10 years ago, 2PAC passed away (RIP)

[1SICKLEX]

RIP Pac, all these guys with tattos and bullet scars with their 2pac costume on...
One of the all time greats, clearly the most influential. He's raps Bob Marley...The guy was incredible. SO much passion in his music..

Some of my favs...
"Smile" on Scarfaces album
White Mans World
Blasphemy
It ain't easy
I see death around the corner
Thugz Mansion (the words are hella deep)
Ambitions of a Ridah
Keep your Head up
Bury me a G
Straight Ballin
Against all Odds
Some unreleased Makavelli work...

If he was alive most of these WHACK ASS rappers would not have a deal...

[1SICKLEX]

10 years later, Tupac's legacy lives on

09/13/2006 8:00 AM, AP
Nekesa Mumbi Moody

Visit Y! Music's Tupac Tribute Here

In the years since hip-hop lost its most dynamic figure, several superstars have embodied the qualities that made Tupac Shakur such a legend.

50 Cent's vicious raps and bullet-scarred body recall Shakur's reckless, dangerous side. Eminem's tortured lyrics remind us of Shakur's dark and depressing images of life. Jay-Z's many hits are reminiscent of Shakur's prolific output.

But 10 years after Shakur died on Sept. 13, 1996, the victim of a drive-by shooting, no rapper is as complex, as multifaceted, as challenging. A handsome and charismatic actor, a violent felon, a brilliant songwriter, a reckless celebrity, a misogynist and a visionary — Shakur still fascinates from the grave.

"I want to be in the future known as somebody," Shakur once said. "I want people to be talking about me, like, 'Remember when he was real bad?'"

They're still talking. Unlike so many other rap stars, Shakur represented an actual character, instead of a caricature.

"His messages were really strong and heartfelt, and he was a real person. He could go from saying 'Keep your head' up to using the word b---- in the next song," Kanye West told The Associated Press. "There was no box that he was put in, and he lived and died by what he said."

Though just 25 when an assailant sprayed his car with bullets as he rode shotgun down a Las Vegas street, Shakur has been the subject of numerous books, film and stage productions have explored his colorful life, and college courses have dissected his songs ranging from the player anthem "I Get Around" to the prophetic "How Long Will They Mourn Me?"

But why? Though some have anointed Shakur as the greatest rapper ever, largely due to his passion that could stir even casual listeners, the assessment is hardly universal. Others would give that title to The Notorious B.I.G., Shakur's foil who was killed months after Shakur. Others say Jay-Z reigns supreme.

As an actor in films like "Juice" and "Poetic Justice," it was clear Shakur was an explosive, raw talent — but one that needed refinement. And his personal life exposed perhaps his most troubling personal traits: In 1994 he was convicted of sexual assault, and though he espoused black empowerment, he spent the last months of his life inciting a rap war through hateful rhymes.

Yet Shakur's fallibility may ultimately explain why he remains so beloved.

"Nothing that I can answer is really going to get at it, or it's going to sound emotional and corny, but the fact of the matter is he was just a very special human being," said Vibe magazine editor in chief Danyel Smith, who knew Shakur before he became a superstar.

"He was the kind of heroic figure — very flawed, very passionate, very handsome, very outspoken, very talented — who comes along once in a lifetime," she said.

"He stood for something and he really talked about life — it wasn't just street life," OutKast's Big Boi told The AP. "He was an intelligent guy."

Tupac Amaru Shakur was born to former Black Panther Afeni Shakur in 1971 — his father wasn't around. Afeni was pregnant and incarcerated while she and other Panthers faced conspiracy charges that were later dismissed.

His mother's revolutionary qualities infused many of Shakur's raps, like the angry "Souljah's Revenge" or "Words of Wisdom." But Shakur's lyrics also reflect his unstable childhood — his mother battled drug addiction and he and his sister lived in poverty. That pain, frustration, anger and bewilderment became the inspiration for some of his most poignant, searing songs.

"He had a view that I think extended to what we would think of various kinds of sociological arguments, humanistic arguments, arguments around morality," said Marcyliena Morgan, a Stanford University associate professor and director of the school's Hiphop Archive.

Though he attended a school for talented teens while living in Baltimore, by the time he reached the California Bay Area, he was dabbling in street life. Soon his rap talent would lead him into another world that would prove just as turbulent.

As Shakur said after one arrest — "(I didn't have) no police record until I made a record."

With each platinum album, trouble found him anew. He was criticized by national figures like C. Dolores Tucker and former Vice President Dan Quayle and involved in a gunfight with off-duty police officers in Atlanta. While his pro-woman anthem "Keep Ya Head Up" scaled the charts, he was accused of leading a group in sexually assaulting a young woman in a hotel. While on trial for those charges, he survived a shooting at a recording studio where Biggie Smalls and Sean "Diddy" Combs were present.

Shakur was convicted of some charges at his sexual assault trial, and spent several months in a maximum security prison before the fearsome Suge Knight got him out on bail pending an appeal and signed Shakur to his Death Row label.

In the last year of his life, Shakur was at his most popular and sensational — and his most reckless. He ignited the so-called East Coast-West Coast war, claiming that Biggie and Diddy were responsible for his shooting (which they denied).

On the last night of his life, Shakur, Knight and their entourage delivered a violent beatdown to a rival gang member in a Las Vegas casino. Hours later, while riding in the passenger seat of Knight's BMW, Shakur was riddled with bullets. Police arrested and questioned the gang member who was stomped in the casino, but no charges have ever been filed.

While other dead celebrities are celebrated as nostalgia acts for what they once represented, Shakur remains a vital presence in today's rap world. Perhaps that's due to the volume of material he left behind. So many albums of previously unreleased songs have been issued since his death, a few people are convinced that he's still alive.

However, it may be the words of Shakur — often overshadowed by the controversy that dogged him — where his brilliance is most notable. Rather than becoming dated, songs like "So Many Tears" and "Changes" still speak to the despair and pain that remain very real in urban America.

"He was one of a kind," said Smith, "and I think whenever you want to ask yourself who Tupac is, as much as I'm a journalist and I live by headlines, don't go to the headlines to find out who Tupac was, go to the music. You will not be disappointed."

[GeorgeWBush]

:wgaf: .....

[quickdodge®]

You wouldn't, cuz you weren't even conceived yet. Later, QD.

[1SICKLEX]

:wgaf: .....

I would ask please respect or don't reply.

[quickdodge®]

He can't help it. Most down-syndrome clones are known for wild fits of epileptic Tourette's syndrome. Later, QD.

[quickdodge®]

On a different note. This is the wrong section. Later, QD.

[GeorgeWBush]

He can't help it. Most down-syndrome clones are known for wild fits of epileptic Tourette's syndrome. Later, QD.

you seem to be obsessed with me. constantly repping me and talking about my posts. i guess you look up to me since your wife tells you how big i am, and how you cant please her.

[Hulud]

dude, what the fuck?

you think racism is funny?

[slowrolla97]

dude, what the fuck?

you think racism is funny?

I think jesus slapping G.W Bush is funny

[Hulud]

I think jesus slapping G.W Bush is funny

as do i lol

[GeorgeWBush]

dude, what the fuck?

you think racism is funny?

no. he was a rapper who claimed to be a "thug" or gangster, what the fuck do you think is gonna happen living your life like that?

[quickdodge®]

you seem to be obsessed with me. constantly repping me and talking about my posts. i guess you look up to me since your wife tells you how big i am, and how you cant please her.

As with the last time you "tried" me, you started this round. And again, as with the last time, you will lose. Kind of like your Mom did when she found out she was pregnant with you. Later, QD.

[GeorgeWBush]

As with the last time you "tried" me, you started this round. And again, as with the last time, you will lose. Kind of like your Mom did when she found out she was pregnant with you. Later, QD.

speaking of pregnant. your wife is cuz i was a fool and didnt wrap my tool. have fun with the little fucker, cuz i sure as hell aint taken him. hes all urs.

later fu

[Hulud]

no. he was a rapper who claimed to be a "thug" or gangster, what the fuck do you think is gonna happen living your life like that?

no im referring to your avatar and sig

[quickdodge®]

speaking of pregnant. your wife is cuz i was a fool and didnt wrap my tool. have fun with the little fucker, cuz i sure as hell aint taken him. hes all urs.

later fu

Seems you've step 2 of QD's HOW TO BE AN E-THUG. Later, QD.

[GeorgeWBush]

Seems you've step 2 of QD's HOW TO BE AN E-THUG. Later, QD.

no i just thought it would be nice to let others know i dont have to use my e penis like you, i use my real one with your wife. and yours goes in gsrturbo, the passionate lover you are hiding.

[quickdodge®]

no i just thought it would be nice to let others know i dont have to use my e penis like you, i use my real one with your wife. and yours goes in gsrturbo, the passionate lover you are hiding.

Couldn't come up with anything could you? Later, QD.

[koukis14]

no. he was a rapper who claimed to be a "thug" or gangster, what the fuck do you think is gonna happen living your life like that?

That was just an image he used to sell albums. Have you ever seen him act. The movie Gridlocked blew me away.

[ShooterMcGavin]

regardless of thug or not, he was a fuckin lyrical genius.

[ORGANIZATIONXIII]

where's BIGGIE's thread at then???

move to music forum..

[Fast Shadow]

grab the glock if you see tupac
call the cops if you see tupac

(cuz if you see him it means he's a zombie )

[1439/2000]

Eric B. for President.

[Ran]

2PAC died 10 years ago...

:wgaf:

[B16a2 Civic]

moved to music forum
wasnt a fan....but respect for the influence he had on hip hop

[1439/2000]

Who saw Juice? I thought he died in that movie.


lol

[B16a2 Civic]

Lol

[1SICKLEX]

Myabe I am showing my age, lol...2Pac was not an act. He was genuine, that was why he was on the news seemingly every week. Going to jail is not an act. Shooting off duty police officers in Atlanta is not an act. THe fights were not an act. His music was not an act.

I can't even listen to todays music, "grillz, rims, tits blah blah blah". Its not music. Its a forumla.
1. Catchy beat
2. Talk about a bunch of nothing
3. Have a hot video with women

And sadly, the youth of today are deprived of REAL music from 2PAC and Biggie. Jay-Z is retired (though is next album should drop in Novemeber).

2PAC music was a movement. Our generations Bob Marley. A legend.

[quickdodge®]

Myabe I am showing my age, lol...2Pac was not an act. He was genuine, that was why he was on the news seemingly every week. Going to jail is not an act. Shooting off duty police officers in Atlanta is not an act. THe fights were not an act.

Actually, a lot of it was an act. He lived that life because he had to. He wasn't really of that nature.

He was living what he rapped about. Not rapping what he lived.

There's a difference.

I can't even listen to todays music, "grillz, rims, tits blah blah blah". Its not music. Its a forumla.
1. Catchy beat
2. Talk about a bunch of nothing
3. Have a hot video with women

Boy do I ever agree with you on that. Real speak.

[QUOTE=1SICKLEX]And sadly, the youth of today are deprived of REAL music from 2PAC and Biggie. Jay-Z is retired (though is next album should drop in Novemeber).

I agree with 2/3 of that. Gay-Z is crap. I don't like Biggie, but He was good.

2PAC music was a movement. Our generations Bob Marley. A legend.

Not too sure on that. I was never a fan of Pac, but have always felt that he was, indeed, talented. Later, QD.

[StupidBikerBoy]

Myabe I am showing my age, lol...2Pac was not an act. He was genuine, that was why he was on the news seemingly every week. Going to jail is not an act. Shooting off duty police officers in Atlanta is not an act. THe fights were not an act. His music was not an act.

I can't even listen to todays music, "grillz, rims, tits blah blah blah". Its not music. Its a forumla.
1. Catchy beat
2. Talk about a bunch of nothing
3. Have a hot video with women

And sadly, the youth of today are deprived of REAL music from 2PAC and Biggie. Jay-Z is retired (though is next album should drop in Novemeber).

2PAC music was a movement. Our generations Bob Marley. A legend.

+1
Agree 100%

Tupac was living the life long before he bacame famous.

[quickdodge®]

+1
Agree 100%

Tupac was living the life long before he bacame famous.

No. He wasn't. Later, QD.

[Ran]

Myabe I am showing my age, lol...2Pac was not an act. He was genuine, that was why he was on the news seemingly every week. Going to jail is not an act. Shooting off duty police officers in Atlanta is not an act. THe fights were not an act. His music was not an act.

Yet for some reason, there's a statue of this guy in Atlanta? What a waste of resources.

2PAC music was a movement. Our generations Bob Marley. A legend.

el oh el

[quickdodge®]

Yet for some reason, there's a statue of this guy in Atlanta? What a waste of resources.

How? It costed no one except for Tupac's estate any money. So what resources were wasted? He had a foundation laid to help younger, underprivledged children learn through the art of music.

el oh el

Hail yeah. Later, QD.

[Fast Shadow]

If it is on a major label it is an act. It is pro wrestling with rhymes. Don't ever doubt that. It's a big business, enjoy the show but don't think any of it is real.

The worst part after 2Pac and later after Biggie died was the quest to find the next rapper that sounded and looked like them.. it was sad. Ja Rule was supposed to be the next 2Pac and DMX all rolled in one.

[Julio]

hnmmm. Pac was no damn thug or anything. Shit, pac used to carry digital underground's shit to shows... Yeah, he was extremely poor and lived in ghetto ass places.. But he was a good kid, he even went to art schools and shit.
He was an act.. some of his songs were really some of his struggles etc.. but all that thug shit he made famous, was all an act. He did have some crazy ass stans around him all the time.. But I think, you have to when you in that lifestyle.
He became crazy after he had money. I've been listening to pac since day one. 15 or 16 years ago. I had some old school mix tapes when He was trying to start up w/ digital underground. I bet some of you dont know that he tried the fancy shit back in 89 sorda, like the fresh will smith was doing.. shit didnt work and had to change his style.
Bam, 1991 came around and he dropped 2Pacalypse Now .. shit was diffrent for it times.. talking about shit going on in the ghetto streets. I was 11 years old when I got a hold of the 2Pacalypse now tape.. I really didnt understood much, since I really had no clue about politics/sex and other social problems... But some I did understand.
2pac was one of the smartest rappers ever.... Was really well educated , something some will never believe.

Anyways, Big pac fan here, I read alot on him =]

[Julio]

If it is on a major label it is an act. It is pro wrestling with rhymes. Don't ever doubt that. It's a big business, enjoy the show but don't think any of it is real.

The worst part after 2Pac and later after Biggie died was the quest to find the next rapper that sounded and looked like them.. it was sad. Ja Rule was supposed to be the next 2Pac and DMX all rolled in one.

biggie is/was wack. carbon copy wannabe of tupac. The only reason Biggie blew up was thanks to Puff... It was all timing.. P.Diddy knew that was the time for him to shine and take bad boy to another level at that time. .. well, Ill take that back.. after biggie died.. BAD BOY went up a notch.. more smart moves by Puff.

It upsets me, People always trying to compare pac and biggie.. biggie was wack.. I mean, Pac was wayyyyyyyyy ahead of its time when Biggie came around.

I mean, count biggies hit and then find extra hands to count PAC's.

[quickdodge®]

See? Even Julio knows. He was involved in that shit so as not to be labeled a studio gangster. Being inside Death Row, he basically had to live the life he rapped of. Lster, QD.