#tupac interview

[ausetkmt]

Tupac Shakur 1994 Exclusive Interview With Ed Gordon

[thatlaidbackdude]

This has always been one of my favorite Tupac interviews,particularly from 1:15 until the end. It's hard to believe that today marks 20 years since his death. May his legacy live on.

[spit16-therapapp-blog]

[pacsgal]

My favorite interview of tupac's

[hiphopscriptures]

Unheard Audio 2pac & Jim Belushi Interview On The Set Of 'Gang Related' 8-27-96

[bemnzema]

[curiousmaryjane]

Tupac 1994

[24jaded]

THE MULTIDIMENSIONAL ESSENCE OF TUPAC SHAKUR AND WHY IT RELATES TO HIP HOP TODAY

As most know, Tupac Shakur was a prominent rap figure of the 90′s who was tragically killed in an unsolved shooting. However, he is not only remembered for his musical work. Many remember him as a talented poet, cultured mind, and adamant revolutionary. One of the most impressionable memories many have of Tupac is his outspoken demeanor and multidimensional character. A character that if misunderstood, is probably referred to as very contradictory. Throughout his life and career, Tupac rubbed a lot of people the wrong way. Unintentionally, his words and actions made it difficult for others to agree with him a lot of the time. Everything from his beef with the late Notorious BIG, his stance on women to his on going struggle with politicians added to the difficulty the public had in accepting his straightforward persona. Though many may not have like this at the time, a rap star that has these struggles is exactly the substance that we are craving and missing in the rap game today. Many rappers are too one dimensional. Often rapping about the same superficial things: how much money they have, the new jewelry and foreign car they just bought last week to the new chick on their arm. Where has the music gone that focused on poverty, or educating the world about the struggles of the inner city community, the misconceptions in politics? All of these were issues Tupac addressed in his songs and even addressed outside of the studio. On platforms, speaking to politicians and young children. Where are the ‘Brenda’s Got A Baby’-or-’Keep Ya Head Up’-like tracks? When is the last time you’ve seen a rap star go to a school and speak, or join a room of politicians or even political group and just give their opinion? This is something so unheard of in today’s age of music. I’m not going to say that all of Tupac’s actions were right. I’m sure he wouldn’t even say that himself. But what most fans admire about Tupac Shakur the most was his courage to speak out no matter what the situation. Nowadays, rappers always seem like their under pressure to hold their tongue or speak on certain issues and not others. And most of the time these issues don’t even involve worthwhile things. Most of the time the issues rappers speak on is usually who their dating, which rapper they believe they’re better than, who they feel like dissing, and when their next album is coming out. Where has the substance gone? To remain fair, I won’t blame this solely on the generation of rappers that we have now. One must consider the change in time from the 90′s era to now. A lot of the issues that were focused on then have fallen to the background with the focus now being so much on technology and luxury. Although poverty and things as such are still issues, they’re not as prominent or focused on as they were just because of the change in time. However, one of the reasons music icons are so important is because they have a voice unique to any other speaker in the world and work a platform that reaches the greatest number of people from all ages and backgrounds. So to not hold them responsible for having a voice on these issues would also be careless That’s the forgotten purpose of music stars. To have a voice. Because the masses listening will continue to listen and take action. But it has to start from the source and if the source isn’t speaking about it then it’s nonexistent to the ears listening. A fact that Tupac knew all too well. He knew who was listening and watching him, and he knew how strong his influence was. Nowadays, rappers are aware of their influence but use it to superficially show off their new cars, clothes and chains rather than drawing attention to the topics that really matter. I’m also not going to portray Tupac as a totally righteous, absent flawed figure just because he was aware of all this. Although he was a superstar, he remained very human like and relatable because of his multidimensional character, because of his contradictions. It seems as though many rappers, and just people in general, are very scared of making mistakes and being perceived as something they’re not. And I believe this is where many found fault with Tupac. Because although he was very knowledgeable in stride, he still made mistakes and said things hypocritical to his previous statements and actions. But do we want to watch a perfected person do the same things over and over or would we rather watch a more relatable figure slip up like most of us do on a daily basis? The only difference between that person and us is that they would be less afraid to display it. This is what Tupac was. Knowledgeable of what was right but fearless of his mistakes and faults. He was a growing rap star, but also a human growing and unraveling his layers before our eyes. And that’s what made him so relatable and loved. An attribute very much lacking from most rappers today. Ask anyone who they feel is the most relatable rapper and I bet you the question will catch them off guard. [And if it doesn't they'll probably say Drake, for obvious reasons... haha.] The point of this article is not to showcase the overlooked praiseworthy attributes of the late Tupac Shakur but to establish the point that the substance of hip hop and it’s stars are dwindling. And it’s something that needs to be brought back into the spotlight, not only for this generation of listeners but also for the youth who, if it’s not brought back, will grow up oblivious to the constant plunges that surround them. Because issues such as poverty, politics, and education are inevitable. They’re not going anywhere. And we need icons that will draw attention to these issues rather than just rapping about their fancy auto mare, platinum and gold chains or new Bugatti.