Tupac Shakur: Restoring Rap’s Bad Rep
Why is hip-hop considered a negative aspect of music? Hip-Hop is a culture that includes a well-known genre of rap music, especially popular with millennials. Acclaimed for its flow of head-boppin’ beats and catchy lyrics, there is a part of rap that isn’t spoken of as much as it should be, and that is the deeper meaning of the song. Artists pour their heart and soul into their music. They’re telling their life stories and incorporating it in songs, giving their listeners experiences to connect to, thus creating greater emotional connections between mass audiences. Rap music is often perceived as violent or vulgar due to the portrayal of it in the media, in videos, and even in the lyrics. But like other genres of music, hip hop is a form of entertainment. Unfortunately, that’s all it is seen as, but it is much more than that. Rap is art. It is thought-provoking and uses the same devices that are used in poetry. Rap is poetry, so how is poetry seen as beautiful, by the public, while rap isn’t? The lyrics contain rhyme, repetition, metaphors, classical fiction, personification, and poetic conceit- the same devices that are all valued in poems. Although some songs are viewed as aggressive, violent, and inappropriate, the people who think rap sends out negative messages tend to forget that rap is a lifestyle as much as it is entertainment.
2Pac-
The late Tupac Shakur is said to be one of the most influential rappers of all time due to his long lasting legacy of rap music. According to Biography.com, he has sold over 75 million albums, and, “received one of music’s highest honors by being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. A worthy inclusion for a rapper held by many to have been the greatest of all time”. He used poetry in his songs and spoke of various, relevant societal issues such as suicide, poverty, and racism.
Changes: https://genius.com/2pac-changes-lyrics
In one of his most popular songs, Changes, Tupac raps about life as an African American in the United States. In the first few lines of the song, he mentions thoughts of suicide and being so poor that he would have to steal to get money for food. Later in the song, he also talks about racism and how it affects blacks, using rhyme with the lines, “I see no changes all I see is racist faces / Misplaced hate makes disgrace to races…And although it seems heaven sent / We ain’t ready, to see a black President, uhh / It ain’t a secret don’t conceal the fact / The penitentiary’s packed, and it’s filled with blacks”
Then he talks about poverty and how blacks have to be a stereotypical gangster, selling drugs to get paid. He says there needs to be a change to that someday, but he knows that “that’s just the way it is”. People see black people as bad people, or thugs, because they steal and sell drugs, but that’s what they need to do in order to survive in this life. They need some way to make money, so they do these things considered “bad”. Tupac wants to see a change, because he stands up for his people. He grew up from the hood, and made something of himself through rap. He knows that other people can do better too, but the way society is, it makes it hard to do.
Starin’ Through My Rear View: https://genius.com/2pac-starin-through-my-rear-view-lyrics
“Once a motherf- get an understandin’ on the game, and what the levels and the rules of the game is, then the world ain’t no trick no more, the world is a game to be played. So, now we lookin’ at the world from, like, behind us. N- know what we gotta do: just gotta put our mind to it and do it. It’s all about the papers, money rule the world.”
In this song, Tupac raps about how the world really is, at least to him. He talks about how society is messed up. People don’t care anymore, all they care about is money. He uses metaphors in this song and plays this “game” called life. Life’s a game, everybody plays it but the levels aren’t the same. It is a little different though, because you only get one life and if you want to finish it until the end then you got to survive. Life isn’t fair, it’s insane how some people are born rich, while others are born without a dime to their name. Tupac was one of those people at the lower level of the game. He talks about how he keeps a gun with him for protection, and sold drugs to make a living.
Unconditional Love: https://genius.com/2pac-unconditional-love-lyrics
“No wonder why when times get hard / ’Cause it ain’t easy bein’ who we are / Driven by my ambitions, desire higher positions / So I proceed to make G’s eternally / And my mission is to be more than just a rap musician / The elevation of today’s generation, if I could make ’em listen / Prison ain’t what we need, no longer stuck in greed / Time to plan, strategize, my family’s gotta eat / We work somethin’ out of nothin’ / No pleasure in the sufferin’”
Again, Tupac rhymes about his come up as a rap musician. He is a perfect example of the saying, “from rags to riches”. But much more than being a rap artist, Tupac wants to set an example for people and be an influential artist by speaking of societal issues and talking about his life.
Thugz Mansion: https://genius.com/2pac-thugz-mansion-lyrics
“So much pressure in this life of mine, I cry at times / I once contemplated suicide, and woulda tried / But when I held that 9, all I could see was my mama’s eyes / No one knows my struggle, they only see the trouble / Not knowin’ it’s hard to carry on when no one loves you / Picture me inside the misery of poverty / No man alive has ever witnessed struggles I survived / Prayin’ hard for better days, promise to hold on / Me and my dawgs ain’t have a choice but to roll on”
As can be seen, Tupac’s raps are on similar subjects. In this song, Tupac talks about his struggles, and contemplating suicide because of what he goes through. He mentions how society is to black people and how people don’t treat them fairly. He mentions that his father was shot, while fighting for equality because both of his parents were part of Black Panthers, a revolutionary Black Nationalist and socialist organization. He talks about a place he calls “Thugz Mansion”, similar to heaven, where it’s peaceful and he can just be happy.
Brenda’s Got a Baby: https://genius.com/2pac-brendas-got-a-baby-lyrics
In this song, Tupac tells a story of a 12 year old named Brenda, who was impregnated by her cousin. This little girl grew up with a junkie father, and an absent mother. Her family didn’t really care about her pregnancy, so Brenda went through everything by herself. Teenage pregnancy is a subject that needs to be talked more about, because there are young girls who are on their own, calling for help.
Rap is an influential type of music. It is meaningful, as is poetry. Artists use this platform to voice their opinions on life and societal issues, relevant to various communities; including the rich, the poor, black and white communities, etc. Rapping is a way for artists to communicate their thoughts and ideas. Through song, they have the freedom to share their stories and many people can to relate to those experiences. Artists like Tupac Shakur rap about societal issues, giving a meaning to rap music. He is an inspiration in the rap industry, and will continue to be one of the greatest artists of all time. RIP Tupac Amaru Shakur.