A Shining Beacon in Hip Hop

Tupac Amaru Shakur was born Lesane Crooks on June 19th, 1971. The man so affectionately known as the godfather of West Coast gangster rap was raised by his mother, Afeni Shakur. Afeni was a dedicated black panther and gave birth to Tupac while behind bars. Tupac's life wouldn't get any easier.

He grew up poor and with a mother that had a crack addiction. Tupac, however, was a survivor. He enjoyed reading, poetry and literature. His love for the arts soon landed him a scholarship to the Baltimore School of Arts in which he stared in his first play as the lead for the play "Raisin in the Sun."

After going through school, Tupac landed a job as a back up dancer for the up and coming rap group Digital Underground. He got the honor of touring the country with the group and soon discovered his own skills on the microphone when Digital Underground allowed him to rap on one of their singles entitled "Same Song." This was Tupac's big break.

Tupac was later signed to Death Row Records, which was owned by the notorious thug Suge Knight. Tupac prospered on the label with his debut 1991 record "2pacalypse Now." The album was certified gold and went on to sell millions of copies.

Tupac's short career and life was ended on September 7, 1996. He was shot after attending a fight in Las Vegas. On the Vegas Strip, a car pulled up to his black Mercedes at a red light and opened fire. Tupac was killed and Suge Knight escaped with minor wounds. To this day, the killer has not been found and there are no suspects.

Throughout all the legal trouble, controversial lyrics and his gangster lifestyle, Tupac was a role model. He demonstrated love for his people and for all people by funding inner-city programs for youth and for adults. Tupac was known to be very kind to his fans of all ages and races. He proved to be a "Rose That Grew from Concrete" in making something of his rough life. He is inspiration to all.

This is a short synopsis of a man whose passion, drive, emotion, positive contributions and life can barely be described in a novel. Follow your dreams.



by : Sandra Stammberger

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