Tupac Shakur is a name that will always be associated with defining the genre of gangra rap. Known as a lyrical genius and often referred to as a prophet rapper he became “a spokesperson not just for his own generation but for subsequent ones who continue to face the same struggle for equality”(“Tupac Shakur”.) As an advocate for the change of African-American strife through his music, he often voiced that he was his own worst enemy at times. In the 1993 single “Keep Ya Head Up” off the sophomore album Strictly 4 my N.I.G.G.A.Z. Shakur establishes verisimilitude with his listeners by narrating experiences of hardships in life, especially within the black community. In addition, the early 90’s was filled with racial tension: LA Riots, Rodney …show more content…
African-American people are are said to be very in tune to where their culture and traditions stem from. First, by stating the fact of an individual who has darker skin may be more in touch with cultural roots (source of origin) which correlates with a long running argument between anthropologists about where mankind is derived from. According to National Geographic, South Africa is the birthplace of the human race in the discovery of fossils found at the dig site dubbed Cradle of Mankind. Secondly, the lyrics refer to the ancestral ties to slavery and all that Africans have had to endure for thousands of years because of their skin color. Shakur has been in touch with his own roots from a very young age; his mother and father who were members of the Black Panther party paved the path leading Tupac to also join. Biograpghy.com states, “after joining the Black Panther party, his mother changed his first name to Tupac Amaru, after an 18th-century Peruvian
This is a big difference from him and other rap artists. A lot of others are racist to different people, and the different people then don't like him, don't listen to his music, don't see his movies, and aren't influenced by him. Almost all races listen to Tupac's music. I've known Mexican, White, Black, Asian, Indian, and even Pakistani people who listened to his music and are influenced and are moved by him. I've even saw a show in Singapore about music here and a Singaporean kid said he listens to Tupac.
The song Changes was recorded by Tupac Shakur, a deceased African American hip-hop artist. He rapped about the African American subculture in America. The record label released this song in 1998; it is still popular within subcultures of America. He grew up in the 1980s, and the social policies of that period, such as the War on Drugs, influenced his music. The videos of the song were found after a quick search on YouTube. The lyrics of this song are found on the internet from Google search of “Tupac, changes”. I have read the lyrics and listened to the music. Tupac focused on “that’s just the way it is” through the song (2Pac-Changes). He wanted the African American community to change their behaviors and rise above the social perception
Tupac Amaru Shakur was a very influential person who overcame many difficulties. Tupac was a rapper of truth that spoke about the things that go on in the “Hood” and the unjust police. He was treated differently because he was black and was even arrested for jaywalking. After he was arrested he was beaten by the cops who wanted him to “learn his place”(Joseph 29). This shows how bad Tupac had it because he was African American. Tupac died an early death at 25 because of a brewing rivalry between the East and West Coast rappers. Shakur was a person who would stand up for what he believed in no matter the cost and died fighting for that. He never let anyone win a battle that he was determined to win and always knew what he was fighting for. His mother was the same, as a loyal member of the Black Panther Party, a group that protected all African Americans from police brutality. Tupac was literally born to be a fighter and carried on his mother's legacy. Despite his rough life, Tupac Shakur became one of the most influential rappers of all time.
Everyone knows a guy by the name of Tupac Shakur, but how do people know Mr. Shakur? Maybe it is by the hardcore gangster and obscene rap lyrics directed towards people, more so aimed towards his east coast rivals. As years went on, more and more people viewed a handful of Tupac’s music as a true work of art, containing strong messages along with stories from his troubled childhood and young adulthood. Later on in both Tupac’s life and career, he began to realize the demise of the African American culture as a whole. During his last stint in prison, not only did he realized all of this wrongdoing throughout this life, but also the negative influence rap and hip hop had over the young African American community. What happened during his incarnation,
His mother and father were Billy Garland and Alicia Faye Williams who were both part of the Black Panthers. The party’s original purpose was to patrol African American neighbourhoods to protect residents from acts of police brutality. His mom started to get more active in the Black Panthers and soon changed her name to Afeni Shakur and named Tupac to Tupac Amaru. He would then get his named changed again to his younger sister Sekiya’s father mutulu Shakur. Tupac’s life was hard. None of his fathers stood around and his family would move from shelter to shelter. His mom would soon later get addicted to crack.
To gaze into the lyrics of both Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac Shakur is like living in the ghettos of New York City where violence never stops. Both of these artists grew up seeing and living a life filled with violence. Gunshots and drive-byes, death and murder were a daily occurrence. Although the lyrics of both artists are simply telling their life stories and how hard it was to grow up in their “hoods” they contain vulgar, hateful, and sexual verses that send the wrong message to their listeners. Whether these listeners are teens or adults, white or black, they are continually sending notions of hatred and fear through their lyrics and actions. Ultimately,
Tupac Shakur released the song “Keep Ya Head Up” first in 1993 on his album “Strictly for my N.I.G.G.A.Z.”, then as a single in 1994. Tupac’s “Keep Ya Head Up”, one of his most notable and recognizable singles, received acclaim upon its release and continues to do so. The record centers on the social climate in the 90’s, and Tupac’s own experiences from his youth. Around the time of the song’s release, Tupac’s indictment in a rape case colored the reception of the song although it remained mainly positive. Tupac speaks on multiple issues through his lyrics, making it effective as a critique of society; moreover, the other creative devices he uses – phrasing, rhythm changes, and samples – make the song effective as an artistic project and back up his social message.
As hip hop continued to progress in society this musical genre became incorporated into the gangster lifestyle. This gangsta rap became iconic in society creating various amounts of artist that contributed to this subgenre of hip hop. One of the most important rappers to contribute to gangsta rap was Tupac Shakur. This an was an individual that used his music to advocate on behalf of the African American community and speaking of the injustice that the community has been facing since the introduction of slavery into the United States. Shakur's style of gangsta rap incorporates ideas of respect, identity, and importantly representation among people of color in a white dominated society.
Tupac Shakur and Christopher Wallace were two great legends in the hip hop world. Their music, their style, and their lives have impacted the hip hop culture. As of today, Tupac and Biggie are still remembered in the music industry. Unfortunately, both of these great artists have passed away. Their deaths occured in the same period of time and it is assumed that it has to be related.
Some of his songs that voice this and many other problems are “keep your head up” and “changes”. Tupac’s lyrics caused a transformation of the way people
When examining figures that fall into the group of black vernacular intellectuals, one of the most recent and influential people that should be considered a part of this group is the late Tupac Shakur. The hip hop artist, who died at the young age of 25, left a far reaching impact that can be easily seen through both in his music he left behind, and his influence on prominent figures in today’s hip hop industry. Though his career would only last for five years, from when his first studio album was released in 1991, to his death in 1996, Tupac released a number of songs that contained very poignant messages particularly regarding the living conditions of African Americans in the U.S. and the often troubled relations between police and the African
A new style of hip-hop called “gangsta rap” arose during the 1990s that shaped the lives of culture, social injustices, and identity amongst the black community. It helped respond to the “decline of class and race based on consciousness (Quinn 174). One of the most influential rappers to gangsta rap was an artist named Tupac Amaru Shakur, also known as 2pac. He grew up Brooklyn and the Bronx but moved to the California where he attended high school (Marriott 1). This is significant because during the 1980s there was a lot of rivalry between West Coast and East Coast rappers (Marriott 1).
In the song Keep Ya Head Up, Tupac urges for a difference. He talks about the issues with society; abuse, rape, and poverty. Women are abused and raped, regardless of race. He talks about how everyone comes from a woman and they end up abusing and raping them; “And since we all came from a woman. Got our name from a woman and our game from a woman.
This paper analyzes Tupac Shakur's best Hits (1998) to reveal: 1) Shakur's talk utilizes three african american social qualities (the oral tradition, An diunital orientation, Furthermore spirituality), which further characterizes the exceptional aspects that contain african american discourse; 2) The point when translating Shakur's message through the lens for african american social values, as much best Hits works Concerning illustration An musical personal history that constructs character What's more gives a voice for the dark young society. Provided for these two findings, Shakur extends the social qualities that underlie african american talk will develop a message that is additional complex, enlightened, Also reflective over what has
He was born in the early 1970's in East Harlem, New York and tragically died 25 years later in Las Vegas. During an NPR interview about Tupac's legacy, writer Kevin Powell describes him as, "an artist who came from the people and decided that his work was going to reflect the conditions that were going on in America during his lifetime — his short 25 years on this planet" (Powell). Just like most Spoken Word poets Tupac used his life experiences and background to elevate his music career. Tupac shows a level of maturity in his some of his music where he talks about his mistakes in life. Tupac and Spoken Word poets show vulnerability and honesty in their work while avoiding mainstream lyrics and topics involving pop culture. Tupac was also recognized for his effort to spread a positive influential movement to young people. He acknowledged his rough background but did not let it define him. He gave credit to the streets teaching him how to become a better man. His albums content varied from topics of trust to social discrimination. He struggled with the society he was trapped in and the moral obligations he felt inclined to. In one song he talked about being a player and in another called "Keep Ya Head Up" Tupac wrote lyrics centered around women empowerment. He raps," And since we all came from a woman. Got our name from a woman and our game from a woman. I wonder why we take from our women" (Tupac).