Narrative Writing & Tupac Essay

American rapper, actor, activist, poet 2Pac was truly one of hip hop’s most distinctively talented artists and indeed, a dynamically influential figure who conveyed his introspective thoughts through such vibrantly resonating music and lyrics. However, 2Pac’s journey to glory and recognition was filled only with many intricacies and hardships but fuelled only by gifted ability, wit, heart and sheer passion. Many could either label him from anywhere as both a thug and gangster or a natural born leader and poet—but 2pac emphasized: â€Å"Measure a man by his actions fully, with his whole life from the beginning to the end† (qtd. in Lazin). Born Tupac Amaru Shakur (June 16, 1971) in East Harlem, New York, 2pac was named after a proud Inca chief from South America by his mother who was a key member of the Black Panther. Due to her significant affiliation with the movement, Afeni Shakur was incarcerated during her pregnancy to her son. 2pac admits the absolute admiration he has for his mother for being able to withstand all adversity and eventually giving birth to him, affectionately mentioning her as a â€Å"strong black woman†(Lazin). 2pac values his mother’s teaching of raising him and his sister to be community-oriented and socially aware, amidst the financial shortcomings they faced. 2pac categorizes their financial status then as being â€Å"stone broke† as they did not have luxuries or even necessities which he thought they needed. Growing up, 2pac had no real father figure to look up to—he stresses such longing in saying that â€Å"You need a man to teach you how to be a man† (qtd. in Lazin). Due to his troubles to gain a steady source of income, his mother decided to move to Baltimore. There, 2pac was enrolled in the Baltimore School of Arts and spent three years there learning assorted facets of art and meeting various individuals-turned-friends. In the process of education, 2pac pin points one major flaw of lack of shedding light into life’s reality. In his observation of the social and economic inequality, he states, â€Å"Rich people should live like poor people, and poor people should live like rich people. They should change every week† (qtd. in Lazin). In attempt to escape poverty and violence, 2pac moved to California only to realize the same poverty element shared by the â€Å"black community. † Yet, amidst it all, he stayed strong. After having decided to move out of his mother’s house and authority, with no other choice, 2pac resorted to the ways of street life in which he cites how he found father-figures in the form of drug-dealers, pimps, and criminals. It was in the streets that his rather sharp tongue was cultivated: â€Å"The words that I say are the words that don’t come out from a mother’s mouth or a father’s mouth† (2Pac qtd. in Lazin). Eventually dropping out from high school, 2Pac had a short turn in selling drugs but was advised later on by the same people— his co-drug dealers, who later stood as financial sponsors for him to follow his dreams in music. 2pac professionally started in an early nineties hip hop group known as the â€Å"Digital Underground. † Shock G, leader of the group, gave opportune chances for 2Pac as he was starting out—free style raps during performances and songs, having him belong in the group as a roadie and taking him in. After having some songs under his belt and being recognized for his talent by major music labels and prominent figures such as Interscope and Ted Field, â€Å"2Pacalypse Now† was released as his first platinum album in which he tackled major social issues and expressed and stimulated the pain he dealt with throughout his childhood. This was the beginning of a series of albums that were not only of commercial and critical success but also were of social significance. As 2Pac’s fame grew, he opted to stretch his skills for the silver-screen, through films such as â€Å"Juice† (1992), â€Å"Poetic Justice† (1993), and â€Å"Above the Rim† (1994) which displayed both his aggressive and sensitive strengths in his character and also, acting prowess. As his messages of social awareness come across even more, 2Pac stressed his personal take and concept of how he wants to empower the youth, the oppressed, and the ill-fated through his idealistic but rather controversial theme of â€Å"Thug Life. † However, there were rather social distortions in between 2Pac’s and the media’s meaning. Hence, in a subjective interpretation, 2Pac explains that this idea has nothing to do with the dictionary’s definition of thug; rather, it pertains to the underdog who chooses to overcome each life’s seemingly hopeless obstacles with pride, dignity, and courage. His fame was often accompanied by many sorts of controversy which included a violent altercation with a limousine driver, clashes with rightist group members like C. Dolores Tucker and William Bennett, to the news and media pertaining to his lyrics content, and even assault, which took quite heavy blows upon him. Most especially on life and freedom threatening occurrences, after being a victim of a shooting, he was later convicted to serve a prison sentence due to losing to charges of rape. His prison stint, only gave rose to strength and experience in him becoming a better man of insight in life’s truths. In addition, while serving his sentence, his music still crossed-over to the hearts and minds of millions. With all of these, he realized his irresponsible actions, mistakes, and rather wrong decision making of what to say, what to do, and how to act. After being bailed out through a record deal with CEO with a criminal past, Suge Knight and his music label, Death Row Records, 2Pac was freed and at once focused on getting his music on the rise again. Despite having freedom, 2Pac had to face an assortment of financial battles, just as so as he would not to go back to jail. As 2Pac music rode the Death Row banner high and proud, together with peers such as Dr. Dre and Snoop Doggy Dogg, a feud between East Coast and West Coast rapper grew, but 2Pac stresses that such tension was rooted only and mainly on two men—him and East Coast rapper Notorious B. I. G. 2Pac understood the effects of such strain of which he felt responsible for and said that â€Å"I hope we would exercise greater restraint,† pertaining to the situation (qtd. in Lazin). Amidst all the past difficulties and pressing danger, 2Pac kept a strong outlook on life: â€Å"I felt that the only thing that could kill me is death, and even then, my music will live forever† (qtd. in Lazin). While in Las Vegas, after a Mike Tyson-Bruce Seldon bout, a car pulled up alongside were Suge Knight, and 2Pac was positioned then open fired upon by four gunmen as they were supposedly headed to a night club. After undergoing two surgeries, having a lung removed and despite having a surge of praying fans outside the hospital of which were he stayed, 2Pac passed away with his truth message and true music of which he left behind to us. His legacy would never be forgotten for his music captured continuing struggles of the common man who only demanded for change, progress, and the right to have a better future. Tupac Amaru Shakur indeed was a warrior and prophet, despite the controversy, despite the media frenzy he had to go through, and despite everything else. Indeed, his message is powerful: â€Å"I’m not saying I’m going to change the world, but I guarantee you that I will spark the brains that will change the world. So, keep you head up† (2Pac qtd. in Lazin). Works Cited Lazin, Lauren. Tupac: Resurrection. Los Angeles, California: Paramount Pictures, 2003.