Today would have marked the 39th birthday of the ever-inspiring actor/rapper  ( many claim to be of all time)– Tupac Shakur. The man truly needs no introduction, though I feel it necessary to highlight the top 5 things he has taught me throughout my SOON TO BE (!June 30th!) 21st year on this Earth.   Many people undermine the power of true lyricism within hip hop, but if you’re a true hip hop head or poet, you know the extent of effectiveness words can have on the soul.  Tupac is definitely amongst my top (if not my number one) most inspiring poets of all time, so it’s only right that I commemorate his legacy today.  Pop that bubble for MY Top 2 Things I’ve Learned as a Tupac fan, and share your very own favorite lyrics AND stories while you’re at it!

POP THAT BUBBLE

1.

Double Life

First and foremost, on my academic tip, I must say that Tupac taught me about double consciousness faaaarrr long before I ever had a chance to learn about the work of W.E.B. DuBois… although it perfectly put everything I had been contemplating from Tupac–into words.  For those of you who may not know, W.E.B. DuBois describes double consciousness as something that is inherent in all African-Americans… this is so because of the constant day-to-day alternatives we face in adapting to our world.  It is an awareness of not ony one’s self, but the way that one is also perceived by others.  The “danger” of double consciousness is the fact that it may lead to one conforming or changing in order to adhere to the identity perceived of them… sounds familiar?

I’d say it’s pretty much the exact definition of what mainstream rap can be defined as today.  Tupac often came under criticism because of his blatant double consciousness… his move from “ChangeS” to “Hit ‘Em Up,” “Brenda’s Got a Baby,” to “Wonder Why They Call U Bitch” and “I Get Around.”  I’ve always been in awe of the many sides of Tupac, and finally realized it’s because his contradictions made him the most real of all artists—he didn’t choose to show only one side, but all sides.. which is why he’s respected and revered worldwide.  There’s no mystery to this history.

2.

“We ain’t meant to survive / Cause it’s a set-up”

“Keep Your Head Up” is debatably my favorite Tupac track of all time.  At this moment in time, it serves to remind me of the reasons behind why there is so much animonisty within the African-American community regarding skin color.  Now that I see a light skin/non-melanated chick in almost EVERY video on television, all I can think about is the Willie Lynch Letter, and how he basically was able to succeed in his vision of our division.  Granted, it isn’t as heavily divided as it once were, but all you have to do is flip on your television screen and see that everyone isn’t being represented… and it’s a shame that we still have yet to reach this place.  Even more-so, the treatment of women in these songs, videos, and even more-so it’s trickle down to everyday public events, is all an effect of the household, which has been affected by society…. Oh, Tupac…. your truth makes me feel so fuzzy inside…

So what’s the top 2 things you’ve learned/realized through Tupac’s lyrics/actions?

Let’s all share and commemorate the fallen soldier… love conquers

Here’s a little treat……..