Human minds will always be riddled with contradiction. And this is one of the main critiques of Tupac Shakur’s vast amount of work. Yet, this is what makes the character so fascinating and appealing to his many followers including myself. His music is evidence of his constant quest and struggle to find meaning and ways of bettering life for his people as he toyed with numerous philosophies and thought. The music he created is brilliant to listen to. There is so much to be admired in his star qualities, his skills, his poetry, his success and so on. However, it is the passion behind the words, the emotions poured into his work and the meaning in the songs that make him a true inspiration to me and countless others. The list is endless to why he is a hero of mine but, in attempt not to bore you, I’ll keep it short and sweet. A man with no father, from extremely humble beginnings and a childhood of constantly moving homes eventually ended up as the biggest icon rap has ever produced. And with the fame, struggle and pain followed him like a shadow. Ordeals included being shot, verbally attacked by government officials and, through his own errors, time behind bars. Yet, despite it being easier to just leave that life behind, he stood up for his beliefs and continued to be a representative and voice for black communities and, as he would call it, the oppressed. Songs like ‘Keep your head up’ ‘Dear Mama’ ‘Unconditional Love’ and so on are pieces that can change my feelings in an instance. Not only did he educate through songs but gave people hope and the will to keep going. If ever down in the dumps, I’ll throw on one of his tracks.. His overlying message may have been of hope but at the same time, he stated how his future was hopeless. He may have talked of peace yet his lyrics, and indeed life, would always be shrouded with the reality of violence. And herein lies the contradiction that I aforementioned. This is what makes him so easy to relate to. He had massive pains in his life also and in the end his paranoia and so on got the better of him. But to witness what he achieved despite all of what he had been through was testament to his courageous character and this can inspire others to do likewise. Trying to find the answers to suffering, endlessly searching for a spiritual connection and so on reaches me deeply. Every social issue he seemingly touched upon and gave great insight on. He has influenced me greatly such as to try and educate myself more, to stand up for my beliefs, to treat my people well, to aspire to be a soldier and leader like he was, to be creative and so on. Recently it was the 14th anniversary of his death and he never truly got to see the ‘better days’ he talked of but he has lit a beacon of hope for millions of others. I hope I ain’t kissing his ass too much but to the rose that grew from concrete RIP!
