poetry “provides a significant form of education for adolescents, one that extends beyond the classroom and into their peer group circles”(Powell 245). These artists combine these two styles in order to send a positive message to youth experiencing poverty-stricken lifestyle in certain areas in America. The “rap lyrics concentrate primarily on the contemporary African American experience” (Powell 245). In this particular song, Eminem aims to empower and encourage individuals to take a chance on their dreams and essentially “lose themselves” in the moment. The rapper aims to inspire his audience with lines “you only get one shot do not miss your chance to blow. This opportunity comes once in a lifetime yo…” (Eminem 27-28). He motivates his audience to take chances in life because they may never come again. If one does not take a cha...