The Rose That Grew From The Concrete

"Should we cry when the pope dies, my request we should cry if they cried when we buried Malcolm X?" Tupac Shakur these are words of rebellion as well as wisdom. He was and still remains the Greatest Rapper of All Time sorry Kanye, Jay-Z and Wayne but those guys don't hold a candle to this man. In my personal opinion he was the Malcolm X of rap music he was complex like most human beings but that is what him made so special. I was born in the 90's so I grew up on his music and lifestyle. Originally born as Lesane Parrish Crooks in East Harlem section of Manhattan New York his parents were members of The Black Panther Party in fact he was born one month after his mother's acquittal on more than 150 charges of "Conspiracy against the United States government and New York landmarks" in the New York Panther 21 court case. But he his stage name we know as Tupac Shakur well Amaur comes his mother's name anyway this name comes from a a Peruvian revolutionary who led an indigenous uprising against Spain and was subsequently executed.

Need less to say he endured many struggles throughout his life I mean he saw alot in those 25 years. He met Shock G and The Digital Underground Crew and became a dancer for this amazing rap group. He got his first taste of exposure on their hit "Same Song." While of this occurred he learned his mother had become addicted to crack he also had many run ins with the law many of this incidents were unjustly in my opinion. You see Tupac had book knowledge and Black militant knowledge so he was very honest and outspoken but that is what we loved about him. One woman that stole his heart and I know she still loves him even in death Jada-Pinkett Smith.Tupac made a cameo appearance on the show A Different World  Jada portrayed the sassy college student Lena James  in one paticular episode he portrayed Piccolo Lena's ex-boyfriend that came down to Hillman for a visit and steal her away from her current boyfriend.

 He had party anthems such as "California Love," "I Get Around," "Ambitions As A Rider," then a more sensitive side was showcased on "Brenda's Got A Baby," and "Keep Your Head Up." Some say he was America's worst nightmare I think he was another gift to the world of music and life in general. I love you and I miss you homie.