Profile

Name: Originally was Lesane Crooks later changed to Tupac Shakur

Date of Birth: June 16th 1971

Place of Birth: Brooklyn, New York

Parents: Afeni Shakur (Alice Fay Walker)

Occupation: Rapper/Actor

Meaning/purpose of name: Tupac meaning Shining Serpent and Shakur meaning 'Thanks To God' in Arabic

Comments:

Tupac Shakur today is known as a legend for his rap music, his lyrics based on his own experiences, he raps about his life, the violence of the Ghetto and the difficulties in life to survive.
Coming from a violent and rough background himself, Tupac had faced many life risking and dangerous incidents many times such as shootings and stabbings finding himself in the hospital time again.
He also faced many charges, such as sexual abuse to a woman, fights etc and ended up in prison for 2 years where he wrote his song 'Dear Mama', in my opinion, a great song. He was inspired to rap when his friend died from playing with a gun.

People who don't know Tupac would look at him and think he was a thug because of where he came from, or how he talks and acts, but Tupac's lyrics and poetry proove to those people they are wrong. To judge someone with prejudice is bad but to act with discrimination is worse.

Tupac was concerened about the black community and how others see black people. His concerns about racism brought about another single 'Changes' where he hopes one day he would see changes in society.
In his lyrics he would rap about how 'Cops give a damn about a negro
pull the trigger kill a nigga he's a hero' making his point about racism.

In my own analysis, i think Tupac is a great rapper who touched many people with his lyrics. His death was a tragedy to everyone, and his life as a whole tells us how every moment of his life he was living, was in danger. One day he'd be rich and famous, next he's dead, and this reflects on how his life is, he too probably expected it to happen.

His Poems

The Rose That Grew From Concrete

Did you hear about the rose that grew from a crack in the concrete?
Proving nature's law is wrong it learned to walk with out having feet.
Funny it seems, but by keeping it's dreams, it learned to breathe fresh air.
Long live the rose that grew from concrete when no one else ever cared.

In this poem, the rose metaphorically symbolises Tupac himself

And 2morrow

Today is filled with anger
fueled with hidden hate
scared of being outcast
afraid of common fate
Today is built on tragedies
which no one wants 2 face
nightmares 2 humanities
and morally disgraced
Tonight is filled with rage
violence in the air
children bred with ruthlessness
because no one at home cares
Tonight I lay my head down
but the pressure never stops
knawing at my sanity
content when I am dropped
But 2morrow I c change
a chance 2 build a new
Built on spirit intent of Heart
and ideals
based on truth
and tomorrow I wake with second wind
and strong because of pride
2 know I fought with all my heart 2 keep my
dream alive

In this poem, Tupac expresses his inner feelings and emotions about facing life every day. He is always hoping that things will change, and shows his will to stick with his ideas or a better place.

If I Fail

If in my quest 2 achieve my goals
I stumble or crumble and lose my soul
Those that knew me would easily co-sign
There was never a life as hard as mine
No father-no money-no chance and no guide
I only follow my voice inside
if it guides me wrong and I do not win
I'll learn from mistakes and try to achieve again.

This poem's message is quite obvious, proving that he has the sense and courage to learn from his experiences and mistakes. If he falls down, he is willing to climb back up, strengthening his willpower.