The Hip-Hop Artist: Tupac Shakur And His Life

“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 …show more content…

Portrayed as a thug to the media, Tupac Shakur was criticized for his crimes rather than his music. The media rather report on his cases and arrest chargers and failed to recognize his music when he spoke of poverty, justice, equality. Tupac’s music was aggressive and his messages spoke on acts of racism, sex, crime, and even death. Songs such as “Ambitionz Az A Ridah,” and “Hail Mary” depicted images to the youth: it was okay to be tough, put women second, die, and get shot at by the police. Tupac’s music stood out for many reasons. Some say his music inspired other West Coast artist to change their approach when they created songs, and others say it changed the way his fans thought. Other West Coast rappers like Ice Cube and members of N.W.A, Ice T, Snoop Dogg, and Too Short followed in that trend. They rapped about police brutality and not getting along with political authority. This caused many youth in inner city communities to react the same way, thinking it was okay to defy authority and that although consequences would come of it black people could not be stopped. Although Tupac had many songs he expressed with violent words, he also had songs that uplifted many black and Hispanics of poor upbringings. For example, “Dear Mama” was a song written reflecting on how men should respect women because women gave them life and raised them to be strong, also because women …show more content…

From growing up in the poor neighborhood of lower Manhattan, moving to East Harlem, Baltimore, Maryland and eventually to Marin, California where his life of crime became existent is what turned Tupac into the icon he is was back then and is today. Also, he had many considerable qualities. He was compassionate, funny, loyal, and charismatic. Joseph states when a friend of Tupac’s was murdered in the streets of New York he organized a party and used the money raised to start “Stop the Violence” march. Tupac educated the black and brown youth as well as the inner city people, his poems used in colleges and universities give them a chance to speak on the struggles they faced growing up. Poems such as “The Power of a Smile” encouraged them to tell their story about everyday life in the black and Hispanic community. He also spoke on relatable issues such as being raised by single mother and how she struggled to take care of him and his younger sister. In the song “Dear Mama” he provides insight of how although she was a political, educated black woman she struggled with hard drug abuse. He poured out his emotions and appreciation for educating him, and inspiring him to live a better